Essay about Alcoholic Anonymous and Al-Anon Meetings

Alcoholic Anonymous and Al-Anon Groups Nicole P. Thompson SWK-339 Coker College Professor: Jean D. Keefe April 13, 2009 Abstract Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon groups have helped a lot of people become sober, and to deal with an alcoholic family member. It takes a lot for a person to first admit to having a drinking problem, and then share their experiences with a room full of people. If they want help, that is what they have to do. Research on two AA meetings provided a lot of knowledge and understanding. Alcoholic Anonymous and Al-Anon Groups The purpose of this research paper was to attend two support group meetings and share my experiences. The meetings that were to be attended were an Alcoholics Anonymous†¦show more content†¦The smoke in the room was so bad that some of the observers were wiping their eyes. After the preamble, the Twelve Steps were recited by an AA member. These steps are basically what the members live by to become and remain sober. The first step is: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable. This step is the hardest because we all live in denial when it comes to admitting our wrongdoings to others. It is even harder when it is something that we like to do. Everything that was recited aloud was done by a different member of the group. The Twelve Traditions, The Promises of the Big Book of AA, the Thoughts of the Day, Meditations, and the Daily Reflections followed. After a member read or spoke, they were thanked by the other members in unison. Everyone went around the table and introduced themselves by first name and then stated that they were an alcoholic. We, the observers, also introduced ourselves and the reason for our visit out of respect. That was a little special to me. The time for sharing was next. The chairman asked that it be five minutes or less, and not use obsessive profanity. 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