Crystal Meth Anoymous 1
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Exploration Report
Rajan Karuna
DREL370
Professor Stefanovic
Crystal Meth Anoymous 2
Background:
Crystal Meth Anonymous was founded in California and is a non-profit
twelve-step fellowship. Individuals who participate and come to
meetings share support and advocate complete abstinence from
methamphetamine and all other psychoactive drugs. The philosophy is
based on the original twelve-step program, Alcohol Anonymous. The
group is based on a set of principles that not only are meant to inhibit
usage of the drug but also prompt a lifestyle change. Though
meetings, sponsorships, and commitments a lasting fulfilling life can
be achieved. According to a study performed in 2006, Crystal Meth
Anonymous has a success rate of 64 percent.
Report:
The following meeting takes place in a open Crystal Meth
Anonymous meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting starts off with the
chairperson providing an introduction for the meeting and him. His
name is John and he is also an addict. He asks the group of individuals
gathered if any of them are also addicts. A serenity prayer with all
those who claimed to be an addict follows this. The chairperson then
instructs all individuals to turn off their cell phones and begins to state
the instructions for the meeting. Essentially, anyone is free to speak
and give his or her thoughts or their story with crystal meth. Each
individual us subject to a limit of about five minutes to speak. The
Crystal Meth Anoymous 3
chairperson takes a secretarys break, where a basket is passed
around, as the meeting is self-supporting. Then the chairperson opens
the floor to new members who would like to introduce themselves and
share their thoughts or personal stories. Due to the grand number of
stories and content, this report focuses on one particular individuals
story.
The following is a verbatim account from one of the new addicts:
My name is Frank and I'm I'm an addict. It all started when I
was a 13 year old kid living in Cabrini Green projects, probly one
of da most violent and ruthless neighborhoods in da city of
Chicago. I'm pretty sure they tore that shit down cuz the gangs
had all da power. My older bro CJ was a gang member, so he
pushed a lot of different drugs. So I could get pretty much
anything easy. But at such a young age, all I cared for was weed.
I loved green so much I soon started sellin that shit too. But
when you sell at Cabrini, you gotta go through gangs. But I didn't
care one bit. Man.... I was making so much damn money. I didn't
care about bein' gang affiliated, all I cared about was bein'
money affiliated. (chuckles) After a few years of hustlin on da
corner, my boys wanted me to start slinging some harder shit. I
was scared at first, cuz I've seen people become bat shit crazy
on some hardcore drugs. But I was a teenager, and all I wanted
Crystal Meth Anoymous 4
was money. So I started sellin' crack, coke, speed, like it was
nothin' all by da age of a 17. I felt like a kingpin. Though my life
went to shit right after. I started usin' the different kinda drugs I
was pushin. I became really attached with meth. It just was
everything I ever wanted and needed.... at the time I didnt think
of the dangers cuz I loved it too much. It just gave me dis rush
of happiness.... and fulfillment. If Chicago didnt push all da
residents outta Cabrini, I probly woulda been dead in the hallway
high as hell on meth. When me, my mama, and my olda bro
moved out, I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand life, I was
constantly in a state of withdrawal cuz I didn't have a ready
stash available. I started actin real aggressive, and did some
messed up shit to score some speed. My brother himself
believed I was outta control. So my Ma kicked me out, she told
me, I was too damn reckless and plain helpless. I was just a meth
head on da streets. Cold, alone, and angry. Angry at my Ma for
kickin me out, angry at my brother for lettin her, but most of
all..... Angry at myself. Unlike many of da kids I knew growin up, I
didn't mind responsibilities. I worked hard when I needed to and
had goals. Though da community broke me, gangs broke me,
meth broke me. After being homeless for 18 months and goin in
and outta drug binges, I got arrested for meth possession and
public intoxication. I was sentenced for eighteen months. As
Crystal Meth Anoymous 5
soon as I stepped out, I knew I needed to take a step in the right
direction. So here I am. Still homeless but feelin a lot better.
Numerous other individuals sharing their thoughts, personal
experiences, and stories regarding methamphetamine follow this. The
chairperson then closes the meeting expressing the importance of the
twelve traditions and how if any individual ever feels triggered or
pressure they should speak to someone at the meeting. Finally, the
chairperson once again invites everyone to join him in the serenity
prayer. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to
know the difference.
Reflection:
Through my background research regarding Crystal Meth
Anonymous and my experience at a meeting, I have concluded that
this recovery approach can be quite effective. Though this approach
simply is not for everyone. Most 12-step programs, including Crystal
Meth Anonymous, incorporate a spiritual and sometimes religious
aspect to it. Individuals can find this unsettling as they may not feel
comfortable diving into their soul or they may not even believe in a
Crystal Meth Anoymous 6
higher power. Though, I learned that this program is what you make of
it. Although its clearly evident that the steps explicitly incorporate the
belief of God within it, an individual can use their own operational
definition for God or higher power. The higher power does not have to
be some deity or any element of religion for that matter. A higher
power that can be used for support and guidance can simply be a
community. The community and group are built on acceptance and
understanding, in the end ridding the use of psychoactive drugs is the
goal. The spiritual aspect of the program prompts the addicts to look
deep into their selves and not only change their ill habits, but also their
lifestyle. Crystal Meth Anonymous and other 12 step programs can
only be truly successful if the addicts themselves want to make a
change in their lives, which is often not the case unfortunately as their
judgments are frequently clouded by the substances they abuse.
References:
Crystal Meth Anonymous Chicago. (n.d.). Crystal Meth Anonymous
Chicago. Retrieved June 15, 2013, from
http://www.crystalmethchicago.org/index.html
Crystal Meth Anoymous 7
Crystal Meth Anonymous | steps. (n.d.). 12Step.org for Sobriety,
Strength and Serenity. Retrieved June 15, 2013, from
http://12step.org/steps/crystal-meth-anonymous.html
Crystal Meth Anonymous: Peer support for drug-related HIV risk
reduction . (n.d.). APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing.
Retrieved June 15, 2013, from
https://apha.confex.com/apha/134am/techprogram/paper_14135
6.htm
For The Public - Crystal Meth Anonymous. (n.d.). For The Public Crystal Meth Anonymous. Retrieved June 15, 2013, from
http://www.crystalmeth.org/
