Okay, I've flailed. I've been drinking again. I want to go to meetings again. I quit meetings because I have a social anxiety disorder that leads to depersonalization and panic attacks, so I can't say anything. When I do, everyone of us tries to say something at once, so what the body says comes out jumbled and confusing contributing to the anxiety. I can just sit and be sober. If I'm there, I'm not drinking.

[Moogieotter]

Aw AC2 for months I did not share. Just looking forward to good listening is helpful.

I hope you are ok.

moogs

[mountain human]

I also have SAD and get anxious at meetings. I have found that smaller meetings are easier to deal with and my anxiety is better. Good luck.

Originally Posted by mountain human

I also have SAD and get anxious at meetings. I have found that smaller meetings are easier to deal with and my anxiety is better. Good luck.

Thank you. Smaller meetings are a little easier. Here in the big city though...

[spondiferous]

I'm not sure where you live, but here in the city where I live, they have two hospitals that have AA special purpose meetings geared towards people with mental health issues and alcoholism. They tend to run on the smaller side (at least, in my experience) and are more accepting about talking about issues pertaining not just to alcoholism but to mental health as well.

The other option is to supplement real-life meetings with online ones. I have attended online meetings as agoraphobia is one of the issues I live with, and just as these forums can be very supportive, so too can online meetings.

Thanks, but even online I can't communicate well in a chat format. At least here we can edit and reedit for hours before posting.