AA /NA Observation Reflection Assignment Template

1. Describe what type of AA/NA meeting you attended: group size, composition of the
group members. How did you feel when you entered into the meeting? What leadership
style did you identify in the group leader? How did the members of the group make you
feel? What additional information do you wish you had prior to attending the
meeting? (Minimum 1 paragraph.)
For this experience, I attended an Al-anon meeting, with permission from Mrs.
Tench, because of the fact I have people in my family that attend AA/NA meetings and it
would be uncomfortable for both parties to be at the same meeting. The group size of
this meeting was very small. It consisted of 4 participants the day I attended but the
group leader said there are normally more participants. Group members varied in age
and were all very comfortable with their peers in the group. There was one male and two
females who attended the group the day I attended. The group seating was arranged in
an “open” style, which encouraged participation more from group members. The
leadership style of this group was very democratic. The group leader let the members
pick out the topic they wanted to cover and let the members decide how they wanted to
run the group that day. Guidance was provided by the leader but the meeting seemed to
be very laid-back.
Entering the meeting, I felt very nervous because this meeting was a big deal for
me and my personal process with people in my life who deal with alcoholism. The group
members were very welcoming and nice. They knew I was a student but they also knew
I was there for the same reasons they were, which made the welcoming even more
meaningful. I am very familiar with the Al-anon program because I actually had a co-
worker approach me with material on Al-anon when I was personally dealing with
alcoholics in my life. She was nice enough to give me the Al-anon book, which is used in
the meetings and supply me with advice about going to meetings. Unfortunately, I never
got up the courage to go before now. Prior to the meeting, I wish I knew what the group
would be talking about the evening I attended because the topic of the evening was
alcoholism and marriage. This topic was picked after I got there but it wasn’t as
conducive for me because I don’t have a problem with alcoholism in my relationship with
my fiancé.
2. Identify 2 Yalom's Curative factors utilized in the group meeting. How did the Yalom's
Curative factors influence the group meeting? Explain how the Yalom's Curative factors
may influence your care delivery in the future (Minimum 2 paragraphs.)
The first Yalom Curative factor that influenced this group meeting was the
instillation of hope. This group focuses on this curative factor because with other
members dealing with the same thing it ensures hope and continues to show
other members that problems can be resolved.
The second Yalom Curative factor that is influenced in this group meeting
is cartharsis. Cartharsis, which is the opened expression on feelings, are
expressed all throughout the group. Feelings can be positive or negative but
these feelings can be expressed in the nonjudgement, nonthreatening
environment of Al-anon.
Yalom’s Curative factors are essential to the recovery process and to
allow positive group dynamics within Al-anon, AA, NA, or any other support
groups. These are also important to the delivery of care to patients in the future.
The curative factors are a positive way to express therapeutic discussion within
group dynamics.
3. Description Step 1 in the Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotic Anonymous. Identify a NANDA
that can be used in your plan of care which correlates with step 1. List 3 interventions
that can be implemented in your plan of care related to the NANDA. (Minimum 1
paragraph.)
The Al-anon 12 steps are the same as the Alcoholic Anonymous 12 steps. Step
one is “we admitted we were powerless over alcohol- that our lives have become
unmanageable.”
Powerlessness related to loss of control over life decisions as evidence by feeling of
hopelessness and expression of having no control or influence over situation or outcome.
1. Encourage the verbalization of feelings, perceptions and fears about making
decisions.  This approach creates a supportive climate and sends a message of
caring. The verbalization of feelings and perceptions helps the patient develop a
more realistic appraisal of the stressful situation.
2. Assist the patient in reexamining negative perceptions of the situation.  The patient
may have misconceptions or unrealistic expectations for the situation.
3. Give the patient control over his or her environment. Encourage the patient to furnish
the environment with those things that he or she finds comforting.  This technique
enhances the patient’s sense of autonomy and acknowledges his or her right to have
dominion over controllable aspects of life.

4. Compare and contrast the utilization of the AA/NA program related to patient outcomes
with an evidence-based nursing journal article from the Nursing Reference Center
(NRC). (Minimum 2 paragraphs.)
For this, I purposely picked to compare and contrast the utilization of the
AA program related to patient outcomes based on the Journal article Quality of
Life of Clients with Alcoholic Dependence Syndrome attending and not attending
Alcoholics Anonymous Group meetings. Since AA and Al-anon are so closely
related, I chose to compare the outcomes of AA.
According to Savitha (2011), “Alcoholics Anonymous groups are found to
be very effective in motivating and supporting alcoholics to remain sober and
maintain abstinence because it is cheap and more community based.” The study
showed a substantial difference in the scores between non-AA members and AA
members. There were an increase in scores for physical, psychological, social
and environmental improvement for those who attended AA meetings. This study
suggests that there is a significant difference in Quality of life of ADS clients who
attend AA group meetings compared to non AA group. These findings, if
communicated to clients, could enhance their motivation to attend Alcoholic
Anonymous group meetings (Savitha, 2011). Overall, AA members scored higher
in all functions of quality of life than non AA members. So these results definitely
show a positive influence from Alcoholics Anonymous on people dependent on
Alcohol.
5. Did you enjoy this experience? Why or why not? (Minimum 1 paragraph)
I really enjoyed this experience because as stated above, I have two people in
my life who struggle with alcoholism on a daily basis. This meeting was important for me
and the relationship I have with these individuals because I need to be more empathetic
towards the fact that they are living with a disease. I have known about Al-anon for about
a year now and through this class, I finally got the courage to attend these meetings. It
was a very eye-opening experience because I have never really been able to talk to
people about my personal struggle with alcohol and how it effects the relationships I
have with certain family members. I am really glad this was one of the experiences in
this mental health class.
 References

Savitha, Kumar, N., Sequira, L., Mayya, S. (2011). Quality of life of clients with alcoholic
dependence syndrome attending and not attending alcoholics anonymous group meetings.
International Journal of Nursing Education, 3(2), 92-95.

Townsend, M. (2017) Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in

Evidence Based Practice edition 7.0. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company. ISBN-978-
0803638761