12-Step Meeting
Garcia 6
Twelve step meetings can be a vital cornerstone in the process of recovery for people
with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). The promise of hope is carried from one recovering
addict to the next alongside the experiences and lessons of the individual’s journey. This
fellowship-based program has saved many lives from the continued detriments of substance
abuse. As practitioners, it is helpful to understand the principles and concepts of 12 step meetings and how they can impact our clients’ lives. I share my personal story of recovery to reflect a different perspective of first-hand experiences of a student who is recovering from SUDS.Furthermore, completing the Change Project offers an empathic pathway in relating to the struggles our clients may face.
The first meeting I attended was was called “Recovery Island” which meets on
Tuesdays at a church in the City Island section of the Bronx. However because of the current health crisis the meetings are being held virtually. This is also a big meeting, with members who attend regularly. The demographics are mixed between people of all races, ages, gender and with a wide variety of SUD experiences.This meeting was a closed, topic meeting, where the speaker picked a topic for the group to discuss. The online atmosphere was supportive, encouraging and most of all welcoming to all who seek help.
In my personal experience, coming into the “12 step room” (as we tend to refer to 12 step meetings) has permanently and forever changed my life for the better. The City Island meeting which I referred to above, was the very first meeting I attended.
The group leaders welcomed everyone by thanking all comers who were new and old. He gave individuals the opportunity to introduce themselves, but I was very hesitant to speak due to my fear of large groups, despite the meeting being held online. The group started with their mission and opened the floor to individuals who felt they struggled the previous days,weeks, and even that morning. Three individuals shared their stories of struggles, ironically one of those individuals admitted to using 2 days ago. He admitted to feeling shameful but acknowledged wanting to be at the group. The group welcomed him with warm arms. Unfortunately, this individual left the meeting shortly after.
The meeting continued with step 9. Step 9 is “make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others”. I participated in shared group readings of this chapter which was very enlightening to me. Coincidentally, this step was very personal to me. I sat listening to everyone’s stories about what step 9 meant to them and how it has helped them. Many people said “getting to step 9 is hard but once you're there you realize how much damage you have done to those around you. It makes you want to fall apart because you know no one wants your amends since they know you will mess up again. But what matters is if you mean your amends confidently with acknowledging your struggles”.
When others began to share I really felt an empathetic level to their stories. Hearing their struggles opened my eyes to realizing substance usage and abuse is not a choice. I grew up hearing the stigma of this disease and saying hurtful comments towards these individuals where I grew up in the Bronx. I never looked at these individuals as people who were struggling and fighting a disease because I was taught otherwise. At the end of the group the floor was opened to those who wanted to share. I finally raised my hand, introduced myself as a social work graduate student who was taking an alcohol and substance abuse class. I immediately noticed half of the room presented less tense and was very interested in hearing my story. I talked about why I was there and shared some of my upbringing that related to substance/alcohol abuse with one of my family members who I adore. I acknowledged my ignorance towards this population, asking for amends to those who I judged due to the stigma I grew up in. I also thanked them for having me. I talked about how step 9 is related currently in my life. Everyone in the room clapped and thanked me. The meeting ended with a closing prayer.
The primary purpose of 12 step meetings comes from the idea of open-mindedness,
willingness and honesty (A.A. World Services, 1984). In order to recover, an individual must be
willing to learn and try something different. The steps themselves serve to build character,
address defects and gain a deeper understanding of the self (Doweiko, 2015, p. 516). By doing
so, it is thought that people can stray away from behaviors that may have gotten them into
trouble in the first place. Thus, individuals have the opportunity to become successful in their
recovery process. This can also serve to build self-esteem for the addict which may have
descended during active addiction.
The fellowship of the meetings serves not only as an endeavor on positive self-
development, but to provide a network of support to maintain abstinence (A.A. World Services,
1984). The idea is that people in recovery know and understand the struggles of addiction first
hand, and do not wish others to face those same struggles (Doweiko, 2015, p. 519). Hence, the
support given and received in such fellowships is freely given without conditions. For someone
struggling with a SUD, this can be instrumental. In active addiction, people tend to isolate and
burn bridges with people in their lives. Becoming a member of a fellowship helps people to
reacclimate toward socialization. Moreover, it creates a foundation on which the individual can
stand during difficult times and combat triggers or cravings. In addition, sponsorship allows
people to find someone who can hold them accountable toward their recovery (A.A. World
Services, 1984). Sponsors also help to guide you through the 12 steps and find spirituality within yourself.
The principles of spiritually in 12 steps groups tends to be widely debated (Doweiko,
2015, p. 517). The main idea is that addicts tend to hold the substance of choice as the be-all-
end-all of their lives. In working the 12 steps, individuals become willing to have faith in a
positive higher power, other than themselves or the substances (Doweiko, 2015, p. 518). Most
12 step groups will use the language of “God” as a higher power. In coming to this
understanding, people are encouraged bear in mind that this is a God of each individual’s
personal understanding, so long as this God is something or a force bigger than themselves
(Doweiko, 2015, p. 518). Many people who suffer from SUDs are left with a sense of emptiness
from the damage that addiction has done to their lives. Gaining spiritually can help to fill that
Void.
My understanding is that we, as humans, are social creatures and we need each other to thrive. Chipping away at a person’s ambivalence is not easy. Furthermore, it is important to understand that readiness and willingness is the utmost important component for change. Clients who are more mandated to attend meetings or rehab may lack the motivation to become successful. The same goes for participation in 12 step meetings. If a person is not readily willing to make change then they are not open-minded to new suggestions. If those suggestions are not taken, one may be at a higher risk of relapse. . We have to understand and carry this concept with us in our practice. Despite our best efforts of motivation, empathy and meeting the client where they are at, we cannot force someone to be ready. Simply, we must show unconditional support, empathy and patience – such as would be received from 12 step meetings.
Admittingly, 12 steps programs may not be for everyone. However, it is evident that the benefits do reflect the amount of effort people are willing to input. Some may require higher levels of intervention and some may require less. The key element, though, is that 12 step programs work on so much more than the addiction. This is a self-wellness program that really anyone could benefit from whether they have SUDs or not. From such programs, we learn better coping skills, successful interpersonal relationships and we build support networks to sustain it all. This understanding of 12 step meetings can further help us to decrease ambivalence within our clients. Anyone can accomplish change, and everyone deserves growth. As professionals, we must extract these strengths from those who we help and encourage them to find that power within themselves to make that change.
References
Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Support Groups to Promote and Sustain Recovery. In Doweiko, H, E.
(Ed), Concepts of Chemical Dependency (pp. 514-527). Stamford, CT: Cengage
Learning.
A.A. World Services (1984). Narcotics Anonymous: Basic Text. Van Nuys, CA: World Service
Office, Inc.