Strength11

I am really thinking of trying a young peoples AA meeting tomorrow night. I am 28 and have been drinking since I was 16. I would say over the past 5 years my drinking has become so much worse. In the past 6 months I have noticed this more and have decided to quit on my own. I was able to stay sober for 50 days. Unfortunately I drank recently and now I am only 2 days sober. I have so many mixed feelings about going to an AA meeting. I feel as I am a failure and should be able to control my drinking by myself. I have a fear of going to the AA meeting but in the back of my mind I know I should. I do not want to continue living like this. I am now realizing the few friends I do have are more of drinking buddies and do not think I have a problem. Or that I can just stop anytime I want to. I just have so many emotions and thoughts right now. Is AA really worth trying?

LexieCat

YES, it is worth it! I am four and a half years sober (happily) thanks to AA, and my first husband has 33 years of sobriety (he got sober at 21).

I totally get the fear of going to your first meeting, but here is a link I like to share that will take some of the mystery out of it for you: What to Expect at Your First AA Meeting.

Give it a read--my guess is it will make you a little more comfortable with the idea of going. Actually, if you do a search on these forums for "first AA meeting," you will find lots and lots of threads from people who were agonizing about it, just like you, and were blown away by how cool the meeting was, and how nice and welcoming everyone was.

Hopeworks

Definitely.

You have nothing to lose... and everything to gain.

artsoul

If you go a little early, just find someone to talk to and tell them it's your first meeting. Everyone there remembers how scary it was the first time, and they'll want you to feel at home.

It's a whole lot scarier thinking about than it is doing it. Glad you're here - there's a lot of support and inspiration around this place!

HappyDestiny3

You can let your mind race and come up with 1,000 excuses not to go....

But there is not going to be One Good Reason not to go...

Give it a try, be open-minded and just do it..

HappyDestiny3

sorry and welcome to SR..

tomsteve

welcome,strength. i was a lil older when i got into AA. but fear of the unkown was there. but i did have something goin for me: i felt useless,worthless, hopeless, and helpless; a total POS. i knew if i took another drink i would kill myself. so my choices were go to AA and see what happens or kill myself.
i got me some courage and walked into a meeting. when it came time for me to speak( which i didnt have to. speaking is an option) all i could say is,"im tom im an alcoholic and i cant take it anymore" and broke down crying. i didnt have to say anymore. those people at the meeting knew exactly where i was at. they had been there and had a great solution.
i have been to a few AA roundups where YPAA had a pretty big showing. them youngens sure do have a great time livin a life of sobriety( not that i dont..im just too old to be hootin and hollerin like thay do).

Zebra1275

Yes.

LadyinBC

Yes definately! Just going and listening and embracing what others are saying helps. Makes you feel that you aren't alone.

sugarbear1

Those steps saved my life.

Listen to some talks on XA-Speakers - The lights are on! there are young people on here, too! And Sandy B. explains things well!

Fernaceman

I'd definitely give it a shot. As others have said, you have nothing to lose and honestly, what's the worst that can happen? You could get sober and live a content life.

whiskeyman

AA is the only thing that worked for me and i tried it all

HappyDestiny3

Just stopping by to see if you went and how it went for ya..

Tamerua

I just got my 90 days. I am so glad that I went, at first I thought that it was a punishment and I've learned that is not a punishment and I actually look forward to going to the meetings!

Anna

If you think it will help, of course you should go, whatever it takes.

theHomerSimpson

A young persons meeting? Thats called a bar! lol j/k
AA meetings tend to have older people there but if not for them ole' timers us newcomers would just talk about our drinking habits and end up at a drinking party somewhere together! Try a NA meeting,same principal as AA but seems to be younger crowd there and all for same reason,to get sober. Good Luck

Patrick

sandgirl

Be strong and go to AA, I`ve decided I`m gonna find one. This forum helps loads-imagine how much support you will feel face to face. You are NOT alone. Chin up.

aasharon90

Im always inspired to see the younger
generation taking responsibility for their
addictions whether it be alcohol or drugs.

I was 30 yrs. old when I entered recovery
and thought I was the youngster amongst
so many older, wiser members. Of course
I learned it was my emotional age that was
showing. When I began drinking my maturity
stopped growing and thus was stuck in my
adolesent yrs.

Now that im 22 yrs sober, I may have
grown a tad more emotionally even tho im
in my mid 50's:rotfxko

Anyway, my recovery program in AA over
the yrs. consisting of steps and principles
to incorperate in my everyday life has
givin me a guideline to live by and learn to
live each day at a time without drinking.

My life today is a continuous journey passing
on my own experiences, strengths and hopes
of what my life was and is like before, during
and after my drinking alcohol to others still
struggling with addiction. In doing so this gives
me a wonderful purpose in life and thus enjoy
the rewards and promises granted to us in
living a sober life.

It can be the same or similar to you.

Strength11

I did end up going tonight. Honestly I am so glad I did. I felt so inspired listening to others stories. And actually speaking up and saying that I am an alcoholic became reality to me. It was an overwhelming feeling to admit that.

Thanks for everyone's words of encouragement. That is honestly part of what pushed me to face my fear and give it a try.

HappyDestiny3

AWESOME NEWS !!!!!!!! Welcome Home !!! Keep Coming Back..