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Alcoholics Anonymous Group Assignment

Kendra S. Jackson

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

March 9, 2016

I pledge
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Alcoholics Anonymous Group Assignment

On Thursday, January 28, 2016, I attended the Womens Big Book Study Group at St.

Michaels Catholic Church. The group is an open, women-only meeting held every Thursday to

provide help to church members and the public in the treatment of alcoholism and other

substance addictions and the maintenance of sobriety. There were about 12-15 women in

attendance ranging in ages from the early 20s to the late 60s. Most of the women in attendance

were in recovery from alcohol, but there was a young woman who was a recovering heroin

addict. The meeting was led by one woman, but it seemed everyone in the group had a role

during the progression of the meeting.

Yaloms Curative Factors are components of group therapy which emerge during the

group process (Tomasulo, 2011). Each of the specific components benefit a member's condition

in an individualized way. The therapeutic factors evolve as a result of the actions of the group

leader and each individual member. In general, the more therapeutic factors present in a group

the more therapeutic the group is.

This group exhibited many of Yaloms Curative Factors, however I think universality

and altruism dominated the group dynamics. Universality is when individuals come to realize

that they are not alone in the problems, thoughts, and feelings they are experiencing (Townsend,

2014, p.169). I recall one group member mentioning that no one understands alcoholics like

other alcoholics. I completely agree with this statement. I could empathize with these women,

but I have never had to the experience of being an alcoholic. They were all there for a common

purpose-- to stop drinking and to maintain their sobrietywhich caused them to bond.

Altruism is assimilated by group members through mutual sharing and concern for each

other (Townsend, 2014, p.169). There was a recovering alcoholic who was there for her first
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meeting. I noticed how the other group members rallied around her and shared their experiences

about their first meetings. These more seasoned members were able to feel useful by telling their

stories. They were able to provide assistance and support to the newcomer by reflecting on their

personal journeys to sobriety.

Each month the Womens Big Book Study Group concentrates on a new step. Since it

was the beginning of a new year, the group was focused on Step 1 from The Twelve Steps and

Twelve Traditions book. Step 1 states We admitted we were powerless over alcoholthat our

lives have become unmanageable (Townsend, 2014, p. 321). Many of the group members

described this as the most important yet most difficult step. Many also recalled the moment when

they identified their powerlessness to alcohol. I believe this step is essential to an alcoholics

recovery because it is an admission of alcoholism. All the other steps would not be possible

without this foundational step.

Alcoholics Anonymous is an excellent recovery tool. Patients who are recovering from

substance abuse would benefit from this type of group because it is led by peers who are also

recovering alcoholics. The only requirement for memberships is a desire on the part of the

alcoholic person to stop drinking (Townsend, 2014, p.320). This commonality between peers

may be a preferred form of treatment for some patients. AA understands alcoholism as an illness

which I believe most patients can identify with (Townsend, 2014, p.320). One member said that

she had been an alcoholic since her first drink. She mentioned a possible underlying genetic

predisposition to explain her alcoholism. I found it insightful that these patients could so easily

identify their triggers.

I honestly came to the meeting expecting to experience what I had viewed on television

as a typical AA meeting. I thought we would introduce ourselves, talk about alcohol and sobriety,
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and share personal stories. We did do those things during the meeting. However, I gained much

more than I expected. After experiencing the dynamics between the women that attend the

Womens Big Book Study Group I realized these people were connected by more than just their

alcoholism. Their alcoholism bought them to the meeting, but I believe their openness and

acceptance of each other kept them coming back. I realized these women had formed bonds that

could be likened to family members. The fact that the women had this bond and supported each

other in their sobriety was very emotionally inspiring. I am very appreciative for the opportunity

to experience the recovery of these women.

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References

Tomasulo, D. J. (2011, January 19). Acceptance: An Introduction to Therapeutic Factors.

Retrieved March 08, 2016, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-healing-

crowd/201101/acceptance-introduction-therapeutic-factors

Townsend, M. C. (2014). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care in

evidence-based practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Twelve steps and twelve traditions. (1981). New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.