First AA meeting
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Great start. When's the next? Keep going back. It does work, IF we workit.
I remember thinking, 'work?, what work?' I never spotted that actually meetings alone aren't The Program. They are just one leg of the AA stool. When you look at the AA logo it tells us what all three legs are. Unity, Service and Recovery. Attending meetings, engaging with other recovering alcoholics and supporting each other is the Unity part. Service is when we start actually helping out at the meetings - setting up and clearing up, washing up, making coffee, and later, holding service positions and sponsoring people. And the all important Recovery - working a 12-step program with a sponsor guiding us through it, and learning over time to practice the principles of the program in all areas of our lives.
I didn't really believe the AA Promises really came true for people. I kind of thought it was standard advertising blarney. I just thought it was a coincidence that the people who'd been around AA for some time seemed calm and serene and had their lives together. Now I know different. It did take me getting a scary level of desperation before I was willing to take a leap of faith and get a sponsor and do that work. 6 months just going to meetings and not doing the work I needed to do got me to that level of desperation - I really did drag the pain out lol!
Wishing you all the best for your recovery. BB
I remember thinking, 'work?, what work?' I never spotted that actually meetings alone aren't The Program. They are just one leg of the AA stool. When you look at the AA logo it tells us what all three legs are. Unity, Service and Recovery. Attending meetings, engaging with other recovering alcoholics and supporting each other is the Unity part. Service is when we start actually helping out at the meetings - setting up and clearing up, washing up, making coffee, and later, holding service positions and sponsoring people. And the all important Recovery - working a 12-step program with a sponsor guiding us through it, and learning over time to practice the principles of the program in all areas of our lives.
I didn't really believe the AA Promises really came true for people. I kind of thought it was standard advertising blarney. I just thought it was a coincidence that the people who'd been around AA for some time seemed calm and serene and had their lives together. Now I know different. It did take me getting a scary level of desperation before I was willing to take a leap of faith and get a sponsor and do that work. 6 months just going to meetings and not doing the work I needed to do got me to that level of desperation - I really did drag the pain out lol!
Wishing you all the best for your recovery. BB
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Good job! Keep coming back. And, what berrybean said. I have seen the promises coming true all over my life; focusing on others benefits them and me; working a program of action, not intention, continues to lead me to a better life than I had ever imagined possible.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 959
K66, this is great news!
Someone had mentioned AA in your other thread and I thought, oh yeah, good idea!
Even IF you only went for the company and for something to do on the lonelier evenings, getting out of the house to a meeting would help, and it would also expand your circle of acquaintances and you might even make some new sober friends, e.g., to go for coffee or to do things with on the weekends.
I remember that my first few AA meetings some years ago helped me to feel more at home in the world.
Really nice to see this development.
Best wishes!
Someone had mentioned AA in your other thread and I thought, oh yeah, good idea!
Even IF you only went for the company and for something to do on the lonelier evenings, getting out of the house to a meeting would help, and it would also expand your circle of acquaintances and you might even make some new sober friends, e.g., to go for coffee or to do things with on the weekends.
I remember that my first few AA meetings some years ago helped me to feel more at home in the world.
Really nice to see this development.
Best wishes!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 1,060
So happy to hear that you are taking some action in your recovery. Listen to others and look for the similarities. Everyone in those rooms was in your same position (new comer). Everyone in those rooms will help you to stay sober all you have to do is ask. Ask for numbers and use them it helps until your cravings subside. And lastly, its a spiritual program not a religious one.
Welcome home.
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