Alcohol and going to meetings
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Woodbridge, NJ
Posts: 3
Alcohol and going to meetings
I'll be sober for 3 years on 1/11/09. I've been going to meetings 7 days a week during that time. The desire to drink was lifted on 5/30/06, and I've been getting better with each passing day.
My question is this: I stopped smoking 15 years ago, and I just don't give smoking cigarettes a thought...why can't I just treat drinking the same way, just put it out of my mind and move on with my life. I worry that AA has become an addiction, albeit a good addiction, but an addiction nonetheless.
Robert
My question is this: I stopped smoking 15 years ago, and I just don't give smoking cigarettes a thought...why can't I just treat drinking the same way, just put it out of my mind and move on with my life. I worry that AA has become an addiction, albeit a good addiction, but an addiction nonetheless.
Robert
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,697
I am a bit curious why you would ask this after 3 years of meetings 7 days a week. In my opinion, there is a distinct difference between alcoholism and addiction. If we could just choose not to drink - why even go to AA in the first place?
If the alcoholic's main problem is in his mind - how can the mind fix itself? The book is very clear on this subject (and AA is sooo much more than meetings).
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps......
If the alcoholic's main problem is in his mind - how can the mind fix itself? The book is very clear on this subject (and AA is sooo much more than meetings).
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps......
Psalm 118:24
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 15,203
People can and do go on about their lives with and without AA.
Not sure when, a desire to drink left me.
I don't have a drinking problem any longer, I still have a thinking problem from time to time.
I CONTINUE TO ATEND MEETINGS TO HELP THE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEIR LIVES UNDER CONTROL.
I'm glad, there were people that were there for me the first meeting I went to.
Not sure when, a desire to drink left me.
I don't have a drinking problem any longer, I still have a thinking problem from time to time.
I CONTINUE TO ATEND MEETINGS TO HELP THE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEIR LIVES UNDER CONTROL.
I'm glad, there were people that were there for me the first meeting I went to.
It`s ok to stay sober
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central NC
Posts: 20,902
Robert,my soberiety is contingent on my relationship with God as I understand Him mainly,but I do believe others is included in it.I find most of those others in a AA meeting.I go to about 3 a week.
Have you thought on cutting down on the number of meetings you make,and put more attention on steps 10-12 for a week or two and see how you feel?
Have you thought on cutting down on the number of meetings you make,and put more attention on steps 10-12 for a week or two and see how you feel?
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,942
Addiction, in my opinion, means an action with some sort of negative consequences.
If attending meetings is not negatively affecting your job, home life, or some other area, I wouldn't consider it an 'addiction'.
I am not addicted to a clean lifestyle that includes helping others.
Just my opinion.
If attending meetings is not negatively affecting your job, home life, or some other area, I wouldn't consider it an 'addiction'.
I am not addicted to a clean lifestyle that includes helping others.
Just my opinion.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Woodbridge, NJ
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by tommyk 
Addiction, in my opinion, means an action with some sort of negative consequences.
If attending meetings is not negatively affecting your job, home life, or some other area, I wouldn't consider it an 'addiction'.
I am not addicted to a clean lifestyle that includes helping others.
Just my opinion.
If attending meetings is not negatively affecting your job, home life, or some other area, I wouldn't consider it an 'addiction'.
I am not addicted to a clean lifestyle that includes helping others.
Just my opinion.
I can hear it now.."Help the newcomer!"...newcomers around here aren't too common...more of the same people bouncing in and out...some have a genuine desire to get sober..other just come to AA when the heat is on.
I just want to go to my home group on Sunday night and wean myself off the other 6 meetings.
Robert
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,876
Hey Robert! Welcome. I no longer go to aa, I only attended for 10 months and found I felt WAY better sticking to just a couple (2) meetings a week. I did, in my time at aa, see many people who used it as their entire social outlet. I'm not saying thats wrong just it was not right for me and maybe 7 days a week is far too much for you. I know what you mean about hearing the same speakers...I guess it helps if you travel to a lot of different meetings but for me the negatives in that scenario out weighed the benefits. Follow your heart and best of luck!
where the light is
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,763
For me, it's about staying spiritually fit on a daily basis. I only go to two meetings a week but they keep me focused and give me the opportunity to learn & to help others.
I did go through a period where I was getting negative vibes from meetings - I would dread going and leave feeling bitter. I was only hearing the doom & gloom, not the solution or the successes.
I posted about it on SR and the responses really helped. Some of the advice I received was to check out other meetings and to bring my own message of hope to the meetings I attend.
I don't think that there is a right or wrong number of meetings to attend. It should be a positive experience that strengthens your sobriety. It's a personal decision and not necessarily an indicator of dependence on meetings. If I had more time, I would go to more. I like them! My sponsor attends 5 or 6 meetings a week and is heavily involved in our local program. He has helped so many people.
Perhaps you are trying to find the right balance?
I did go through a period where I was getting negative vibes from meetings - I would dread going and leave feeling bitter. I was only hearing the doom & gloom, not the solution or the successes.
I posted about it on SR and the responses really helped. Some of the advice I received was to check out other meetings and to bring my own message of hope to the meetings I attend.
I don't think that there is a right or wrong number of meetings to attend. It should be a positive experience that strengthens your sobriety. It's a personal decision and not necessarily an indicator of dependence on meetings. If I had more time, I would go to more. I like them! My sponsor attends 5 or 6 meetings a week and is heavily involved in our local program. He has helped so many people.
Perhaps you are trying to find the right balance?
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