Running head: TWELVE STEP

Twelve Step for Sobriety, Strength, & Serenity

Chelsea-Nicole K. Poligratis
Kapiolani Community College

The two 12-step meetings I decided to experience included a Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
meeting called Downtown Ohana Group, then joined an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group

Running head: TWELVE STEP

called Sunday Morning Sobriety. When we found out that a clinical assignment for this course
required attending two 12-step meetings, I thought it was great because it meant getting involved
with the health and wellness of people in our communities. It really brought me to step out of
my comfort zone and become exposed to what happens in reality - real people in real situations
with real problems.
Meeting Location & Contact
I have never had a reason to contact twelve step organizations for myself, family
members, or friends, so identifying how to contact a 12-step organization in my community was
definitely something new I learned though out this process. With technology and internet
available today, it is so simple to search the type of meeting you are interested in. It was
surprising to find that there are many of these meetings held throughout various areas on the
island and within my own community! For my experience, upon entering narcotics anonymous
hawaii in the Google search bar was an organized and informative website called Narcotics
Anonymous Hawaii. It provided useful information such as the definition of their purpose and
what NA is, their mission/policy, meeting schedules, events, and contact information. Upon
browsing, I found the NA Downtown Ohana Group located on 2734 South King Street, which is
in my community. There was no contact number for the group itself, but the website provides
several island service committee addresses and phone numbers available to contact. For the AA
organization, again it was really simple to find a home website dedicated to this type of 12-step
group meeting. I liked how their website allowed looking for meetings by area or geographical
location on the island. My community, Moiliili, was grouped with Makiki, Manoa, and Waikiki
in Area 1 and upon clicking that link is a weekly schedule consisting of the many organizations

Running head: TWELVE STEP

available to contact! Sunday Morning Sobriety holds meetings at Moiliili Community Center
behind Down to Earth every Sunday at 1000. It was interesting to come across the same
occurrence of there not being available a phone number for the actual group itself but a main
Oahu Central Office at Palama Settlement with their address and phone number to contact.
Meeting Format
The NA and AA meetings I attended were speaker meetings where one individual talks,
usually sharing the story of his or her recovery. They took place near public buildings accessible locations that had plenty of parking. Approaching the NA meeting location, I saw
people gathered outside, as I realized their meeting was held in the back of a parking lot that sat
members on two picnic park tables outside what looked like a small shaved ice shop. There was
only about nine members including the chairperson running the meeting. Everyone faced the
same direction facing the chairperson. The AA meeting was held in a large classroom with the
desks formed into a large rectangle that had members facing each other. I appreciated the sitting
format for the AA meeting more because it promoted respect and face-to-face interaction with
everyone. There was coffee available at the AA meeting and members chatting inside before the
meeting started. Both meetings started (and ended) on time, and took about 60-75 minutes. At
the scheduled hour the chairperson called the meeting to order. Other conversations stopped and
people took their seats. They were also Big Book or Step Meetings that involved literature
such as Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions or Alcoholics Anonymous that were read by
members.
As the meeting began, the chair asked if there was anyone that came for the first, second,
or third time ever, then if there were any birthdays or near birthdays of their sobriety. The chair
then asked if there were any out-of-town visitors. The purpose was to welcome guests and

Running head: TWELVE STEP

newcomers. The chair then called on meeting participants to talk or share their discussion to
issues relating to alcoholism and recovery. People who shared identified themselves, for
instance, My name is Michael, and I am an alcoholic. The group would then respond with Hi,
Michael, and then the individual spoke for a few minutes. Unlike group therapy, AA members
shared their own experience, strength, and hope with each other, rather than telling one another
what to do.
At the end of the meeting, everyone stood, joined hands, and recited the Serenity Prayer.
The chair made announcements and baskets were passed around to collect funds and cash
donations for AAs Seventh Tradition, which states that AA groups are self-supporting through
their own contributions. At these open meetings, where friends and family can join to support,
anyone can walk into the group and feel welcome and not judged.
Personal Values, Beliefs, & Feelings
I have never really experienced any deep pain or loss that was traumatizing or lifealtering for me or my family. And so there was a time I went through an anti-AA phase. The
stigma towards these people who cannot handle their drinking as this is usually attributed to
negative behaviors people engage in when they drink too much influenced my judgement
towards them. I used to think, If alcoholism is a disease you have no power over, then you are
doomed to drink no matter whatthe program itself is self-defeating. Or, If this isnt a
religious group, why do meetings start off with a prayer and end with a prayer, and in between,
people are bringing up God all the time? I also always believed people that went to 12-step
meetings had even higher relapse rates and believed that the truth was that most alcoholics quit
being alcoholics on their own and not with the help of any program.

Running head: TWELVE STEP

After being assigned to attend these meetings, my perspective changed drastically in a
positive way. Both of the NA and AA meetings have its own similar cultural norms and values.
Collectively, I observed that the groups believe self-diagnosis is the only real diagnosis; in selfdiagnosis, there is a recognition and realization of the problem, and only then can a person work
towards the solution. I absolutely support this value and believe it is a strong mechanism to help
guide these members back onto the right pathway of life for them.
Observations
Though both meetings were casual and laid-back, I felt the seating format at the NA
meeting wasn't as effective for members who shared their recovery stories because people who
were sitting in the back row had everyones backs facing them. Thus, I tried to stay facing
whoever was speaking to show respect and support that I was listening to their story. All of the
members at the NA meeting were on the road to recovery as they all reflected on how their
behaviors and thinking in the past affected their lives and used those difficult times to realize that
they had a problem and needed to fix it. Each member spoke with strength and courage and I
commend those traits they found throughout this process and to their higher power to do it for
themselves. The spirits of this small group were amazing as I could feel the encouragement and
support they gave one another. I felt proud to have been just even a tiny part of their recovery.
The AA meeting was also an eye-opening experience for me. I was so joyed in seeing
how many people attend this group - nearly 60 people! I could feel the positive energy as soon
as I walked in. Everyone was very friendly and looked like they wanted to be there on that
beautiful Sunday morning. This group consisted of diverse individuals among various ethnicities
and age. The topic of discussion was humility and humiliation that related to their experiences.
As each member spoke, I was completely drawn into their stories and it was refreshing and

Running head: TWELVE STEP

uplifting to hear all the things they learned about themselves throughout their journeys. I also
appreciated the fact that everyone who shared was vulnerable and allowed everyone to hear what
they truly felt inside, including the bad thoughts and shame they have had in life. I admired the
wisdom and courage they developed from enduring their struggle. For example, a couple local
men both realized what they had in common as they shared that growing up they never felt
humiliated by their negative behaviors from being under the influence because in order to feel
humiliation, it involves caring about what other people think of you and they never did. They
only cared about themselves but as they both started losing their close relationships and could no
longer even keep their word was when they felt overwhelming shame and only then realized the
consequences of their actions. And I think that was what brought me to recognize the statement
that struck me the most: when someone stated that the difference between humility and
humiliation is having shame and self-acceptance or not.
Real people with problems they share and have in common with one another have
gathered to develop the humility to accept their problem and found the courage to admit that they
need help and share their stories. I came out of the meetings with the upmost respect for these
members who work everyday to improve their lives.
Reference Page
Suire, J. G., & Bothwell, R. K. (2006). The Psychosocial Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous.
American Journal On Addictions, 15(3), 252-255.

Running head: TWELVE STEP

Criteria for receiving a Pass - 1 points

pass on this
assignment

Needs Improvement
0.5 point

Non - Pass 0 points

Identify how to
contact the 12-step
organization in the
community. Turn in
signed or stamp 12step attendance form
with paper.

All information was included.

Some minor information

was missing.

Organization was not

identified, nor address.
Contact information was
missing.

Describe the format

for 12-step group
meeting that you
attended

Format is described in detail in Description is vague or

an organized fashion.
missing important details

Description is so general
that it could have been
copied from a book

Running head: TWELVE STEP

Identify personal
beliefs and values
about 12-step
programs

Personal values and beliefs are Personal values and /or

discussed in a meaningful way beliefs are vague or not
identified

Disorganized and random

thoughts about the program

Process feelings
related to attending a
12-step group

Personal feeling about being at Personal feelings about

the program are explored in a
being at the program are
honest way
explored in a surface way

Personal feelings are not

known.

Incorporate a journal
article into your
assignment

Journal article is not a web

site, it comes from a valid
nursing or medical journal, it
is incorporated into students
discussion in a meaningful
way.

Journal article is a valid

source but is not
incorporated into the
discussion is a meaningful
way.

Not a valid Journal article

APA, reference page,

title page, on time,
Rubric placed under
references

Follows APA structure,

(double spacing, title page,
references done correctly, on
time) Rubric is included under
references.

A few APA errors, reference Disorganization in APA

page and title page are
style, missing reference and
included APA is mostly
or title page. No rubric.
correct. Rubric is included
under references

Compare and contrast

2 different 12 step
meetings

Comparison and Contrast was

in depth and thought
provoking (2 points)

Comparison and Contrast

was minimal and brief

Observations on
GROUP and
INDIVIUDUAL

Detailed observation on both

GROUP and INDIVIDUAL
Dynamics and provoking
discussion on barriers that may
occur because of dynamics (2
points)

Brief to minimal
Did not provide any
observation on both
observations on group and
GROUP and INDIVIDUAL individual in meetings.
Dynamics and provoking
discussion on barriers that
may occur because of
dynamics

Writing style
grammar, spelling,
organization

Organization of writing is a
joy to read. No spelling or
grammar errors

A few spelling or grammar

errors found. Organization
is followed but a little
rough.

Paper has to be rewritten

because of multiple errors
and inability to follow
directions for a well written
paper.

total

10

Did not compare and

contrast 2 different meetings