The Cultural And Sub Cultural Influence of Narcotics Anonymous. The Subculture of N.A is a life outside of any expectations formed by the main Cultural Influence. It is a very private organization that I belong to which became a way of life for me. It has values, traditions, beliefs, sanctions and roles. This is the only outside influence in my life that made me develop meaning to my life again. I was a complete and total crack addict who finally hit the bottom of the barrel and started looking for a way to climb out of the grave I dug myself into. 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. N.A‘s Values are as follows: 1. Trust: Bonding from addict to addict. 2. Loyalty: Acts of contribution (since they are a self sustaining group). 3. Submission to the spiritual life because that is instilled in many ways especially since it is a part of Traditions, Twelve Steps and values. 4. Courage to change, 5.Caring and sharing, 6.Spiritual Humility, 7. Courage to try, 8. Sincerity: Honest Intentions, 9. Integrity: Honest Intentions, 10. Perseverance and Good Faith, 11. Conscious contact with our higher power, 12. And most importantly: Living Clean. To live by these values is sometimes very hard. The beliefs would be like the Narc... ... middle of paper ... ...rs or more to be sponsors, group leaders and other appointed officials. As a result from their hard work it has obviously helped Narcotics Annoonymous. They have grown so much since 1973 when the organization was first incorporated into Society. They have now reached 100 countries and 31,000 meetings weekly. (This Group is na class of its own. It helps people achieve what they want (sobriety), while also teaching them rules and values, and the tools that you need in life to succeed sober. Personally, I believe it is a subculture that is growing due to the fact that more and more are turning to drugs to cope with reality. Eventually when people decide to accept a higher being which has power over them, they will turn to N.A. either after rehab or on their own. Either way if they are open to help they will turn to us. As living proof I am 508 days sober.)
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...
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.
...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).
...sues causing an increase in the popularity and intensity of youth gang activity in targeted neighborhoods. This program has taken a bold, integrative approach to dealing with the issue of increasing membership and participation with gangs. The research findings for this program have supported the notion of its success and make assumptions about its continued success in the future. The program has shown to be of great value to those in the program and should continue to receive support and funding from government agencies and community members.
It's also important to note how important group settings can be on the outside. Many people in recovery make significant process by going to 12-Step meetings. Again, these meetings offer much more than a forum for having coffee and discussing problems. These meetings offer people a chance to make new friends and develop lasting relationships. That's a very important attribute because most people in recovery have to say goodbye to the old friends they had while living life with an
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.
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
The stories told by the members took courage and strength. Alcoholics Anonymous appears to be an effective form of treatment for alcohol addiction. This group, and I would imagine most groups, showed love, caring, and concern for each person. They all expressed their love for God and a determination to stay sober. Yoko reminded me that addiction is not subjective.
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
However, rather than treating an addiction like a disease, society treats addiction by stigmatizing the person like a failure, and criminal. Those who suffer with this disease, both the addict, and their friends and family, are usually isolated by judgment and embarrassment from others, who are unaware and ignorant to the issue. As a result, the disease sadly often goes unrecognized and untreated, especially among the poor, and those who are unable to get proper treatment. Once again, I am very happy after attending my second meeting, and it has an overall great experience. I wish more people were open to meetings to see how great and beneficial they are to all kinds of people, and this summer that is my goal to open others up to attending meetings that could help benefit
Past and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United States. Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends in drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs. The use of cocaine in the United States has declined over the last twenty years, while the use of crack has increased.
The topic of Asian American drug use is one that is rarely seen in the media. Thinking about this topic produced the question, do Asian Americans use substances? Their use of substances is a focus that is under researched. To gain a better understanding of the topic I will research the scope of the problem, use patterns, barriers to treatment, and methods to keep abusers in treatment.
"Organizations Dedicated Towards Gang Resistance." Organizations Dedicated Towards Gang Resistance. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
A subculture is a cultural group within a culture that differs in one or more ways from the culture. This would include differences in interest, beliefs, like religion, ethnicity, and social or economic status.