Essay Instructions: I have attended one Narcotics Anon and one Alcoholics Anon meeting..... the AA meeting was in Greenville at a United Methodist Church on a Friday night. The NA meeting was in Greenville on a Wednesday evening. (SC) - I am really looking for some insights into reaction papers as well as the follow up based on those 3 other peer-reviewed professional journal references that we must include in our 6-page wrap-up paper.... after attending these meetings.
This assignment is designed to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the role that self-help groups play in recovery from substance use/addictive disorders.
Students are expected to evaluate two mutual/self-help meetings related to addictions (Alanon, NA, AA, SMART Recovery).
You will write and submit one six-page paper regarding the recovery groups. This assignment must include a title page, reference page, and follow APA format.
The 6-page paper must include a minimum of a two-page written reflection about the face-to-face meeting and a two page written reflection about the online or second face-to-face experience. In these reflections about your recovery group experiences, indicate what meetings you attended, specifying the dates, location and types of meetings (AA, NA, Al-Anon, etc.). Briefly summarize and explain the key points in the readings you did online, and discuss if you noticed characteristics you expected to see. Describe your reactions to the meetings, the mood in the room or in the chat room, and description of structure, and the key features of how the group was delivered.
In addition, based on your experience in the meeting, articles read online (AA, NA, Smart Recovery websites), and articles read in class (Bevilacqua & Golman, 2009; Bickel et al., 2011), you must conclude the paper with a two-page discussion on your understanding of the disease concept and the etiology of addiction. Please include at least 3 additional references for this final section of the paper.
Tips about in person attendance:
1. Attend one (or two) open meetings in person and/or one online.
2. Note in advance if the meeting is smoking, non-smoking, or wheel chair assessable.
3. If you are already in recovery, attend a meeting of a group that is new to you.
4. Be on time and stay until the end of the meeting.
5. If asked, identify yourself with first name only.
6. Maintain the role of an observer, there to learn.
7. You may make a monetary donation when the basket is passed around, but it is not required.
8. Respect the anonymity of the attendees, and if you see someone you know please remain neutral in your response.
9. If asked, respond that you are there to learn about the meetings.
Before visiting a meeting, please review the website that go along with the meetings you will attend and complete the readings that are listed below. If you choose another meeting that does not have assigned readings please check with me for approval and to get an assigned reading list before attending.
o The Big Book, the Basic Text for Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 5: How it Works (pg. 58). Please read this entire chapter.
? Available by visiting: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org?
o Narcotics Anonymous- Click on the ?For the Public? link-Click on Resources for professionals-Once there please read ?In times of Illness? and ?information about NA.
? Available by visiting: www.na.org
o Smart Recovery-Resources- Articles and Essays. Please choose 2 articles to read from the reading list on this page.
? Available by visiting www.smartrecovery.org
o Overeaters Anonymous-Please read the information found on the newcomer?s link. Once there please read the ?About OA? and ?What you can expect at OA? links.
? Available by visiting www.oa.org.
