AA meetings. Absolutely terrified.

I was told that the one I'm attending is called an "Open Speaker"? Is that what the Open Meeting is? There are so many acronyms to learn, eep!

I can sit and listen, and am willing to give a donation if it helps people. (Heck, I do it at church services sometimes anyways).

I'm worried about the overwhelming part.... anything social. People are either really friendly because of the wheelchair (in general) or are really NOT. I'd really like to find a place with a semi-happy medium.

Phone numbers, okay. I'll try to find the secretary too. I was hoping I'd get in contact with someone via email who would direct me to a good meeting, instead I got an email asking me if I really thought I had an alcohol problem. I felt a bit put off about that.... why would I email them otherwise?

Thanks (((((((((splitimage))))))))))))) I'm going to try to attend the meeting you chair/run as well now more regularily if I can.

((((((((((((Lenny)))))))))))) thank you. Your comment reminds me of something my friend would say (the guy responsible for helping me in so many ways, including finding out about this program).

Thanks. I hope it goes well. I need some sort of support/stability, and maybe this would be a good start.

Open Meeting is a bit different. In contrast to a Closed Meeting, and Open Meeting is open to anyone and so some bring their spouses/significant others, kids, etc.

AA websute page defining Open Meeting

Link doesn't go anywhere, but thanks for that website (((((ECHOES)))))))))))

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Christina86 said:

What happens at an OS (open speaker)?

Someone tell me I'm worrying for nothing.

I also dont want to be the youngest person there. I only just turned 22 on Wednesday.

I'm going to an AA meeting. EEEP.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
The age range at my meetings was a wide range. Doubt if you will be the youngest. The people at AA are mostly very nice, accomadating and supportive. I for one can tell you, you are worried for nothing.

I can't speak for all os meetings just the ones I attended. Anyone can speak and all can attend. What I found consistent and comforting was I was not alone or "the only one" in my situation, members were all very similar in that thier parents like my parents were enablers, co-dependents or rage-aholics. I got to admit that we are powerless over alcohol which was a relief for me because I was trying to be responsible for using. I made up a higher power like everyone else so I had guidance which is cool. It is also cool that you aren't allowed to quit for a long period of time which I stupidly intended and are taught to not stop for more than one day at a time because we would risk a relapse which is no biggie anyway because we are taught that alcoholism is an illness and relapsing just proves we are sick, powerless and human and I believe this to be undeniably true. Speakers also talk about their relapses and what values they learned from them which is also cool. We get taught that our sobriety through the 12 steps takes precedence over anything else in our lives or we risk being happy while sober which is fun and that we have our new family and friends to call whenever we don't feel well. The best is we can go every day even twice a day and we are welcomed each time and we can go for the rest of our lives which is a blessing because duh... That's how long we will need support. You will love it. Enjoy!

As long as I'm hopefully not the youngest and the people are fairly friendly, that's good. I'm giving it at least a try, since I believe it's only fair to try as many different solutions as possible. (I also like meetings for the most part because once I know the people it's fun because I'm sociable). But it's the anxiety of not knowing how things will turn out that is bugging me right now.

thanks bmoz.

The thing that struck me about my first AA meeting was how freaking happy everyone was. I think I was still technically drunk when I went or just in the very early stages of withdrawl, and I was kind of expecting a whole bunch of people who were miserable like me. By chance the first meeting I went to was mosty older people but they were all having a good time and laughing, and they were all really friendly. I really didn't understand it. My second meeting, when I was in withdrawl so I was really shaky and feeling like crap had a much broader age range, but again evreyone was laughing and joking and happy. It was weird.

It took me a long time to get sobriety and AA but now I really look forward to going to meetings and seeing everybody. And now I'm one of those people who are laughing and joking.

the only thing that still gets me is the hugging urge - there seems to be a lot of people in AA here who like hugging.. I'm not a huggy type person, but boy did I have to get over that fast.

--splitimage

AA

oops! sorry, go here, then put Open Meeting in the Search, then see #2

Woohoo. I like hugging. Thanks splitimage.

Thanks Echoes!!