Help on attending first AA meeting (UK)
One Day At A Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
Posts: 357
Help on attending first AA meeting (UK)
There are six AA meetings in my town, and I was wondering what the difference is.
Two are 'Discussion' meetings.
One is 'Big Book Discussion'
One is 'Speaker'
One is 'Step'
and one is 'Living Sober'
Which would be the best one to try for my first meeting? Where can I get a number from to comfirm the time and place of the meeting?
Two are 'Discussion' meetings.
One is 'Big Book Discussion'
One is 'Speaker'
One is 'Step'
and one is 'Living Sober'
Which would be the best one to try for my first meeting? Where can I get a number from to comfirm the time and place of the meeting?
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
hi, odaat -
welcome!
open discussion - means open to alcoholics and addicts alike ... usually discussion is limited to problems with alcohol... but there's a topic ... then people discuss it.
BB Discussion Is just that. Usually, how it goes more or less is ... there'll be a section of the Big Book - it's read aloud, then an open discussion as related to what's been read.
Speakeris someone speaking. you just listen. maybe questions , I've heard of that, but mostly it's someone sharing their experience strength and hope.
Step meeting is focused on one of the steps. Around here, since it's the ninth month - the step meeting will be oriented around the ninth step. Sometimes, the book 12 steps, 12 traditions is read from ... but in these parts - those are mostly known as 12X12 meetings.
Living Sober beats me. I know there's a book titled that - maybe it's a discussion around the challenges and how that book applies? We don't have those around here.
hope that helps and congratulations on looking into it!
welcome!
open discussion - means open to alcoholics and addicts alike ... usually discussion is limited to problems with alcohol... but there's a topic ... then people discuss it.
BB Discussion Is just that. Usually, how it goes more or less is ... there'll be a section of the Big Book - it's read aloud, then an open discussion as related to what's been read.
Speakeris someone speaking. you just listen. maybe questions , I've heard of that, but mostly it's someone sharing their experience strength and hope.
Step meeting is focused on one of the steps. Around here, since it's the ninth month - the step meeting will be oriented around the ninth step. Sometimes, the book 12 steps, 12 traditions is read from ... but in these parts - those are mostly known as 12X12 meetings.
Living Sober beats me. I know there's a book titled that - maybe it's a discussion around the challenges and how that book applies? We don't have those around here.
hope that helps and congratulations on looking into it!
One Day At A Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
Posts: 357
I've found a number for my area, was really hoping there would be an email address. Its just a number for the whole county.
How often do meeting details change? I've got a pretty bad anxiety on the phone. If I just turn up its likely someone will be there isn't it?
How often do meeting details change? I've got a pretty bad anxiety on the phone. If I just turn up its likely someone will be there isn't it?
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
oh, it'll be easy, hon. just call and ask about the meeting time, whatever. But for the most part - eventho I don't know your area - yeah - if you just turn up - there'll probably be someone there.
the whole county thing - if it's like it is here - it's because it's a district phone #. They'll have all the info at that phone #.
You'll be fine.
the whole county thing - if it's like it is here - it's because it's a district phone #. They'll have all the info at that phone #.
You'll be fine.
One Day At A Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
Posts: 357
I've been building up to this for a long time. Unfortunately my husband doesn't want to come with me, so I'll have to go alone. First time out the house alone in a long time! Annoying anxiety! I'll try and persuade him to phone for me.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
One Day At A Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
Posts: 357
I've managed to find where the meeting is tonight, and I'm going to pop along and hope its right.
Its a Big Book Discussion meeting.
Can anyone offer any tips or advice? Anything I need to know? If I just go in and stand in the corner do you think someone will talk to me?
Its a Big Book Discussion meeting.
Can anyone offer any tips or advice? Anything I need to know? If I just go in and stand in the corner do you think someone will talk to me?
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
****{ODAAT}}}
yes, someone will talk to you! They'll probably have another copy of the book you can read from ... maybe even go in a little early and introduce yourself to the first person you see.
i remember what I was like at the very first meeting
=- I may as well have just told you to dig out your own appendiox with a spoon ...
LOL
it's going to be fine. you'll see.
yes, someone will talk to you! They'll probably have another copy of the book you can read from ... maybe even go in a little early and introduce yourself to the first person you see.
i remember what I was like at the very first meeting
=- I may as well have just told you to dig out your own appendiox with a spoon ...
LOL
it's going to be fine. you'll see.
Coffee Drinker
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobstah Land
Posts: 1,122
Usually at a big book discussion a chapter is read from the 'big book' (Alcoholics Anonymous is the actual title).
Whoever is chairing the meeting will read some opening stuff and then will read a paragraph or two of the reading. Then the next person will read a paragraph or two, and so-on around the room. Some groups simply read where the last person left off and in some groups each person will introduce themselves and then read. Introductions are usually in the form'"Hi I'm ______ and I'm an alcoholic". You don't have to say this, you can simply give your name, and if you don't wish to give your name you can simply say "I'll pass".
There are really no hard and fast rules in AA, so just go with the flow.
After the reading the passage that was read is then discussed. Most will stick to the subject but it is not absolutly required. Often someone will talk about something that is bothering them, or that they may be having a tough time with.
Some groups raise hands, and some go around the room, taking turns speaking. Again, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to.
I would encourage you to introduce yourself. A simple, "Hi, my name is _____ and I am new" will absoutly insure that someone will talk to you after the meeting one on one and you will probably get several phone numbers to call if you want to talk to someone.
Anyhow, I wish you the best,
Ted
Whoever is chairing the meeting will read some opening stuff and then will read a paragraph or two of the reading. Then the next person will read a paragraph or two, and so-on around the room. Some groups simply read where the last person left off and in some groups each person will introduce themselves and then read. Introductions are usually in the form'"Hi I'm ______ and I'm an alcoholic". You don't have to say this, you can simply give your name, and if you don't wish to give your name you can simply say "I'll pass".
There are really no hard and fast rules in AA, so just go with the flow.
After the reading the passage that was read is then discussed. Most will stick to the subject but it is not absolutly required. Often someone will talk about something that is bothering them, or that they may be having a tough time with.
Some groups raise hands, and some go around the room, taking turns speaking. Again, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to.
I would encourage you to introduce yourself. A simple, "Hi, my name is _____ and I am new" will absoutly insure that someone will talk to you after the meeting one on one and you will probably get several phone numbers to call if you want to talk to someone.
Anyhow, I wish you the best,
Ted
One Day At A Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
Posts: 357
HI everyone.
Just back from my first meeting and it went well. Its a very small and informal meeting, and I think thats what I'm looking for. Am going to try out a few others to see which 'fits'. I've got a copy of the Big Book now, got to get my reading hat on.
I was really nervous and stared at the floor for most of it, but a few people spoke to me afterwards which helped.
Thanks for the posts earlier, it helped to know what to expect.
Just back from my first meeting and it went well. Its a very small and informal meeting, and I think thats what I'm looking for. Am going to try out a few others to see which 'fits'. I've got a copy of the Big Book now, got to get my reading hat on.
I was really nervous and stared at the floor for most of it, but a few people spoke to me afterwards which helped.
Thanks for the posts earlier, it helped to know what to expect.
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