first AA meeting tonight
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 392
Good luck! I went to my first one last week. I was so so so nervous, but I'm very glad I went. Now I have people holding me accountable, I feel much stronger and more confident that I can kick this addiction.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Deep South
Posts: 71
All of the meetings I've been to have been different but I've learned something from each. Find where you fit and don't give up if it isn't life-changing immediately. It's supposed to be a little bit uncomfortable and scary. Listen for similarities and not differences.
Also at my first meeting, one of the women greeting told me "You look like Bambi, calm down. If you don't have what we have, you aren't gonna catch it" -- still makes me laugh. Good luck!
Also at my first meeting, one of the women greeting told me "You look like Bambi, calm down. If you don't have what we have, you aren't gonna catch it" -- still makes me laugh. Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
hardhearts, I heart your signature line:
“If I am an alcoholic, I shouldn’t drink. If I’m not an alcoholic, I don’t need to. That’s a nice piece of logic.
People who aren’t alcoholics don't lie in bed at two-thirty in the morning wondering if they’re alcoholics.”
People who aren’t alcoholics don't lie in bed at two-thirty in the morning wondering if they’re alcoholics.”
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Deep South
Posts: 71
Originally Posted by biminiblue 
hardhearts, I heart your signature line:
it's from Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp... one of my favorites. It keeps me in check when I talk myself in circles!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bklyn. NY
Posts: 1,859
Few suggestions:
- Get there 10-15 minutes early, and let someone know it's your first meeting.
- Pick up the book Living Sober if they have it.
- Pick up the book Alcoholics Anonymous too (the bigbook), as this is what AA is based on. I think the Living Sober book is more important for newcomers, and a much easier read - but some AAers would hand me my head for saying that . Others would agree.
- If you're not already decided on where you're going, try to find a beginners (B), or closed (c) meeting. Step meetings (S) could be a little confusing for someone new, and open meetings (O) usually have speakers only. Not the best kind of meeting to get to know anyone. But they're all good.
- Keep an open mind. If something rubs you the wrong way try other meetings. Different groups have different feels, or flavors to them.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Chicago,il
Posts: 71
You will do great. If you can - commit to trying 6 meetings before judging the meetings. All are different. Give a few a test drive and see what you like.
No need to be nervous. Everyone in the room was a newbie at some point and everyone shares the same problem and desire.
No need to say a word if you just want to observe. Here's a link that provides a few q&a examples. Have fun
About AA Meetings
No need to be nervous. Everyone in the room was a newbie at some point and everyone shares the same problem and desire.
No need to say a word if you just want to observe. Here's a link that provides a few q&a examples. Have fun
About AA Meetings
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North of England
Posts: 1,442
I get a lot out of AA. I'm not a big 'joiner' and there is a lot I don't agree with but take what you need and leave the rest as they so often say. At its best it can be really inspirational.
I hope all goes well for you!
I hope all goes well for you!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MA
Posts: 41
Originally Posted by Joe Nerv
Few suggestions:
- Get there 10-15 minutes early, and let someone know it's your first meeting.
- Pick up the book Living Sober if they have it.
- Pick up the book Alcoholics Anonymous too (the bigbook), as this is what AA is based on. I think the Living Sober book is more important for newcomers, and a much easier read - but some AAers would hand me my head for saying that . Others would agree.
- If you're not already decided on where you're going, try to find a beginners (B), or closed (c) meeting. Step meetings (S) could be a little confusing for someone new, and open meetings (O) usually have speakers only. Not the best kind of meeting to get to know anyone. But they're all good.
- Keep an open mind. If something rubs you the wrong way try other meetings. Different groups have different feels, or flavors to them.
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