[Christine329]

Just wondering if anyone can tell me what AA metings are like. Im an alcoholic and am thinking of going but Im scared.

[Raynaadi]

I would go with you if I could.

Meetings are different everywhere. I can tell you what it was like when I first went.

At all of the meetings I've ever been to, they open with the Serenity Prayer. Its not a religious prayer, so don't let any talk of God and higher powers scare you. But the serenity prayer in case you don't know it is as follows:

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.

So, everyone says that and then they begin the meeting. They'll read the AA preamble, which just explains what we do. Then they'll ask about announcements, and they'll ask if there are any newcomers who would like to intruduce themselves. I didn't do this at my first meeting. You don't have to speak up, but if you do....then the people there know you're new and want help. You'd just say, "I'm Christine and I'm an alcoholic." You can even just say "I"m Christine" if you're not ready to say you're an alcoholic. (You typed it here, good for you! Its hard to say in public though, but you get used to it.)

Depending on the type of meeting, they might hand out chips. If they do, the first chip will be the 24 hour chip. It's free and I'd suggest you get one. Its something to hang on to, I still keep my current chip and a 24 hour chip in my pocket, because though I might have 2 years, all we have is today, so I keep a 24 hour chip on me all the time.

The meetings could be a speaker meeting, in this case, someone will tell their story and you listen for the similarities. Sometimes there's discussion afterwards. It could be a discussion meeting where people will just talk. Or it could be a literature or steps meeting, in this case they might read from books and then discuss.

The only thing you need to do is sit in a chair and listen. See if its for you. Get there early and if you can, walk up to a woman and say its your first meeting. If you can't, grab a chair and most likely someone will say hi because you won't be a familiar face.

I smoked so I met a lot of people before the meeting having a cigarette. After the meeting, stay for 5 or 10 minutes and talk to women. Get phone numbers.

People might offer you the literature. We use the bigbook titled Alcoholics Anonymous. Most meetings sell them at cost, its not to make money. If you can't afford it, tell them that and someone will cover it. My first books were free.

Try to have an open mind. Look around and see all the people sober and HAPPY. Thats what struck me when I was new.

At the end of the meeting, they'll get in a circle and hold hands and either repeat the Serenity Prayer or the Lord's Prayer.

Again, it is NOT religious. You'll see the word God in the steps on the walls, and this puts many people off. Its not religion. Its spiritual. We all find some kind of higher power. Its whatever you want it to be. Some people say God stands for Group Of Drunks.

Don't worry about any of that. Just go to the meeting and see if you can meet some women who have what you want. If you can, let the group know you're knew. Thats what I did, and it was like they helped carry me through the first few weeks.

Just because you go to one meeting doesn't mean you have to stay forever. Go, check it out, and see if you can relate to anything said.

If you hate it, you hate it lol. But you might still want to go back, or try a different meeting.

Folks might go out for coffee or food after the meeting. If they invite you, go. My first thought when people invited me was that they had to be nice to me cuz I was trying to get sober lol. But people in AA are generally just friendly and like hanging out with other sober people. If you go though, you broaden your network of sober friends to call when you're having a rough time.

I can't think of anything else right now....oh if they call on you and you don't want to talk, just say "I'll pass". And like I said, get there a little early and leave a little late, the women will most likely approach you to see if they can help and this can be scary lol. But those of us who are sober can only keep it if we give it away and help someone else.

The newcomer is the most important person in the room at a meeting.

Ok I can't think of anything else for reals now haha.

OH! You might see on the meeting list that there are newcomer meetings and young people meetings. Those would be good for you. There are a lot of young people getting sober, and I didn't realize this until I went to my first young people's meeting.

Ok, I'm done, seriously lol.

[shadowalker164]

Well said Ray, well said.

I can think of just one thing to add to what Raynaadi has said Christine, and that is if you chose to do nothing, no meetings, no recovery effort on your part, things will get worse. That seems to be a guarantee with people like us.

I like Raynaadi am an alcoholic, and I attend AA meetings as well. I was scared spit-less at my first meeting, but continuing to drink like I was scared me more.

Audit a meeting or two and come back here and tell us what you think.

Richard

[sabby]

May I just add to this that I am in awe of the 3 of you for your strength and willingness to help yourselves. I have the utmost respect for anyone who realizes they have a problem and find it within themselves to help themselves.

Christine, I truly hope that by reaching out for help, you find what you need to help lift you up and carry you forward on your new journey to sobriety and living life to the fullest. You are beginning to face fear and knock it down....you are on your way to taking back your life!

Rayna and Shadow, you are rays of light and hope for Christine and others. Thank you for what you do, thank you for reaching out and giving back. Without people like you in this world, it would be a much more difficult place to be. Rock on!!!

(((((((((((((((((((Christine, Rayna, Shadow)))))))))))))))))))))))))



Hugsssss
Jean

[Raynaadi]

The only way I get to keep it is to give it away....

[splitimage]

I was terrified my first meeting but I did what was suggested when I called the AA hotline. When I got there, I asked to talk to the group secretary. She was really nice and gave me all kinds of pamphlets to look at and take home. I also got my copy of the big book at that meeting.

My second meeting was also scary - but I did get the nerve to introduce myself and say I was new and after the meeting tons of people came up to say hi and offer me their phone numbers. To be honest I thought it was kind of weird at first - all those people being freindly but then I learned that that's just how AA works.

I'd encourage you to try lots of different meetings since each meeting can have a different "feel" depeninding on who goes. So if you don't like one group you can always try another.

Good luck.

--splitimage

[tranquility]

My first meeting I pulled in the parking lot and sat for 1/2 hour (cause I was realllly early). Then 5 min. before the meeting was to start, I started to leave. I then built up enough courage to go in.

I still remember Harry who said hi to me. I don't remember any part of the meeting but that and that is what got me to come back. He told me I was welcome - gee, never felt welcomed to anything so that was pretty good!

Tranquility