Dorris

It's been 3 weeks since my last drink and I have been attending meetings, but I am finding I am totally drained and feel very sleepy after a meeting.

It is still all very raw for me and very emotional and I'm struggling because I feel fab before I go to a meeting (could take on the world I could) but can't do nothing on my return

bbthumper

Can I ask what type of meetings you are going to? The reason I ask is that I have been to some meetings in which people discuss little else besides their problems. I find those exhausting. But, the meetings I attend in which we are talking about recovery, the solution, spiritual matters, the Big Book etc, I leave feeling great. Maybe a change in the type of meeting could help ya.

Also what comes to mind is that once you are working the steps, getting recovered and helping others, meetings take on a whole new meaning. They become less about getting and more about giving. I find this makes them much more exciting.

In any case, glad you are sticking with it.

Best wishes!

Sapling

I'm sorry to hear that Dorris...Is it emotionally draining because you can relate to what you hear?

Sapling

This is so true.

Dorris

It's still early days and as long as it's keeping me sober i'll keep going back.

Thanks both

Sapling

You're doing great....Three weeks without a drink is huge. I can say for myself...I was lost early on....It was totally new to me. Asking someone that had been around a while to sponsor me....Show me the ropes so to speak...Made a big difference. I didn't even know how to do that...So I simply walked up to somebody that looked happy and talked about recovery and not problems all the time and asked them. Can you help me with this?...That's when AA changed for me.

nobshere

Hey Dorris, I agree with Sapling you are doing great! I would like to say that it is very important to pay attention to your internal dialogue, both mental and physical. I too at times felt as you did, drained at the end of a meeting..I noted the meetings that did that to me and avoided them in the future. If I may recommend replacing those meetings with activities that lift you up..for me exercise was huge as was reading. Finding balance in sobriety is key, eventually things balance out.