Preview

Aa Meeting Reaction Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1086 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Aa Meeting Reaction Paper
SAB 210

April 12, 2010

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Reaction Paper

I attended an A.A. meeting on April 5, 2010. Before the meeting I seemed very anxious. This was not my first meeting I have been to meetings before but they all seem to make me nervous. When I arrived the nervousness had eased off because everyone had made me feel welcomed. I was made to feel like a part of their family from the beginning to the end of the meeting. I seemed to have realized I missed going to these meetings and I miss the fellowship but it has not interfered with me staying sober. The meeting began with some readings. I read on the AA Promises which I thought was a waste of time. In my opinion I felt like they should have left the readings for you to read to yourself because the meetings are on a time frame and people seem to have a lot of other important issues to talk about and be concerned with other than reading the same readings every time. The topic of the meeting was on feelings and emotions which I definitely could relate to. As people discussed their emotions and feelings I started feeling sad for some of them. I did not realize how much pain these people are in. I could feel their pain as they talked about what was weighing so heavily on their minds. I sat there and thought what I could do to help them. I started to feel a little sorry for some of them because I feel they depend too much on others to keep them from drinking. Don`t get me wrong the support network they have is amazing but only you can do it for yourself. I wanted so bad at times to tell some of these people only you can keep yourself clean. I think some of these people acted like only these meetings could keep them clean. I do not believe that to be the truth. I felt sorry for one girl because her friend had just committed suicide and she was having a hard time not taking a drink over it but the ones with more recovery time seem to come to her rescue. However, I thought what these people would

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cousnelor referred Jeff to an Alcohol Anonymous meeting at Alano Club. Alano club is a non-profit corporation and facility which provides social and recreational activities for the recovering addict/alcoholic and families in a clean and sober environment. Alano Club runs an AA on Sundays around 5 pm at 1350 N 11th St Fresno, CA 93703. The contact information of Alano Club is (559) 264-2730. The only requirement for AA meetings is the desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA. This AA group focuses on AA sayings, Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and sharing stories of addicts who are recovered.…

    • 104 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    AA Observation Paper

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The purpose of this paper is to discuss the AA observations performed at the two Alcoholic Anonymous meetings attended. The first community support group observation took place at the Fellowship Hall located 12428 M 28th Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85029. The meeting was held from 1700 to 1800 on Thursday, January 21, 2016. The second community support group observation took place at Crossroads West located 7523 N 35th Ave. Phoenix AZ 85051. The meeting was held from 1900 to 2000 on Thursday, January 21, 2016.…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Aa Meeting Research Paper

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages

    3. The meeting was held in a conference like setting at a round table, I was quite comfortable because I was not alone. Everyone greeted me at the same time after I introduced myself. I felt like an observer just listening to everyone and their stories.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    12 Step Meeting

    • 749 Words
    • 2 Pages

    I enjoyed the stories that were shared and the support of all the people in the room being so respectful and listening. I also enjoyed the prayer at the end. I didn’t like when everyone had to admit aloud that they were alcoholic ( I get that it’s part of the 12 steps but it seemed like they had already admitted it to themselves because they were there) I also didn’t like the environment that the meeting was held in. It seemed like it could’ve been held in someplace outside that was relaxing or maybe in a church to connect spiritually but it was just in a business room. However I will say that even if the room could’ve been full of total first timers or strangers, they had this amazing and supportive energy that just filled the room. I loved watching these people connect , grow, and heal over a tragedy that took over their life It was also amazing and empowering to see them make the step the give themselves and the people they love a better future.…

    • 749 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Aa Meeting Research Paper

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages

    On Sunday, March 6th, I went to an AA meeting in the Heights Vietnam Veterans Memorial Building between Manhattan and Summit Avenues in NJ, Jersey City. The meeting started around 10:30 AM and ended around 11:30 AM. Before the meeting, lots of coffee, tea and donuts were served to the people. There were about 50 people that showed up to the meeting, 35 of them were males and the other 15 were females. Most of them were either old or middle aged. The meeting consisted of a podium which had about five rows of metal folding chairs facing it. On the wall behind the podium to the left of it, was a list of the twelve steps and to the right of it, was a list of the twelve traditions. The meeting began with someone reciting the twelve steps and then with the introduction of new members. After that someone else comes up to the podium, but this time with a calendar in his hands and he goes over the upcoming events. The meeting ended with everyone quietly listening to Billy’s and George’s life stories.…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    After the text was read, people celebrated special occasions. New members were welcomed greatly, as we had one at the time, and also a mother and son who came in later. All received literature and phone numbers of other members for help with addictions. Next, people who were celebrating certain times away from drugs, 30 days, 60 days.... introduced themselves. 2 were celebrating their 30th day and one was celebrating his 9th month. Almost everyone looked familiar, it made you think about the way some people act in certain situations and why others don't understand why they do.…

    • 605 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Na Meeting Research Paper

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Before I attended the NA meeting, I had felt more than a little apprehensive; I really wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the meeting and that made me very nervous. I have talked to and listened to addicts and recovering addicts many times before, my brother is a recovering addict and a few friends are also, but that did not prepare me for the sadness, grief, and happiness I saw in this meeting.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Aa Meeting Review

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Walking into the AA meeting made me feel very awkward and out of place, but as the meeting began and everyone started sharing their stories I began to feel comfortable about being there. When I first went in the room the chairs were set up in a circle with some on the outside of it. I decided to take a seat on the outside so I wouldn’t be of focus during the meeting. They started the meeting off with reading some inspirational words and then reading the 12 steps. Their focus tonight was on a higher power and how believing in that higher power helps you stay sober. After brief introductions and stating their names, they began discussion and whoever wanted to speak had the opportunity to do so. Listening to all of their stories was really interesting. Almost all of the members have been sober for at least 30 days and more and about four people were just recently sober, with one being sober only three days now. One of the member’s stories really stood out to me. He said that he has been an alcoholic for years now, but always believed he can cure himself and control how many drinks he has. He mentioned that he went out last week with his buddies and wasn’t able to stop himself from going overboard with the drinking. He said he was in a blackout for four days and lost his job. That’s why he ended up at the treatment center; he said he realized that it isn’t possible to be a social drinker when you are an alcoholic. During his story he explained how he had the shakes and the classic withdrawal symptoms and I began to think about what I had learned in class and related it. Another member’s story was about social drinking. She said that her friend was coming home that she knew from college and wanted to get together. She thought about the friendship and realized that she wasn’t a friend and that she was just an old party buddy. She explained that she has a whole new group of sober friends that she hangs out with and that she can’t hang out with her old friends of whom she…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To sit in front of people, some strangers and to reveal so much of yourself and whole heartedly trust. Al-Anon is not just about coping with a loved one who has an alcohol or drug addition, it’s so much more. It is about self-discovery, strength, taking control of one’s life because we are powerless over others. I was amazed how the group session went without a “leader” and how everyone shared in the readings and conversation. Although Al-Anon is more complex and I only went one time, I found it to be a truly emotional experience. A member quoted said, “I did not cause it, I can not cure it, and I can’t control it.” Strong phrase that will stick with me. (personal communication,…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Going to this meeting I learned that alcoholism cannot be cured but instead, when sobriety is achieved, the alcoholic is still an alcoholic (he will always be one), yet now a recovering alcoholic. During the meeting it was also mentioned that alcoholism is often called a “disease” that is somehow a “family problem” rather than an individual problem. A few people shared their experiences and constant battle with their addiction to alcohol, they taught me that it is possible to overcome anything and everything that we want by believing in a God or a higher power and surrendering to it. Being self-centered, angry, depressed, among others, are some of the characteristics of the personality of an alcoholic, and surprisingly enough they change during recovery. I learned that recovering from addictions is highly important because it affects everyone around you (directly or indirectly).…

    • 360 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This particular meeting that I attended was a Step Meeting. This of course meant very little to me since at that time I had no experience with these "steps" but I continued to sit and listen. Thus far, no one had imposed himself on me so there was no reason to leave and I was curious about this "AA" thing. The chairperson announced which step they would be discussing. To be totally honest with you, I was more transfixed on being in awe of the meeting itself and the fact that these people all sat there seemingly unashamed, that I, to this day, haven't a clue which step they discussed. After the step chapter was read from the book, "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions," the chairperson then asked if anyone had any experience, strength and hope relating to the step, which…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Higher Power gives us “faith,” “the will,” and “freedom to exist” without the consumption of alcohol and the negativity that comes with the behavior. At times, you may feel like giving up hope on yourself, believing that you are not worth receiving support or having feelings of despair, angst, and difficulty facing up to societal standards. However, in this program, it is not the case; we are “here” to guide you through your addiction, by encouraging you to believe in the Higher Power or GOD, through conscious awareness, and to make you a stronger and determined individual. In order for sobriety, it takes discipline, perseverance, and motivation to overcome these struggles with constant reminders of how addiction ruined your life. However, you have the right to live addiction free in the “here and now,” rather than living “miserably” and alone in this world. Throughout Alcoholics Anonymous, you will begin to see that there is “light” at the end of the addiction behavior there is hope, freedom, and that you have the “strength” and “courage” to live. During this process, we hope you will find true peace and happiness you so richly deserve, by ending your alcoholism or addiction behavior;…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I am the sister of a recovering addict. My brother attends group every Friday for his addiction and to find new ways in helping with his dependency on drugs. Every now and then, the families of the recovering addicts are asked to attend a group meeting. So, recently my mother, sister, and I attended a group meeting with my brother. I have been to so many meetings with my brother that I normally know how things are going to go, but this group meeting went differently this time.…

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Self-Help Group Analysis

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The recovery process is not a straight forward given the risk of reverting back to drinking. Recovery for alcoholic dependence is easier when AA participants have strong social support, as they have a sportive outlook on life. Having people with similar experiences with shared goals attending the sessions brings together individuals who seek to break alcoholism. One can form close bonds with the participants, while becoming a member of AA, providing an opportunity for long-term recovery.…

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Aa Meeting Reflection

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This mood started early in the meeting, with people collecting their collecting their coins. This was particularly noticeable when a woman collected her 8th month coin, and talked about how hard her journey to sobriety has been, and how thankful she was for the support she received from the AA program. After the coin ceremony, the meeting began talking about their daily topic, which was selfishness, specifically how their alcohol abuse lead them to becoming someone they could never have imagined. Listening to their stories was amazing, and very emotional, which oddly caught me by surprise. One story in particular by an individual caught my attention.…

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays