I am very familiar with twelve-step recovery programs. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that working the steps saved my life, and made me who I am today. In fact, I am so active in both Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous that I didn’t think attending any other support groups would be of benefit. “The steps are the steps,” I thought, regardless of the name of the support group. Besides, Al-Anon is the Twelve Step group for "them" - the family and friends of the alcoholic - and AA is the Twelve Step group for "us" - alcoholics who affected their lives. As one of “them” what business do I have attending one of “their” meetings? They must hate their “qualifiers” (the term they use to identify themselves as a friend or family member of an alcoholic/addict), so I felt as though I would be welcomed with hostility and disdain. After attending a …show more content…
While yes, the steps - with the exception of a few words – are the same, the people, their difficulties and discussions vary quite significantly, and everyone, “qualifiers” included, can benefit from the message shared in Al-Anon. The Al-Anon meeting I went to was on Sunday August 30, 2015 in the same building as my home group, the Hope Group in Cedar Park. One of my sponsees joined me, and together we sat towards the back of the room, but with only about ten people in attendance we seemed to stick out quite a bit. The demographic was unlike what I am accustomed to, with all of the attendees being women, and the majority of them retired. Before the meeting was opened, the chair-woman made it clear that if there was anyone in attendance who was a member of another twelve-step support group we were not to identify as such. I wondered if that was included in the regular preamble or
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.
I attended the Alcohol Anonymous (AA) twelve step meeting on Friday December fourth at 8:00 p.m. at the community center at Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills. The people were middle aged men and women of different ethnic backgrounds. The meeting started in an arranged fashion. I sat in the back and was addressed by an elderly man who wanted to know who I was to and I replied that I was a student writing a paper for school. He was fine with my answer and departed. The meeting started with people presenting themselves. First, there was an open conversation that started was with the storytelling of one member’s endeavors with alcoholism. After this heartwarming account, other people in the group provided how the
The Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was an open discussion meeting. There were people from different backgrounds but everyone was respectful and friendly to one another. We started the meeting with a word of prayer. As a group, we held hands and recited the Lord’s Prayer. After the prayer the group recited a chant and swung their hands back-and-forth. After the prayer, we sat in a circle and the facilitator passed around an offering basket. Once offering was completed, I was asked by the facilitator to introduce myself. During my introduction, I politely stated my name, the name of my school, and major. The other attendees introduced themselves by stating “Hello, my name is John Doe and I am an alcoholic.” They then proceeded to share their personal experiences with alcoholism and express their gratitude for the 12-step meeting. While speaking, each attendee shared the moments in their lives that made them decided to seek treatment and how many years they have been sober. Each member of the group was very supportive of their group mates. They showered each other with love and gave advice for staying on track.
The facilitator talks about how people become victims but do not notice they are victims until they are in a situation of domestic violence. As the facilitator was conducting his group he was well prepared and was using a book with flash cards to references of what he was saying. I noticed before the class started he check in with everyone in the group to see how they were feeling. Once the group was over he also checks in to see if they had any questions or concerns. I liked the way that he used the concept to check in because everyone was participating even though it went over the time. He makes sure the group feels comfortable before the class start so everyone can participate. When he breaks the ice and starts with the class, I noticed people are more engage and are participating when he ask questions. A closed meeting means only members for that group. For example in an AA meeting the meaning for closed meeting means only members that have a drinking problem and would like to stop. Many of the domestic violence group meetings are closed meeting because of the content. An open meeting is a meeting that is available for anyone that is interesting to attend. An observer can attend an open meeting to get more information regarding AA. A Step meeting is a process meeting. Some of the step meetings can be open or closed meetings. Steps According to (our book). A sponsor is (the book) .
In the fall of 1935, a second group of alcoholics slowly took shape in New York. A third appeared at Cleveland in 1939. It had taken over four years to produce 100 sober alcoholics in the three founding groups. That same year, the Fellowship published it’s basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous. The text, written by Bill, explained A.A.’s philosophy and methods, the core of which was the now well-known Twelve Steps to Recovery (Pitman 75 & 76).
One that is working with a group should know what area he or she should focus on and the purpose of the group. A group that gives support to adults who are perpetrators of domestic violence would be considered a psychoeducational group. A psychoeducational group creates the opportunity for group members to learn skills that can aid in their own personal growth (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2014). The goal of the psychoeducational group is to help the group members gain awareness of the issues that come along with domestic violence (Corey et al., 2014). Normally psychoeducational group sessions are about two hours long every week and may last for about four to fifteen weeks (Corey
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
Not only does religion play an important role in the Alcoholic Anonymous program but so does service and unity among the members. I believe this unity enables the members to feel free to share their experiences with each other. I believe that the environment created due to group unity can be compared to the therapeutic environme...
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
I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting I attended. 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 image 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. It can affect any one at any age. One gentleman, James, is coming up on his three-month anniversary of sobriety after being an alcoholic for 45 years! God Bless him and all the members of the Olive Branch Alcoholic Anonymous Group. I learned a great deal.
African Americans in general avoid counseling of any form and group counseling is no exception to the rule. There are several cultural factors that play a part in framing this rule for African Americans, but the major issues are religion and spirituality, dealing with family and personal business according to what the culture deems acceptable and prejudices both held by African Americans and their concern over the prejudices of others toward them. Unfortunately as a result of the close-minded nature of the culture to counseling and the lack of education regarding the group counseling experience and its many benefits, many African American individuals are left attempting to cope with life’s issues alone.
Social Workers must be knowledgeable on how to facilitate and lead group sessions with clients. They must be cognizant on their responsibilities as a facilitator, and diligently work to meet the needs of all group members collectively and individually. According to Toseland, Ronald, & Rivas, Robert (2009) group work practice focuses on Social Work practice with a broad range of treatment and task groups and the group’s environment (pg. 2.). It is significant for Social Workers to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be able to properly assess and assist in group atmospheres. At my field placement which is at the Covenant House, a homeless shelter in Detroit that services youth from ages 18-24. I am responsible for co-facilitating along with the agency’s Social Worker, a
Attending an A.A meeting for anyone may be hard. According to, “Psychiatry and Wellness”, “Practically nobody looks forward to going to their first AA meeting.” Alcoholics or recovering addicts may feel the same way I felt when attending their first A.A meeting. Some alcoholics may feel worse than I did. Some alcoholics may feel ashamed to attend an A.A meetings. Some alcoholics may be scared or have fear to go to an A.A meeting because they do not know what to expect. The thought of attending an A.A meeting may be worse than actually attending an A.A
The group I chose to attend was an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the city of Van Nuys, California. I heard about this group through my agency as the meeting was located a few blocks away from my job, therefore, it was not difficult to locate. I decided to pay an initial visit before the scheduled group meeting in order to inform the group facilitator that I was a social work student and that my intention was to attend one meeting in order to observe group dynamics. The group facilitator agreed to let me attend the group with the discretion of not using recording devices or breaking any confidentiality rules. The group facilitator seemed very welcoming despite the fact that I did not share in the group’s