Hi newme2day and
AA was exactly what I needed so that I could be with like people and to build my new sober network. I'm 6 months sober now and AA gave me many of the tools I needed to stay sober. I use that and this board to maintain.
Think about this statement:
I live in a really small town, and I have found that there are meetings here once a week, but I am kind of afraid to go, not knowing who will be there, and who might see me! Still worried about appearances I guess.
I used to visit some of the resale shops around here when I was low on funds and once went with a friend. We were walking through and I saw someone I knew from school and I ducked around a corner. My friend looked at me funny and asked "what are you doing?" I said " I just saw X from school! I don't want her to see me here". She shook her head and said "SHE is HERE". The thought never even crossed my mind.
Same thing with an AA meeting.