Alcoholism affects people with different backgrounds, culture, and upbringings. In our society, alcoholism has become a dangerous condition. According to the National Institute on alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 17 percent of men and 8 percent of women will dependent on alcohol in their lifetime. Some people stop drinking because they are forced to do so, they were arrested and have to follow court mandates and a second group of people who really want to stop drinking but don’t know how too. These people need help and attend AA meetings to receive cognitive behavior therapy and group therapy, this intervention helped the participants understand why they became addicted to alcohol and to focus on not relapsing.
During the meeting, …show more content…
I was scared about attending an AA meeting because I was under the impression that would not be allowed to attend. After reading about the meetings, I felt more comfortable with attending. I had difficulty finding the meeting location because there were no visible signs. Once I entered, I noticed a very strong smell of cigarettes and coffee. I was not expecting to see so many attendees. Most appeared comfortable and interacted with other members. Since I was a “visitor” I was instructed to sit in the back. I noticed that the most active members sat in the front of the room and the members that were either new or mandated to attend sat in the back. I listened as members went around the room and introduced themselves. They would share their progress as well as relapses in the 12 step program. I was surprised to also learn that the meetings where spiritually centered and referred to “God” a lot. I noticed that members who were not religious, used terms such as “higher being” rather than “God.” I observed that veteran members encouraged other members since their need to continue their …show more content…
Prior to attending an AA meeting I was under the assumption those that attended AA meetings were all of lower income members and forced to attend due to a court mandate. I discovered at the meeting that the members were from different cultures and socio-economic background, but with a similar goal in mind, to live a sober life. I never thought that I would learn a lot from an AA meeting. I assume to see drunk people in the meeting, smoking or eating donuts, like being some TV shows. People not believing in themselves to make a change. The reason I had this assumption and personal biases was because of social media. In TV shows alcoholism to be funny and entertaining. Some have stereotypes of men and women drinking to deal with problems and break up. Other social media expressed for women and men dealing with alcoholism choose not to stop because they are weak and helpless. I learn that this, not the case many people dealing with alcoholism have a strong mind and soul. They believe that they can make a change and have a better life if they are given
During the meeting, …show more content…
I was scared about attending an AA meeting because I was under the impression that would not be allowed to attend. After reading about the meetings, I felt more comfortable with attending. I had difficulty finding the meeting location because there were no visible signs. Once I entered, I noticed a very strong smell of cigarettes and coffee. I was not expecting to see so many attendees. Most appeared comfortable and interacted with other members. Since I was a “visitor” I was instructed to sit in the back. I noticed that the most active members sat in the front of the room and the members that were either new or mandated to attend sat in the back. I listened as members went around the room and introduced themselves. They would share their progress as well as relapses in the 12 step program. I was surprised to also learn that the meetings where spiritually centered and referred to “God” a lot. I noticed that members who were not religious, used terms such as “higher being” rather than “God.” I observed that veteran members encouraged other members since their need to continue their …show more content…
Prior to attending an AA meeting I was under the assumption those that attended AA meetings were all of lower income members and forced to attend due to a court mandate. I discovered at the meeting that the members were from different cultures and socio-economic background, but with a similar goal in mind, to live a sober life. I never thought that I would learn a lot from an AA meeting. I assume to see drunk people in the meeting, smoking or eating donuts, like being some TV shows. People not believing in themselves to make a change. The reason I had this assumption and personal biases was because of social media. In TV shows alcoholism to be funny and entertaining. Some have stereotypes of men and women drinking to deal with problems and break up. Other social media expressed for women and men dealing with alcoholism choose not to stop because they are weak and helpless. I learn that this, not the case many people dealing with alcoholism have a strong mind and soul. They believe that they can make a change and have a better life if they are given