Alcohol

AA Meeting Experience

Alcohol in US Society BEHS 364

When I first received this assignment I was a little worried about what it would be like to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. I had some unrealistic expectations such as I would have to speak and I would feel like my privacy would not be respected. I also thought that people would look differently at me and wonder what my issues were that lead to me to attend a meeting. This was not the case at all. Everyone was very welcoming and kind. We sat down and many people began telling their stories and their struggles that lead to become alcoholics and allow the drink to control their life. I couldn’t help but sympathize for them because many of these individuals did not have the home life or direction and guidance I received. Many of them also had family members that were alcoholics before them which added to their problems with alcohol. I also enjoyed hearing their stories of recovery and how they overcame such hardships in their life. I feel that most alcoholics need support in order to win their battle and an alcoholic’s anonymous meeting is a great place for them to hear that they are not alone and many others are also struggling with addiction as well. I was not forced to talk so I just l sat and listened to what everyone had to say. I also was shocked to see the different types of people there. There was a boy that looked like he was in his teens and then beside him was an elderly man. I also noticed a man that looked very well dressed and wondered why he needed to be there if he was well off. I also noticed that there were a few members who were somewhat hostile when people asked those questions or commented on their stories. I believe that this type of behavior shows that they might be new to the meeting and that they don’t want to accept that they have a problem. I think that any of us could become alcoholics because many of the individuals I met were not so different from me they just chose to deal...