COUC 691 Experiential Paper: Insights from an AA Meeting in Maryland

This report presents an experiential account of attending an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, focusing on the organization's structure, procedures, and the emotional environment. The report details the history and purpose of AA, its 12-step program, and the role of leaders and members. The author observed meeting dynamics, including the sharing of personal stories, the importance of support, and the approach to relapses. The paper highlights the positive and motivating atmosphere, the encouragement of open communication, and the impact of the 12-step method. Personal observations include the friendliness of members, the supportive environment, and the emotional impact of shared experiences, particularly the story of a young woman. The conclusion emphasizes the effectiveness of group counseling, the importance of member participation, and the potential of applying learned strategies to future counseling methods. The report concludes that this session has transformed the author's views of counseling and has rendered them into a more open-minded individual.

Running head: ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Name and History of the Organization
Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly referred to as AA, is a global organization that
aids those individuals who have a drinking problem (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2019). This
organization may also be identified as a non-professional, multiracial and apolitical group
created to help those in need. In order to enroll in this group, there are no specific age
requirements. Alcoholics Anonymous was established in the year 1935 and was founded in
the state of Ohio. The idea of this program was chalked out when two alcoholics, named Dr.
Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, conversed about the approaches to remain sober.
Furthermore, AA was derived from The Oxford Group through the help of some members,
who struggled and strived to remain sober. This Group was organized and operated under the
spiritual influence of Dr. Samuel Shoemaker. After identifying that alcoholism was a serious
disease of the mind and body, Dr. Bob and Dr. Wilson began to counsel the alcoholic patients
in a hospital (Cheever, 2015).
By the year 1950, more than 100,000 alcoholics were identified on a global scale. In
this year, AA successfully conducted its first meeting. In the following year, the office at
New York had exponentially advanced all of their activities. They were now lending services
to numerous hospitals and collaborating with international agencies. The headquarters of the
program also began to publish books to aid those in need. Through the various publications
and seminars, AA started spreading awareness on an international level. However, the most
important milestone of Alcoholics Anonymous is the utilization of the potent 12 step program

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that attempts to proactively annihilate an individual’s dependence on alcohol (Dermatis &
Galanter, 2016). In addition to AA, there are a few other organizations that are of importance.
Al-Anon is also an organization that aims to assist the families and friends of an alcoholic
(Young & Timko, 2015). A similar organization that may be identified is Narcotics
Anonymous (NA). This group provides support and counseling for those who are battling
drug addiction.
Organization and Procedure of the Meetings
The meetings of AA are organized in a cohesive manner. Moreover, this counseling
organization follows Egan’s Helping Model. Under this model, communication is
extensively stressed upon to bring about healing and rehabilitation (Fatout, 2017). Moreover,
there are three stages that are upheld in this model. Firstly, the leader of AA works to
establish trust through the exploration of the member’s problems. In stage 2, the problems
related to alcohol abuse are fully explored and in the final stage, problem solving strategies
are chalked out on the basis of all the challenges that were identified. By journeying through
these stages, the meetings of AA uphold Egan’s Helping Model. Furthermore, the role of the
leader is the most important aspect in these meetings (Galanter, 2016). It is a pivotal
responsibility of the leader to identify the weaknesses of each individual. Moreover, another
primal duty of the leader is to offer insight and encouragement that would lead the
individual’s to shun alcohol from their lives. In addition, the leader must also try and ensure
that the addicts do not relapse after quitting their addiction.

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After following the 12 step method to overcome addiction, there are various success
stories that come to forefront. These stories are encouraged by not only the leader but are
greatly praised by all the members of the group (Montalto, 2015). After the sharing of the
emotional encounter, all the members are motivated to clap and encourage the individual who
has overcome the malady. On the other hand, relapses are also proactively dealt with. Rather
than shaming the individual, the leader, along with the other members, are extremely
sympathetic towards their unfortunate situation. Due to the immense support, the relapsed
individual is able to express their problems thoroughly without hesitation. This enables the
leader to assist them in a better fashion. Thus, the atmosphere of the AA meetings is
extremely motivating and positive in nature (Waters, 2015).
Personal Observations during the Meeting
After experiencing a powerful session, I have come to the conclusion that the AA
meetings are extremely emotionally and positively charged. As I arrived, I noticed that all of
the members were extremely friendly. It was rather difficult to detect that these individuals
are battling such a grave addiction. All of the conversations between the members were
encouraging and motivational. As the session commenced, everyone sat in a circle so that
each of the members were visible and audible. The leader introduced the new members and
encouraged them to share their stories. An interesting aspect of these meetings is rather than
blaming an individual, all of the members are extremely supportive. It seemed like a family
rather than a group of individuals tussling with an addiction. As the new members fought

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tears while narrating their turbulent accounts, it seemed that they felt a wave of relief as they
accepted the fact that they are alcoholics. The statement “I am an alcoholic” was not one of
shame but rather empowerment.
One of the stories that I found extremely endearing was of a young girl. In order to
deal with the domestic abuse at home, she started depending on alcohol. As she was narrating
her story, it seemed like she was in a trance. Alcohol, for her, was not just an enjoyment, it
was an easy escape. It transported her from a world filled with despair to one that was
peaceful. The method in which the leader dealt with her was also commendable. The girl was
guided through the 12 step method where she first acknowledged her problem and set an
intention to combat this addiction. The leader counseled her in such a manner, through words
of optimism and hope, that she realized how this addiction was ruining her life and her
opportunities. Hence, my experience at the AA meeting showcased how transformational
counseling really is.
Conclusion
After witnessing this session, I have come to conclusion that these meetings are one
of the most productive methods of counseling. The 12 step method that is utilized to battle
addiction addresses all of the stages necessary in order overcome the addiction. Not only was
communication extensively encouraged but there was positive feedback that was given by the
leader. Certain strategies were provided which all of the members would benefit from.
Through this model of counseling, I learned that just the leader does not shoulder the sole

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responsibility of providing solutions. The other members can also offer their insight since
they have also been through the same stages. Thus, this method of ‘group counseling’ is also
extremely beneficial for the individual as well as the group. Even though the leader manages
the meeting, it seems that the members take on the responsibility to support and motivate
each other. The feedback shared by all is extremely crucial for the individual to bring about
positive changes in their lives.
The strategies that I have learned through this session will be exponentially vital. It
will help structure my counseling methods in the future. Getting all of the members to
participate in the sessions is one of the biggest strategies that I aspire to implement in my
counseling sessions. Moreover, I will also implement the intervention techniques that I have
learned from the meeting. Rather than approaching a problem in a singular manner, I would
try and adopt multiple approaches in order to resolve the problem. Hence, it can be concluded
that this session has transformed my views of counseling and has rendered me into a more
open-minded individual.

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References
Alcoholics Anonymous. (2019). Alcoholics Anonymous: What Is A.A.?. Retrieved 23
August 2019, from https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/what-is-aa
Cheever, S. (2015). My name Is Bill: Bill Wilson--His life and the creation of Alcoholics
Anonymous. Simon and Schuster.
Young, L. B., & Timko, C. (2015). Benefits and costs of alcoholic relationships and recovery
through Al-Anon. Substance Use & Misuse, 50(1), 62-71.
Fatout, M. (2017). Models for change in social group work. Routledge.
Galanter, M. (2016). What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?: A Path from Addiction to Recovery.
Oxford University Press.
Montalto, M. (2015). Alcoholics Anonymous: One Treatment Program to Rule Them
All?. Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence.
Waters, S. (2015). Identity in the empathic community: Alcoholics Anonymous as a model
community for storytelling and change. Pastoral Psychology, 64(5), 769-782.
Dermatis, H., & Galanter, M. (2016). The role of twelve-step-related spirituality in addiction
recovery. Journal of religion and health, 55(2), 510-521.