I need some help about getting started with AA
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
Well done VCT. It is a very brave thing to go to your first meeting.Your reminded me of me, I was scared too. But after that first meeting I just knew I had found an answer for me. That was 35 years ago and I haven't needed a drink since.
Thanks for your posts.
Thanks for your posts.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 32
Oh my goodness - thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. What a wonderful way to start my day.
I am looking forward to the womens' meeting today and then meeting one on one with my temporary sponsor. I get a very good vibe from her. She has 5 years sober. There were some really wonderful people at the meeting last evening. Very welcoming, really shared some great stuff. There were about 25 people there, only 3 of us newcomers. The group spent a great deal of time focusing on us. It was amazing. They gave me a Big Book and the 12 Steps/12 Traditions.
So many thoughts swirling in my head when I woke up this morning. I am going to commit to 90 meetings in 90 days and am going to do what my sponsor asks of me. I have made dozens of half-hearted attempts to stop drinking in the past and deep down I know I was never serious. Having a sponsor and working the steps is going to be hard and it's going to crack open the whole sordid thing called addiction, denial, and all the whompy ways I think, emote, react, and more. But I instinctively know that this is the only way I am going to succeed. The self-examination is going to be tough. But it's the only way foward. I messed up really bad this past week. It's not the first time, but I think it was the most damaging.
There are no magic wands and things cannot be quickly repaired (and perhaps they can never be, only time will tell). I've decided to set aside my desire to fix things with my daughters for now and focus on sobriety 24/7. I think that's the best course of action.
I have a very full day ahead. Thanks to all of you for your support. These forums and in particular the AA/12-steps forum are going to be an important part of my journey.
I am looking forward to the womens' meeting today and then meeting one on one with my temporary sponsor. I get a very good vibe from her. She has 5 years sober. There were some really wonderful people at the meeting last evening. Very welcoming, really shared some great stuff. There were about 25 people there, only 3 of us newcomers. The group spent a great deal of time focusing on us. It was amazing. They gave me a Big Book and the 12 Steps/12 Traditions.
So many thoughts swirling in my head when I woke up this morning. I am going to commit to 90 meetings in 90 days and am going to do what my sponsor asks of me. I have made dozens of half-hearted attempts to stop drinking in the past and deep down I know I was never serious. Having a sponsor and working the steps is going to be hard and it's going to crack open the whole sordid thing called addiction, denial, and all the whompy ways I think, emote, react, and more. But I instinctively know that this is the only way I am going to succeed. The self-examination is going to be tough. But it's the only way foward. I messed up really bad this past week. It's not the first time, but I think it was the most damaging.
There are no magic wands and things cannot be quickly repaired (and perhaps they can never be, only time will tell). I've decided to set aside my desire to fix things with my daughters for now and focus on sobriety 24/7. I think that's the best course of action.
I have a very full day ahead. Thanks to all of you for your support. These forums and in particular the AA/12-steps forum are going to be an important part of my journey.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 351
Wow wow wow, AA meetings are not strict at all "the only requirment is a desire to stop drinking"
Easiest way i found is to ring AA hotline and get them to send 2 long term members to inform you and escort you to the meeting.
have a nive cup of tea and sit back a hear people say there experience , strength and hope.
nothing to be afraid of.
We are all very open minded.
You will be the most important person person in the room on the night.. Beginners meetings preferably will do as step meetings can be quite confusing.
good luck to a new way of life.
Easiest way i found is to ring AA hotline and get them to send 2 long term members to inform you and escort you to the meeting.
have a nive cup of tea and sit back a hear people say there experience , strength and hope.
nothing to be afraid of.
We are all very open minded.
You will be the most important person person in the room on the night.. Beginners meetings preferably will do as step meetings can be quite confusing.
good luck to a new way of life.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 351
Originally Posted by VanillaChaiTea 
Hi to all. Well, I am back from my 1st AA meeting. Went to the beginners meeting. It was a fantastic group. There were 3 Newcomers (including me) and lots of people with a little sober time, a lot of sober time, etc. I really liked this group and will be going to the womens' meeting tomorrow. I have a temporary sponsor and she and I are going to meet after tomorrow's meeting. I feel a sense of relief. I am also scared. I also know this won't be easy. But I have reached out and asked for help. Smartest thing I've done in years. I have some reading to do this evening. I am exhausted. Here I go.
You will be on the steps in no time and you will begin to understand what a "simple program for complicated people" it is.
Enjoy the experience and don't ever feel your too well to stop going and nearly paid the ultimate price
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Well done for getting to that first meeting.
I found the Living Sober AA book massively helpful in the early stages (and still do to be honest) - always amazed how so much wisdom can be in such a little book. Cheap as chips at an AA meeting or via Amazon.
I also get a lot out of listening to speaker recordings - this site is good as it has them organised by steps, so you can focus in on ones that are going to benefit you the most... 5500+ AA Speakers & Tapes - Organized & Mobile-Friendly!
Wishing you well in your journey through sobriety to recovery; peace; joy and serenity
I found the Living Sober AA book massively helpful in the early stages (and still do to be honest) - always amazed how so much wisdom can be in such a little book. Cheap as chips at an AA meeting or via Amazon.
I also get a lot out of listening to speaker recordings - this site is good as it has them organised by steps, so you can focus in on ones that are going to benefit you the most... 5500+ AA Speakers & Tapes - Organized & Mobile-Friendly!
Wishing you well in your journey through sobriety to recovery; peace; joy and serenity
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 351
Originally Posted by Beccybean
Well done for getting to that first meeting.
I found the Living Sober AA book massively helpful in the early stages (and still do to be honest) - always amazed how so much wisdom can be in such a little book. Cheap as chips at an AA meeting or via Amazon.
I also get a lot out of listening to speaker recordings - this site is good as it has them organised by steps, so you can focus in on ones that are going to benefit you the most... 5500+ AA Speakers & Tapes - Organized & Mobile-Friendly!
Wishing you well in your journey through sobriety to recovery; peace; joy and serenity
I found the Living Sober AA book massively helpful in the early stages (and still do to be honest) - always amazed how so much wisdom can be in such a little book. Cheap as chips at an AA meeting or via Amazon.
I also get a lot out of listening to speaker recordings - this site is good as it has them organised by steps, so you can focus in on ones that are going to benefit you the most... 5500+ AA Speakers & Tapes - Organized & Mobile-Friendly!
Wishing you well in your journey through sobriety to recovery; peace; joy and serenity
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,308
That's a great attitude Vanilla Chai,
It does get easier and sobriety, a healthy sobriety with a solid program creates its own momentum. I am sure the rift with your family will heal with continuing sobriety, as you stated the best thing you can do is concentrate on your sobriety and your own healing.
Ever since reading your post I have a strong desire to make a pot of chai with a vanilla pod.
All the very best
CaiHong
It does get easier and sobriety, a healthy sobriety with a solid program creates its own momentum. I am sure the rift with your family will heal with continuing sobriety, as you stated the best thing you can do is concentrate on your sobriety and your own healing.
Ever since reading your post I have a strong desire to make a pot of chai with a vanilla pod.
All the very best
CaiHong
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 351
Originally Posted by VanillaChaiTea
Oh my goodness - thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. What a wonderful way to start my day.
I am looking forward to the womens' meeting today and then meeting one on one with my temporary sponsor. I get a very good vibe from her. She has 5 years sober. There were some really wonderful people at the meeting last evening. Very welcoming, really shared some great stuff. There were about 25 people there, only 3 of us newcomers. The group spent a great deal of time focusing on us. It was amazing. They gave me a Big Book and the 12 Steps/12 Traditions.
So many thoughts swirling in my head when I woke up this morning. I am going to commit to 90 meetings in 90 days and am going to do what my sponsor asks of me. I have made dozens of half-hearted attempts to stop drinking in the past and deep down I know I was never serious. Having a sponsor and working the steps is going to be hard and it's going to crack open the whole sordid thing called addiction, denial, and all the whompy ways I think, emote, react, and more. But I instinctively know that this is the only way I am going to succeed. The self-examination is going to be tough. But it's the only way foward. I messed up really bad this past week. It's not the first time, but I think it was the most damaging.
There are no magic wands and things cannot be quickly repaired (and perhaps they can never be, only time will tell). I've decided to set aside my desire to fix things with my daughters for now and focus on sobriety 24/7. I think that's the best course of action.
I have a very full day ahead. Thanks to all of you for your support. These forums and in particular the AA/12-steps forum are going to be an important part of my journey.
I am looking forward to the womens' meeting today and then meeting one on one with my temporary sponsor. I get a very good vibe from her. She has 5 years sober. There were some really wonderful people at the meeting last evening. Very welcoming, really shared some great stuff. There were about 25 people there, only 3 of us newcomers. The group spent a great deal of time focusing on us. It was amazing. They gave me a Big Book and the 12 Steps/12 Traditions.
So many thoughts swirling in my head when I woke up this morning. I am going to commit to 90 meetings in 90 days and am going to do what my sponsor asks of me. I have made dozens of half-hearted attempts to stop drinking in the past and deep down I know I was never serious. Having a sponsor and working the steps is going to be hard and it's going to crack open the whole sordid thing called addiction, denial, and all the whompy ways I think, emote, react, and more. But I instinctively know that this is the only way I am going to succeed. The self-examination is going to be tough. But it's the only way foward. I messed up really bad this past week. It's not the first time, but I think it was the most damaging.
There are no magic wands and things cannot be quickly repaired (and perhaps they can never be, only time will tell). I've decided to set aside my desire to fix things with my daughters for now and focus on sobriety 24/7. I think that's the best course of action.
I have a very full day ahead. Thanks to all of you for your support. These forums and in particular the AA/12-steps forum are going to be an important part of my journey.
Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
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