While going to college I have seen first hand how a anonymous group for students can affect a person. While not an alcoholic myself, I have addicts in my family, and my group of friends. One very close friend of mine decided to try a twelve step programon campus three months ago and the results have been phenomenal. She has made a commitment to herself, and surrendered her decisions to a higher power alongside a group of supporters. This has enabled her to curb her addiction one day at a time. The 12 step campus she is a member of allows her to stand tall in difficult situations where her addiction could normally get the better of her. Within ninety days she has increased her positive energy, her healthy habits and most of all, her happiness. She writes in her diary every evening after doing her homework and before going to sleep, about the ways in which she grew that day. She calls her sponsor at seven a.m. every morning before class to talk about her plan for the day. The amount of dedication she has to this 12 step school of thought is admirable and makes me question what I’m missing out on. I claim no uncontrollable vice of my own, but is that the truth?
Her newfound way of life has brought me to question my own choices while living on campus. I started to think that there may be an habit or two in my life that could use some attention. I decided to do some research. What I found quite shocked me. There is literally a twelve step program at my school for nearly everything! From online gaming to workaholics! And if there isn’t one, then surely it could be brought up with the student counsel and arranged. I have yet to figure out which program would be right for me. I think sometimes anger management may do me some good, or procrastinators anonymous. If there is a twelve step program for manic depressiveness, that would certainly be my group. It makes me wonder though, if a bunch of us manic depressives gather three times a week in the same place, would their cycles align? I can see it now. One month everyone in the room is ready to lay down and die, and then next week we decide to throw a party with a banner that says, “Nothing Can Stop Us!!!!” I don’t know. There are certainly things that I can improve on, and maybe I need some sort of intervention to find out what needs the most attention. I suppose that if it’s a big enough problem, it will find me. But until then I continue to be inspired from watching this close and dear friend of mine change her life one day at a time.
But as well as making me question my own vices, her new ways have been rubbing off on me Because we are so close her lifestyle has a profound effect on my own and we tend to mirror each other’s habits. In this case, because her lifestyle has changed for the positive and I am entirely supportive, I no longer drink as much. All said and done, I have an enormous respect for my campus for providing 12 step programs to help people gain control over the things they do not have the strength to overcome alone. I have seen first hand the light that can shine as a result.
