Suburban Club Meeting Reflection

The name of the group I attended was the two for one group at the Suburban Club. The Suburban Club is located at 2002 East Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404. I attend this open discussion meeting on February 3 with Alison and Emily; the meeting time was 5:30 PM. The meeting demographic was diverse. The socioeconomic status of the group appeared to range from poor/working class to middle/business class. There were people of almost all races in attendance (white, black, Hispanic) and the ages ranged from young adult (early twenties) to elderly (mid to late seventies). The all stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance) appeared present among the individuals in the attendance. The walls were decorated

A good deal of time was spent on sharing and validating. As to what I would have liked to say to the those who shared at this meeting, I would have wanted to tell them how much I admire their bravery in facing the worst of themselves and being able to come out on the other side stronger and more self-aware. I do not think I would have the courage to face the worst of myself. I think the most notable knowledge pertaining to addiction I gain from this meeting was the impact that small inconveniences or slights can have in relation to triggering cravings. I always imaged trigger being events like death of a friend or a loss of a job, but from what the individual in this session stated, the more difficult triggers can be someone being rude or a misunderstand because they catch people off guard and unprepared. I have always felt that change only occurs when the person is ready to change, especially as it relates to addiction. While I still maintain this opinion, the way in which this meeting had an impact on my perception is that I know understand how a person may be soften to the idea of change, gain insight of need for change or personal conviction to change by means of a mandated experience. In other words, having to attended AA meetings by court order may inevitably guide someone with an addiction to a level of self-awareness where