Attending an Alcoholics Anonymous Session
Personal experience after attending an open meeting on alcohol addiction
While studying undergraduate psychology, I was required to attend a meeting organized by non-profit organization, Alcoholic Anonymous. This very simple experience proved to be revealing to me, not only as an individual but as a nurse-in-training, as well. There is no social boundary for alcohol addiction, and for the affected individual, the condition may be personally ruinous. As I witnessed later on, after beginning clinical practice, alcohol withdrawal is associated with physical effects that are just as destructive as addiction itself is. At Alcoholic Anonymous sessions, alcoholics are understood and accepted, and this aids many of them in abstaining from alcohol. In the course of the meeting, I mulled over how much more helpful it would be for people suffering from this condition if this acceptance and understanding went beyond the short 1-hour sessions. For any human being, empathy and kindness is welcome and evokes sincere feelings. Further, for professionals, like me, in the healthcare field, an understanding of addicts' disposition is crucial to delivering supportive care. My attendance at the meeting offered me valuable insight. When offered, I began by introducing myself, and stating my intent to give a talk on alcoholism. The group greeted and welcomed me warmly into their midst, and a woman...
I wasn't sure of how I ought to integrate my thoughts into the session. All members at the meeting were watching me and paying close attention to me. I was, at another point in the meet, uncertain on where I should begin, and whether it was right of me to read a paragraph out of their "book," as is their custom. Just as I was going to begin, a woman seated across from me (apparently sensing my discomfort) took over and read the paragraph assigned to me. After the meeting concluded, people began milling around and many of them had several comments and questions for me. I worked up the courage to step forward and address all their queries in the best manner I could. They appeared to react positively to my responses, indicating that I was progressing well with them. I answered every question posed to me and sensed that my replies were satisfactory to all (Coleman, 2012).
The meeting strictly forbids members to bring along any notes, pictures, or recordings. Therefore, all I could do was introduce myself, my career, as well as my purpose for attending the meeting (which was, to give a talk on substance abuse, particularly alcoholism, its effects, and how one can handle peer pressure in connection with substance use/abuse). Furthermore, I offered them numerous supports, for assisting them in dealing with their problem. I further invited addicts to pose any queries they might have, and…
