going to aa first time
A work in progress
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
Hi, and welcome! As a newcomer, you are able to attend either "closed" (meetings only for people with a problem with alcohol) or "open" (meetings open to anyone who would like to attend) meetings. Most meetings around here are open. If a family member or someone studying to be a counselor, or someone who is just curious wants to attend, they can. Closed meetings are only for those who actually have an alcohol problem of their own (including those who are making up their mind about it).
Here is a terrific link about what to expect at your first AA meeting. It explains how the meetings tend to be formatted and explains a lot of questions new people have.
My strong suggestion is that whatever meeting you pick, you get there a little early--say 15 minutes. Lots of people arrive early just to talk with friends and with any newcomers who show up. Let people know that you're new, and they will be glad to explain what's going on to you. Raise your hand in the meeting and let folks know it's your first meeting. Ask for phone numbers. In my groups, we will pass around a meeting list with a space for phone numbers--women's numbers for new women, and men's numbers for new men.
Good for you for getting to a meeting! Be sure and post back and tell us how it went.
Here is a terrific link about what to expect at your first AA meeting. It explains how the meetings tend to be formatted and explains a lot of questions new people have.
My strong suggestion is that whatever meeting you pick, you get there a little early--say 15 minutes. Lots of people arrive early just to talk with friends and with any newcomers who show up. Let people know that you're new, and they will be glad to explain what's going on to you. Raise your hand in the meeting and let folks know it's your first meeting. Ask for phone numbers. In my groups, we will pass around a meeting list with a space for phone numbers--women's numbers for new women, and men's numbers for new men.
Good for you for getting to a meeting! Be sure and post back and tell us how it went.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to our recovery community.....
My morning AA meeting was an open discussion ..Topic Gratitude
We went around the room...sharing on how being
sober was so much better than being drunk.
No one disagrred with that fact...
Glad you will be checking out AA
My morning AA meeting was an open discussion ..Topic Gratitude
We went around the room...sharing on how being
sober was so much better than being drunk.
No one disagrred with that fact...
Glad you will be checking out AA
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 207
Hi - I assume you got to your first meeting. Let us know how it went. I just started about 3 weeks ago and it was totally new and strange and I had some of the same questions you had (you might want to read my other threads for my experiences with AA meetings). I found that after I braved that very first meeting the ice was broken and it was much much easier to got to subsequent meetings which I have been doing for the past few weeks about 6 days a week. I actually lookforward to them and they fill me up with hope. Don't worry about getting what working the steps are all about at first. I found it easy to become overwhelmed. Just go and keep going and let the meetings flow over you. As others have said, speak-up if you can (if you are not comfortable than don't push yourself). Be open to letting these people into your life and be open to anything that will help keep you sober. Also, try out different meetings if you can - they vary greatly and each has it's own flavor. Variety can be good. I NEVER leave a meeting without having learned something or taken something to think about and reflect upon. People will offer your their phone numbers to call. I waited a few weeks to ask someone to be my sponsor. Am just going to start with her this week.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 24
Well the meeting was very good. It was not what I expected but was good for me. I did learn a lot. I just listened and soaked it all up. I think I an going to try different places. A church setting might be better for me. But all I have found so far is just one day a week. Sat. Was my last drink, I could hardly get any sleep. I can't wait till my doctors app. Thank you all for your input.
A work in progress
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
AA meetings aren't any different because of where they are held. A "church meeting" is exactly the same as one that is in grubby office space over a store or in somebody's home. Or, rather, they aren't exactly the same, but there's no difference based on where they are held.
Each meeting IS a little bit different. Ask the people at the meetings you go to which other meetings they attend.
Get a Big Book as soon as possible, and in the meantime, here's an online version.
Each meeting IS a little bit different. Ask the people at the meetings you go to which other meetings they attend.
Get a Big Book as soon as possible, and in the meantime, here's an online version.
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