Aa Meeting: a Reflection Paper

Introduction

On Sunday, February 17th, I attended my first Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting at the “Grupo Fe y Amor” location in Los Angeles. I went to the Spanish-language meeting with my mother, who had also never been to an AA meeting before. When we walked in, two older Latino men, Alberto and Ricky, greeted us warmly. I explained to them that it was my first meeting and that I wanted to learn more about AA. I then handed them my flashcard with my name, and they placed it into a basket. It was interesting to note that no other attendees were present besides my mother and me, even though I usually see a few more people when I pass by AA meetings.

The AA Meeting Experience

The meeting began with Alberto, the chairperson, reading the AA preamble, followed by the Serenity Prayer in Spanish. He then described what AA is all about: a group of people working together to help members stay sober and to assist those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction in achieving sobriety. Alberto read the 12 steps of AA, which were framed and hung on the wall, also offering a brief explanation of each step. The first step impacted me the most because it states that an individual must admit to being powerless over alcohol and that their life has become unmanageable. Imagining how difficult it must be for someone to admit that their addiction has taken control was very eye-opening. Another step that made me reflect on my own life was step four, which says the individual should list all the people they have hurt and be willing to make amends. This made me realize how our actions can harm others and the importance of addressing these wrongs.

After going over the 12 steps and other essential information, Alberto shared his testimony. He is Mexican-born and struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction. His story resonated with me because I have family members who have faced similar issues. Alberto recalled starting off with the wrong crowd, becoming dependent on crystal meth, and how his life spiraled from stability into chaos. He started using drugs more frequently, eventually losing his family and home. Alberto mentioned that his loved ones urged him to seek help through meetings, but he did not listen until he admitted his powerlessness over addiction. Since then, he has been sober for over four years and works hard every day to remain so. His testimony emphasized that drugs and alcohol are real mental health challenges needing serious attention.

Ricky, the other man leading the meeting, also spoke about his experiences and how much he had to struggle to become who he is today. Born in Colombia, he attended AA meetings as a teenager because his mother worried about his drinking. Though the meetings initially helped, he later joined the army and began experimenting with drugs. After moving to the United States, his addiction continued, and he eventually found himself in Skid Row, an area in Downtown Los Angeles known for its homeless population. Recognizing that he could lose his life at any moment, Ricky decided to turn things around by returning to AA. Today, he lives in his own apartment and describes himself as living his best life.

Principles Observed in the Meeting

Several principles stood out during the meeting, including honesty, willingness, courage, faith, discipline, self-worth, and integrity. Honesty was evident when Alberto and Ricky openly acknowledged their past mistakes, which reflects positive character building. Admitting one’s addiction is not easy, but it demonstrates a genuine desire to overcome challenges. Willingness was seen in their consistent meeting attendance and commitment to overcoming their past behavior. Discipline was also apparent in how they persevere daily to remain sober and stay on the right path.

Preparing Clients for AA and Evaluating the Intervention

In my view, there is no single correct way to prepare a client for their first AA meeting. I would encourage them to attend when they feel ready, provide them with an overview of AA, and refer them to various meeting locations. The worst candidate for this intervention might be someone in denial about having a mental illness or addiction. AA can only help individuals who acknowledge that they can no longer manage life alone and that their addiction is in control. AA meetings benefit participants by offering a structured environment in which people share similar challenges, find motivation to avoid relapse, and take advantage of a free, worldwide support system. On the other hand, potential drawbacks include the time commitment, possible inappropriate behavior by court-ordered attendees, and the religious aspects of AA, which may deter some individuals.

Personal Reflections

Attending my first AA meeting taught me that overcoming addiction is extremely difficult and requires tremendous strength in asking for help. Hearing Alberto’s and Ricky’s experiences gave me fresh insights into addiction. Society often labels addicts as “junkies” who chose their circumstances, yet people start using substances for numerous reasons, including coping with personal struggles. Before going to the meeting, I did not know what to expect; growing up, I heard negative comments about AA, such as how the people there were not to be trusted. However, I now see that attendees are ordinary people battling mental health challenges. Alberto’s and Ricky’s journeys felt relatable because I have an aunt who struggles with drug addiction. After attending this meeting, I feel more empowered to guide her by sharing information about this AA location and encouraging her to attend.

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