My first meeting was ok. It was actually kind of nice. I went on a Sun. I was still half drunk. The first thing I saw was a big sign saying "You are no longer alone". Wow that really struck me, because I felt so lonely. I'd been told by the guy I'd talk to on the AA phone lines to ask for the group secretary when I got there and introduce myself as someone new. So I did that. She was really nice. She gave me a bunch of phamphlets about alcoholism and AA, and she gave me a Big Book. She wouldn't let me pay for it. I argued with her, 'cause I still had a good paying job at the time, but she said nope her group gave all newcomers a Big Book. There was a speaker. I remember thinking as I heard her story that if I'd had had her life I'd drink too. I found it kind of hard to believe that she'd gotten sober. After the meeting lots of people came up to me and talked to me and gave me their phone numbers. They asked me if I drank everyday, and I said "well Duh, of course" and they told me to go to a meeting every day. Wish I'd listenned. My life might have turned out different.

The 90 meetings in 90 days is often suggested to newcomers as it gives you a solid base of sobriety, assuming you don't drink between meetings. But if you can't physically do it, I'd encourage you to go to as many meetings as you can.

If you don't want to talk, you can just say your name and something like "I just want to listen tonight." and it will be ok.

You can do this.

splitimage