Finally went to my first meeting - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Kristina · 06-23-2008, 08:09 PM

Well, I finally did it this evening, I went to my first meeting. The more I thought about it, the more anxiety I had about it, and this afternoon I realized that I HAD to do it today, it was only going to get scarier and scarier the more I kept going over it in my mind.

I can't believe I was so anxious, as everyone was so kind and welcoming and normal. They gave me a copy of the "Alcoholics Anonymous" book and I had tea with two women after the meeting. I'm so glad I went, I feel like I just lost 100 pounds not just by losing the dread over it, but mostly by the sense of relief by being there, hearing people's stories, and knowing I don't have to do this alone.

Thank you so much to everyone who supported me when I came seeking advice about my anxiety over going. I'm so glad I did, and that you were there for me, otherwise I don't know if I would have ever gone at all.

tommyk · 06-23-2008, 08:10 PM

I like that post.

Sugah · 06-23-2008, 08:17 PM

***miss communicat*** · 06-23-2008, 08:20 PM

Kristina...I was JUST wondering how you were doing!!!

Glad the meeting went well. Phew!

carolm · 06-23-2008, 08:31 PM

Hi Kristina,
Despite all the slogans and catch phrases, AA works, if you work it. Fifteen years ago I didn't believe it. I went to 90 meetings in 90 days. I believe.
Congratulations. And thank you for your post.
Carol

RobbyRobot · 06-23-2008, 09:57 PM

All the very best for having such courage when you needed yourself to have it. Your a wonderfully brave person. Godspeed.

Kristina · 06-24-2008, 12:08 AM

Thanks so much everyone for the encouragement.

I know it's going to be a hard journey, but I feel so good like I can move forward now and really work on myself and the roots of my addiction and have a good life without alcohol. I'm really looking forward to my meeting tomorrow, and let me tell you is one hell of a shocker to me! This group meets everyday at the same time, so I think there will be at least some familiar faces which makes me happy because everyone was so warm and welcoming.

Tazman53 · 06-24-2008, 02:34 AM

Kristina that is awesome, in the beginning you will hear things and they will not sink in, ask questions before and after the meetings, going out with members after the meeting is really a big help as well. AA is a fellowship as well as a program, they both feed off of each other. Get ready for the ride of your life!!!! There will be bumps in the road, but lean on the other members to help you get over them.

**CarolD** · 06-24-2008, 04:28 AM

I am so pleased you did go!
Let us know if you have questions

Look in the AA book you have
on page 83 & 84 you will see the Promises.

They kept me working for recovery...

tkdan · 06-24-2008, 04:59 AM

[quote][Thank you so much to everyone who supported me when I came seeking advice about my anxiety over going. I'm so glad I did, and that you were there for me, otherwise I don't know if I would have ever gone at all./QUOTE]
That is exactly how I felt about the people here after my first meeting. I do not think I would have ever considered AA if it were not for some of these wonderful members of SR that were so passionate about their program of recovery.
Good for you! People talk about the twelve steps and debate which one is the most important, but I think the most important step is that first time through the door of an AA meeting. IMO Glad you made it in, many never do.

Tazman53 · 06-24-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

People talk about the twelve steps and debate which one is the most important, but I think the most important step is that first time through the door of an AA meeting. IMO Glad you made it in, many never do.

Dan I really enjoy your post, you say so much with so few words!!!!

***miss communicat*** · 06-24-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristina

...I can move forward now and.... have a good life without alcohol..

I am soo happy to hear you say this!

Kristina · 09-04-2008, 02:50 AM

Well, I just thought I'd check in and say I'm still going and I'm still sober.

It's a rough ride, and it's a lot of work, but so far it's been worth it!

Tazman53 · 09-04-2008, 03:13 AM

That is awesome Kristina!!! Early sobriety is a darn rough ride at times, and recovery is work, keep in mind that half measures availed us nothing, keep up the work, it is well worth it.

I will have 2 years on the 18th of this month, I am amazed that it keeps getting better as long as I keep working and living my program, I have heard old timers share that they still are getting better after 20-30 years. Spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection.

beingjenagain · 09-04-2008, 05:02 AM

Congrats Kristina! I remember being so scared to walk into AA, as if they were going to make me do something weird and embarrasing!! I wish everyone knew what we know now!!

ccommer · 09-04-2008, 07:48 AM

Great!! there are such good meetings out there....I went to 2 yesterday, something I have never done, but coming off a brief relapse, I need all the help I can get.
I wish you luck on your journey!!

06-23-2008, 08:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kristina Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 35	Finally went to my first meeting Well, I finally did it this evening, I went to my first meeting. The more I thought about it, the more anxiety I had about it, and this afternoon I realized that I HAD to do it today, it was only going to get scarier and scarier the more I kept going over it in my mind. I can't believe I was so anxious, as everyone was so kind and welcoming and normal. They gave me a copy of the "Alcoholics Anonymous" book and I had tea with two women after the meeting. I'm so glad I went, I feel like I just lost 100 pounds not just by losing the dread over it, but mostly by the sense of relief by being there, hearing people's stories, and knowing I don't have to do this alone. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me when I came seeking advice about my anxiety over going. I'm so glad I did, and that you were there for me, otherwise I don't know if I would have ever gone at all.
Kristina Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 35

06-23-2008, 08:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
tommyk Hopeshot! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 977	I like that post.
	__________________ ...got God? Tough love = the truth. Don't shoot the messenger. Carry the message...!

06-23-2008, 08:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sugah Om, Aum, Ohm... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh Posts: 2,079
	__________________ Oh, this old world keeps spinning round Its a wonder tall trees aint layin down There comes a time.

06-23-2008, 08:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
*miss communicat* sobriety is my yoga Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: in the present moment Posts: 1,821	Kristina...I was JUST wondering how you were doing!!! Glad the meeting went well. Phew!
	__________________ i close my eyes and see clearly i stop trying to listen and hear truth i am silent and my heart sings i seek no contact and find union i am still and move forward i am gentle and need no strength i am humble and remain whole (ancient taoist meditation)

06-24-2008, 12:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kristina Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 35	Thanks so much everyone for the encouragement. I know it's going to be a hard journey, but I feel so good like I can move forward now and really work on myself and the roots of my addiction and have a good life without alcohol. I'm really looking forward to my meeting tomorrow, and let me tell you is one hell of a shocker to me! This group meets everyday at the same time, so I think there will be at least some familiar faces which makes me happy because everyone was so warm and welcoming.
Kristina Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 35

06-23-2008, 08:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
carolm Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 175	Hi Kristina, Despite all the slogans and catch phrases, AA works, if you work it. Fifteen years ago I didn't believe it. I went to 90 meetings in 90 days. I believe. Congratulations. And thank you for your post. Carol

06-23-2008, 09:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
RobbyRobot hello world Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Our little island... Posts: 337	All the very best for having such courage when you needed yourself to have it. Your a wonderfully brave person. Godspeed.

06-24-2008, 02:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tazman53 Follow Directions! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fredericksburg, Va. Posts: 6,824	Kristina that is awesome, in the beginning you will hear things and they will not sink in, ask questions before and after the meetings, going out with members after the meeting is really a big help as well. AA is a fellowship as well as a program, they both feed off of each other. Get ready for the ride of your life!!!! There will be bumps in the road, but lean on the other members to help you get over them.
	__________________ All BB quotes are from the First Edition of the BB Follow directions! Sobriety date 18 Sept. 2006 Sober today thanks to AA

06-24-2008, 04:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
CarolD Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA Posts: 14,476	I am so pleased you did go! Let us know if you have questions Look in the AA book you have on page 83 & 84 you will see the Promises. They kept me working for recovery...
	__________________ Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery...

06-24-2008, 04:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
tkdan Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 394	[quote][Thank you so much to everyone who supported me when I came seeking advice about my anxiety over going. I'm so glad I did, and that you were there for me, otherwise I don't know if I would have ever gone at all./QUOTE] That is exactly how I felt about the people here after my first meeting. I do not think I would have ever considered AA if it were not for some of these wonderful members of SR that were so passionate about their program of recovery. Good for you! People talk about the twelve steps and debate which one is the most important, but I think the most important step is that first time through the door of an AA meeting. IMO Glad you made it in, many never do.
	__________________ Life is too short to be waisted

09-04-2008, 02:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
Kristina Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 35	Well, I just thought I'd check in and say I'm still going and I'm still sober. It's a rough ride, and it's a lot of work, but so far it's been worth it!
Kristina Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 35

09-04-2008, 03:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
Tazman53 Follow Directions! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fredericksburg, Va. Posts: 6,824	That is awesome Kristina!!! Early sobriety is a darn rough ride at times, and recovery is work, keep in mind that half measures availed us nothing, keep up the work, it is well worth it. I will have 2 years on the 18th of this month, I am amazed that it keeps getting better as long as I keep working and living my program, I have heard old timers share that they still are getting better after 20-30 years. Spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection.
	__________________ All BB quotes are from the First Edition of the BB Follow directions! Sobriety date 18 Sept. 2006 Sober today thanks to AA

09-04-2008, 05:02 AM	#15 (permalink)
beingjenagain ever closer... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 261	Congrats Kristina! I remember being so scared to walk into AA, as if they were going to make me do something weird and embarrasing!! I wish everyone knew what we know now!!
	__________________ BeingJenAgain

09-04-2008, 07:48 AM	#16 (permalink)
ccommer Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 17	Great!! there are such good meetings out there....I went to 2 yesterday, something I have never done, but coming off a brief relapse, I need all the help I can get. I wish you luck on your journey!!