Connecting Clients to the Substance Community. (Or, Get Your Ass to a MEETING!!! )

Transcription

1 Connecting Clients to the Substance Community (Or, Get Your Ass to a MEETING!!! )

2 Who Am I?

3 Things I hope we will be able to explore together Abbreviated history of AA and NA programs Short talk of offshoots and non 12 step programs How to locate/help fellow peers locate recovery meetings What are some common themes of recovery meetings and what should you expect? Why are meetings so important anyway? What are some barriers and how do we help people overcome them?

4 A Brief History of AA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

5 I am not an AA scholar This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

6 Frank Buchman and the Oxford Group This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

7 Early Days of the Oxford Group Attended the Keswick Convention in 1908 Wanting to share this experience he started an evangelical group at Oxford University. The group was originally called A First Century Christian Fellowship and was renamed The Oxford Group in 1928 The group grew in popularity of next 20 years and eventually spread to several to several other countries including the United States The groups popularity peaked in 1928 with groups having House Parties in several cities around the country Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

8 Rowland H. and Ebby Thatcher This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

9 What Rowland Taught Ebby We admitted we were licked. We got honest with ourselves. We talked it over with another person. We made amends to those we had harmed. We tried to carry this message to others with no thought of reward. We prayed to whatever God we thought there was. Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

10 Ebby T. and Bill Wilson Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

11 What Ebby T. told Bill W. to do We admitted we were licked. We got honest with ourselves. We talked it over with another person. We made amends to those we had harmed. We tried to carry this message to others with no thought of reward. We prayed to whatever God we thought there was. Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

12 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

13 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

14 Bill W. meets Dr. Bob This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

15

16 AA Gets a Big Start 1935 Newly sober Bill works to save other alcoholics, connects with Dr. Bob Bill turns home into halfway house 1936 Bill and Lois Start hosing Oxford Group meetings at their house Bill and Lois are reprimanded for only including alcoholics in meetings 1937 Bill leaves the Oxford group, working instead to build home based alcohol recovery meetings Puts forward ideas to write book, create hospitals and expand movement by paying missionaries Applies to John D. Rockefeller for grant funding Writes and Publishes AA Book Writes 12 Steps 4/3/2018 silkworth.net "TIMELINES IN A.A. HISTORY" php

17

18 Ruth Hock, AA s first secretary This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

19

20 What Oxford Trained Ebby T. told Bill W. to do We admitted we were licked. We got honest with ourselves. We talked it over with another person. We made amends to those we had harmed. We tried to carry this message to others with no thought of reward. We prayed to whatever God we thought there was. Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

21 The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Copyright 1952, 1953, 1981 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing (now known as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.) All rights reserved.

22 Core Beliefs of the Oxford Group Practiced absolute surrender Guided by a holy spirit Sharing bringing true fellowship Life changing Sought to love others Live a pure life Live honestly Practice living unselfishly Ray R., "The Oxford Group Connection, 4/2/2018

23 The 12 Concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous 1. HONESTY Fairness and straight forwardness of conduct: adherence to the facts. 2. HOPE To expect with desire; something on which hopes are centered. 3. FAITH Complete confidence; belief and trust. 4. COURAGE Firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty; mental or moral strength to withstand fear. 5. INTEGRITY The quality or state of being complete or undivided; soundness. 6. WILLINGNESS Prompt to act or respond; accepted and done of choice or without reluctance. 7. HUMILITY Not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; a clear and concise understanding of what we are, followed by a sincere desire to become what we can be. 8. LOVE Unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good to hold dear. 9. DISCIPLINE Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; to bring under control; to train or develop by instruction. 10. PATIENCE/PERSEVERANCE Steadfast despite opposition or adversity; able or willing to bear; to persist in an understanding in spite of counter influences. 11. AWARENESS Alive and alert; vigilance in observing. 12. SERVICE A helpful act; contribution to the welfare of others; useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity. Copyright 1952, 1953, 1981 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing (now known as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.) All rights reserved.

24 The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous 1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. 4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. 5. Each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. 6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. 7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. 8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. 9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. 11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Copyright 1952, 1953, 1981 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing (now known as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.) All rights reserved.

25 Meaning Behind the Symbol This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

26 Service Material from the General Service Office, Area Map of US and Canada" (4/3/2018)

27 Estimates of A.A. Groups and Members As of January 1, 2017¹ Groups Members United States 61,258 1,276,165 Canada 5,078 86,237 Sub-Total 66,336 1,362,402 Correctional Facilities 1,413 34,903 Loners, Internationalist, Homers U.S. & Canada Total: ,750 1,397,334 Outside U.S. & Canada² 50, ,850 Worldwide Total: 118,305 2,103,184 1 The General Service Office does not keep membership records. The information shown here is based on reports given by groups listed with G.S.O., and does not represent an actual count of those who consider themselves A.A. members 2 We are aware of A.A. activity in approximately 180 countries, including 62 autonomous general service offices in other lands. Annually we attempt to contact those G.S.O.s and groups that request to be listed in our records. Where current data is lacking we use an earlier year s figures. Rev. 06/17 Service Material from the General Service Office, "Estimates of A.A. Groups and Members as of January 2017" (4/3/2018)

28 Offshoots of the AA Program AA Alcoholics Anonymous ACA Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-Anon/Alateen, for friends and families of alcoholics CA Cocaine Anonymous CLA Clutterers Anonymous CMA Crystal Meth Anonymous Co-Anon, for friends and family of addicts CoDA Co-Dependents Anonymous, for people working to end patterns of dysfunctional relationships and develop functional and healthy relationships COSA an auxiliary group of Sex Addicts Anonymous COSLAA CoSex and Love Addicts Anonymous DA Debtors Anonymous EA Emotions Anonymous, for recovery from mental and emotional illness FA Families Anonymous, for relatives and friends of addicts FA Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous FAA Food Addicts Anonymous GA Gamblers Anonymous Gam-Anon/Gam-A-Teen, for friends and family members of problem gamblers DDA Duel Diagnosis Anonymous HA Heroin Anonymous MA Marijuana Anonymous NA Narcotics Anonymous N/A Neurotics Anonymous, for recovery from mental and emotional illness Nar-Anon, for friends and family members of addicts NicA Nicotine Anonymous OA Overeaters Anonymous OLGA Online Gamers Anonymous PA Pills Anonymous, for recovery from prescription pill addiction. SA Sexaholics Anonymous SA Smokers Anonymous SAA Sex Addicts Anonymous SCA Sexual Compulsives Anonymous SIA Survivors of Incest Anonymous SLAA Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous SRA Sexual Recovery Anonymous UA Underearners Anonymous WA Workaholics Anonymous Wikipedia Entry, List of twelve-step groups (4/4/2018)

29 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

30 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

31 Jimmy K Starts NA -1,000 acre United States Narcotic Farm opens in Fayette County, Kentucky Addicts Anonymous meetings started for Narcotic farm residents in recovery Jimmy Kinnon starts Narcotics Anonymous meetings in California following AA steps and traditions & 1962 NA Little White Book created by Jimmy Kinnon outlining steps and traditions Using Little White Book as reference, NA Big Book created by massive collaboration of hundreds of people th edition released after several revisions Over 67,000 meetings in 139 countries Wikipedia Entry, Narcotics Anonymous (4/4/2018)

32 AA Agnostica AA Agnostica, The Alternative 12 Steps: A Secular Guide to Recovery steps-a-secular-guide-to-recovery/ (4/4/2018)

33 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

34 Founded in 1994 Scientifically based Motivational Interviewing Motivational Enhancement Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Focus on Thought Change and Practicing Recovery Tools In-Person and Online groups Meetings Consist of Checking-In followed by Working on Wellness Tools Wikipedia, "Smart Recovery" (4/5/18)

35 Secular Organizations for Sobriety

36 4/5/2018 Rebel Saints Meditation Society, "Contact"

37 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

38 How Do You Find A Support Meeting???

39 How to find a meeting: Printed schedules Word of mouth Though church/community center directories Calling a local AA or NA hotline Can find on local group websites Online (Google Anyone?)

40 Be Wary of Advertising Sites &longitude= &proximity=100 Look for Local Intergroup or District Websites

41 Open or Closed Meetings This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

42 Other Different Types of Meetings Men s/women s Over 55 Meetings Young Person s Meetings Candle Light Meetings Book Studies Step Studies Speaker s Meetings

43 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

44 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

45

46

47 What Should You Expect From a Meeting?

48 General Principles of Recovery Meetings Anonymity Encouraged to Share Personal Experiences Cross Talk is Typically Discouraged Newcomer is Important

49 Meeting Structure Secretary Chairperson GSR or GSO Report to district who reports to world services Other rolls include greeter, treasurer and literature chairs These rolls depend on the program and groups Collection/Make Announcements May or may not be calling on people to speak

50 Service Structure of AA Alcoholics Anonymous, "Structure of the Conference (U.S. and Canada)," 4/6/2018

51 Try Different Meetings 12 Step Concept of 90 in 90 Every group runs differently People differ from group to group Find a group that feels like the right fit to you Try to shake off bad experiences and try again This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

52 Now I want to hear from you!!! 4/6/2018 tenor, "Fireworks New Year Fireworks GIF," 6e82148b51cade/tenor.gif?itemid=

53 Why are Support Groups so Important Anyway?

54 Can Instill a Sense of Hope Helps to Fill the Void Created by Abstinence Provides a Guidepost for the Recovery Journey Provides a Source of New Sober Friends and Supporters This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Provides Sober Activities

55 Barriers to Attending Meetings and how to overcome them (Or I don t need that shit!!! )

56 Possible Barriers to Attending Groups Fear of the unknown Feelings of hopelessness Don t want to acknowledge problem Feelings of boredom Not knowing how to find a meeting Thinking will not fit in Fear of religious entanglements Feelings that god should do the work Because the sky is blue today

57 How to Help Someone Take the First Step

58 What can we do on a program level? Require support group attendance A nudge from the judge Bring in speakers from the recovery community Foster connections with people in recovery Contact local H&I committees Contact local hotline Increase accessibility to meetings Find transportation for program members Make schedules and numbers available Start a meeting or 2 inhouse Advocate for support groups with your co-workers and managers

59 What Can We Do on a Personal Level? Create connections with people in the local recovery community Work on yourself Tell your story