SOCIAL ISSUES 12 Step Program
The meeting space for AA meetings is usually congruent with the availability of open space within the community. From the outside of the meeting place, one may view things with a critical eye. Churches are frequently used for AA meetings. A church provides ample space and privacy. Parking is easily accessed as well. There are street lights to provide security and safety in returning to a vehicle when the meeting is over. The first impression of the meeting place is calming and inspirational.
Once inside the meeting place, a heavy smell of coffee can be noticed lingering in the air. There are many folding chairs set-up throughout the room. The room is actually the fellowship hall, or conference room, of the church. There are approximately ten large tables set-up in a cafeteria style. In what is considered to be the front of the room, a podium sits atop one of the tables that have been turned sideways. Atop the table is much literature and books related to the recovery process, alcoholism, and the 12-step process. Some of the literature is free, and some must be paid for. The meeting space appears to be able to accommodate at least 100 people. The lighting is adequate and there are public restrooms available. The inviting appearance and atmosphere give a pleasant first impression to the newcomer. The cleanliness and available space are good reasons for the newcomer to attend subsequent meetings at this location. There are no mentionable ways to suggest improving the meeting space. The only improvement to offer would be meeting in a larger facility if membership and attendance outgrow the current accommodations.
As people begin to arrive at the AA meeting, an immediate relaxed feeling encompasses the meeting place. People smile, greet, and hug one another as if it were a family reunion. Newcomers are treated like long-lost family members. While some members greet the newcomers with a smile and a handshake, others welcome the newcomers with a pleasant smile and a big hug. Conversations take place all over the room on a variety of topics. Some members talk about their jobs, others talk about their current therapist, and some exchange information on family members and issues. The informal moments before the meeting commences is like a catch-up session.
The meeting begins with the meeting chair getting everyone seated and bringing the meeting to order. This is followed by the chair defining who and what AA is. It is stated that AA is a group of co-ed individuals who rely on one another, their Higher Power, and the 12-steps for the physical, emotional, and spiritual support needed for recovery (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1981). A silent moment of meditation is observed for the alcoholic who still suffers. There is a period used for announcements. If there are any upcoming events like guest speakers or special meetings at another location, then they are informally interjected here. The people in attendance at the chairs example go around the room and introduce themselves. This part is voluntary, and if a newcomer does not feel comfortable, then he or she does not have to participate. The newcomer can simply indicate that they are a guest. Now the floor is opened for discussion, unless the char has a particular topic of interest to be discussed. The meeting topic for discussion must be either AA or recovery related. Members generally talk on specific steps as they relate to current life issues. The discussion and constructive criticism portion of the meeting lasts approximately forty-five minutes.
The topic on this occasion pertained to Step 8. Step 8 discusses listing all the persons harmed during the use of alcohol and making a conscious effort to make amends to them all (Hazelden Hazelden, 1988). This step means exactly what it says. It means having to go and apologize to those who were wronged, taken advantage of, and lied to while the alcoholic was actively drinking. This is a time consuming task, and some people are not easily approachable since many alcoholics have been ostracized before entering AA. Members took turns sharing personal experiences as they related to the topic. Some stories were sad and showed how low alcoholism can bring someones life down. Other stories were on a more positive note and demonstrated how the use of this step prevented them from relapse. The sharing and discussion portion of the meeting is brought to a close by the chair changing the subject. A basket is passed around the room for donations. There are no formal dues, but members usually contribute in order to purchase coffee and other items for meetings. The chair asks if any newcomers would like to become a member. Newcomers become members by admitting that they are powerless over their addiction and picking up a white chip (Hamilton, 1995). The chip system signifies specific milestones reached by the member during the recovery process. The white chip indicates a new beginning.
The chair then asks if anyone is celebrating a birthday. A birthday in AA is a celebration of different lengths of sobriety. This is celebrated in 30-60-90 day intervals, six months, and yearly. The chair asks that everyone stand, form a circle, and join hands for the closing of the meeting. The close of the meeting is done by the Serenity Prayer being recited in unison by the entire group. This officially ends the meeting. After the meeting ends, some members put all the literature away for the next meeting. Some members fold up the chairs and return them to their respectable location. Other members talk momentarily before leaving. New members are welcomed and introduced to prospective sponsors. Having a sponsor, or mentor, is a vital aspect of AA (T.M., 1998). Gradually, everyone vacates the meeting place and goes home.
Members treat one another like family before, during, and after a meeting. It is a continuous and unconditional offering of support that is reciprocated. Some members joke about coffee being the replacement for alcohol. Much coffee drinking takes place during an AA meeting. Before the meeting, people catch-up on the details of one anothers lives, and after the meeting the members talk about what the meeting entailed and how it affected them. One important factor that must be interjected is that everything that occurs within a meeting must stay in the meeting. Anonymity and confidentiality are the top priorities of AA, and they demand respect from all members, visitors, and newcomers due to the tremendous amount of personal information that is volunteered (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1981).
The 12-steps and the Serenity Prayer govern the AA program. The 12-steps are a list of rules by which those in recovery through AA live by. These rules require that each member work each individual step. Some steps take longer than others to complete, but that is alright because there is no time limit for completion. It is not a process to be rushed either. The 12-steps recognize surrender, remorse, new paths, spirituality, and the ultimate goal of recovery (Hazelden Hazelden, 1988). As they say in AA when it comes to the 12-steps it works if you work it.
The Serenity Prayer is significant of the alcoholics desperation for positive change to occur in their life. The prayer talks of changes that can or cannot be made in reference to the level of intelligence that the alcoholic has over the situation. Many of the members have different items with the Serenity Prayer on them like key-chains and bookmarks. Since AA promotes the acknowledgement of a Higher Power, this prayer reflects the existence of a spiritual Supreme Being. AA members also rely on a Higher Power for protection and guidance. The prayer is used to close a meeting as it serves as a reminder that the real world beyond the boundaries of the door to the meeting place can be very cruel and tempting.
Mental health clinicians, AA members, and AA sponsors all work with individuals in a 12-step program. Members provide emotional support to each other in the 12-step program. This is done by sharing rides to and from the meetings, calling one another, and attending meetings on a regular basis. Members emphatically encourage and inspire one another subconsciously. Sponsors do much of the same except they are more attentive to those being sponsored. Sponsors act as the angel on the new members shoulder, only this angel is very direct and to the point (T.M., 1998). They are not easily fooled and do not buy into many of the excuses that they hear. Despite this risk, a strong friendship usually develops between the sponsor and the member. Mental health professionals aid the alcoholic in a therapeutic setting. Therapy is usually in the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Client Centered Therapy.
A mental health professional can implement a 12-step program for an alcoholic client or a non-alcoholic client. The clinician generally suggests a 12-step program to a client during a therapy session. The rationale for participating in the program is discussed at length. It is beneficial to the alcoholic because the client would be kept busy, be around others in recovery, and find support. The clinician could explain the concept of recovery through sobriety (Parker Guest, 1999). A general description could be explained, and the issues of finding a meeting, and the types of meeting could be elaborated upon. The clinician can talk to the client about what to expect at a meeting, too, as a means of relieving any anxiety the client may have. Spirituality, sponsorship, and fellowship are three key topics that can be used by the clinician to sell the client on the program. The 12-step program should be talked about in conjunction with addressing the clients participation (Hamilton, 1995). The 12-step program can be used in collaboration with a cognitive behavior therapy as it serves as a model for desired behavior and incites change. Some clients and AA members relapse. When this occurs, the sponsor is ready to respond in order to help the fellow member get back on track. The fallen member usually withdrawals from attending meetings for a duration of time because of feeling embarrassed and humiliated. Some members simply start attending another meeting at a different location. Clients who are not alcoholics can still utilize the 12-steps as they are a way of living. The clinician can begin working the 12-steps with the non- alcoholic client in a one-on-one therapeutic setting devoid of a meeting. The most effective course of therapy in this instance is through Client Centered Therapy. The directive of this form of therapy focuses on the client and allows the client to take control of their own treatment. However, the therapist could help the client initiate the 12-step program through explanation and reason. This would stand to improve the quality of life for both the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic client.
The 12-step program of AA is an effective means for achieving recovery. Emotional, mental, and spiritual support are important factors surrounding recovery. Other members, sponsors, and mental health clinicians are the safety nets put into action. They provide the alcoholic with the necessary tools essential for preventing a relapse. The belief in a Higher Power plays an important role in the recovery process for alcoholics. The Higher Power is a source of comfort, reliability, protection, and security. Reverence is also given to the Higher Power for allowing the alcoholic to find a new path and seek change. Meetings are an effective way to communicate and find support from other alcoholics in recovery. The sharing and family-like atmospheres of the AA meetings provide a level of comfort that make the member want to come back again and again. If a member should happen to relapse, then he or she is able to simply start over. They are not banished from the group. AA recognizes alcoholics as human beings who are capable of error just as they are capable of making good choices. AA opens the doors to recovery for any alcoholic who wants it, but it has to be worked for.
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