Reflective Essay on Recovery Groups

Introduction

The people who attend the meetings in the recovery groups usually find a deep sense of relief as they connect with people who share the same issues. The people support each other in the group and help one another reach recovery point. Meetings have a similar format to the most recovery groups. The members take chances in sharing their stories, how they got to the program and what the stay in the program has been. The recovery groups not only provide an avenue to discuss challenges but also a friendly and safe place to help maintain sobriety (DePue & Hagedorn, 2015). The connection created between the group members offer solace as they subdue isolation, hopelessness, and fear. With others around, it is easier to maintain a positive outlook and stay motivated.

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Members of these recovery groups are of different races, religions and social diversities. In this regard, it is easy to notice that drug and substance addiction is a global and a common problem that needs to be addressed (Aldridge, Measham, & Williams, 2013). The meetings are free, with the only requirements being the desire to recover from the issues that the individual is undergoing. The groups may be closed, such that a limited number of people suffering from a specific problem can attend (Livingston, Riddick, Evans, & Parker, 2017). The groups can also be open to anyone to attend. Research has shown that actively involving oneself in recovery groups improves the chances that a person will recover from their problems (Aldridge, Measham, & Williams, 2013). Pragmatically, all towns and villages in America have recovery groups which are fully functional.

The Meeting Summary

I attended an Ivaa meeting for one hour and did numerous observations about what happened during the meeting. I arrived a bit earlier than the other members to observe the preparations. The members came one after another and were welcomed by the therapist. The group consisted of nine members, who were struggling to recover from alcohol addiction. The meeting began, and everyone introduced themselves. I too introduced myself as a student, who was there to observe what was happening. There was one new member, and she was introduced to the rest of us by the therapist. The new member explained why she had come in the group and what her expectations were in the end.

At the commencement of the group discussion, members were allowed to make specific requests to be executed during the meeting. One member also asked a question that she claimed had bothered her for long. She sought advice from the therapist on how to go about her issue. The new member was then allowed to share her experience on her alcohol addiction with the rest of us. The other members were allowed to discuss the aspects of recovery that they had found important with the group. The therapist then gave feedback on the issues that were raised.

At the end of the one-hour meeting, the therapist encouraged the group members on the need to communicate when the desire to relapse occurred. The therapist thanked everyone for turning up for the meeting and encouraged each member to continue showing up so that the group can help them discuss their issues. The therapist served some refreshments to us and ate as we shared with some group members on how their journey in the group had been. Coincidentally, the meeting was scheduled to last for an hour, and everyone broke off to their respective schedules.

Personal Reflection on the Meeting

Before the meeting, I expected that the majority of the group members would be aged between 35 and 55. I was surprised to see that the group members were youths of up to 35 years. I also expected shabbily looking group members who seem dull. On the contrary, however, I found out that the group members were neat people, an indication that they had decided to repair what had happened in their pasts. These types of meetings are of great importance to people, and I would encourage all those struggling to disentangle themselves from drug addiction to attend. The sessions help people to share their experiences and support one another in moving on without drug abuse.

The Interview

After the meeting, I talked to one of the group members, who for identified herself as Daisy and was about 32 years. I introduced myself as a student and wanted to share with her about her progress. I promised not to disclose her identity. She told me that she had been a group member of the group for eight months. I asked her when she had started taking alcohol. She shrugged her shoulders, smiled and answered, "Since I was in high school. Alcohol made me feel relaxed. I went on taking it until I got too far to get back." I asked her when she found out that taking alcohol was no longer fun. She responded with, "I realized that I was not who I used to be anymore. I could not do anything without alcohol. It made my social life miserable and almost got me killed by a speeding motorist."

When I asked her about her family lineage and alcohol usage, she said that her parents were very religious and were not alcoholics. She went on to explain that her motivation to become sober was because she learned that the people were so disappointed in her. She revealed that she had broken ties with friends and family, which brought her more anxiety and loneliness. "That was my turning point," she said.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the meeting was so educative and I learnt that we should not despair in case we find ourselves in the circle of drug addiction. The group meetings perform a significant role in helping the affected people to recover and lead normal lives again. For this, I highly recommend the recovery groups.

References

DePue, M. K., & Hagedorn, W. B. (2015). Facilitating college students' recovery through the use of collegiate recovery programs. Journal of College Counseling, 18(1), 66-81.

Livingston, J. N., Riddick, K., Evans, S. E., & Parker, V. (2017). Client Perceptions of Job Readiness and Recovery. Addict drug sensitiz, 2(109), 49-51.

Pincus, H. A., Spaeth-Rublee, B., Sara, G., Goldner, E. M., Prince, P. N., Ramanuj, P., ... & Weeghel, J. (2016). A review of mental health recovery programs in selected industrialized countries. International journal of mental health systems, 10(1), 73.

Kelly, J. F., Abry, A. W., Milligan, C. M., Bergman, B. G., & Hoeppner, B. B. (2018). On being "in recovery": A national study of prevalence and correlates of adopting or not adopting a recovery identity among individuals resolving drug and alcohol problems. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32(6), 595.

Aldridge, J., Measham, F., & Williams, L. (2013). Illegal leisure revisited: Changing patterns of alcohol and drug use in adolescents and young adults. Routledge.