(Classmate Dan) <\/p>\n
On Monday, November 7th, 2022, I was able to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. The group was called Lunch Bunch, and was out of Houston, TX. It was different from the narcotics anonymous meeting I attended earlier. This meeting was a lot more Christ-based, and everyone who shared at least mentioned some higher power that helped them stay sober.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the beginning of the meeting, they talked about the Alcoholics Anonymous bylaws and recited the serenity prayer as a group. They also went through the 12 steps associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. There were over 60 people at the meeting, and 33 were online. One could tell that it was a tight-knit group that had been together for quite some time.<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0When it was time to share, the group was to ponder the thought of the day: to let go and let God. The majority of the group members recognized that there was a higher power that helped him every day. One study shows that spirituality and religion are well-documented components that help treat and recover substance use disorders (Travis, Vasquez, Spence, & Brooks, 2021). Another study shows that up to 73% of addiction treatment plans in the United States include a spiritual-based element embodied in the 12-step program. Most people in the program share that their faith in God helps them stay sober (Grim & Grim, 2019). So many people made comments that helped me feel the spirit, and I instantly became close to these people that I didn’t even know. One woman said God was so wonderful to her and loved her unconditionally when she put so many conditions on her own life. As humans, we all put that pressure on ourselves, and we don’t feel worthy of God’s love. That’s a terrible way to look at life because we can’t do anything about God’s love. Another gentleman said let go and let God handle it. He had been drinking most of his life, and he decided to put his trust and faith in God to help him to overcome his addiction. Because of his ability to redefine his life and add God to his decision-making, he has stayed sober for over six years. Before he found the Lord, he could only stay sober for a day or two.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Again, I was truly humbled to be able to be part of such a fantastic group. I wish I could have been there to help them, even if it was just to let them know I was there for them. I can see how helpful these meetings are because it’s vital to find fellowship and strength to get through life without taking a drink. I never suffered from an addiction, but my family has. I can only imagine these group members’ families that are broken up and brokenhearted because of their giving in to temptation and drinking alcohol.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I firmly believe that it is almost impossible to work yourself back up the ladder when you hit rock bottom without God’s help. The last two years of my life have been dark, and the only thing that brought me out of it was knowing that my Heavenly Father loved me enough to help me overcome the trials I was facing.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
References<\/p>\n
Grim, B.J., Grim, M.E. Belief, Behavior, and Belonging: How Faith is Indispensable in \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Preventing and Recovering from Substance Abuse.\u00a0J Relig Health\u00a058, 1713\u20131750 (2019).<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10943-019-00876<\/p>\n
Travis, D.J., Vazquez, C.E., Spence, R.\u00a0et al.\u00a0Faith Communities\u2019 Improvements in Readiness to<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Engage in Addictions Resilience and Recovery Support Programming.\u00a0J Relig Health\u00a060,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3931\u20133948 (2021). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10943-021-01235-4<\/p>\n
(Classmate Kate) <\/p>\n
Alcoholics Anonymous<\/p>\n
Since I had never attended an alcoholics anonymous (AA) meeting before today, I was unsure of what to expect, although I knew a few particulars from my research. There was both structure and freedom of expression in the meeting I attended online. After the moment of silence and prayer, the group leader started with a story and enacted various members\u2019 help to read important foundational literature from AA. After that, members could share an open story or story from the \u201cbig book\u201d for 3-5 minutes (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2018).<\/p>\n
Since alcohol use disorder affects 8.5% of Americans each year, these groups are fulling a huge need in our society (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). Almost every person who shared in the meeting said how much the meetings mean to them. I had no idea that people will regularly attend several meetings a day to keep themselves motivated in staying sober. Often times they feel seen and realize they are not the only ones struggling, particularly when someone else shares or they read a story in the book. AA gives them accountability in various parts, not only through the meetings, but also through sponsoring new people, connecting with treatment centers, and providing certified recovery coaches (In the Rooms, 2020).<\/p>\n
One of the dynamics of these meetings are peoples\u2019 various points of recovery. There were people who had been sober for years, some only a few days, and everything in-between. Some shared excitement for key milestones attained; others were crying as they were just beginning anew the process of recovery. The group leader encouraged people to look at their similarities not their differences. Everyone is united on gaining a better life for themselves as they choose to give up alcohol. One person said being at these meetings took away all their excuses to drink. The accountability and sense of belonging to a group are important factors and rewards of recovery groups (Smith et al., 2020).<\/p>\n
A couple people shared what alcohol had done to them. It was sad and heartbreaking to hear the destruction that has happened in their lives because of this substance. They realized that \u201calcohol was not for them\u201d (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2018, p. 8). AA has given them a safe place to come, listen, share, invite accountability, and take a proactive approach to overcoming their addiction. Group leaders and sponsors point to helping other alcoholics as having a positive effect on their continued sobriety (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). At the end of the meeting, I was amazed at how a simple sharing time could positively impact so many people, as many of them shared how meaningful just this one meeting was for them.<\/p>\n
References<\/p>\n
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (2018).\u00a0Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.\u00a0Retrieved November 13, 2022, from\u00a0https:\/\/www.aa.org\/sites\/default\/files\/literature\/assets\/p-2_faqAboutAA.pdfLinks to an external site.<\/p>\n
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. (2020).\u00a0Foundations of addictions counseling\u00a0(4th ed.). Pearson Education.<\/p>\n
In The Rooms. (2020, July 21).\u00a0Addiction treatment programs: Online AA Na meeting & gamblers anonymous meetings. ITR; InTheRooms.\u00a0https:\/\/www.intherooms.com\/home\/getting-started-in-recovery-2\/Links to an external site.<\/p>\n
Smith, N. Z. Y., Vasquez, P. J., Emelogu, N. A., Hayes, A. E., Engebretson, J., & Nash, A. J. (2020). The good, the bad, and recovery: Adolescents describe the advantages and disadvantages of alternative peer groups.\u00a0Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 14. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1178221820909354<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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