Overview
In preparation for this assignment, attend an in-person or online Mutual Aid Meeting (resource links below).
Students will attend two mutual aid groups this semester. If you personally attend one (or more) of these types of groups already, please choose one that you do not attend each time for this assignment. Students are expected to review the website of the mutual aid program that you choose for each meeting in advance of attending the meeting in order to familiarize yourself with the philosophy of and literature provided to the public by that particular program. The purpose of this assignment is to expose students to the culture of mutual aid recovery programs, as it is very common for chemical dependence treatment agencies to promote attendance in one or more of these programs, and many people who experience addictions have at some point in their recovery process been immersed in the culture of mutual aid programs, largely because they are no-cost to attend. Additionally, it is the aim of this assignment to challenge students to humanize the experience of addiction.
(I live in los angeles, please find a meeting in this area to base it off)
Prepare a 2-3 page, journal entry in which reflect on your experience. As a part of your reflection please address the following:
- Provide specific details on your meeting including the type of meeting, the date, the time, and the location.
- Describe the purpose, content, and process of the meeting.
- Explain what you learned from the meeting and how you can relate it to family therapy using the following writing prompts:
- A brief reflection of your observation of the meeting process. What did you observe about the structure and culture of the meeting you attended? Include a reflection of your own thoughts and feelings during and after the meeting. What was particularly salient or impactful about this meeting (remember not to provide any specific identifying information about those in attendance in order to protect their confidentiality and anonymity)? How do you imagine that attending this meeting will impact you personally and professionally? What did you learn about addiction, recovery, and/or mutual aid programs while in attendance at this meeting?
- A brief reflection of any of your personal biases or beliefs about addiction or people in recovery that became apparent for you while in attendance at the meeting. What was the bias or previously held belief that you became aware of? Where do you think this bias/belief came from (your family, your personal experience, your culture, the media, etc.)? How do you think that these biases or beliefs may impact the work that you do with clients who are coping with addiction?
- A brief critical analysis of your impression of the philosophy and materials of the mutual aid program that you chose. These materials can be solely accessed on the program’s website or can include hard copy materials that you obtained by attending the meeting in person. How well do the materials and philosophy fit with a systemic perspective on addiction? How inclusive of diverse populations is the literature provided online and/or in person (for example, is the language inclusive of people in the LGBTQIA+ population)? How accessible does it seem like this particular program is to marginalized communities (based on ethnicity/race, SES, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, etc.)?
- A brief summary of your over-all impression of mutual aid programs. How accessible do you think that the specific meeting that you attended was to marginalized communities (based on ethnicity/race, SES, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, etc.)? What did you think about mutual aid programs prior to attending this meeting? What are your thoughts about mutual aid programs now that you have attended this meeting and reviewed the information provided online about this mutual aid program? What are the benefits and/or drawbacks of mutual aid programs?
Categories
Links with meeting locators for each of the programs are provided below. If you are interested in attending a meeting from a program that is not listed below, it must first be cleared with the instructor. At this time, online meetings ARE allowed. Other types of process addictions include meetings for Overeating, Sex, Emotions, Work, etc. You may choose one process addiction meeting if it is open, as an option, but the other two must be from the list below and include one type of 12-step meeting.
- Twelve-Step (spiritual) programs for Individuals Addicted to Substances
- Narcotics Anonymous na.org/
- Alcoholics Anonymous aa.org/
- Pills Anonymous pillsanonymous.org
- Marijuana Anonymous marijuana-anonymous.org
- Programs for Individuals Affected by Someone Addicted to Substances
- Adult Children of Alcoholics http://www.adultchildren.org/
- Co-Dependents Anonymous http://coda.org/
- Al-Anon https://al-anon.org/
- Nar-Anon http://www.nar-anon.org/
- Non-traditional Mutual Aid Programs
- Celebrate Recovery is a religious Christ-centered program. http://www.celebraterecovery.com/
- LifeRing is a non-spiritual, non-religious program http://lifering.org/
- SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a non-spiritual, non-religious mutual aid program that is also supported by trained facilitators based upon REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy) tenets. https://www.smartrecovery.org/
- Women for Sobriety is a secular program for women who experience problematic substance use. https://womenforsobriety.org/
- Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist mutual aid program for all genders who experience problematic substance use.
https://www.refugerecovery.org/
Additional Information
- Pay close attention to attendance restrictions (i.e., closed = for members only) and write down the contact phone number to inquire if the meeting is still running.
- The facilitator will ask if anyone attending is a visitor or a guest. It is up to you whether to introduce yourself to the group. You can introduce yourself as a student or a visitor. Don’t introduce yourself as a newcomer.
- Maintain the confidentiality of the members.
- Do not take notes during the meeting.
- Remember that you are an observer, not a participant. Members are encouraged to call each other between meetings. If asked, you should not give out your phone number or take anyone’s phone number.
- You may go alone or in pairs. More than two students can be distracting for members.
- Record your reactions as soon as possible after the meeting.
- One meeting does not represent the entire program, as differences exist depending on the neighborhood, time held, and other factors.
Finally, mutual aid programs rent space from hospitals, churches, libraries, etc. Meeting locations are unrelated to these programs.