First Meeting was Today
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DC
Posts: 19
First Meeting was Today
I made the decision to stop drinking last night after serious issues with heavy drinking and blackouts at least 4 nights a week. It was starting to affect my job and relationships. I called my brother late in the evening admitting to him that i had a problem and I needed help.
I went to an afternoon meeting today and just sat quietly and listened. I don't think I'm ready to tell my story yet in front of so many people. I'm hoping Monday's meeting might stoke my courage.
I want to say how amazed I was to see such a varied crowd. I thought I would be the only young one there but there were several of my peers at the meeting. One who happened to be celebrating their 5 year.
I'm going to keep going, I think the toughest thing right now is coming up with the courage to talk the rest of the people in my life and let them know the choice I've made. The road seems long right now.
I went to an afternoon meeting today and just sat quietly and listened. I don't think I'm ready to tell my story yet in front of so many people. I'm hoping Monday's meeting might stoke my courage.
I want to say how amazed I was to see such a varied crowd. I thought I would be the only young one there but there were several of my peers at the meeting. One who happened to be celebrating their 5 year.
I'm going to keep going, I think the toughest thing right now is coming up with the courage to talk the rest of the people in my life and let them know the choice I've made. The road seems long right now.
Choosing Life
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,435
Welcome to SR and good for you for making this decision and getting yourself to a meeting today. I remember my first AA meeting and not knowing what to expect from the people there, but like you, I discovered that there is a very wide range of folks who attend.
You don't have to speak right away ... just listen and take it all in. You'll know when you're ready to share and there won't be any pressure put on you to do so before you're ready.
You'll find support here too. Glad you're here.
You don't have to speak right away ... just listen and take it all in. You'll know when you're ready to share and there won't be any pressure put on you to do so before you're ready.
You'll find support here too. Glad you're here.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,518
Welcome thelastdrop! Try not to think too far ahead - everything will fall into place. Yes, the road seems long when you first start out, but as you get healthier and stronger it won't seem that way.
Drinking had a terrible impact on my life, too - but I didn't take action the way you are. Instead I tried to control the amounts I drank. I wasted many years of my life, only to find out I couldn't touch alcohol - or dangerous things happened. Glad you saw the light! Let us know how you're doing.
Drinking had a terrible impact on my life, too - but I didn't take action the way you are. Instead I tried to control the amounts I drank. I wasted many years of my life, only to find out I couldn't touch alcohol - or dangerous things happened. Glad you saw the light! Let us know how you're doing.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Just take it a day at a time...Just don't drink today...My sponsor had me just listen the first 30 days as I worked on the steps...That helped me alot...At six months I was Chairing meetings and now at 9 months I've been invited as a speaker at a different meeting on April 2nd...Now I can get nervous for nothing all over again....Glad you went...Just keep coming back...
My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 338
Welcome, thelastdrop. Glad you're here.
"I think the toughest thing right now is coming up with the courage to talk the rest of the people in my life and let them know the choice I've made."
You don't have to tell anyone, now or ever. I suggest you tell who you want, when you want. There are some people you may choose to never tell directly. If pressed, "I don't drink." is a complete sentence. Tell them you have an allergy - it's true.
"I think the toughest thing right now is coming up with the courage to talk the rest of the people in my life and let them know the choice I've made."
You don't have to tell anyone, now or ever. I suggest you tell who you want, when you want. There are some people you may choose to never tell directly. If pressed, "I don't drink." is a complete sentence. Tell them you have an allergy - it's true.
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
Welcome to SR! I see you registered quite a while ago but I'm glad you are posting now.
Don't feel rushed into doing anything, like feeling like you have to share at a meeting, or telling your family & friends even. It's good to have a few close friends or family memebers that you can unload on and share what's going on, but don't do like I did and call everyone you know to tell them you're an alcoholic (even your realtor.... yes, I actually did).
Everything happens in its own time and you have plenty of time to get used to your new life.
Best wishes!
Don't feel rushed into doing anything, like feeling like you have to share at a meeting, or telling your family & friends even. It's good to have a few close friends or family memebers that you can unload on and share what's going on, but don't do like I did and call everyone you know to tell them you're an alcoholic (even your realtor.... yes, I actually did).
Everything happens in its own time and you have plenty of time to get used to your new life.
Best wishes!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DC
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by hector 
Welcome, thelastdrop. Glad you're here.
"I think the toughest thing right now is coming up with the courage to talk the rest of the people in my life and let them know the choice I've made."
You don't have to tell anyone, now or ever. I suggest you tell who you want, when you want. There are some people you may choose to never tell directly. If pressed, "I don't drink." is a complete sentence. Tell them you have an allergy - it's true.
"I think the toughest thing right now is coming up with the courage to talk the rest of the people in my life and let them know the choice I've made."
You don't have to tell anyone, now or ever. I suggest you tell who you want, when you want. There are some people you may choose to never tell directly. If pressed, "I don't drink." is a complete sentence. Tell them you have an allergy - it's true.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1
Good for you! Something clicked with me yesterday and I just knew that it was the first day of the rest of my life, that I am done drinking. I didn't even think about it last night (stomach flu helped...lol), and this morning, reading everyones posts on FB about drinking all day because it's St. Patty's day, quite frankly, made my liver hurt!
I know everyday isn't going to be easy and filled with strength, but that's when I plan on coming here and immersing myself with stories from all of you that have made it through the hard days and are still going strong.
You can do this, and I'm right here with you!
I know everyday isn't going to be easy and filled with strength, but that's when I plan on coming here and immersing myself with stories from all of you that have made it through the hard days and are still going strong.
You can do this, and I'm right here with you!
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