AA /NA Observation Reflection Assignment Template

1. Describe what type of AA/NA meeting you attended: group size, composition of the
group members. How did you feel when you entered into the meeting? What leadership
style did you identify in the group leader? How did the members of the group make you
feel? What additional information do you wish you had prior to attending the
meeting? (Minimum 1 paragraph.)
I attended a NA meeting. The group size was about 20 people, which is more than I
expected it to be. The group members all seemed to be a very close group. When I first
walked in everyone was joking around and it really felt like they were a family. I was
nervous going into the meeting because I wasn’t sure what to expect. The group leader
was extremely outgoing and welcoming of everyone. He made the group seem at ease
and showed a great deal of caring and compassion. The members of the group
intimidated me at first but once they opened up, I felt much more comfortable. I wish I
had a little more background on addiction and how it affects a person.

2. Identify 2 Yalom's Curative factors utilized in the group meeting. How did the Yalom's
Curative factors influence the group meeting? Explain how the Yalom's Curative factors
may influence your care delivery in the future (Minimum 2 paragraphs.)
All of Yalom’s Curative factors were used in the group meeting, but the two that stood
out the most to me were universality and catharsis. I could see universality among the
group just with how the interacted with each other. Everyone was very open to disclosing
their own struggles in hopes to help another. It made the environment relaxed and open
for anyone to share what they needed or wanted to. After the first person shared their
struggle of the week, I could feel the sense of catharsis from them. After that, everyone
seemed to have a similar story to share and it was awesome to watch that chain reaction
of catharsis from each individual.

I think Yalom’s Curative Factors are imperative to nursing care. Even though the factors
are meant to be in a group setting, I think as nurses we can use them with our patient
care. To me it means being open and transparent with patients. With that, it creates an
environment that can promote healing and change.

3. Description Step 1 in the Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotic Anonymous. Identify a NANDA

that can be used in your plan of care which correlates with step 1. List 3 interventions
that can be implemented in your plan of care related to the NANDA. (Minimum 1
paragraph.)
The first step in NA is to admit the powerlessness over addiction and that the addiction
had taken over their life. To me, step one seems to be a way to fully acknowledge the
extent of the addiction.
Powerlessness related to loss of control over life decisions as evidenced by expression
of having no control or influence over situation or outcome.
1. Encourage the verbalization of feelings, perceptions, and fears about making
decisions.
2. Encourage the patient to identify strengths.
3. Encourage an increased responsibility for self.
(Gulanick & Myers, 2014, p. 156)
 4. Compare and contrast the utilization of the AA/NA program related to patient outcomes
with an evidence-based nursing journal article from the Nursing Reference Center
(NRC). (Minimum 2 paragraphs.)
AA is an important part in the recovery of an alcoholic. AA appears to be most
successful with the greater number of meetings attended. “A statistically significant
positive association was found between the number of AA meetings attended.” (Gossop
et al., 2003, p.423). While AA doesn’t cure those with an alcohol addiction, it does
provide resources for those that are suffering from it. “AA can provide a useful aftercare
resource that regular contact with AA may help to maintain the benefits initially accrued
from alcohol treatment programs.” (Gossop et al., 2003, p. 425).

AA seems to be effective on an individual basis. The program is what you make of it and
if you accept the program and participate in it, it should ideally improve a patient
outcome. “Some features of twelve-step treatment tend to be more acceptable than
others to alcoholics and AA affiliation will not appeal to, or be a feasible option for all
patients.” (Gossop et al., 2003, p. 425).

5. Did you enjoy this experience? Why or why not? (Minimum 1 paragraph)
I thought this experience was really interesting. The meeting didn’t go how I expected it
to go and the atmosphere of the group is completely different than what I expected as
well! I’m glad I got to experience it because now I feel like I can translate what I learned
into my nursing care. Overall, I thought it was an eye opening experience.

Gulanick, M. & Myers, J.L. (2014). Nursing care plans: Diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes.

Philadelphia, PA: Mosby.

Gossop, M., Harris, J., Best, D., Man, L., Manning, V., Marshall, J., & Strang, J. (2003). Is

attendance at alcoholics anonymous meetings after inpatient treatment related to

improved outcomes? A 6-month follow-up study. Alcohol & Alcoholism, 38(5), 421-436.

doi:10.1093/alcalc/agg104.