squeek

I've been pondering this whole AA thing and it scares the crud out of me. Do I call and make an appointment? What if there is someone in there I know? Do I have to introduce myself? Should I wear a cap and glasses and give them a fake ID? Do I just mosey my happy butt in there? I mean, to me, it feels like it should be this covert operation and I'm sure it isn't.

Any suggestions? Thanks,

Elisabeth888

Hey there!

You can call them if you want to and someone will meet or take you to a meeting, or you can just go. No ID required! If you see someone you know, they are the same boat as you and it is anonymous.

Everyone is scared at their first meeting, so you are not alone. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. If they call on you, tell them you are just listening today.

flutter

Yep
I had all the same questions that you have.. and ended up just moseying on in there..I survived and found a bunch of people that 'got' what I've been through. It's HARD to walk in that door, but fantastic that you're taking such a big step towards your recovery!

Anna

I'm glad you're working on your recovery. Good luck with your meeting.

2granddaughters

The hardest thing for an alcoholic to do before he/she does it.

Very soon after it's the greatest thing they ever did.

Just call the AA number in the phone book and ask where the meetings are in your area. Tell them a little about yourself (age, sex etc) and they will often arrange for some to pick you up or meet with you at the meeting.

All the best.

Bob R

sugarbear1

Indianapolis Intergroup Inc.

Welcome | Indianapolis Intergroup Inc.

Call and make sure a meeting still exists. Most often, only those going to the meeting know what is going on inside. Go, sit, listen, and if you walk through the fear, talk to someone before or after the meeting. Try several meetings.

We are all scared at our first meeting(s).

AnotherPaul

No appointment necessary, just go.

And it IS hard, for all of us. I literally turned the car around twice before I got up the courage to go in.

Most meetings are fairly large, at least 20 people and sometimes 100+, so if you want to just blend in you should be able to. The meeting chair will usually ask if anyone is attending their first ever AA meeting. I would encourage you to raise your hand, and s/he will probably call on you to introduce yourself - nothing too stressful, just tell everyone your name and they'll welcome you and the members will probably put together a list of their phone numbers so you have people to call if you need to talk or if you're about to cave and head to the liquor store.

I was terrified before my first meeting. I pictured a bunch of people sitting around crying and telling awful stories of despair and hitting rock bottom, but it was nothing like that. It was actually very uplifting and I left that room feeling a lot better than I had when I went in.

Good luck to you.

DAB

What was even harder for me than going to the meeting, was making the decision to go to a meeting. I just looked up meetings that were close to my home at a time I wanted to go online. I went, it was a small group about 8 people, and have been going every week since. It changed my perspective on life and saved my marriage. That was over a year ago.
It sounds like you have already made the decision to go, so just find a close one and go.
You will find that all your fears were unjustified. If you are not totally comfortable with the first meeting you go to, try others, they are all a little different.

IndaMiricale

YUP!!!! Thats it...there has been a seat there for you just waiting.. And you are only late for one meeting ,, Your first meeting


I hope you just go, and once its over , if your like I was. You will say to yourself. Wow that was nice. I thought about 1,000 things that didnt happen. But the one thing that did is I found were I belong..

Well then looks to me that you just found a friend that has a problem just like you.. And everyone else there..

Zebra1275

Just show up. When the meeting starts and the chair asks if anybody is attending an AA meeting for the first time, raise your hand.

Report back, and tell us how it went.

squeek

Thanks everyone! It's giving me anxietty! The meeting I could atten is in 3.5 hours. I have enough time to talk myself in, out, in, out, in, out of the decision. Your input is helpful though and I truly appreciate it. '

One more question. If it is "closed" meeting, can I still go? I'm going for my sobriety so I'm assuming I can.

I really truly appreciate everyone on here.
-K

Junebugapril

Hi Squeek, a closed meeting is for people who want to stop drinking or already have stopped, so you're good.

I found the Big Book online and started reading it before I went to a meeting. You're doing a lot better than I did - I was really resistant to going to meetings, and I still am not sure if I like them all that much. I have been sober for three weeks and have gone to lots of AA meetings in that time. The meetings I liked the best were candlelight ones. They have them on Sunday nights in my area, so if you can find one of those, you might like it. The intimacy of the candle light made it really easy to me to feel comfortable enough to share and to listen to people's stories.