As a mental health worker, it is important to know the effects substance abuse and addictions can have on the family system. This assignment will help you learn this concept.
Conduct research in your community for a ground or online meeting place that deals with substance abuse/addiction. You will need to attend a meeting and write about it to complete this assignment. Be sure to contact the group ahead of time to discuss the rules of student visitors (i.e., no notetaking, no communicating with attendees) Contact the group leader. Explain that you will not be sharing, just observing the meeting. Select from the following types of groups:
• Alcoholics Anonymous meeting
• Narcotics Anonymous meeting
• Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PALs) meeting
• Celebrate Recovery meeting
• Domestic violence meeting
After the meeting, answer the following prompts:
Name of Meeting that you Attended:
Meeting Date:
Meeting Time:
Meeting Location:
Approximate number of participants:
Describe the model you observed. What worked within the model? Why do those formats/models work? (100-150 words)
What were some possible hindrances to that sort of setting? (75-100 words)
In the meeting, explain if possible traumas within the families was apparent or not. (50-75 words)
Explain if you observed empathy or not. If so, provide an example. If not, explain if sympathy was observed. (75-100 words)
Explain how cultural awareness was a part of the group structure or not. (50-75 words)
Explain if connections made through vulnerability and authenticity were apparent or not. (75-100 words)
Why did you select the group/meeting you selected? (50-75 words)
What was it like for you to sit in the meeting and observe? How do you see this impacting your future/current career in mental health? (150-200 words)