Mareta Ioane

Phil Hogan
PSY1010-033; 11:30 a.m.
Signature Assignment#1 (support group)
Sept 29, 2015
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
On September 29, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., I attended the support group, Alcoholics Anonymous, at
Fellowship Hall on 2060 South Windsor Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. There were 35 attendees,
including the recovered alcoholics, and a few shared their recovery stories. The meeting started with an
opening prayer from the leader of the group followed by reading, The 12 Traditions and The 12 Steps
of what the alcoholics need to follow.
There were two men from the group were taking turns reading the whole 12 traditions and the 12
steps that are so important to help with recovery from alcohol addiction. After reading these lines of
remembrance to the audience, the leader then gave people the opportunity to share their stories of
accomplishments and struggles. Other peoples stories might help someone elses life and whatever
everyone can do to support each other. The group also welcomed the newcomers and greeted them with
hugs and hellos. The common hellos start with their names and if they are an alcoholic or a recovered
alcoholic, then everyone says hello back to them.
A few people shared their stories, and to my astonishment, they have a spiritual attachment. Most
mentioned God as their lifesaver. How good it feels to know that there is a higher power that cares for us.
How they changed from a bad situation with alcohol abuse to stay sober and live a healthier life. The
experience shaped their lives to the fullest, and doing service to others was also important to their beliefs
to make them whole.
One gentleman testified of his changes from being a drunk to being a sober, and a happy man
with a loving wife that appreciates his changes. He shared how the alcoholic support group changed his

life tremendously. When he realized how bad his alcoholic problems, he decided to join the alcoholic
support group. He had a few counselors throughout his recovery who supported him in his mental issues
Mareta Ioane

with alcohol. He read the whole book of recovery and tried to follow the twelve steps and the twelve
traditions which has saved his life. The textbook is, 90 Minutes to 90 Days to Change of Your Life. The
way we think and behave is the way we treat people, he said. He expressed the importance of not
manipulating the program and to be honest.
It was November 29, 1999, when he made the turn over of his life; now he is the happiest man
alive. He is so grateful for the alcoholic support group that helped change his life along with his effort to
want to change. The relationship with God was important in his recovery, and he feels blessed by doing
the right thing for once in his life. In addition to his changes; three simple things he mentioned are: trust,
clean house, and service. He said if we are these people, we can be a good law-abiding citizen and may
save someone elses life.
In my observation, I saw a few people that were sincerely sober but most of the group were
alcoholics. I can only judge by the way they look, dress, and talk. The genders were mostly male, and
the ages were mostly over 40 years of age. The 50 years of ages and above was confusing to me, because
what a waste of your retirement years to be having these issues and problems with alcohol. They
probably served their country and did good to their families and community but were wasted through
alcohol abuse. I thought by the time we reach a certain age that we are mutually adept at making right
choices, learning from mistakes, and controlling most problems.
I guess I was wrong; I have learned one or two things from this experience. I have learned not to
become like them in ways of involvement with alcohol in my life. Alcohol can ruin peoples life and I
refuse to be in that terrible state of mind. The group of people we socialize should be as important to
choose wisely, because it can bring bad influences which may cause trouble.

As a matter of fact, I am living proof of consuming alcohol in my younger life from 18 years old
to 24 years of age. I started drinking hard liquor, wine, and beer with friends I met in the neighborhood
and we would get drunk. I wont ever involve in the world of alcohol again because it ruined my life. I
am happy for the changes in my early age before it gotten worse.
Alcohol consumption can ruin your mental capacity in regards to making good choices. For
example, I should have attended college in my youth; however, the alcohol party life easily interfered
with my goals. Luckily, having children at age 25 really changed my life. Fortunately, I didnt need to
attend any alcohol support group; I used my common sense right away.
In addition to my observation, the support group program seems helpful to these people with
alcohol problems. It is a good start in recovery and the program truly makes a different in their recovery.
Whatever they can do to help them get back to a healthy and safe reality. My impression of this program
is everyone cares for each other and have deep concern for their changes.
In conclusion, it is important to learn from your mistakes and to make a better life. It is never too
late to change and become a better person. Alcohol can destroy peoples lives if they dont have control
over how much is consumed. Alcohol should be illegal in my opinion, because it is not healthy and is
problematic.