AA meetings are for people who are struggling with alcoholism which means they have an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. I believe that these meetings are not helpful and in some cases cause harm the people who are trying to change and no longer alcoholics or drug addicts. These meetings do not have high success rates in fact they have very low rates. They have a 12 percent success rate for people who are sober for ten years and these meetings also have a very high depression and suicide rates because of their 12 step program. The AA meetings limit their success target only alcoholics as its main priority and unless you have a problem with alcohol you cannot be a member of the AA. I believe that if you have any type of addiction you deserve the help you need especially if you are looking for a change and want to better yourself. These AA
I was asked by the group leader to introduce myself and to read the open statement. I was very much appreciated by the members and got a warm welcome. I learn about myself that I can integrate into any setting and participate in a positively. I was astonished that members had the confidence to share their stories in an open forum and be honest about their history. Moreover, I was touch by the member enthusiasm to come out in a large group and support each other. My initial perception of the members in the room is that some members may be shy to disclose their stories, but was amazed that everyone came forth in the room to discuss their shortcoming. Furthermore, I did not have any stereotypes perception about alcoholism since I am aware that alcoholism is a disease that affects the brain. My understanding about alcoholism was confirmed by the various client verbalization of their stories and problems associated with
I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a church in Henderson. Going to the recovery meeting was a very interesting experience. I have heard good things about Alcoholics Anonymous because my mom used to be an alcoholic. She has been sober for more than 15 years now and has said that Alcoholics Anonymous was very helpful step in her recovery. The meeting was different than I expected. I expected a small group of people sitting in a circle and telling their stories and it was very different from that. It was an extremely positive place. There were people ranging in ages and people ranging on length of sobriety. Some people there have been sober for over 25 years and some people had less than a week
The group support is monumental for those affected by addiction. The 12-step format provides a safe place for those suffering with addiction. As stated during the meeting, individuals feel alone and massive feelings of guilt that contribute to their addiction. Unlike individual therapy, 12-step programs offer group support from peers. The peer support helps people feel like they have support from people facing identical challenges. Suggestions and words of hope are instilled throughout the meeting. Incentives for sobriety are offered and encouragement is provided. There were several people who stated during the meeting that they attempted to attend church to curtail their addiction. However, they stated the self-help fellowship is what ultimately provided a framework for their
In my experience of observing Alcoholics Anonymous group, it was a great experience. In my experience, I notice a lot of things in the Alcoholic Anonymous group. The first thing I notice while observing the group session is they have Alcoholics Anonymous bible that read a section every session. They read the same passage that discuss that how important it is to keep all information that is said in the group confidential. They were vey clear with that information. In my first session, the group started with a silent prayer, and read Alcoholic announcement. Next, the reader introduced the group leader. The group leader stated that goals that needs to be accomplish in this group which is stay sober day by day. The group leader also discuss in the group session about alcoholism. The group leader stated that alcoholism is a disease, and alcoholism progress and a chronic disorder. It affects the individual physical and mentally. Alcoholism is incurable and fatal. The group leader was very humorous and stated that many people who are nonalcoholic called alcoholics weak, crazy, and a sinner.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and reflect on my experience attending an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting. Alcoholic anonymous (AA) was created to help individuals effected by Alcohol collaborate and support each other during their time of need. All AA meetings are structured differently. However, there are only two types of meetings: opened and closed meetings. During my experience, I attended an open meeting where anyone can come regardless of a diagnosed alcohol problem or the level of experience one had with participating in such meetings.
Going in to the meeting I was terrified and felt very awkward. I did not want the members to think I was intruding or that I was there to judge. Once I got in the room, my whole outlook changed. I immediately felt comfortable and welcomed in the environment. There was one small moment of discomfort when one older member started making nasty comments to a very young member because he was “talking way too much”. The older man stated, “The thing that will save you, is if you shut up”. I found this to be very rude, as did many of the other members. I, however, did not say anything because it was not my place. Other than that short moment, I really enjoyed this meeting. In the end, it was beneficial to me because of my family history with alcoholism. It really opened my eyes to the struggles my family members have faced. There was always a chance for me to become an alcoholic due to the history, but I have been very lucky. Hearing the stories from these members made me realize that depending on alcohol will never an option in my
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a group of individuals from all walks of life, who come together with the hope of abstaining from alcohol abuse. The main goal of this support group is to abstain from alcohol, and to achieve control of their lives without drinking. According to Stuart, “Alcoholic anonymous (AA) The most common type of self-help group for substance abusers is the 12-step group.” (Stuart, p. 467, 2013) One of the important functions of these groups is to let the individual know that they are not alone in this predicament and that “mutual support can give them the strength to abstain” (Stuart, p. 467, 2013). Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has a model is based on the 12 steps tradition. There are several different self-help groups around
Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. The first chapter of The Big Book tells how Bill Wilson was introduced to the concept of using a faith based, group support program to provide the mental and emotional support needed to manage Alcohol Addiction. The main purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. The program is unique in that each chapter is self funded, develops their own meeting format. I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on Thursday, October 6th
For this reflection assignment I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. The AA meeting I attended was at St. Joe’s Education Center in Ypsilanti at 7:30 pm. As far as the demographics of the group: The number in attendance was about 60 people I would say, it was very packed surprisingly to me. I did not expect it to be that many people there. When I think of an AA meeting I think of a small meeting with maybe 20 people that are a close group not around 60. Also the age range was surprising, I was expecting to see all older adults but the age range was actually a very wide range. I would say from early twenties on up to late sixties. Male to females range was about equal, there were slightly more males in attendance at the meeting, which
It was my pleasure to attend my first ever Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting. This particular meeting was held at 7:30pm in the lunch room at Richmond Community Hospital. Richmond Community Hospital is located within Richmond, Virginia in an area known as Church Hill. The group is called Church Hill and is open to the public for opportunities to join or observed. In addition, the meeting’s content consists of topic discussions and numerous formats. The opportunity is also available for various members to share their testimony which is known in the community as round robin.
When you 're ready to claim your sobriety, make sure you choose drug rehab for older adults. Clearly, your needs are different from younger people. This doesn 't mean you deserve your sobriety any less. It simply means you must go about reclaiming it in a
Alcoholism is a physical and emotional dependency on alcohol, many research have been conducted that links the excessive use of alcohol with the psychological, and physiological environment of the user. It is an adaptive behavior which usually develops over a period of years, just like any other drug, the user will develop a tolerance and has to increase the quantity needed. The mental symptoms in conjunction with the obsession to the chemical are seen as a mental disorder. The abuser loses the ability to rationalize despite the negative consequences resulting from the abuse of the substance. The “spirit” of choice does not exclude a person from becoming an addict, in fact a binge drinker that drinks and then stops until their next episode
I used Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques with some of my clients. I was not trained in this therapy but was familiar with the idea of being in the here-and-now. This technique worked for my schizophrenic client by keeping her focused on what was happening each day by writing in a journal and distracting her from what she thought had been happening in her past. I was able to use Art Therapy with the client I had with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
In terms of rehabilitation through out life you will have to be on support programs or treatments as you will never be cured from being an alcoholic. In regards to personal well being it will have serious consequences regarding vital organs such as your heart,lives,kidney and brain and mental health. In terms of social well being it can have serious effects on relationships with friends,family and colleagues and clients in the work place as well as destroying your quality and success of life due to poor and risky decision making caused by alcohol.