skeen120

I tried to go to my first meeting Monday. It was advertised wrong on the website. The place I went to doesn't have meetings. I was driving around town (it's a very small town) when I saw two people sitting outside the other meeting place. I stopped and asked them and I found out I had missed there meeting by an hour, and the other meeting does not exist . I was upset because I really needed a f2f meeting. I have been going to online meetings.

The people there told me that this meeting is having a problem with anonimity, and with a town so small this is really important.

I really need a home meeting place. The people there were gripping about the meeting.

Does anyone have advice on what I could do?

Should I go to this meeting or go into the big city and find a meeting?

Mark75

You can't know about the meeting until you go and see for yourself.

Maybe start in the big city... a big book meeting, a closed meeting, a beginners meeting... whatever. Go to a bunch. Find out what AA really is. When you feel comfortable and relaxed, go closer to home if you want.

Charon

Yes, I also would advise going to as many different meetings and types of meetings as possible. How far is "the big city". If it's possible for you to get there frequently it's probably your best bet. Only having one meeting available is really tough. Particularly if there are anonimity issues. I would stay away from that one like the plague. Just think of the second word in AA. That is a core principle, not to be messed with.

skeen120

The big city is 30 minutes away versus the small city which is 20 minutes away.

Sapling

Welcome to SR skeen120...I'd check that meeting out that you missed by an hour...Why not?....You're only there to try to get better....So is everybody else there...Check out some in the city too....This is a great site if you've never been to a meeting...Check this out...And this is a great site for support...Let us know how you are doing....And welcome.

Your First AA Meeting<

ACT10Npack

Have you ever thought about getting a sponsor or a friend to talk to when you need help? Having a good friend is always helpful when you can't get to a meeting.

eJoshua

Go to the big city. It's only 10 minutes further.

FlyerFan

I dont think it matters which one you go to, you dont know if you'll like it until you give it a shot! Go and see about them all and find out!

DisplacedGRITS

10 minutes isn't much farther. Strike out for the big city!

stairs

Yeah I find that same thing, that the online info is not always up to date.
I say go for the big city meeting, skeen!

Firehazard

I would suggest the BC. I am currently involved with a smaller town group with a big ananymity issue and it is not pleasant to say the least.

fuzzy1

How about you do both and then decide what you like better? If you stick around you'll go to more than one meeting anyway.

Sapling

I'm curious who told you this?...The two guys sitting outside the meeting place an hour after the meeting?....They didn't seem to be too bothered by it...It would be a real shame if you missed the perfect meeting for you because of what these two guys said...I guess you'll never know if you never try it...It always amazes me about alkies....God forbid if someone saw you coming out of a meeting....But stumbling out of a bar has been OK for years.

IndaMiricale

"If you are willing to go to any length to have what we have " you so blessed to drive, I have not in two years and I hit 5-7 meetings a week.

You can do it

sugarbear1

Did those people try to have a meeting with you? That's what we would have done. Any time 2 or more alkies are together talking, you can have a meeting. I'd get to the city and see what it's like there and go back to the local one, at least once.

aa online chatroom has scheduled meetings and In The Rooms dot com has video chat meetings you can listen to.

Charon

Did you miss the part of the post about that meeting having anonimity issues (in a small town)? I'd avoid that meeting like the plague.

FlyerFan

Well if it's a small town of course there are gonna be anonymity issues. lol But still I wouldn't let that stop me from saving my own life.

Sapling

I don't know....Probably never avoided stumbling out of a bar there....Who are you going to run into at a meeting?....Other recovering alcoholics?....Chomping at the bit to go tell the whole town?.....I seriously doubt that....I hear this small town excuse a lot....You're going there to save your life....If people have a problem with that...That's their problem....Not yours.

Zebra1275

The big city is 30 minutes away versus the small city which is 20 minutes away.

That extra 10 minutes make the difference in whether you stick with AA or not. Go to the big city.

Dilys95

You can't know about the meeting until you go and see for yourself.