Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Research Paper

Abstract
This paper is focused on discussing my personal experience while attending a local Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I knew going into this meeting that I had to go with an open mind, an open heart, and a complete respect for those around me. I understood that all meetings are unique in their own way and that their formats may not be similar to that of a neighboring location. From my research it seems it follows the same precursors as what you would exercise if you were looking for a good marriage counselor, you keep looking until you find the right one that works for you. I found it quite interesting and very welcoming that they allow anyone to attend these meetings, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. This feeling of nervousness actually put me into a similar mindset that I believe, without lessening their struggles, an addict might be experiencing their first time attending.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting
This particular meeting that I attended took place in a beautiful Lutheran church. The meeting had a very structured format that I admired and believed to be quite beneficial and non-threatening to those who surrounded me in the room. The administrator, or
I just sat and watched. During the discussion session, a man, we will call him Dave, stood up to speak and seemed visibly shaken as he stumbled to the pulpit. It seemed like an eternity before a single word left his lips, but it felt like he had been talking for hours. His face was weathered and hung low to the floor. He seemed ashamed and all I could feel was empathy for him. I honestly believe I witnessed first had the pain he was experiencing without hearing a single word. If this moment was the only thing I experienced within those walls, it would have been