Narcotics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group that helps individuals with the process of recovery from the disease of addiction. Whether they share the same drug addiction or not, it is open for those who seek a clean way of living. The only requirement for this support group is the "desire to stop using" (pamphlet). At the same time, NA strongly believes that "fellowship and support of other clean addicts really help [as they] begin to rely on them for the reassurance they so desperately need" (pamphlet). As a group, they work together to find new ways to support one another. With that said, their goal is to engage each addict into a safe and encouraging network that will help them throughout the recovery process. A "recovery …show more content…
Both groups can be seen as open systems because they "do not always maintain a steady state but [they are] constantly developing and moving towards a steady state or hemostasis" (Posthuma, 2002, p. 18). Moreover, group development can be evaluated from three stages. While both groups go through these stages, self-help groups experience them in a different way when compared to therapeutic groups. The three stages of group development are the pre-commitment, commitment, and termination …show more content…
The process is also experienced differently because new people are added to the group on a daily basis. For example, given that not every person experiences each stage at the same time, I was on a different stage than everyone else because I only attended one meeting. However, since therapeutic groups usually do not add people until the group has terminated, individuals are able to experience each stage in the process. In the therapeutic group, I saw how the group developed from being superficial-oriented in conversations to be very personal and growth-promoting. On another note, the NA meeting did not rely on the group leader to direct the meeting. In fact, the group leader did not engage in an authoritative role. The meeting was basically led by the group members. Whereas the therapeutic group, the leader seems to have more authority in the beginning and as the group develops, the members tend to depend on less on the group
As a student, practice is crucial to learn group therapy techniques. In order to achieve these practices, I attended 2 support groups of the same topic. Observation and attendance constructs an idea of how group therapy works. Attending this group was important because of the profoundness of its meaning and experiences I have witnessed.
Some of these groups are self-directed, while others are led and facilitated by a therapist or counselor.
Narcotics Anonymous is a group that has taught me many values. They have twelve values, twelve traditions, and twelve steps. As a group we learn to accept all of the above for mentioned beliefs. There is what you call a home group. That is your main meeting session with your sponsor, (if you choose to have one which is recommended), sharing time, to talk about whatever you choose i.e. your day, if there was a relapse, a stressful day, and just trying to talk to others who understand every struggle we have on a daily basis to stay clean.
...e or social group for being an addict if it is not fully understood that they are trying to recover from their addiction (Methadone Cons).
On September 21, 2016, I attended my first Narcotic’s Anonymous (NA) meeting at Cana Lutheran Church. Before attending this meeting, I had some preconceived views on what an ordinary NA meeting might be like. I originally thought of the meeting only as a group of individuals seated in a circle while sharing their feelings. I imagined that these people might be forced to attend the meeting by a spouse or some other influence in their lives. However, I was certainly mistaken. This meeting was much more; in fact, it is an essential part of the recovery process for many.
Dealing with everyday stresses can be overwhelming for most people, all the more for recovering addicts. If you don’t have access to a support group who can help you manage these feelings in a positive way, you may be pushed to find social connections and coping mechanisms in other avenues. You may seek old relationships or habits that reawaken tempting behaviors.
“Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem.” Addiction is one of the leading cause of death all over the world but for some reason no one has a solution to help these suffering addicts, they’re seen as a lost cause. Most people suffering in active addiction are sent to jails or institutions to be locked up until the drugs wear off then are released into society again. What people don't realize is that once an addict is released from these facilities, they’ll go right back to using because they don’t know how to live and deal with life on life's terms, this is where Narcotics Anonymous or other various other 12 step programs come in. They help the suffering addict by
One objective is to utilize the most powerful tool at psychotherapy’s disposal; the group experience. By one individual sharing their experience within the group, the other members are able to identify their similar experiences and work toward their own growth. Group therapy also increases self-awareness of clients in order for them to think introspectively in order to make a change in behaviors, increases social comfort, allowing exploration of new behaviors, provide and obtain support, develop communication skills, and promote interactions with others using truth and
This expirience has definitely enhance my learning in nursing. After visiting this NA meeting I feel I understand a lot more how they work and especially how they can be of a great help to some struggling with addiction. As Nurses we can work in substance abuse clinics where we will encounter many patients with this problem and in order for us to help any patient in their recovery; we need to be informed first of the different resources available to them in the community. With what I have learned from this experience I will most definitely encourage any of my patients to join any of these self-help groups in their journey to recovery. I will also recommend their relatives or friends to joint a group as well, such as Al-Anon, which is a similar
Bruce Tuckman maintains that there are four stages of group development, forming, storming, norming, and performing. These stages are all essential and unavoidable in order for a group to mature, overcome challenges, find solutions, plan work, and produce effective results. (University of Washington, 2013)
Especially, when it comes to physical and emotional responsibility. In our sessions, I felt as though the group leaders provided an enormous sense of emotional support. I felt as though the environment was stable and conducive to learning. The setting at first was somewhat tense, but this was acceptable considering that many of us were unfamiliar with the group therapy process. I myself had never undergone a group therapy session, whatsoever. I did, however, appreciate the fact that the environment was quite fair and impartial. The leaders were very nonjudgmental and affirmative in their responses when it came to each and every person’s comments and feedback. Everyone was engaged and actively participated. The group was not hostile and everyone participated in the conversations as well as the exercises chosen. I also felt as though everyone was emotionally tied in. Meaning that if someone was dealing with a personal issue or their emotions were all over the place then the group was susceptible to that individuals needs. For example, we experienced group member who had experienced the loss of a friend. Immediately, each group member became involved and concerned. We were immediately concerned with whether or not she was taking time to grieve or if she was simply doing enough to take time out for herself. In all, the environment over the course of each therapy session displayed a great sense of empathy, concern and support. Another session, in particular, that truly stands out to me in terms of support was when we were asked to share our life experiences and dreams. I can recall stating that I was going to school in order to finally do something for myself. I had completed my bachelor’s degree at the age of 40 and had plans to continue education until I complete my PhD. What was so different was the fact that they understood. They understood, I was trying
Coley is a timber cutter that is addicted to crystal meth. He has three young children, two girls and a boy and a wife that he affects everyday with his crystal meth abuse. Throughout the episode Coley locks himself in the garage, so he can snort powder form of crystal meth without his children being directly in front of it. Coley thinks that if he locks himself in the garage his children do not see his behaviors. Coley's addiction stemmed from his childhood where his mother was a speed addict and alcoholic and allowed Coley to do drugs and drink with her throughout his young teens and late adult hood. After Coley married his wife and his wife recognized the problem was connected to when he was at his mother's home she asked that he not be involved with his mother. Coley does this and shortly after his mother dies. This leads Coley to more drug abuse and his addiction becomes worse, due to the guilt he feels for hurting his mother and the guilt from the fact that she died alone. Coley somewhat blames his wife for this. Coley put his family in great danger with the bills not being paid and him putting off jobs for something he thinks will become his gold mine and turns out not to.
Substance addiction is becoming an epidemic. While some people can quit using a substance without any help, most people need help to their recovery. Narcotics anonymous is an important support group for our society. There are many different narcotic anonymous programs to join that have meetings throughout the week. The members of the support group all share one thing in common, they suffer from different types of chemical dependency. Members help each other because they have the same problems and worries that everyone in the room has. Though they may be struggling with different stages in their life, for the most part, they all relate to what each is going through. Just as AA, NA focuses on the 12-step program. The members of
...t strides are carried out to restore group dynamics if a certain member discloses a statement that jeopardizes the atmosphere of recovery. In addition, what can Narcotics Anonymous do in order to safeguard the well-being of each group member in terms of feeling supported? With regard to how I can apply what I learned from this group to my learning in the course, I can transfer the importance of making group members feel validated, respected, and supported and clearly communicating acceptance and respect through both nonverbal and verbal behaviors to Group Counseling. The most important lesson that I took away from this experience was that it is okay to acknowledge and admit that you feel powerless or find a situation difficult to handle because openly acknowledging mistakes can demonstrate that you are not only human but are making an effort to correct them.
In reflection on my learning experience in the group class, I have gained clarity on what sorts of competencies of facilitating group therapy, as well as in what areas social workers and students tend to feel most strong in my practice. Regarding my specific gains in competencies, I feel that I learned the most and was most likely to gain specific group facilitating competencies at the weekly class. Learning in group class is taught me the tools to use to work with groups therapy, communities and also with individuals through the process of changes. In this past three months I think a lot of opportunities have been created to shadowing with (beside and behind) and being a part of group members to learn. In addition, this class has taught me about the skills and how effectively help