Meeting Profiles: ‘You Better Work!’
“You Better Work!” Located at 2942 W Lake St (one block west of the California Green Line CTA station), in Chicago’s West side, is hosted at the Above and Beyond Recovery Center. Launched in May 2023, this open meeting (attendees need not acknowledge an addiction) is held Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Using a speaker/literature study format, it uses the NYC CMA guide, “The Twelve Steps for Crystal Meth Addicts,” as its primary literature, with a lead speaker each week addressing a specific step.
”You Better Work” is unique among Chicagoland CMA meetings in that its script specifically welcomes not just LGBTQ+ addicts, but also those who may be homeless and economically struggling. It also does not include the usual prohibitions against shares that may describe drug-driven experiences, instead encouraging members who may find attendee shares triggering, to work through their feelings by talking to other fellows as a means to dissipate the strength of such triggers.
The meeting format includes recognition with chips and medallions. Copious supplies of candy are supplied for attendees. And fellowship takes place every few weeks, as members gather at nearby Fulton Street restaurants.
This Meeting Profiles series highlights the nearly two dozen CMA Chicago meetings recognized by Intergroup, the organization which supports Crystal Meth Anonymous meetings throughout Illinois.
