Personal Reflective Essay: My First AA Meeting

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Sobriety to alcoholics or addicts in particular can be one of the hardest goals to accomplish. On July 3rd, 2016, I stepped into my close friends’ first AA meeting. Alcohol and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are for any addict who wants to recover from the disease of addiction. My close friend was suffering from the addiction of alcohol and marijuana. To help him, I went to the meeting with him to make him feel comfortable. People turn to AA/NA meetings to fulfill their wishes of sobriety, and to open up to people who have similarities to them. The craving for substances has the power to torture one’s mind and body as it causes withdrawal and discomfort. The room stood still as I walked in with my pen and paper. It felt like everyone looked at me at the same time when I took my first step into the meeting. I felt my face getting red, and the sweat dripping down my temples because I was so nervous. I felt like an outcast compared to everyone; to a point where I felt ostracized around everyone else. In order to surrender, one needs to have the courage to give something up. Big or small, you have …show more content…
I looked up to hear Chrissy, the head speaker introduce herself. “Hi I’m Chrissy and I am an alcoholic” was the first sentence she said. She began the meeting with the Serenity prayer. As everyone followed while I listened, I came to realize that everyone surrounding me was here to get rid of the old memories and start a new and healthier path. The most important thing you can do is admit you’re powerlessness to alcohol. Chrissy split us into groups of eight to talk amongst ourselves. Mike, one of the males in my group said, “Alcohol made me feel whole again and that feeling I got from drinking is a feeling no other person can give me.” There was always the feeling that told him that alcohol and drugs overpowered many things. But I knew that deep down; Mike’s sobriety outweighed the

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