Because every group member has such real concerns, it is very important that the leader of the group clearly understands the purpose of the group coming together for meetings; by understanding the purpose, the leader will be able to communicate with clarity the purpose of the group(Yalom & Leszcz). This will enable group members to understand and know first hand what the rules are and to understand the purpose in order to reach their ultimate goal of overcoming alcoholism. If the group’s purpose is not communicated properly or even at all, there is bound to be confusion and continual unnecessary interruptions during meetings.
When this occurs, progress is stunted and goals are not reached. Leaders must have the ability to plan a group meeting, hold and shift the members focus as well as know when to cut off and draw out members (Yalom & Leszcz). When leaders understand the purpose of the group meetings, it is also much easier for the leader to make decisions on the size of the group, membership, session lengths as well as the number of sessions the he or she feels is necessary for success in the end (Yalom & Leszcz).
Leaders also need to understand the importance of commitment to the group to reach goals and this importance of commitment must also be communicated to the group members as well (Yalom & Leszcz). MY PERSONAL QUEST IN FINDING AND ATTENDING AN AA MEETING Based on my personal experience in attending an AA group meeting, I would have to say that in the beginning I felt very uncomfortable. However, I do believe that this is a normal experience for many. Because you do not know what to expect, fear grips you and feelings of fear of rejection take over in the beginning.
People tend to fear what we do not understand and because of this, we generally think the worst will happen. To locate an AA meeting, I actually searched the World Wide Web and located one held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Frankfort, IL. I also did some research over the web to find out more information about AA meetings and what to expect. One really good suggestion was to go into the meeting with a made up mind and with the attitude of looking for someone else to encourage.
I knew that I had to realize that I am not the only one who needs help and that there will be a room full of people who were like me. It wasn’t long before I found someone who was even more down than I was and I was able to find words to encourage him. It was a great feeling to step out of myself and be there for someone else. It actually helped me to feel better also. The leader of the group was a very structured person. He introduced himself and had us all to do the same.
He also laid down the rules and what was expected of us in order to make the sessions gainful. At the beginning, it was evident that everyone felt a little nervous and uncomfortable, however as the meeting went on, most of us were able to loosen up and enjoy the meeting.
REFERENCES
What is AA? (2007). Nassau Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous. Retrieved April 9, 2008 from http://www. nassauny- aa. org/Docs/WhatIsAA. html Yalom, I. D. , Leszcz, M. (2005). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy: Fifth Edition. New York: Basic Books.