Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a community of members who have experienced the power of addiction of drugs. NA members attend NA in order to stay clean, offer support, and receive support from others. NA offers individuals a twelve-step program to follow that will guide them on the road to recovery with a drug free lifestyle (Information About NA, 2007).
I recently observed an NA meeting in a church, with a group of approximately fifty members. I was amazed at how many individuals had showed up to this particular meeting. The NA meeting started at 7:30 on the dot with no time to waste. The meeting started out with different speakers who read the Narcotics Anonymous text. The text explained the general …show more content…
As I observed the NA group, it was clear the group had an instillation of hope. Group members are given a chance to enter NA with the possibility of change and growth. Hearing stories from members who are willing to share gives other members a sense of hope for a better future. Members are able to relate to these stories and experiences being told and use them to get their confidence and power back. Individuals hear these traumatic stories and become inspired to stay clean (Corey, Corey, & Corey, …show more content…
There was one part of the meeting that stuck with me, which was the ending when all members came together holding each other in a circle while speaking an NA prayer. All the members came together and realized they were all the same, addicts. Each member desires the road to recovery and understands this is not an easy task, however with the help and support of others, it makes the road not as scary. The reason this group moment resonates with me is because it commanded group cohesion. There was togetherness in the group like no other. Group cohesion gives members an incentive to keeping attending meetings. Group members feel they belong to something special when the group comes together cohesively. After group members struggle with pain, share their experiences, and take risks is when group cohesion is at it’s greatest (Corey, Corey, & Corey,