AA... Seriously, it came down to this..?
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 194
AA... Seriously, it came down to this..?
During my last sober stint I was adviced repeatedly to go to a meeting.
My reply was always "I've got this, no worries. If I relapse again (as if!) I'll check out AA."
Well, Easter got the better of me. Putting my money where my mouth is, I'm checking out AA. Not really sure if you can just show up..? There's not an open meeting for several weeks. In my city there is one group, having one meeting a week, on Tuesdays.
This is really uncharted territory, and I'm not sure what to make of it. I've been saying I'm an alcoholic for more than a year, but doing this makes it feel a lot more real.
Haven't had a drink in over 24 hours though, so guess I can say this is day 2, and I'm feeling ok.
My reply was always "I've got this, no worries. If I relapse again (as if!) I'll check out AA."
Well, Easter got the better of me. Putting my money where my mouth is, I'm checking out AA. Not really sure if you can just show up..? There's not an open meeting for several weeks. In my city there is one group, having one meeting a week, on Tuesdays.
This is really uncharted territory, and I'm not sure what to make of it. I've been saying I'm an alcoholic for more than a year, but doing this makes it feel a lot more real.
Haven't had a drink in over 24 hours though, so guess I can say this is day 2, and I'm feeling ok.
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Stella, I believe an open meeting is open to anyone. Closed meetings, to my knowledge are for alcoholics. you only need a desire to quit drinking. My best advise is that you as soon as possible. Get acquainted. Go early, introduce yourself around. Stay late and help clean up. Get names, numbers and literature.
Good luck and good job on taking care of yourself.
Love from Lenina
Good luck and good job on taking care of yourself.
Love from Lenina
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 194
Thank you, Lenina. 
It feels a little scary to be meeting people face to face. No idea what to expect, I see in this forum that people have very different experiences. Crossing my fingers that this group is ok, they're the only one in town.
It feels a little scary to be meeting people face to face. No idea what to expect, I see in this forum that people have very different experiences. Crossing my fingers that this group is ok, they're the only one in town.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
'It came down to this'?
Well gee.... It came down to trying to be a part of a community of people who understand, a program that works and a place of support in building a better life?
How tragic.
My suggestion is to lay aside the gloomy attitude and show up to that first meeting with an openness, a curiosity about what this AA thing has to offer in your life.
It's really not so horrible.
In fact, it's pretty wonderful.
Well gee.... It came down to trying to be a part of a community of people who understand, a program that works and a place of support in building a better life?
How tragic.
My suggestion is to lay aside the gloomy attitude and show up to that first meeting with an openness, a curiosity about what this AA thing has to offer in your life.
It's really not so horrible.
In fact, it's pretty wonderful.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 194
Thank you for your responses. I was worried I would be told to come back some other time. Guess I'll just turn up and hope to see some friendly faces.
I see they have step meetings too, not really sure how those work..? I see some people here saying they're starting step work after 90 days of sobriety..?
Guess I'll just turn up and hope to see some friendly faces. I see they have step meetings too, not really sure how those work..? I see some people here saying they're starting step work after 90 days of sobriety..?
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 194
Originally Posted by FreeOwl 
'It came down to this'?
Well gee.... It came down to trying to be a part of a community of people who understand, a program that works and a place of support in building a better life?
Well gee.... It came down to trying to be a part of a community of people who understand, a program that works and a place of support in building a better life?
I hope it didn't get lost in translation that I'm actually getting off my high horse and berating myself for feeling "above" AA in my previous attempts at sobriety. It just makes everything feel very real and scary, and actually having to ask for help makes me feel very small. Which is all good.
I was "saving" AA as a last measure, guess I'm finally there. No offense was intended.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Stella, if you can, get a sponsor ASAP. Start your Step work ASAP. The Step work is the program of AA. that's the work and that's where the recovery kicks in. See if you can get a temporary sponsor if you can't get a full time one right off.
Try some different kinds of meetings.
Love from Lenina
Try some different kinds of meetings.
Love from Lenina
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
Originally Posted by StellaPolaris
I know... I was contemplation writing a disclaimer. I hope it didn't get lost in translation that I'm actually getting off my high horse and berating myself for feeling "above" AA in my previous attempts at sobriety. It just makes everything feel very real and scary, and actually having to ask for help makes me feel very small. Which is all good. I was "saving" AA as a last measure, guess I'm finally there. No offense was intended.
I hope it didn't get lost in translation that I'm actually getting off my high horse and berating myself for feeling "above" AA in my previous attempts at sobriety. It just makes everything feel very real and scary, and actually having to ask for help makes me feel very small. Which is all good. I was "saving" AA as a last measure, guess I'm finally there. No offense was intended. I was too good for AA for decades myself.
Through two almost three DUIs, two failed marriages, nearly losing my job and my children....
I was still too god for AA.
Until I finally woke up and realized how good AA would be for me.
Recovering ostrich
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 2,551
You can go to any meeting. Also keep in mind not all meetings are the same. My first few were not great and not full of healthy people but I kept hitting different ones and I like almost all of them. Never have been back to the ones where I first went.
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 194
Originally Posted by Tamerua
You can go to any meeting. Also keep in mind not all meetings are the same. My first few were not great and not full of healthy people but I kept hitting different ones and I like almost all of them. Never have been back to the ones where I first went.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
Open meetings are for anyone, closed meetings are for people with a desire to stop drinking. Just go. No appointment necessary. I've found it to be a welcome safe haven from drinking and I've met and made friends along the way. People in real life I can share my day and concerns with.
Recovering ostrich
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 2,551
Originally Posted by StellaPolaris
I'm finding myself looking forward to this, thanks to your replies. I obviously can't do this by myself, so I've decided to be humble and accept any help I can get.
I obviously can't do this by myself, so I've decided to be humble and accept any help I can get.
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