“The Friendship Club” Reaction Essay 2
Facility
The Friendship Club
7680 Northwest 186th Street
(Miami Gardens Drive)
Miami Lakes, Florida 33015
P: 305-821-9313
Summary
On Sunday, April 11th, at 10:30 am, I had the pleasure of attending my first open Alcoholic
Anonymous meeting at a facility called The Friendship Club in Miami Gardens. I was a bit hesitant to
partake, but I was accompanied by a former colleague and friend of my fathers who was gracious
enough to guide me through the whole experience. Prior to attending the meeting, he was more than
willing to answer any questions and concerns that I had about the meetings. His information and
willingness to share calmed my nerves and made me more comfortable with the idea of attending the
meeting. During our visit, we listened to several speakers, but two in particular caught my attention. In
the end, I was truly overcome with emotion by the experience and am so grateful that they allowed me
to sit in and listen to what they had to share. Now, more than ever, I believe that these meetings help
immensely alcoholics/addicts on the road to recovery.
“The Friendship Club” Reaction Essay 3
When my professor told us we had to attend an open meeting on addiction recovery or 12-step
group, I will admit that I may have panicked a little at first. In the days prior to the meeting, I grew more
nervous and anxious than I expected. While one part of me was fascinated to see what it was like, an
even bigger part of me felt afraid because I was not sure what to anticipate. “Was everyone expected to
speak at the meeting?”, “Were they going to feel violated because a stranger wants to sit and observe?”,
“Would they be accepting of me?”, “Would they be nice?” These were just a few of the questions going
through my mind. My main concern, however, was that they were going to see me as an outsider trying
to get a glimpse of something extremely difficult and personal for them. I did not want to make them
uncomfortable, but I did not want to put myself in an uncomfortable situation either.
Fortunately, I was able to meet someone who is currently participating in Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) meetings. “J.C.” is a former colleague of my father’s and was more than happy to walk me
