Aa Meeting Reflection

The third AA meeting I attended was at Bridgewater Congregational Church, in Bridgewater Connecticut, at 7:00pm on Friday June 8, 2018. The past two meetings I attended were open book, however this meeting was a twelve- step meeting. The language used in this meeting was the same as the two other meetings I observed. Many members mentioned the words “higher power”, “prayer”, and “powerlessness”. The man who ran the meeting introduced himself, read the preamble and asked if there were any new members present. I was surprised to know I wasn’t the only one as there were four more other new members. Unlike the other two groups I attended, I didn’t introduce myself as an alcoholic. This time I felt almost compelled to do so as I am become familiar with the meetings. At first it felt uncomfortable, however after everyone went around and introducing themselves and saying it, it felt natural. I didn’t feel any member judging me or questioning my statement after I said it. In addition to introducing ourselves to the group, the leader had the whole group then go around saying their …show more content…
How can an individual follow the program and steps if they don’t believe in God? I was also taken back when nobody offered myself or any of the other new comers information or guidance. It would have been nice to have an assigned member who is already affiliated with the program introduce themselves to the new members and ask them if they had any questions and provide them with a new comer packet. I found it surprising how I could connect with all the members even though I haven’t had a substance abuse problem. Many of the feelings that surfaced through the discussion I have felt at multiple times in my life thus far. I’m glad to have had this experience to not only observe what an AA meeting is like, but to feel confident in recommending an AA meeting to clients with substance abuse problems in the