Al ANON Research Paper Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-ANON Research Paper

Introduction

Treatment and support of alcoholism have multiple methods designed to assist those suffering from alcohol abuse together with their families (Room & Greenfield, 1993). As a result, multiple groups have been formed to help battle alcohol effects (Sisson & Mallams, 1981). Such groups encompass persons struggling to abstain from alcohol and groups that encompass family members to those suffering from alcohol abuse—for instance, Alcoholic Anonymous, a global support group for persons with alcohol challenges (Room & Greenfield, 1993). The group is a self-supporting organization that includes non-professionals without any education or age requirement (Sisson & Mallams, 1981). Alcoholic Anonymous meetings take place in several areas locally. Within such meetings, individuals get the opportunity to share their experiences and discussions relating to alcoholism. Some meetings can, however, be designated for beginners.

Another group is Al-Anon, which is mainly for the family members of those with alcohol challenges. These groups are framed to help siblings, parents, and spouses with other family members of individuals with alcohol challenges (Room & Greenfield, 1993). Their meetings usually include discussions about topics that connect to having a loved one with an addiction.

Besides, it requires much courage for one to own up to having a drinking challenge and share personal experiences with a group of individuals (Sisson & Mallams, 1981). From the findings of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-ANON Research, individuals with alcohol intake challenges must be able to share their experiences to obtain help (Room & Greenfield, 1993). To complete this research paper, I was to attend two meetings of alcohol support groups, which include Alcoholic Anonymous and Al-Anon Groups, and share my experience as discussed below.

An Explanation of 12 Step Meeting Structure, Purpose, and Process

Alcoholic Anonymous Group Meeting

I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting organized within one of the community social halls three days ago. The meeting was open to the public with an informal setup. When I got to the meeting, I received a warm reception from the attendees, that greeted me and even showed me a vacant seat (Sisson & Mallams, 1981). I got to my space and began observing the meeting progress as coffee and some light snacks were served. The room was well lit, and chairs were arranged semi-circularly. The meeting kicked off at around 8.00 pm and took approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

The meeting was opened by a word from the leader, who introduced himself by name and informed the attendees that Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship for both women and men with a shared experience, hope, and strength. They aim to solve their challenges, assist others, and recover from alcoholism. The leader also reminded the attendees that the desire to stop alcohol intake is the only requirement to join the group. Further, the leader stated that Alcoholics Anonymous is self-supporting, does not charge any fees from the members, and is not allied to any organization, politics, institution, or denomination, with the only primary mandate to remain sober and assist other alcoholics in attaining sobriety.

After the leader’s opening remarks, he invited one of the members to recite the serenity prayer. This was followed by an introductory session where each attendee had an opportunity to say their names and reasons for attending the meeting. When the turn for observers came, I got an opportunity and said that I was a visitor attending for the requirements of a class in substance abuse that I am taking at Saint Leo University. I was pleased to see the kind, warm welcome, contrary to my expectation.

Subsequently, the leader invited another member to lead in reciting the twelve steps. The steps are primarily what members believe in to remain and become sober. During the recitation, members began by accepting that they were powerless over alcohol and that their lives had become uncontrollable. It seemed to be the most challenging because most people do live in denial of recognizing wrongdoing to others. Subsequent steps were also recited, including the promise of the big book, twelve traditions, meditations, and finally, the daily reflection.

After the twelve steps recitation, the leader invited a counselor to open the floor for the attendees to share their personal stories. At this point, I saw and heard both men and women, young and old, come up to give solid inspirational messages on how their lives have been impacted by alcohol. Some cases included those who, due to the influence of alcohol, ruined their university education, divorced their spouses, lost relatives through accidents, and misused all their material wealth, among many more (Sisson & Mallams, 1981).

This culminated in a special shout-out to various people celebrating various anniversaries of being sober. Towards the close of the meeting, the leader stood again to invite everyone to share at a personal level and exchange contacts with one another in case one may need support in the future. The leader finally appreciated all the attendees for their time and participation, and the meeting was called to a close by a word of prayer from one of the members.

One of the parts I considered most favorite was the sharing session due to the raw emotions evidenced by various individuals that took it to the podium to share their experiences with alcohol. I witnessed different people recount their worst life-case scenarios due to alcohol influence.

Every individual seemed transparent and honest with their various ordeals under the influence of alcohol. Speakers expressed willingness to share their hectic times’ alcohol if that could help others cease taking alcohol and embrace sobriety. I believe the session was inspiring for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic persons.

To my surprise, the meeting was more religious. For example, the meeting opening prayer was through the serenity prayer together with multiple mentions of God’s name by different speakers throughout the meeting. Further, mentioning God’s name would ignite a chorus response, “amen.” Even though I am a believer, I got perplexed by how the patrons strongly believed in God and thanked him for healing them.

Al-ANON Group Meeting

This was an open meeting for the public and a support group for the friends and family members of those suffering from alcoholism. Friends and relatives got an opportunity to give hope, share experiences, and strengthen to assist in finding solutions to common challenges. Al-Anon aims to enable family and friends suffering from alcohol abuse to practicing the twelve steps, give comfort, and welcome those impacted by an alcoholic. The meeting also aimed at giving encouragement and understanding to alcohol addicts.

The meeting was carried out within the community social hall and lasted one hour. The meeting began with a moment of silence, followed by a serenity prayer and a recap of the previous meeting (Sisson & Mallams, 1981). The chair officially welcomed everyone into the meeting and reminded everyone of the importance of upholding the principle of anonymity while attending Al-Anon programs. The chair reiterated that anything said within the meeting must remain confidential to allow people to speak whatever is within their minds without fear.

After that, attendees were allowed to go around the table, saying their names and reason for attending. The session was followed by reciting the twelve steps and the traditions. During the recitation, members began by accepting that they were powerless over alcohol and that their lives had become uncontrollable. It seemed to be the most challenging because most people do live in denial of recognizing wrongdoing to others (Sisson & Mallams, 1981). Subsequent steps were also recited, including the promise of the big book, twelve traditions, meditations, and finally, the daily reflection.

Subsequently, new members were recognized, and Al-Anon explained to them. Observers were also allowed to introduce themselves; I got an opportunity and say that I am a visitor attending the requirements of a substance abuse class I am taking at Saint Leo University.

I was pleased to see the kind, warm welcome, contrary to my expectation. A member of the Al-Anon opened a discussion on approved Al-Anon literature. On this day, the topic of discussion was forgiveness. At this point, I saw and heard both men and women, young and old come up to give solid inspirational messages on how their loved ones have been impacted by alcohol.

Some cases included those who, due to the influence of alcohol, ruined their university education, divorced their spouses, lost relatives through accidents, and misused all their material wealth, among many more.

Towards the close of the meeting, the leader stood again to invite everyone to share at a personal level and exchange contacts with one another in case one may need support in the future. The leader finally appreciated all the attendees for their time and participation, and the meeting was called to a close by a word of prayer from one of the members.

Finally, I realized that although Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-ANON have different membership, both adopt a similar criterion in trying to help those suffering from alcohol abuse. Their meetings also exhibited a similar trend in an organization. I witnessed different people recount their loved ones’ worst life-case scenarios due to alcohol influence from both meetings.

Every individual seemed transparent and honest with their various ordeals under the influence of alcohol. Speakers expressed much willingness to share their family’s hectic times with alcohol if that could help others cease taking alcohol and embrace sobriety. In my opinion, both meetings were inspiring for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic persons. To my surprise, the meeting was more religious.

An Analysis of Use of 12 Step Meetings in Social Work Practice

As a social worker working with programs that deal with trauma centers, substance abuse, and primary care clinics, among others where abuse of substances is so high, the experience of twelve step approach is of tremendous advantage (Donovan et al. 2013). As such, it informs a change of approach while dealing with issues (Laudet, 2003). For instance, instilling the spirit of acceptance among the victims regardless of what they are going through is one of the most outstanding achievements in the recovery process (Donovan et al., 2013). I have also learned the strength of assuring the victims or participants confidentiality of their information.

Consequently, I would be able to inform substance abusers about the benefits of 12-step programs and refer them altogether (Donovan et al., 2013) (Laudet, 2003). This is because fellowship associated with twelve-step groups significantly contributes to a shift in one’s social life and network with a reduction in the number of persons that endorse drinking to widening networks of persons who encourage abstinence (Donovan et al. 2013). Such adaptive change in social life and network is also associated with reduced exposure to alcohol-taking-related cues and practices.