Why I Still Go To Meetings

[soberinnyc]

Fear has kept me sober. I was a blackout drinker for ten years and missed the 1980's, although I sort of remember the Challenger crash. I came within a hair's breath of dying while in a blackout. And while I know I have another drink in me, I don't think I have another recovery in me. Early sobriety was dreadful, I cried for six months! So, in my 16th year I go to 3-4 meetings per week because denial is always perched on my shoulder.

Another recovering alcoholic with 20something years pointed out that he's been going to the same meetings and they never get any bigger; with all the newcomers we should be in Yankee Stadium. I've seen so many people coming back after getting a decade or more of sobriety and the reason is always the same: they stopped going to meetings.

[best]

For some, the meetings expand beyond the walls of the hall.
I know a group of bikers that hang out on the beach every night in the summer.
So for some...not there doesn't always mean back out.

I think we could fill yankee stadium but I am a Red Sox fan so you won't find me there *LOL*

Congratulations on your collected days. One day at a time sure does add up into years fast.

[im2sweet4u1983]

For some people meeting are the key. They are the motivation to staty sober they have other recovering alcoholics/drug users who have good lives cause they havent used to look up to and that makes them want to be as good as that person. Its a place to draw strength and motivation from. If it is what got and has keep you clean then continue it forever. Leaving would be accepting that last drink you have in you and you should never let that happen you are stronger and better than that. you are not weak unless you want and let yourself be. Like the person above me said meetings go beyond the walls of an AA room. They expand into your life and into your home and into your daily activities and friends. Dont quit what you started. If it helped you get and stay clean then let it continue to do its job dont leave.

[CarolD]

I too do 3/4 a week.

I go an hour earlier to make sure the place is tidy.
We always have a "meeting before the meeting"
for fellowship.

This group as been around for 40 years
and several other groups have spun off.
That's great!

I go to learn and to carry the message.

[mikel60]

Fenway's a lot smaller than Yankee Stadium. Perfect for a step meeting though. Mike in Boston - about a mile from Fenway

[aasharon90]

Baton Rouge is still filled with lots of meetings and
lots of regular members, new members and returning
members realizing that it still doesnt work out there.

Lots of hope, faith and courage still going and growing
strong. : )

[chip]

Welcome to the 12 step forum, Soberinnyc.

Thank you for the great topic. I personally appreciate hearing from someone with many 24's. Congrats on 16 years!

I'm still fairly new to the program, and fear has kept me sober as well. With just over 1 year clean and sober, the smell of blood is still fresh in my nostrils. I hope I always still maintain some level of desparation...enough to keep me focused on my recovery. I supose I'm afraid of becoming complacent and "lazy" in recovery... As a victim of the disease of denial, I know I could easily fall back into a bad cycle.

With all that said, I do at least 5 a week. I'm happiest when I go to one a day.

Thanks for letting me share. I hope we'll *see* more of you around here.
chip

[best]

Soberinnyc

You started a good post. I don't mean to downplay the importance of meetings because they are a true life line. Was just trying to say that meetings do happen outside of the walls for some and that not all who walk out the doors go back out. They just find a different kind of meeting. I have a support group around me at all times, in all places and then there is a world wide source of meetings when and if such are needed.

[Grasshopper]

Hi, and,congrats on your sober time.Thank you for sharring why you go to meetings.As with anything,its different strokes,for the many different folks...smile.Some go to meetings,and some have stoped,but do practice ,the principals in all their affairs...The thing that ive found in common with folks who go back to drinking,is not necessary that they stoped going to meetings,as that they stoped applying the 12 steps and reading/applying whats in the BB,in their lives.When i first, came to AA,meetings were vital to me.for the fellowship,that i was no longer all aone.Hearing how the programs worked in others lives,and trying to be helpful to others.But my recovery,started when i started to apply program to my own life.Embeding the 12 steps,into my life.It works when i work it..

[Tazman53]

Okay maybe I am going to say something that I do not understand fully yet, but it seems to me that going to meetings would be part of actively working ones 12th step unless one is doing some other sort of 12th step work outside of the rooms. Am I wrong on this?

[GlassPrisoner]

I agree Taz, the rooms are the primary place I do 12th step work. Well, that and here

Also, I'm an introvert , anti-social and shy by nature. Meetings are a good place to learn people skills and actually talk...... to people ! When I meet people, I get numbers and have made many new friends.

The shares always remind me of where I've been, and give me hope for the future. Also, it's always good to hear "my" story and identify and realize I'm not alone.

The BB and 12x12s are used as a supplement to my step work and study with my sponsor.

Lastly, it's a place for an "outcast" like me to go and feel a part of, to feel welcomed and safe.

[Tazman53]

GP birds of a feather flock together because they want to belong to a group, as an alcoholic I only feel comforable with alcoholics, it used to be with practicing ones now it is with recovering/recovered alcoholics!

The cement that bounds us together, our experience, our hope and our strength.

[collinsmi]

It's good to pass on my experience, possibly helping others. I remember what my life was like and I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone. Also, it's not like working the steps has transformed me into some kind of Jesus like figure , my first impulse, and most of the time my first several, are still sick. So I need the reinforcement. "Yesterday's sobriety won't keep you sober today", I remember hearing some old fool say that at a meeting, or words to that effect, or something like that. Maybe he/she was right, maybe I have to keep growing, and meetings might help with that. It's nice to hear views in contrast to what that internal commitee is spitting out all the time. Also, it's nice to be around people who are just like me! It's like a whole other family, people I care about and who care about me.