Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting - Essay Example

I was unsure about visiting this meeting. What could I expect? Would there be drunks? From my reading, I knew that each group is unique.
I found a group of about twenty individuals, most of them in middle age or older, although there were two young people present, both seeming to be under thirty, which surprised me.
This was an open meeting, that is it was open to those who are not chemically dependent. Closed meetings also go on, and these are only for those who are dependent. Everyone was quite friendly and we chatted generally until the chairperson called the meeting to order and everyone sat down in a circle. This is a self-support group, so the chairman must also be an alcoholic. To begin he asked if there were any newcomers. There were three of us and we each stood up and told the group our first names.
I was told beforehand that the meeting runs on most occasions on a ‘single share’ system. This means that each person can speak for a few minutes and no one voice or opinion dominates, which seems very fair and egalitarian. Another factor is the way in which people speak to the whole group rather than perhaps saying to only one person ‘What you ought to do is…..” or to reprimand them This is a meeting of equals.
One by one member spoke about their experiences for a few minutes. In some cases they were still struggling with their alcoholism, one or two talked about the negative effect upon their health, and others were no longer drinking, but we're still taking things a day at a time. Then one lady gave a longer pre-planned talk, outlining the full story of her descent into alcoholism at quite an early age, because of difficulties at work. She described how things had got so bad that she could no longer care for her family, but did say that her husband did his best to be supportive.
The meeting was then closed without discussion and we went our separate ways.
Narcotics Anonymous Visit.
I found the local chapter of Narcotics Anonymous simply by looking in the telephone book. I was surprised to find that the group met regularly in an anonymous building that I pass frequently. I thought it was an American self-support group, but on the website and in the leaflet I was given I read:-.
Every addict in the world has the chance to experience our message in his or her own language and culture and find the opportunity for a new way of life.
This means that these people are just concerned with their own addiction, but are trying their best to help others. They even have a World Convention. Also, they do not rely on the medical profession when it comes to writing their literature, but it all comes from members.
The meeting began in a similar way to that of the Alcoholic Anonymous meeting in that there was a friendly chat and then the meeting was called to order. Although some people did speak for a few minutes each, this was a teaching meeting that went through the twelve-step program guide. I was assured that many had found this helpful. I was particularly struck by the first step when those addicted to narcotics come to the point where they can state “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.” The members are encouraged to place their lives into the hands of God, however, they understood him to be. They need to make a definite turning round of their lives and search their inner being, something described as making a moral inventory. They are encouraged to share their decision with someone, and also to make amends to those who might have been harmed by their actions, wherever this is possible.
I had had a very negative view of drug users – usually only meeting them in the emergency room when they were at their lowest, but these people were trying really hard to improve.
Health Fair.
It was however main dominated by people and companies who make their living and profits from the Health Care industry, so I did have some doubts about motivation. There was for instance a stall where you could sign up for tooth whitening.
On the other hand, an optician was offering cut-price eye examinations - although, of course, his company would profit if people became longer-term clients or needed expensive treatment.
This was fair for health professionals so there were lots of drug companies represented, each one keen to let you know how their medication could revolutionize the treatment of this or that condition.
There were also lots of gadgets available - complicated abdominal retractors and yet another design of artery forceps, new methods of taking temperatures, and other basic observations. I could have filled a mail sack with the free leaflets available, many almost thrust at me, whether I wanted them or not. Read More