How long have you gone between meetings?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: the high desert
Posts: 887
I went about 3 months without going to meetings. It happened between my 6 and 9 month sober mark. I also was not able to meet with my sponsor or be connected to the program in any meaningful way. At the time, i was in the midst of my 4th step.
At the end of those 3 months, i was nothing short of stark raving sober. While it is not an experience i wish to have again, I became desparate enough to seek out meaningful guidance in the steps from someone with experience, strength and hope to share until i was able to return to meetings and my sponsor. This was my lowest point, my jumping off place. Not the last day i drank.
i am grateful that i remained sober. And i am grateful for reaching a point that i was desparate enough to grab hold of the steps with the desparation of a drowning woman. It allowed me to fully surrender to God and the program. And i am grateful to those who helped me climb back, by somewhat gently guiding me and teaching me.
I love my meetings, I have strong AA in my area, they are solution based. It was not, i don't think, so much my time away from meetings that drove me so insane. It was my total disconnection with the program. Today i believe i could go without meetings if i had to, and be okay. However, i love my Fellowship, and feel blessed to be a part of it. It is one side of our triangle.
At the end of those 3 months, i was nothing short of stark raving sober. While it is not an experience i wish to have again, I became desparate enough to seek out meaningful guidance in the steps from someone with experience, strength and hope to share until i was able to return to meetings and my sponsor. This was my lowest point, my jumping off place. Not the last day i drank.
i am grateful that i remained sober. And i am grateful for reaching a point that i was desparate enough to grab hold of the steps with the desparation of a drowning woman. It allowed me to fully surrender to God and the program. And i am grateful to those who helped me climb back, by somewhat gently guiding me and teaching me.
I love my meetings, I have strong AA in my area, they are solution based. It was not, i don't think, so much my time away from meetings that drove me so insane. It was my total disconnection with the program. Today i believe i could go without meetings if i had to, and be okay. However, i love my Fellowship, and feel blessed to be a part of it. It is one side of our triangle.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,969
3 days. AA saved my life, I owe it to the newcomer to be there. I also have been working the steps since day 14. I waited in the past and ended up drinking. No need to live in misery while sober!
I've seen too many relapse while stopping step work, especially between steps 4 and 9.
I've seen too many relapse while stopping step work, especially between steps 4 and 9.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: cape town, south africa
Posts: 1
My longest is a week. I was ill and i completely isolated. I was miserable, not because of the lack of meetings but because had i been working my program, I'd have called some friends to come over and cook me dinner etc. So it was the complete absence of a program that made me a bit of a wreck. I used to go to meetings to keep me sober. Now i go to be with my family. In other words, i enjoy them now and there are a few a week that i couldn't bear to miss. But I'm curious: why are you asking this question?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Trenches, Texas
Posts: 778
Originally Posted by Kirsten 
My longest is a week. I was ill and i completely isolated. I was miserable, not because of the lack of meetings but because had i been working my program, I'd have called some friends to come over and cook me dinner etc. So it was the complete absence of a program that made me a bit of a wreck. I used to go to meetings to keep me sober. Now i go to be with my family. In other words, i enjoy them now and there are a few a week that i couldn't bear to miss. But I'm curious: why are you asking this question?
I will add that popularity is very ineffective where I reside.
It`s ok to stay sober
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central NC
Posts: 20,903
popularity is not a good program of recovery anywhere
I found out in 1987 meetings will not keep me sober or sane
I make about 2,maybe 3 a month
I am gone all week and home on the weekends so it is hard to get to a meeting.If I was home all week,I would go more,I like my AA buddies and besides,it is a good place to find newcomers and do service work.
I found out in 1987 meetings will not keep me sober or sane
I make about 2,maybe 3 a month
I am gone all week and home on the weekends so it is hard to get to a meeting.If I was home all week,I would go more,I like my AA buddies and besides,it is a good place to find newcomers and do service work.
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