Walking up to the doors of the first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting I can honestly say I was feeling so many different emotions. I had no idea what to expect and how I would feel about the whole experience. I was curious about the format and the actual process. I was nervous about how I would be received, and about how I would react to hearing everyone’s stories. I was also a little embarrassed to be seen walking into an AA meeting, which was something I was very surprised about. Although I was somewhat anxious about going, I feel that these experiences have really opened my eyes to something I knew very little about. The first meeting I attended was an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in freehold borough. It was held in a room called the
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However, there were things that I did not like. Although, maybe they were things I just did not fully understand because I have never had an issue with drugs or alcohol. First, the meetings seemed a little too religious. Even though it was only said a few times, the serenity prayer and other prayers were recited. I think this might turn some people off, especially those that are not religious at all. I also did not really understand each person introducing themselves as an alcoholic/addict. To me this seemed like they were only identifying themselves as this one fact about them, when in reality each person is so much more than their addiction. There was also a lot more talk of using the drugs and alcohol than I expected. Listening to the stories I heard more about what they did and how they felt on the substance than their recovery process and how they are working through it. I would think for some this could make attending a meeting difficult. Some people need to completely separate themselves from the drug and alcohol culture. Sitting in a room listening to people talk about their past use might trigger feelings for them to want to use again. I think that more emphasis needs to be on the recovery process and not the use. Another thing I thought about was how the twelve-step program might not work for everyone. It might only work for a certain kind of person. Also, I don’t know if it necessarily gets to the root of the problem of why someone was using in the first place. I also think that maybe some involved are replacing one addiction for another. Instead of being addicted to drugs or alcohol, they are now addicted to AA or
However, there were things that I did not like. Although, maybe they were things I just did not fully understand because I have never had an issue with drugs or alcohol. First, the meetings seemed a little too religious. Even though it was only said a few times, the serenity prayer and other prayers were recited. I think this might turn some people off, especially those that are not religious at all. I also did not really understand each person introducing themselves as an alcoholic/addict. To me this seemed like they were only identifying themselves as this one fact about them, when in reality each person is so much more than their addiction. There was also a lot more talk of using the drugs and alcohol than I expected. Listening to the stories I heard more about what they did and how they felt on the substance than their recovery process and how they are working through it. I would think for some this could make attending a meeting difficult. Some people need to completely separate themselves from the drug and alcohol culture. Sitting in a room listening to people talk about their past use might trigger feelings for them to want to use again. I think that more emphasis needs to be on the recovery process and not the use. Another thing I thought about was how the twelve-step program might not work for everyone. It might only work for a certain kind of person. Also, I don’t know if it necessarily gets to the root of the problem of why someone was using in the first place. I also think that maybe some involved are replacing one addiction for another. Instead of being addicted to drugs or alcohol, they are now addicted to AA or