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Addiction or disease? evaluation essay
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Has addiction been studied as a disease essays
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I attended an AA meeting at the 5th street fellowship on October 6, 2015. I looked forward to attending this meeting since the beginning of the clinical rotation. The meeting exceeded my expectations. It was an eye-opener and a life changing experience. The meeting at the 5th Street Fellowship consisted of a leader and two members. Even though there was only a smaller group gather, I could see the positive impact AA has had on each of the members personally, regardless of years of sobriety. The chairman of the group discussed the influence his sponsor, AA, and the 12-step program has had on his life and how he lives a happier, healthier, and a spiritual life due to his sobriety. I learned that all three components - sponsor, AA, and the 12-steps – are important in aiding in the sobriety of an …show more content…
Most people think of alcoholics of being part of the homeless population or of lower class. I learned that anyone can be an alcoholic, even nurses and doctors. In an Ohio survey regarding addiction as a disease, the results of the survey found that statewide 59% think that an alcohol or drug addiction is a disease and 43% believe that alcoholism or addiction is a weakness (Ohio Survey, 2010, p. 7-8). However, these two believed facts are wrong; Alcoholism is a disease and not a weakness. I think by understanding this and that alcoholism is a disease that is not easily controllable, I am accepting to those struggling with alcoholism and inspired by those that choose a life of sobriety. Those suffering from alcoholism and are able to overcome the cravings and disease are some of the strongest people I know. Attending this meeting has been a life-changing experience that has impacted my personally and my future practice as a nurse. I hope to be a nurse that is more accepting, open-minded, and judgment-free to everyone, despite my morals, beliefs, and societal
Today, one out of every thirteen adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. That means nearly thirteen million Americans have a drinking problem. (www.niaaa.nih.gov) This topic offers a broad range of ideas to be researched within the psychological field. For this particular project, the topic of alcoholism and the psychological effects on people best fit the criteria. Alcoholism is defined as a disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages, leading to physical and psychological harm and impaired social and vocational functioning. (www.dictionary.com) Through this project, the most important information regarding personal experiences dealing with alcoholism will be revealed. Not only are statistics, like the facts mentioned before, important when dealing with an issue such as alcoholism, but personal accounts and information are often more powerful and influential evidence. Non-alcoholics should be allowed to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for research purposes.
Coming into the substance abuse meeting the student nurse was scared and nervous. She was scared of the reaction of the consumers and feared all the stereotypes she heard about typical alcoholics. Innervison gave the student nurse a new outlook on these types of consumers. She no longer looked at them as people who were just drunks and wanted to use AA as an excuse to make it seem like they are getting help. She never really looked at alcoholism as a true addiction; it seemed like more of an excuse to escape life’s problems. Sitting in and listening to these consumers gave the student nurse a dose of reality. The student nurse now understands alcoholism better and AA helped her realize recovery is truly a process that takes one day and one step at a time.
Alcoholism is as prevalent in my family, as blood is in our veins. When previously asked to observe 12-step groups, I ritualistically flocked to Alcoholics Anonymous, without consideration of the possibility that other groups had any potential to make an impact on me. I always pride myself in my ability to identify as an individual that is not ensnared in alcoholism, but unfortunately am an individual that was highly tormented by alcoholism. Through observation of the group and how it processed, as well as identifying how I felt as a new attendee, I was able to understand why self-help, support groups are so vital for individuals in recovery. I finally realized, I too am in recovery.
Alcohol Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship worldwide consisting of over one hundred thousand men and women who are alcoholics, banded together in solving a common problem and in helping fellow alcohol users in their recovery from alcoholism. A.A.'s twelve steps are considered a list of principles which are spiritual in their nature, and if practiced as a way of life by members, can help significantly in expelling a member’s obsession to drink, and enable a holistic awareness. Step one is when the member admits they are powerless over the use of alcohol, resulting in an unmanageable life. No one wants to admit defeat, but admitting powerlessness over alcohol is the first step in becoming liberated. Step two is having a belief that the almighty power can restore their sanity. Step three is making the decision to turn their will and life over in the protection of the almighty God, which is the key to willingness of change as noted by the Twelve Steps of recovery. Step four is...
In the United States alcohol plays a key role in society. Alcohol is a euphoriant and depressant. Many Americans love to enjoy alcohol and it is quite accessible in most communities. In fact, the United States has high rates of alcoholism: half the population is considered regular drinkers or consumes 12 drinks per year (Black, 2010, p.xiv). However, for some people, alcohol can become addictive. When alcohol is consumed, it affects the brain which causes changes in behavior and mood. The Bible offers warnings about the effects of alcohol. One passage states, ?Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper? (Proverbs 23:31, New International Versions). In the end, if one is not careful, alcohol can lead to destruction. However, there are several programs that are offered in communities to help people deal with alcohol abuse. One common program is Alcohol Anonymous. The only requirement for attending Alcohol Anonymous meetings is for the member to have a desire to stop drinking.
This fall semester on the first week of school, my teacher pushed me away from my comfort zone. She assigned the class to attend a 12 step meeting followed by a written paper on our experience. I attended a DUI and Drug Counseling meeting in Libertyville. On my way there, I forecasted the meeting in a small, cold, classroom filled with elderly people gathered around in a circle talking about their everyday battle with alcohol. I’ve heard of 12 step meetings, but I have never been to one or encountered someone who has attended to one. I wondered if people attended voluntarily or if it was court ordered. I wondered if they were going to be praying. I wondered a lot of things which made me really nervous. My expectations were somewhat erroneous.
The majority of addiction rehabilitation centers are based off of a twelve-step program. A twelve-step program is a set of twelve guiding principals to help people recover from addiction. “The first 12-step program began with alcoholic anonymous in the 1930s…” (12step.org). Alcoholic Anonymous is a self–help group led by men and women who have the desire to stop drinking. The twelve steps used in A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous) can be found in The Big Book, which is the governing book used in all A.A. meetings, and has been revised for drug addicts.
Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most well known alcohol rehab programs in the United States and yet some experts are questioning its effectiveness despite the widely held belief that this 12 step program is effective.
This was my first AA Meeting experience, so going into the meeting, I had no expectations on what I hoped to get out of it or what I thought it was going to be like. Since this was my first AA meeting to attend, I was nervous about how people at the meeting would perceive me and their reactions for my reason being there. The meeting itself wasn’t awkward, but there was one moment from the meeting that was awkward for me. The moment that was awkward for me was the beginning of the meeting when we went around the room to introduce ourselves and when it was my turn, I said that I wasn’t an alcoholic and that I was there for a class assignment. So not knowing exactly what to say in that moment and having over twenty strangers staring at me in that
I attended the “11th Step” meeting at the Newman Congregational Church. The 11th Step uses meditation as a form of recovery. This was an open Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that takes place every Tuesday night. It was very difficult to find a meeting that was convenient for my schedule. They frequently took place at night when I had class, or on weekend mornings when I had to work. I originally sought help from a previous professor in finding a support group, however, Courtney and I ended up finding this particular one on our own through searching the internet. Although it was difficult for me to find a group that was convenient, I believe this particular time is the most accessible to those who had attended this meeting. The experience was overall very positive even though I was hesitant to attend at first, I did not realize how influential AA was to a recovering alcoholic before attending this meeting.
It was very helpful to get their perspective on what would be the most beneficial when counseling a client who is struggling with an addiction to alcohol, and how we might be able to approach this dilemma and refer them to AA. It was also helpful to hear how AA has benefitted the members and what types of defense mechanisms they all faced during their recovery. I did not feel like anything about the meeting was unhelpful, besides that the location was a little difficult to find. For the NA meeting it was very helpful to hear the members own experiences of what it was like to work Step through 5. It was helpful for the members to read through the chapter and allow others to share what they thought or the difficulties they faced. It was also helpful to learn how important it was to have a sponsor who had been through the recovery process themselves. They explained how having a sponsor was much more helpful than talking to a therapist or a partner about their addiction. After this meeting, I realize how important it would be, as a counselor, to understand that going to an anonymous meeting might be much more beneficial for the client, rather than only utilizing counseling as a form of therapy. I would most likely refer clients to 12 step programs, because it seems like an incredibly therapeutic option. One member shared that these programs work so well because the meetings are designed for addicts, by
The meeting took place in a portable outside of a church at around noon, and everyone there was kind of upbeat. There were maybe twenty adults of all ages in attendance. An irritable elderly man in a leather jacket, the leader, began the meeting by introducing himself and presenting various announcements. All the members recited a prayer and then a young man to the right of the leader, his right hand man, explained the usefulness of AA. He stated that alcoholics who do not attend AA meetings would probably fail to attain sobriety, and he read aloud the twelve steps to the program.
Alcoholism, the continued, excessive, and usually uncontrollable use of alcoholic drinks ,has many devastating effects on today's society. Whether it is their parents or the stranger on the street. When you are drinking your are not yourself! The destructive nature of alcoholism varies from drunk driving, extreme health problems to dysfunctional families enduring extreme pain and suffering. With continuous therapy the alcoholic and friends and family of the alcoholic can control the disease of alcoholism.
In depth research and surveys conducted by substance abuse psychologist Janet Barrientos proves that genetics and learned behavior are a major factors in alcoholics. Barrientos claims that “We live in a society where alcohol is an acceptable drug that has addiction properties and that affects the body both physically and psychologically.” Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to have alcohol or drug addiction problems. It has been around for centuries, and continues to remain a part of the world, getting more popular and “normal” throughout time. The positivity in the matter is that there are influential developments such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous to help those who struggle deeply with an alcohol or drug addiction.
Alcoholism is a disease that affects many people in the United States today. It not only affects the alcoholic, but also their family, friends, co-workers, and eventually total strangers. The symptoms are many, as are the causes and the effects.