Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is my field placement agency, and it deserves specific attention. It is a global organization that unites millions of men and women who have a shared problem. These individuals are alcohol-addicts, and they cannot remove this substance from their lives. Thus, they need assistance, and AA provides these people with such an opportunity. In fact, AA is a place where alcohol-addicts can gather, share their experiences, obtain support, and recover from alcoholism. The organization is open to everyone who has a desire or necessity to quit drinking. That is why AA is attended either voluntarily or following a court decision. This information demonstrates that it is challenging to overestimate the significance of the given agency to the society where almost everyone can be subject to an illness of alcoholism.
The agency under analysis addresses both the individuals’ and society’s educational needs. It refers to the fact that AA considers alcoholism “an illness that can be managed, but not controlled” (Monico, 2018, para. 2). That is why the agency provides individuals with the necessary information to help them live with this condition. At the same time, AA is useful for society because it demonstrates that there are many citizens with this problem. Consequently, these individuals require assistance and support to be full-fledged members of the community. It means that the given organization contributes to the fact that individuals and society accumulate their knowledge about alcoholism, which intensifies this problem’s importance. In turn, the more people know about this issue, the less exposed they are to substance abuse.
Even though the agency under consideration is not a full-time learning institution, it provides its members with a valuable learning opportunity. It refers to the fact that individuals attend AA meetings to learn how to live without alcohol. Agency members do not participate in direct learning activities that are typical in schools and universities, but regular conversations and information sharing stimulate them to analyze the data and make appropriate conclusions. This information is of significance for people who suffer from progressive substance abuse. Consequently, AA is an essential establishment that provides alcohol-addicts with a learning opportunity to improve their lives.
One should explain that the given agency occupies an important place in modern society. Although Monico (2018) admits that AA is not officially associated with any organization or institution, it is possible to find its relationship to other educational systems. They include schools, families, and other establishments that provide individuals with learning opportunities. On the one hand, AA is significant for schools because this agency offers young individuals information on the existing problem. Thus, pupils and students acquire sufficient knowledge to avoid dealing with alcoholism when they become older. On the other hand, families can benefit from AA because substance abuse is a typical cause of many family conflicts and divorces. It means that the agency can provide many educational systems with benefits.
Furthermore, it is reasonable to present my own position in the agency in terms of teaching and communication. Even though I am an AA member, I still bear some responsibility in this sphere. Firstly, it relates to the fact that I will be teaching a newcomer the history of AA. This process is necessary to ensure that the newcomer understands the goals of the given agency. I will use the suitable teaching styles and methods to make sure that this individual absorbs the information and can use it as motivation to attend AA meetings and change their lives.
Secondly, my responsibility will be to present twelve steps of AA to a newcomer. According to Monico (2018), these steps are actions and decisions that alcohol-addicts should make to recover from the illness. It means that I will closely collaborate with the newcomer to make them understand the significance of these steps for their future. It is so because people typically require additional assistance and guidelines to trust in the effectiveness of these actions and decisions. A companion in distress is the best source of this information for an AA newcomer.
Finally, my teaching activity should also address the spiritual principles of AA. Kosoglou (2019) explains that these principles should lead to spiritual growth and personal betterment. In this case, my task will be to teach a newcomer how to be honest, patient, faithful, courageous, self-disciplined, and so on. It is not an easy task, and it requires specific teaching skills and abilities to generate successful results. That is why I will do my best to create a productive member of society from a former alcohol-addict.
In conclusion, Alcoholics Anonymous unites millions of people who suffer from substance abuse. The agency performs a significant function in society because it teaches individuals how to address the problem and recover from it. As for me, I am also a valuable member of this organization because my task is to teach a newcomer the agency history, twelve steps, and spiritual principles. This process is essential because it aims at turning alcohol-addicts into productive members of society.
References
Kosoglou, A. (2019). The spiritual principles of recovery: 12 ways you can practice them every day. Royal Life Centers. Web.
Monico, N. (2018). The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). American Addiction Centers. Web.