book Twelve steps

 book Twelve steps

Alcoholics anonymous is an arrangement committed to helping its members live a sober life as well as helping alcoholics in attaining sobriety.

The name of the meeting was Friday night as Bill sees it, and it was located at the Torrance-Lomita Alano club on 1645 Arlinghton Aven, Torrance, CA The gathering took place on a Friday at 7:30pm and is held every Friday. The rationality behind picking this location was because it was near my house. When I got into the room I was expecting a meeting that resembled those on the movies, where chairs are set in a round shape and no other furniture’. In this meeting there were plenty of chairs and space. Members sat in a way they were able to see each other. I was nervous because I did not know how the reception will be like. My anxiety left the moment I realized that people are dealing with difficult situations in their lives. It takes bravery to attend these meetings and decide to change. The audience varied in age, ethnicity

and gender. I was requested to introduce myself. I let them know that I was a student and on a research mission. Members were understanding, but I felt out of place since I did not want to impose. One member disclosed to me that other students had visited the meetings before me. There was also a new member that attended the gathering. She introduced herself and outlined her motive for coming. There was no clear cut leader but roles such as secretary was designated. The meeting started with an introduction and reading words of honour. The meeting focuses on reading the, book Twelve steps. T

he book guides members by giving them those tools. For dealing and living with the problem of alcohol. Most of the tool are social psychological processes. I learnt that the twelve steps can be categorized into four major categories. One participant was generous enough to explain the four divisions to the new member and I. She told us that the first category appeal to a higher power. This power may take the form of God or sponsor who may be a close friend. Second category consisted of steps that encompass public confessions. Third category included steps concerned with absolutions and steps taken include asking God foe cleansing. Lastly the final step in the category comes to head with spiritual awakening. I also learnt that alcoholism was caused by underlying concept. The members explained that some people choose to drink since everyone else is drinking. She further told present members that others took alcohol so that they could fit in. I also noticed that most of the members were men, and before I registered the number of men, the woman was already telling us that men are more likely to become alcoholics. Lastly she explained to us how certain cultures abuse alcohol more than others. The new member was given a chance and she explained how she lost her job and was unsuccessful in finding employment. She told us how she would spend most of her times in the bar drowning her problems. I was perplexed to learn that she was a mother of two. She continued by telling us that she joined AA after her first born, an 8 year old boy almost razed down her apartment while warming milk for his younger brother who was 3years. I noticed that each time a participant spoke, narratives of “where I was” quickly turned to “where I am now”. It is at this point that I concluded that the program is persuasive because of how members deliver the message to their peers.

I was not surprised with the encouragement she received from the other participants. I was specifically impressed by a middle aged man who offered to be her sponsor. I learnt that sponsors maintain constant contact with the sponsees and offer guidance and support. The support increases the recuperation prospects. I also learnt from a female member that intense comprehension comes from substantial training and not questioning the group’s belief and language. The members I gathered form new connotations of terminology, which fit the group’s objective. The female participant also praised the Twelve Steps for helping her not to lose hope in life.

I also had a new experience with another participant who said that conformity, which he described as changing personal confidence to concur with the group. However, he cautioned against excessive risk-taking. He also urged old members to follow the laid down procedures so that new members can conform. The man said that alcoholics’ suffer from low self-esteem, and means that members will conform to the norms of the program.

During this research, there was an old woman who did not participate much in the discussion. I was surprised when she raised her hand and addressed the members by telling them to begin by changing their behaviours’ and attitudes. She continued by telling members to avoid their old networks and embrace new networks that include their sponsor.She continued by persuading the new member not to give up along the way because all the members present were once in her predicament. At that moment I thought that the old woman was an expert. She finished by telling the new participant to follow the process thoroughly.