Reaction Paper About Aa Meeting

I was able to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meeting on April 28, 2016. Just as the previous meeting, I used the AA website for the state of Virginia, googled the address, and used my GPS system in order to travel to the meeting. The meeting that I wanted to attend was an open group, handicap accessible, discussion themed which covered the 12 Steps, and discussed the 12 Traditions of AA. It was to be held at 6:15 P.M., and was about 10 minutes away from my home. I had chosen this meeting because this meeting covered aspects of AA that I was not personally familiar with; such as the 12 Traditions and the 12 Steps.

We began the meeting by introducing those who are new to AA or those who were visiting from a different group. If a person did not want to introduce themselves, they were not made to do so. The meetings were very calm and were conducted in an orderly fashion. In a support group, the leader should create a safe environment where members can share (Jacobs et al., 2012 p. 43). I felt very comfortable being there and even though I was there as an observer, the group leader always encouraged me to ask questions or comments. Regardless of the topics that were discussed, no one was judgmental. I believe the positive energy I felt while in the group was because everyone truly cared about each other’s sobriety.

The purpose of this research paper was to attend two support group meetings and share my experiences. The meetings that were to be attended were an Alcoholics Anonymous

As a mentioned before I came away from the AA meeting with a feeling, of great sadness and warmth. I felt welcomed and excepted, but at the same time I still cannot

I have never experienced what it would be like to be a part of an AA meeting. The only time I have had seen or heard someone mention meetings for alcoholics has been TV shows and movies, which would portray these meeting as a circle of strangers just deliberating stories of their life and how this disease has changed them forever. Therefore, I had no idea what to expect. I felt intimidated and had a sense of nervousness, so I decided I would not go alone and brought a friend. My expectation upon entering this meeting was to see beat up people with bad hygiene and a homeless appearance. As a matter of fact, the expectations I had upon walking towards this place was that I was going to get hit on and even get kidnapped. As crazy as it

I did not wish to interrupt the natural flow of the meeting with my presence. However, that is exactly what occurred highlighting to me a duality in why AA can be both helpful and harmful depending ton the individual. One member spoke during the open testimony about his desire to only attend meetings with people that have 20 plus years of sobriety because he finds a newcomer to be distrustful to his experience in the group. During his five-minute monologue, it became clear to myself and other group members that he did not appreciate me observing his meeting. As other members spoke after him, he became increasingly agitated in his movements. When the group paused to collect the donations, he left the meeting and did not return. That experience highlighted the negative aspects of AA because the open honesty could be damaging or discouraging to newcomers. I tried to imagine myself a newcomer to AA, seeking treatment for something that I may not fully understand myself. After hearing his dismissal of newcomers and everyone under 20 years sobriety that feeling of “otherness” in a newcomer could push them to not return. Therefore eliminating the AA support for

I went to a traditional 12 step AA meeting. It was a long timers group, which had individuals who have been attending AA for a while now and those who have been sober for at least 10 years or more. It was at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, located in Johnstown, Pa. The meeting was from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. They started off the meeting by reading the preamble. The preamble, which was found and quoted from the District 41- Alcoholics Anonymous, Johnstown, Pa website (2015), “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” After the preamble they had one of the attendees of the group read the 12 steps.

Following the “Guidelines” literature. It was brought back to the leader, he stated “My name is_____, and I am an alcoholic” which he followed by a topic for conversation and proceeded to speak on his encounter related to the topic he mentioned. After he was finished, the members responded with “Thanks, (name).” He then opened the meeting for discussion. At, first people were hesitant to verbalize their experiences and thoughts. One of the long-time members spoke first. I know he was a long-time member form the story he shared. Once he concluded his story, several others followed. Consequently, this section of the meeting took most of the hour allotted. When it came close to an hour; the leader started to bring the meeting to a close. He asked if anyone else would be willing to lead the next meeting. He read a statement, that explained that the meetings were self-supporting and any donations would be used to sponsor the meetings and its requirements. While he read that statement another member passed a collection basket. Once the basket had made its way back to the beginning the leader mentioned that he would now pass out the sobriety tokens. I had recognized these form a client I had worked with at my social services agency I interned at this year. The different color tokens represent the various stages of sobriety for each individual. As soon as, all the tokens were handed out the leader asked everyone to

Attending a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was a humbling and informative experience. To be completely honest, I had no idea what to expect going into the meeting. Right before I walked in, I felt somewhat uncomfortable and embarrassed. I felt as if I was intruding on someone’s personal life with my presence, even though I knew I was welcomed since the meeting was listed as “open”. Alcohol abuse is a very sensitive topic to me, as someone quite close to me is an alcoholic: my Uncle. I know that he is a recovering alcoholic, but I never quite know what is going on with him because I don’t ask questions and he never shares what he is feeling with me. When I was younger, I remember that he was always the life of my family parties, but I know now it was because he was drunk. When I see him now, he isn’t as energetic as he used to be and often avoids situations where alcohol is involved. Although my Uncle did not personally tell me, my father has shared with me that he attends AA meetings at a church in my hometown. I never understood what AA meetings really entail and didn’t grasp how they helped alcoholics recover. Attending this local AA meeting helped shed light on what my Uncle feels, and I am more understanding to his addiction. I am thankful for this assignment because I know that my Uncle is not alone; the AA community is so supportive and the members all have the best intentions of getting

When I walked into the meeting, I was a little apprehensive. It was only a small group of about ten people, which was held at a local hospital. Knowing that I had to explain I was there to observe as a student studying social work, I was worried that the participants would hold back from their real behaviors in the group and that they would be cold to me. However, that assumption could not have been farther from the truth. All my apprehension flew out the window, as the members of the small group all welcomed me with open arms. Apparently, these were regulars. Most in the group attended every meeting, and continued to use the support of the group to deal with the continuous chaos and trauma of living with an addict. I was welcomed to sit and observe the behavior of the individual members of the group express their grief, fear, and

Experiencing an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting was something quite unlike any of my previous experiences. Before I had entered the small room packed with people from wall to wall, my thoughts were soaring. They drifted from “this is most likely going to be extremely scary” to “how am I supposed to face these people who are suffering so badly, as if it’s no big deal.” I expected the stereotypical scene: small gathered circle, people crying, a table of pastries to the side of the room, and most importantly an extremely tense atmosphere. I expected the people in this meeting to look down at me, as I looked so much younger than they were. I projected the room to be filled with a sadness and intensity like no other. Before entering, I felt nervous, scared, and also excited for what I was about to encounter. Most of my expectations, however, did not occur.

The Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, otherwise simply known as the “Golden Key Group AA meeting,” that I attended was held on Saturday, November 8th, in Whittier, California, at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church. To be more exact, it was held in a classroom located at the back of the church property, far from the twinkling, multicolored lights of the chapel in the front. The classroom was overfilled, with many people standing outside, leaning their heads in to listen. Chairs were offered to women and those who were ill, and one woman cradled her infant daughter, walking back and forth down the external hall.

The meeting had a structure; they followed their agenda strictly. In the beginning of the meeting everyone went around and introduced them selves and said why there were there. I said that I was a student and was there to observe. After the introductions there was several readings that were handed out and asked to be read aloud, some of the reading were “Why are we Here”, “Who is an Addict?”, and “We do Recover”. After the readings they handed out key chains to anyone that has reached a specific time of sobriety. The leader of the group got his 9 mouths key chain. Then there were a few more readings, after the reading the floor was open to anyone who wanted to say anything. Then the meeting was over.

Attending the AA meeting as a non-member, was a learning experience. I was able to learn the group purpose and goals. For example the group’s purpose was to, help maintain group member’s sobriety and helping other alcoholics achieve recovery. Also the purpose of AA is to serve as a resource to other alcoholics, promote additional knowledge, and provide further services to the alcoholics. Some goals of the group were, monitor their drinking, completely remove alcohol out of their life, support system, and the members also stated how the group is changing them for the better.

AA meetings are something I am all to familiar with. My dad has a drinking problem and all my life it’s been something thats affected not only himself but our family. Nine months ago I would have never thought I would ever be sitting in a one of these meetings because I knew I would never allow alcohol to take my life in the direction it took my fathers. When my dad hit rock bottom I was able to get him the help he has needed the majority of his life, he finally checked himself into rehab. This was huge, this was the first step in the right direction and I would do my best to be there for him every step of the way. He had to attend meetings throughout the week and I did my best to attend all the ones I could. Before the first meeting I attended I was a little nervous even knowing I was not going to have to say or do anything. I thought they’d