[manicminer]

Went to my first meeting today.

Scared as hell going in, that "hurt child" thinking coming out, scared of having to meet new people.

But everyone was very welcoming. Seemed to be a perty good group of people. A couple kooks, but that's to be expected with any group.

Glad I renewed my spritual life after the wreck, as the program seems to be strongly spiritually based.

Gonna go back, but still unsure. My D&A counsellor said it will take about three meetings to really grasp, so I'll give it at least 3.

I just wanna get better. That's all there is to it. So I hope this helps

[manicminer]

Oh and Sunday will be 7 weeks alcohol free, if anyone was wondering.

[~Christina]

Hey there !

I'm so so happy for you. 7 weeks ... Be proud

I hear you on the go navigate a room full of strangers kinda thing.

Great news, Thank you for sharing !

[notALICE]

Congrats! They suggest 90 meetings in 90 days, sounds daunting when it's also "one day at a time". Do what you feel comfortable with - worth a shot or another shot

AA helped save my life. (Was dual diagnosed with BP after AA).

That's my experience with AA. I don't go to daily meetings now, but I've been sober awhile. Other good advice given to me - get a sponsor, Big Book, listen. You've been before, so kinda know the drill?

At 7 weeks your mind should already be clearer then when I went to my first meeting. Lots of people in the rooms willing to help, and if you don't like one particular meeting there are many more groups.

Getting sober was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but so worth it.

Best wishes & again congrats. Full of jargon, bad coffee, acronyms, strange people, kind people... And lots of hope.

[manicminer]

Originally Posted by notALICE

Congrats! They suggest 90 meetings in 90 days, sounds daunting when it's also "one day at a time". Do what you feel comfortable with - worth a shot or another shot

AA helped save my life. (Was dual diagnosed with BP after AA).

That's my experience with AA. I don't go to daily meetings now, but I've been sober awhile. Other good advice given to me - get a sponsor, Big Book, listen. You've been before, so kinda know the drill?

At 7 weeks your mind should already be clearer then when I went to my first meeting. Lots of people in the rooms willing to help, and if you don't like one particular meeting there are many more groups.

Getting sober was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but so worth it.

Best wishes & again congrats. Full of jargon, bad coffee, acronyms, strange people, kind people... And lots of hope.

Haven't drank in 7 weeks, but this was my first AA meeting ever

[bluemountains]

I'm so proud of you, manicminer! It takes a lot of strength and conviction to make the change. Stay strong!
Bluemountains

[Yoda]

Congrats on alcohol free seven weeks !!!!!

[BlueInanna]

Congrats on the 7 weeks! And walking into that first meeting! I was shaking when I walked into my first alanon - and I cried when they welcomed me and told me walking through that door the first time was so hard for them too

Good job miner!

[james70]

hey good job hope it continues to do well one day at a time is all we got.i pray every morning not to take a drink today.i am a bipolar alcholic and know its not easy and im going on 10 mnths now.just hang in there and it gets a little easier. know how hard it is any time u need some support i am here good job..just maintane and carry on!!

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm proud of you!!! I'm dual diagnosis too, and I know how hard it is to get and stay sober. Been 21 years for me and I STILL get the urge to drink every now and then (and Thursday was one of those times as I was fired from my job that day). But sobriety truly is one day at a time, and sometimes one crisis at a time, one hour at a time, one hanging-on-with-a-death-grip MINUTE at a time.

You can do this! Keep up the good work!

[Cocosurviving]

Your on the right track.

Keep up the good work

[notALICE]

Originally Posted by manicminer

Haven't drank in 7 weeks, but this was my first AA meeting ever

Very brave & smart. I'm really proud of you for going. 7 weeks sober is amazing! before AA i think my longest time was 3 weeks, trying to white knuckle it on my own.

I was utterly confused to most of AA & meetings when I started going. I was in detox 6 days before going to my first meeting. Shy, shy, shy. I enjoyed Speaker meetings most in the beginning because I began relating, not comparing. I could hear a bit of "my story" in lots of people's experiences.

I was told to get a sponsor right away & to know the women (in my case) in AA as if my life depended on it. It was suggested get phone numbers of the women to get in the habit of reaching out, even though all I really wanted to do was isolate.

My aunt works in a treatment center for addicts/alcoholics. She said up to 70% of her patients are dual diagnosed. There are some groups that may tell you all you need is AA, but never change or stop your meds without your Pdocs professional advice.

I thought my problem was merely alcoholism & had my worst bottom/mania sober almost 5 years after taking my last drink. (Although never the complete destructive behavior I had when an active drunk).

Keep it up!