AESA. Assignment 3
MT1022
AssignmentIII.docxAssignment III: Attendance at, and Reactions to a Virtual Self-Help Meeting
Due: June 16
Paper Length: 5 pages, double spaced, not including cover or reference pages
References: 6+
You will attend an “open” virtual 12-step or self-help meeting in your community. Open meetings are those meetings that are available to the general public (specifically marked in an AA book, all NA meetings unless otherwise marked). Any type of twelve-step based meeting you choose will fulfill this requirement including AA, NA, CA, ACOA, OA, GA, SA, Al-Anon, etc. Although also important, please do not attend a self-help group on moderation at this time, as many of them do not follow a twelve-step model.
Open meetings are located throughout the city, at all hours of the day. You can find an AA meeting by calling (212) 647-1680 or by looking online at www.nyintergroup.org. NA meetings can be found by calling (212) 929-6262 or by looking online at www.newyorkna.org. Al-Anon meetings can be found by calling (212) 941-0094 or by looking online at www.nycalanon.org. Students with physical disabilities may have difficulty finding meetings with proper access. In this case an alternative assignment will be arranged.
By attending a virtual group, you will learn first-hand what goes on at these meetings and be able to answer common questions and concerns, as well as “resistance,” as put forth by your clients.
Your paper should address the following in detail:
I. Questions
1. Describe which meeting you selected. Provide a brief description of the structure of the meeting, stating length of time of the meeting, general sociodemographics of its members, location of the meeting, etc.
2. What motivated you to attend that particular meeting?
3. Your initial thoughts/fears, etc. upon entering the meeting?
4. How were you greeted? Were you welcomed? How? Did it make you feel more at ease, less at ease, etc.?
5. How did you introduce yourself, if at all?
6. What kind of meeting was it – e.g., step meeting, anniversary, etc.?
7. Did you identify with the speaker(s)?
8. What were your thoughts, feelings during the meeting?
9. Reflect on your original ideas about addiction. How does this 12 step experience compare with your previous expectations? Does it change your perspective of addiction? Why or why not?
10. How did your feelings/thoughts about 12-step programs/meetings change after the meeting from what they were before attending?
11. How would you feel about referring a client to a 12-step program now? Why? Is this different from how you felt before?
12. What benefits do you believe clients might gain from participating in 12-step meetings?
13. Do you see any potential drawbacks from attending meetings?
14. Did you get a sense of instilled hope in any of the participants? If so, describe how you think that process evolved during the meeting – be specific as possible.
15. Briefly describe a story you heard at the meeting from a participant. How did this person’s description of his/her AOD use manifest the progression of substance use and recovery?
II. Clients often use a variety of challenges not to attend meetings. Barriers to attendance include: time, transportation, feel uncomfortable speaking in front of strangers, “it’s a cult”, it is too much related to God or I can’t relate to anyone in the room. After attending one yourself, how would you respond to clients’ reasons for not attending?
This paper should demonstrate your self-awareness and observation skills, as well as the process and dynamics you became aware of during the meeting. Please organize your paper using the two sections noted above. Please include relevance for practice.
Northwest Tucson Virtual Group of Narcotics Anonymous - Temp
Phoenix, AZ
