Originally Posted by Beccybean

In my first ever meeting I think they saw someone who hadn't looked after themselves too well and emphasised HALT.

Hunger
Anger
Loneliness
Tired

These are four common triggers for alcoholics.

One of the first steps to getting better and learning a new responsibility for yourself and your drinking is in being watchful for those HALT triggers, and avoiding them wherever and whenever possible.

I would suggest getting to the first meeting possible, and in the meantime get some food in you to keep your blood-sugar levels up. (Lots of people swear by high sugar in the first few month, but I think that affected my emotional stability.) If you can't eat much at first maybe get some Lucozade Original in - the high glucose one - then you will hopefully feel more like eating shortly after. The meeting will help. I would say def don't isolate, as this won't help. I should imagine that after the meeting you will start feeling more positive and will be able to face work more easily. In the meantime make sure you contact them and don't burn any bridges, but if you haven't eaten then you're going to need to rest a little longer. Not bed rest though. Mind rest. I bet you'll feel much better and ready to face the world after a shower and fresh clothes. (Body first and mind will follow hey).

You can do this, but no-one can eat for you, or get to that meeting for you.

Get yourself an action plan, just for today. It is important to Keep It Simple, but it's also important to actually DO it.

EG.
Wash
Dress
Get food & non-alc drink (even if from an overpriced local store - and avoid walking past the booze if you can)
Have a small meal
Wash up
Go to meeting
Read through AA literature
Write action plan for tomorrow
Sleep


Good luck.
xx

PS - I'd say for first AA meeting, arrive about 10 mins early to the actual start time. And take some tissues (it can be quite overwhelming and lots of people have a few tears. Some people cry loads (I did).