AA Offsite Documentation

Riley Campbell

Nursing, Youngstown State University

NURS 4842L Mental Health Nursing

Mrs. Defiore-Golden

03/18/2022
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Alcoholics Anonymous meeting 03/04/2022, Youngstown Area Intergroup.

1. Discuss this agency in relation to acute care inpatient treatment offered for mentally

ill/substance abuse/homeless/isolated persons within the local community.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a self-help group that people struggling with alcoholism can turn

to as they work to overcome their addiction. Unlike inpatient treatment, AA meetings are led by

group members, not a therapist or social worker. The people who attend AA meetings develop

long-term relationships with other group members and are able to hold each other accountable

over time. Inpatient treatment is focused on stabilizing the patient during a crisis, while groups

like AA are focused on maintaining stabilization and keeping the members from experiencing a

crisis. The difference that stood out to me is that the AA group members have formed long term

relationships with each other and are familiar with each other’s individual progress. Each

member can feel accepted sharing both their successes and failures.

2. Identify usual mental health diagnoses served by this agency and the usual referral

sources.

Alcoholism and substance abuse are the usual mental health diagnoses served by Alcoholics

Anonymous. Often people struggling with alcohol dependence are referred by health care

professionals to AA groups for support as they work to overcome their addiction. Alcoholics

Anonymous is a self-help group led by group members and follows 12 steps and traditions. The

program has a text that outlines and gives structure to the group meetings. Support and

sponsorship within the group is integral to the group’s functioning.

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3. Evaluate your experience in this community setting regarding the supportive services

provided to the person, his family and the community.

I found this AA meeting to be a very positive and enlightening experience. I feel much more

comfortable discussing outpatient treatment programs with my patients who struggle with

alcoholism and addiction after attending this meeting. It was interesting hearing conversations

between the group members because they all were able to speak from experience and genuinely

say that they understand what the other group members are going through. Many of the group

members felt comfortable in the environment and easily opened up to the group. I have not seen

anyone share so openly at the inpatient behavioral health unit this semester. I see from this

experience that people feel more empowered when they have a strong support system and a

group of people they trust.