Locate an open recovery/support group that includes families in your local community. Attend one of the group’s open meetings. The group can be for any type of substance or process addiction and does not have to be a 12-step meeting (AA, NA, Al-Anon, etc.), but it should be a non-clinical support group that includes family members. Ensure that the meeting is considered "open" prior to attending it.

Please Note: It is not appropriate to take notes while in a support group meeting, so please refrain and just take notes for yourself immediately after the meeting.

Write a two-part paper of 1300 words that summarizes your experience at the meeting. Be sure to include important concepts presented in the meeting while maintaining the privacy/anonymity of all meeting attendees. Include the following in your paper:

Part 1: Summarize the Meeting

Include the address, date, start time, and end time of meeting
Describe the format of the meeting that you attended (examples: speaker meeting, discussion meeting, Big Book meeting, etc.)
Describe the contents of the meeting (prayers, readings, etc.)
List any key speakers (Use only first name to protect anonymity)

What was your overall impression of the meeting?
Part 2: Concepts and Methods

Identify the major concepts/methods utilized in the group. For example, are any books, prayers, principles or guidelines, or any protocols–utilized?

Also, indicate if the meeting is for a specific population or group such as women, men, LGBTQ, and the elderly, etc.

Part 3: The Nature of 12-Step Programs

Explain why 12-step and other self- or mutual-help groups are non-clinical.

Can substance abuse counselors self-disclose to clients that they are in recovery themselves? If so, how do they know what to share and what not to share? How much self-disclosure is appropriate? Refer to the NAADAC ethical codes related to this issue found in the topic materials.

Include at least three scholarly resources in addition to the textbook in your paper.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.