In Module One, you researched support groups both online and in your local area. You are to attend one of these meetings and provide a summary of your experiences. Include in your summary the following information:

• What type of meeting did you attend?
• Why did you choose this meeting?
• What types of addictions were discussed (give a general definition of these addictions)?
• What was the format of the meeting (online or physical attendance)?
• What were your expectations of the meeting?
• What was your conclusion of the meeting?
• What kind of impact does the addiction have on the individual, his or her family, workplace, and community?
• What was the motivational level for getting help? Was there mention of support within their family?

reply 1: Frederica Qamar

I attended a women’s Alcoholics Anonymous meeting via Zoom. There were 16 attendees. I chose it because I thought it would be interesting to see women supporting each other. Mostly everyone spoke about their alcoholism, I did not hear mention of other substances. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism is described as an allergy. There is a belief that once an alcoholic ingests alcohol, a phenomenon of craving sets in and the alcoholic keeps drinking long after other people would have stopped.

I expected most people to talk about how hard it has been during the pandemic. It was true, most of the women talked about the stress and strain it has put on them and their family. Also, there was immense gratitude for the program of recovery and the support they give one another. One gal talked about how grateful her children are that she is sober, and that alcohol had almost ruined her marriage.

All of the women seemed very motivated to getting the help they have been getting and staying sober no matter what. I would say the level was very high. There was one gal who was celebrating 30 days. She had relapsed after 9 months of being sober and she said it was hell for her. She believed that this time she was going to work the steps and stay connected to other women in the program.

My conclusion is that Alcoholics Anonymous helps people stay sober by supporting each other. In meetings they are willing to share how they really are doing, not just what people want to hear. They support each other without judgement. There is support for the families of alcoholics in Al Anon, where they can share and get support as well.

reply 2:

Laurie Mullet

For the assignment this week I attended and online alcoholics anonyms meeting. I chose this meeting because my father was an alcoholic when I was in highschool so I thought it would be both informative for the course and also for my personal life. Alcohol addiction was the main topic but one of the attendees did mention and struggle with addiction to narcotics as well. In the meeting anyone could ask to be added to the cue to share next and when it was their turn they would turn their camera on if they chose and would share about whatever they felt led to. At the end of the meeting everyone was asked to recited the serenity prayer with the meeting leader but no mics or cameras had to be on or anything of that nature. The meeting was very informative and interesting. I loved hearing the perspective and experience from recovering alcoholics first hand. When I left the meeting I personally felt better from people lifting up one another, being honest and open and sharing so vulnerably. Addiction has great impact on family members. It can scar and ruin all relationships with friends, elders, and children. Two woman commented about their relationships with family. One woman talked about trying to amend things with her mother she had stolen so much from to fund her addiction. Another woman spoke about mending her relationship with her daughter particularly to build and gain trust again. The leader brought this back to the importance of family and friends helping in recovery and the fact that it helps tremendously for maintaining sobriety. Overall it really seemed like everyone sharing was very interested in continuing with sobriety even if they mentioned how difficult it was that day or week. I do realize that I couldn’t see anyone so it’s difficult to judge the mood of a group over the internet when so many people can choose not to speak or comment about others sharing.