A Reflection on My Experience Visiting Open Aa Meetings

I visited two open AA meetings, which is meant to have an open discussion about their substance abuse history and problems dealing with alcohol. People form anywhere was able to come to both meetings, regardless of how ones look and behaves. This also meant that the group was open to people still struggling with alcoholism. I learned that the closed meetings are only for people who wish to honor and make an commitment to stop drinking. This means that they could not use alcohol for more than 24 hours at least.

On March 18th, 2019 I went to an Alcohol Anonymous meeting in West Chester, Pennslyvania at 5:30pm. The place the meeting was held in was held at the 307 club. I have never experienced anything of this nature. The only time I have had seen or heard someone talk about these meetings for alcoholics has been in class or on commercials on tv and ads on youtube, which would portray these meeting as a circle of strangers just telling their stories of their life and how being addicted to a drug or substance has changed their lives forever. Coming into this meeting I did not know what to expect, I did not know if it was going to be a room full of homeless drunks or just random people coming in for their need for help. There was a speaker talking and giving motivational talks on how to overcome their issues with addiction. I noticed that during this meeting the speaker was not condemning them for their actions but uplifting them and reassuring them that what they have been through in the past will lead them to where they are going and it’s in their divine purpose that they are sitting in those seats. They played ice breakers like saying their names and where they are from and discussing why they are here. There was about 25 people in that meeting. What made me really happy about this meeting was that they prayed before the meeting. In my eyes with prayer, faith and God all things are possible. Having a foundation of faith will truly be beneficial to those in need to recover from addiction.

The second meeting I attended was at the Lancaster County Intergroup Alcohol and it was held at the Trinity Lutheran Church on March 26. This meeting was a mixture of men and women I would say it was about 20 people in there. They also started off the meeting with a prayer and really made the people felt at home and made them build trust with the speakers and the people that need help to recover from addiction. As the meeting began, the speakers asked if there was any first time visistors and I raised my hand. They gave me a hug and welcomed me. The speakers had battled with addiction herself and overcame. It was quite surprising how the group handled her story in a positive way. I noticed at times members were smiling , connecting and others making brief supporting comments. Rather than judging her from past events in her life, the group seemed to connect with her in a personal and intimate way. I liked how the meeting was honest and open and the ability to connect with each other was beautiful to see. Afterwards both meeetings I attended different members of the meeting read brief AA literature, the 12 promises and traditions. Both meetings were very similar and it was eye opening. The 12 promises is very essential and important because it involves God and it encourages the people that God does not give anything they can not handle. Also, that with faith they can recover. This will not be an easy process but with prayer and motivation , through Christ all things are possible. I believe that is so important to instill in people, no matter their age, race or gender.

I learned in both meetings there was both mixtures of men and women. Everyone seemed to be engaged and wanted their life to change. Before going there I thought people were not going to be engaging and participating with conversation and dialogue. I also thought people were there because they were forced. But that was not the case. They just are going through hard times and wanted an escape. I learned that people with addiction never plans on becoming addicted to a drug or substance, they just become dependent on the drug/substance to overcome hardships in there life. I am very much an open-minded person, walking into this I did not know what to expect and I did not go in there with prejudgments only that I thought it was going to be homeless looking people. It was a heart-warming experience to hear people’s stories and what they have been through in life without people judging them. I also learned in this meeting is that everyone goes through some type of trial and tribulations and being there through the journey and being a helping hand will be beneficial towards them. I loved how interacting the meetings there. There was not much to dislike about the meetings it was very positive, and I left out of there very good about myself and realized how blessed I am to be there and see what God has planned in their future while being in those programs.

The open discussions were very heart touching and hearing people’s stories is what opened my eyes to some people have to go through some things to get to some things. I found myself very interested by the discussion on dealing with life events by using alcohol. Everyone agreed that at one time or another they used alcohol to escape negative feelings and thoughts. I see that a lot in college, where people handle things by going to the bars or taking a shot just because they had a hard day or breaking up with their girlfriend or boyfriend. Sometimes I do that also, if I had a week of stressful events I go out and party and drink. I also believe that is also ingrained in American society to do also. Why is it that people want to get drunk in those matters when that is the least effective way of handling things? I learned that alcohol makes the situation worse and leads one to make the wrong decision at the end of the day.

These meetings made me appreciate people who are overcoming alcoholism because it is not an easy process. It shows their bravery and strength to want more in life. In my eyes, Alcoholism and any type of addiction seems like a demon that wants one to stay trapped in bad space. There are always room to grow and seek help and that is why I believe these programs are beneficial to those who want to see themselves succeed towards their fullest potential. I really enjoyed these meetings, the ability to connect spiritually and personally was beautiful to see. It seemed like a big family from both meetings. No one was bashing and judging each other based on what they were struggling with. Their stories were very touching and every single member can learn from each other and the speakers that organizes these meetings. As I entered I did not know what to expect but leaving, it gave me a greater sense of what people go through on a daily basis dealing with addiction to these drugs. Their stories and path to recovery will be motivation to other addicts. It’s a chain to success.