Recovery House

I attended the Steps to Recovery open meeting at the Recovery House 1611 Baker Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21217-2363 on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.

As we walked towards the meeting area I had one thing on my mind, I hoped no one thought I was an addict. As I walked into the building it was like a social gathering, people greeting and hugging everyone they made eye contact with. I was very nervous and really did not want to be there. Once inside the room the atmosphere change from social to business, they were there for a purpose. I sat down and I felt as though all eyes were on me, before I could say anything one of the women asked me my name. I then stated my name and explained my purpose that I was a social work major at Coppin State University and wanted to sit in to observe the meeting if possible. I was told I would not be able to set at the table that was for members only but that I was welcome to observe if I would like, that no one is ever turned away, I moved to a seat on the side and the meeting began.

The NA meeting opened with introductions there were people attending for the first time. After everyone stated their drug of choice, length of use and what step they were on followed by them all stood and recited the Serenity Prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. I sat there intently and watch the faces of the members as they recited this prayer and the emotion on some of the faces so sure and proud it was inspiring.

For this meeting the format was simple there would be a discussion and the 12-Steps. Interestingly enough the meeting was very organized. The facilitator for the night because I was told no one person runs the group went over the rules, mission of the group and recited the 12-steps and then they took up a collection, I was not able to give because I was not a member of the group. What I liked was the facilitator stated that everyone passes through the same tunnel and all come to a fork in the road and must ask themselves the same question, "Am I an Addict?" Not just an addict of drugs or alcohol but of anything you are not able to let go off or to do without. In that moment I became a member of this group, I too was one of them.

The discussion opened and one at a time members would share their wisdom of how they had been down and are working the steps to the road of recovery. I was surprised that there was no one person in charge of the group that each week a member runs the group that has been working the steps (as they called