AA Meetings
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 40
AA Meetings
Hi all,
Im just wondering, on the uk aa website you can do a search under your postcode and find the nearest meeting. Can you just turn up ? or do you
have to phone them first ?
Thanks
Im just wondering, on the uk aa website you can do a search under your postcode and find the nearest meeting. Can you just turn up ? or do you
have to phone them first ?
Thanks
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: northern virginia
Posts: 535
hey 123...
in the US at least, you can just show up to a meeting. i would imagine it's the same in the UK, but i'm sure someone will be along shortly with better information if i'm not right about that.
a sponsor is just another alcoholic who has a good chunk of sobriety under his or her belt, has (hopefully) worked the steps, and is there to guide you through the journey.
hope that helps... AA has been such a gift for me. i hope you find some healing there, too.
in the US at least, you can just show up to a meeting. i would imagine it's the same in the UK, but i'm sure someone will be along shortly with better information if i'm not right about that.
a sponsor is just another alcoholic who has a good chunk of sobriety under his or her belt, has (hopefully) worked the steps, and is there to guide you through the journey.
hope that helps... AA has been such a gift for me. i hope you find some healing there, too.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
heres good read on sponsorship:
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-15_Q&AonSpon.pdf
heres one on AA:
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-1_thisisaa1.pdf
goin to AA and working the program was the greatest thing I ever did.
don't let fear keep ya from opening the door to that 1st meeting. yer gonna find a group of people that have been in your shoes, have a great solution, and are willing to help ya get sober.
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-15_Q&AonSpon.pdf
heres one on AA:
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-1_thisisaa1.pdf
goin to AA and working the program was the greatest thing I ever did.
don't let fear keep ya from opening the door to that 1st meeting. yer gonna find a group of people that have been in your shoes, have a great solution, and are willing to help ya get sober.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 2,937
Hi
I am in the UK.
I use the site your using now.
Yes you can turn up to any meeting you like as long as you have the desire to stop drinking.
You don't have to tell anyone your going or arrange anything before hand.
They can, I think, get someone to meet you if you want before if your nervous of going in. There is nothing to be nervous about though. Every newcomer is made to feel really welcome.
There are different types of meeting - big book study, step meetings, newcomers. Different aspects of AA are discussed at each.
I think I like newcomers best.
I am not sure if I am correct on this 100% but 'open' meetings are open to friends and families of alcoholics as well as alcoholics.
'Closed' meetings are just for alcoholics only.
If I am wrong will someone correct me please? I don't want to give out the wrong information and I am sorry if I have!
You can ring the AA hotline number and they will answer anything you need to know, like the questions you have asked.
If you want to pm me, I can help with your location and going to a meeting.
A sponsor is someone in AA who has substantial sober time and agree's to take you through the 12 steps.
That probably comes a bit later once our familiar with AA. I wouldn't worry about that now.
If I were you, and this is what I did, go to a few meetings.
Listen, find similarities.
Speak if you feel comfortable and want to.
There is nothing wrong in going and not speaking.
Let me know how you get on?
My best to you.
xx
I am in the UK.
I use the site your using now.
Yes you can turn up to any meeting you like as long as you have the desire to stop drinking.
You don't have to tell anyone your going or arrange anything before hand.
They can, I think, get someone to meet you if you want before if your nervous of going in. There is nothing to be nervous about though. Every newcomer is made to feel really welcome.
There are different types of meeting - big book study, step meetings, newcomers. Different aspects of AA are discussed at each.
I think I like newcomers best.
I am not sure if I am correct on this 100% but 'open' meetings are open to friends and families of alcoholics as well as alcoholics.
'Closed' meetings are just for alcoholics only.
If I am wrong will someone correct me please? I don't want to give out the wrong information and I am sorry if I have!
You can ring the AA hotline number and they will answer anything you need to know, like the questions you have asked.
If you want to pm me, I can help with your location and going to a meeting.
A sponsor is someone in AA who has substantial sober time and agree's to take you through the 12 steps.
That probably comes a bit later once our familiar with AA. I wouldn't worry about that now.
If I were you, and this is what I did, go to a few meetings.
Listen, find similarities.
Speak if you feel comfortable and want to.
There is nothing wrong in going and not speaking.
Let me know how you get on?
My best to you.
xx
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
Originally Posted by GreenEggsAndHam 
Thank you for this thread! I'm in the US but am nervous about attending a meeting as well. I'm actually worried that I'll get there and cry in front of everyone.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Originally Posted by GreenEggsAndHam
Ok thank you - I'm trying to muster up the courage. 
All the best.
Bob R
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