PSYC 491 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Theoretical & Biblical Worldview Paper _2024.pdf

Theoretical & Biblical Worldview Paper

Tasha Garland

Department of Psychology, Liberty University

PSYC 491: Capstone in Psychology

Instructor Stevens

March 15, 2024

Theoretical & Biblical Worldview Paper

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are those struggling with a drinking problem who are

listen, then see how it goes. There is no judgement among the meetings. There are a lot of

“Courage to Change, Just Do It”, “Only A Symptom”, “No Rules”, “No Drama, Just the Primary

Purpose”, “AA Serenity Island”, and “A Great Escape” were all very interesting to sit to listen to

their stories. They go over topics like forgiveness, hope for today, dual diagnosis, and readings

from “The Big Book”. The purpose of the paper is to discuss a brief history of the organizations,

how they are organized, personal comments that are made within the meetings, what could be

get on the right track to recovery (Susan, R., 2023). Whether their problems are with alcohol,

drugs, or dealing with someone who is under the influence, these programs help by discussing

these issues. Back in 1986 the first online meetings used something called Bulletin Boards

(Susan, R., 2023). Online meetings became more popular in 2000’s, although these meetings

have been around for over a decade (Susan, R., 2023). Most meetings are held daily throughout

the week with different topics. These meetings can be held online on zoom, in person, over the

phone, in a chat room, or through an email. An AA meeting is for individuals who are trying to

seek help with their drinking without having to pay an arm and leg for it. First thing to do is

admit one has a problem (Susan, R., 2023). They have discussions on a topic, or a book called,

“The Big Book” it costs $12, but if someone in the meeting cannot afford one, the host will

provide them with one. There are 12 steps to follow to help in succeeding on the journey to

sobering a day, week, month, or year. An NA meeting is for individuals who are addicted to

principles of recovery each member should follow to help them not want to use drugs anymore.

In these meetings everyone is always so supportive, provides encouragement, and inspiration to

others to help them achieve their goals. Addiction is a disease that needs help to recovery. It’s

easy to open when there is no judgment present in the room or pressure upon one. Helping one

another stay clean is what it is all about. An Al-Anon meeting is to help those who may be

help those get through situations. This group is based off bad decision-making, that we cannot

control of those. An individual must accept there comes a time in life where they cannot change

others but can still live a happy life. Within these meetings everyone shares similar experiences

they have been through (Susan, R., 2023).

“AA Serenity Group” was a very interesting meeting to attend. They are run by four co-

host and a host named Brother Bee. Within the meeting there was a guest speaker, Ruth, who

gave a testimony on her drinking experience and how AA meetings have helped her come a long

way. She is thirty-nine years sober, congratulations to her as this is a new adventure. This

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meeting is an hour long with a fellowship after the meeting for those who wish to attend. There

were seventy-one participants who showed up to the 2:00pm meeting on Sunday to hear the

then when it is their turn, they tell their story. https://aaserenitygroup.com. Zoom ID: 789

start like all the meetings by going over the introduction and rules of the meetings. Then they go

over the 12 steps with a prayer following that. After the prayer they see what question, they pull

out of the ask-it basket and that is presented to the group, to where then the floor is open to share

on the topic. Each person that wants to share can share for three minutes, they have someone that

will keep time and once there is a minute left, they warn the speaker. This group had the least

number of participants, there was only thirty-two. Everyone is welcomed to attend that would

like and there is no judgement. The meeting ends with a closing, sober birthdays shout out, and a

prayer. Zoom Meeting ID: 878 6178 3394 Passcode: WERECOVER.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87861783394?

pwd=bjdLVnV3RUlVaStZVDFRZC9uZk5GZz09#success.

7:00 pm hosted by Chris and Jack. There was a lot of participants, this was the highest group

attended with a total of 191. It started like all meetings by going over the introduction, rules, 12

polar-2, a mental illness, etc. Never knew of such until attending one of these meetings and

meetings shun upon a dual diagnosis meeting because they do not believe it, they think it’s a

weakness holding them back. Some people don’t know how to respond to a dual diagnosis that is

why they have these meetings to help them recover. Just as followed they allow up to three

minutes of sharing, once they have a minute left someone will warn them, so they don’t use up

someone else’s time. These meetings are an hour long but tend to have a parking lot meeting

88 in one group and 68 in the other. The host and co-host are Joe, Rob, OhioDave, Chris,

Johnny, and Rani. The meeting times were Sunday 1:00 pm and Monday 8:00 pm. They hold

daily and weekly meetings like the others that are an hour long, with an after meeting to attend

for those who didn’t get a chance to speak that wanted/needed too. Just like all meetings they

start out with an introduction, rules, 12 steps, and prayer. This group reads a passage from “The

Big Book” to use as their discussion of the hour. They take turns speaking of three minutes, once

there is a minute left then they know to try to wrap it up so others can have a chance. Almost all

meetings are running the same way, just with different people and topics. In the end they end

with a closing, sober birthdays, and prayer. Zoom D: 769 2518 9247 Passcode:

12steps. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/76925189247?

pwd=TTZhTFlaTGpCVmxlanlVWEt1UGxWZz09#success.

alone! “The opposite of addiction is connection,” said one speaker. What they mean by that is

when one has an addiction, it is hard to overcome, although with the right connection such as

God or peers who are encouraging, one can overcome all. Some members are afraid of free time

because they see it as a weakness to attempt relapse. Some think they must depend on the

meetings, just to not have that opportunity available to them. One speaker said, “everyone needs

to start somewhere, and that somewhere begins within yourself.” You must admit you have a

problem and then go from there. Another speaker said, “The fear of the steps are real, so take it

day by day, and a little at a time.” No one is perfect, and don’t always get it right the first go

around, setbacks happen, just keep pushing forward to work toward recovery. When in the zoom

AA meetings, I would notice different behaviors among the participants as they sit and listen to

angry, give praise during a good moment, talk with their hands, etc. Each member does do one

thing though when they announce everyone’s sober birthdays, they all holler and clap with joy.

people were older in the meetings, which came to a shock to me because I figured it would be

meetings read from “The Big Book”, which when I first heard it, I thought they meant the Bible.

Cognitive-behavioral theory is about how we think about situations that can affect our

way of feeling and acting. Sometimes we do not think about our actions or conscious before

doing the things we do such as drinking too much or even drugs. “Cognitive-behavioral theory

formed from social learning theory with treatment models based on operant and classical

conditioning concepts” (McLearie, et. al., 2023). Just like in the groups it is a social learning

recovery support group with sponsor, more meetings, 12 steps, and more to help get individuals

sober. “The more consequences of an individual’s behavior can change or modify one’s

behavior” (McLearie, et. al., 2023). Change can be a good thing or sometimes a bad thing, just

depends on what the change is. Now is the time to focus on what matters and to get the help to

recovery. Social learning theory helps these meetings with all the support and encouragement

they offer to those with an addiction. They want to be there for one another and that is what

makes it all worthwhile!

I honestly have put a lot of thought into this question, most of these meetings I sat in

that could make them not want to come back. The only thing I would change would be all the

that people don’t need to hear. Now they do need to make it where hackers cannot intervene,

because I was in one were someone came in and uploaded a porn video, that was not pleasant to

me or others in the group. The host remained calm, got the situation under control. The members

are like family to one another, they support each other, they exchange number to be there all

times of the day. They do not want to see anyone relapse because they care for one another that

integrity, willingness, humility, and self-discipline just like the bible. When they talk about the

12 steps, just know they are discussing 12 things among the Bible. They pray within these

meetings and say they cannot become sober without God. The Bible talks about recovery, just

like the meetings do. In Psalm, “You who made me see many troubles and calamities will revive

me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my

greatness and comfort me again” – Psalm 71:20-21 (ESV, 2013). We all struggle in life whether

it be with troubles, addictions, hardships, goals, school, or difficulties that come within our path,

just know God is always there to help us through these challenging moments. No matter how

many times we may fall, he is always there to pick us right back up. Just like in these support

group meetings, God is sitting there with them, hearing their stories, and trying to help them with

recovery.

to be more positive toward others. Everyone is so supportive, no matter what their situation was,

just to sit and listen, rather than just to ask questions. As I entered each support group, I

explained I am a student at Liberty University, looking to observe and learn from these meetings,

as I reassured them, I would keep everything confidential. The only thing to make these groups

better would be less bad language, as they could make other angry or have a negative outlook.

Cuss words do not need to be present, especially if God is present! They even have training