Reaction Paper #1 (meeting for families and loved ones) (must be resident of miami FL to complete assignment)

NOTE:  This paper is for an Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meeting which are meeting for the Family member/loved ones who have a Substance Use Disorder

*It is not AA,NA, SA etc. which will be the focus of my second paper.* 

Here are the instructions for Reaction Paper #1. upload the file following the instructions: 

Reaction Papers on Addiction Recovery Mutual Aid Fellowships

12-step based mutual-aid fellowships, beginning with Alcoholics Anonymous, represents the largest, most researched, and most widely dispersed recovery support groups.  This semester you will attend three 12-step based mutual aid meetings and write a reaction paper for each meeting summarizing your experience. 

The first meeting should be for people seeking help because they are affected by the alcohol or other drugs use of a family member, friend or loved one:

·       When deciding which meeting to attend, make sure that the meeting is open.  Open meetings are open to anyone.  Closed meetings are for people who identify themselves as an alcoholic or addict or who may think that they have an AOD problem.  Don’t hesitate to ask someone if it is unclear as to whether the meeting is open or closed.

·       Don’t attend two meetings of the same fellowship.  The goal is to gain exposure to different 12-step fellowships.

·       Attend the meeting on your own.  Do not take a friend, relative, classmate or other companion.  Don’t panic though if there is another student in the same meeting.

·       Do not take notes during the meeting.  Rely on your memory of the experience to write your reaction paper.

·       Usually there is literature available at meetings.  You may want to take some free literature to enhance your understanding of the meeting and fellowship.

·       People may ask you before or after the meeting why you are there.  Be genuine about your reason for attending the meeting (i.e. you are taking an addiction recovery class or that you want to learn more about the 12-step recovery because you want to be well informed as a social worker)..

·       At some meetings, those attending introduce themselves.  If you are in an open meeting and they do introductions, simply say, “My name is ________”

·       12-step groups are self-supporting.  Generally a basket will be passed during the course of the meeting for a collection.  Do not put money in the basket; this is intended for those who consider themselves “members.”

·       If you are already a member of a 12-step fellowship, attend a meeting from a different fellowship.

·       Speak with me if you want to attend an alternative mutual-aid recovery support group,

·       Virtual mutual-aid recovery meetings are allowed during COVID-19,

·       If you attend a meeting at a men’s shelter (such as Healing Transitions), it will most likely be all men in attendance even though it is not designated as a “men’s meeting.”  (The same is true for a women’s shelter).

·       Finally, it is of great importance to respect the anonymity of the people attending the meeting.  It is appropriate to talk about what you heard at a meeting, but not about whom you saw there.

Reaction Paper #1

Al-Anon or Nar-Anon

Length 3 – 4 pages

1.     Introduction (1 paragraph)

Include the name, location and time of the group/meeting and type of meeting attended.  Include a brief description of the demographics of the meeting (size, male/female ratio, racial composition, socio-economic status, age range and any other distinguishing features).

2.     Meeting description (1 page)

Describe the atmosphere, tone of the meeting, format and structure of the meeting.

3.     Analysis (1 page)

The analysis should include something about the structure and dynamics of mutual-help groups as well as your personal reaction to the experience.  Address program philosophy as well as underlying individual and group dynamics.  Discuss how this could affect a client.  

4.     Implications for social work and other human services practice (1 page)

This section should focus on an understanding of 12-step recovery programs and reflect some thoughtfulness on how this experience has affected your professional and personal development.

Be clear and concise. Grading is based on fulfillment of the assignment and thoughtful comments. Be aware of organization, grammar and style. You are strongly encouraged to organize your paper using the subheadings provided above (Introduction, Meeting Description, etc.).

paper is to be typed 3-4 pages

double spaced

12 point font size

1 inch margins

apa style references

Grading for Reaction Paper #1 will be based upon the following guidelines: