First Meeting?

[spin]

Heyy everyone,
I've been a member of this site for a long time but never had the guts to post anything. Anyways...Lately i've been trying to get myself to go to a meeting because i don't think i can do this by myself much longer, but i've only got as close as the front door and can never go in. I have High Functioning Autism which on top of all the other fears i have about going to a meeting makes it damn near impossible to actually go into a situation that i know nothing about. I think it would help if i had some idea what to expect. Could you guys try to explain what happens at a meeting, what i can expect? I know all meetings would have a somewhat different setup but any info would be a huge help to me.

I do apologize if anything i write isn't very clear, my mind works in mysterious ways when it comes to written or spoken language.

[ANGELINA243]

A meetings focus should be on recovery--first of all, so your autism should not be a problem (especially if you are going there seeking help for yourself). In one of the meetings I go to--there is a gentleman who has some type of bipolar/schizophrenia which causes him to break out in laughter (for no apparent reason to some of us--but it is normally associated with what disorder he has)> He does take medication for it--and for the most part it has never been a problem. He will sometimes quietly excuse himself for a brief time during the meeting--if he feels that it is starting to get out of control & returns when he thinks it is better. I have learned alot through what he has shared in meetings and am grateful he is there.

In most open/closed meetings--members share their experience with alcohol or drugs (depends on which type of meeting you go to), what drinking/using was like when they were active in their addiction, what happened in their life to make them want to change, and how their life is different (for the better) today because of not drinking/using. You don't have to share if you don't want to. Members are there to share their own experience, strength, hope with each other--to build a fellowship to let others know that you no longer have to be alone if you don't want to be. It is about supporting/helping one another recover--one day at a time.

[Sugah]

There will be a chair who will open the meeting by reading from a formatted sheet, ask people to read certain pieces of literature (usually people chosen before the meeting or those sitting near the readings placed on the tables), ask if there are newcomers who'd like to introduce themselves (participation optional), sometimes celebrate clean-time with key tags (also optional), then, if it's an open discussion meeting, a topic is brought up (either by the chair or someone who has a problem relating to addiction), and sharing starts.

In some meetings, anyone can chime in, in others, everyone goes around the room & shares, and in others, the chair calls on people. Any way it's done, no one is required to share or identify themselves in any way. If you're called on or if it's your turn, you can say, "Pass," and that's just fine. Lots of people do it.

At the end of the meeting, there are sometimes a couple more readings, and then the meeting closes, sometimes with the serenity prayer, sometimes with the third step prayer. If you know them, you can join in, and if you choose not to or don't know them, no one will think anything of it.

I hope that was helpful. Yes, there are a lot of small differences in meetings, but ultimately, we all have one thing in common - the disease of addiction and a desire to recover from it.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[Phinneas]

What I learned, spin, is that meetings are not about other people - they are about me needing to stop the insane behavior and get well. (At first, that is - later, I discovered that those people in meetings really do understand because they've been there themselves.) I got to a place that was so dark and so lacking in hope that I was willing to do anything.

At first, I just snuck into a meeting, didn't make eye contact, sat down in a chair and just hung on for dear life. I don't even think I could understand what was being said. But I knew that just by being there, I was doing something in the direction of recovery. So I went back. And then I kept going back and very soon I could hear what was being said, I could smile at a person or two and then I could say my name and even talk about why I was there.

And before I knew it, I was a part of something bigger than myself that made real recovery possible.

Welcome, spin. You can do it. We're pulling for you here. How about you commit to going to a meeting and then report back how it went? In the meantime, SR is open 24/7 (and even has online meetings, which is a good supplement to face-to-face meetings, but does not replace them.) - take some time and just read posts. There is lots of information and support from people who've been there, done that, ya know?

[Paulie]

You can also call your local NA hotline and ask for someone to get in touch with you and meet you somewhere to go to the meeting with or meet you at the meeting if you fear walking in alone. Explain to the person on the phone and they should have a list of people to call that can get in touch with you and help.

Congrats for making the choice to take your life back.

[REZ]

Realizing that you can't do this by yourself is a very important step that you have taken. You will find the help you need in meeting. I hope you can make it to one soon.

[Aa_vark]

Hey Spin,

Look for the similarities between people there, dont worry about the differences.

NA is a very open minded and diverse group of people with only one thing in common... WE ARE POWERLESS OVER ADDICTION.

OK, well, another thing, too... WE HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION....

I know a man in one of my groups that wouldnt mind me sharing that he too has autism.
This past year, he celebrated 10 years of recovery and service in NA. He recently got married to a beautiful woman... The business that he started after a few years of sobriety is doing very well... He has many great friends. Very quality recovery. Very involved, and able to help others...

NA is about one addict reaching out to another addict to solve our common problems, and recover from the disease of addiction.

maybe think of it like a life raft drifting close by?... get into it? C'mon, get into it!

Welcome,

Aardvark >8===0~.... . . ....

[Thundar301]

Hello spin, I agree with what everyone has said. Welcome to recovery, go inside and take a seat, and listen. you'll hear the Hope in the rooms, you always have a seat inside, the 3rd tradition says so...

the only requirement for membership, is the "desire" to stop using.

like Rez stated already, you have taken a step , so keep putting 1 foot in front of the other, come in, get some coffee, sit down and be the best you that you can be, it does get better! Dean

[BlueSubaru]

i want to thank everyone for this post; i am going to my first NA group in the morning...i've read all the NA info available online, but i haven't taken the steps to get to a meeting. i have anxiety over attending the 'first' one, and i have a feeling i will be the youngest one there that just makes the anxiety worse.

however, this post has been helpful in giving me a 'push' in the right direction

[CarolD]

Welcome to our 2 new posters....
Spin....
BlueSubaru...

Forward we go...side by side

[Paulie]

Blue, congrats to you for making the decision.

Yes it is scary, but worth it 100%

Old people like me LOL, admire young ones like you!!!! You give us hope!!!

Let us know how it goes. And remember everyone in the meeting was scared their first meeting too.

[REZ]

Hey Spin:
Let us know how it goes.

Rez