Horn95

I’ll let you all know how it goes. Anxiety is awful right now Shaky hands. Upset on stomach.

Ghostlight1

Great job on going to a meeting.
Are you anxious and all that for fear of the meeting, or from drinking?
Whichever, you're making a great decision.
Yes, let us know how it goes.
Best to you and hope you feel better.

Canuckleman45

I’m going to go to my first one as well. Good luck!

january161992

great job Horn95 and Canuckleman45 on your great demonstration of willingness

willingness is the key!

DontRemember

The anxiety of waking up from a binge was far worse than the bit of anxiety I had going to my 1st meeting. I know you've been struggling for a while Horn and glad you are looking for any/all resources for help and support. Please do go tonight. It may not be for you,but it may be the best thing to happen to you as well. Never know until we try.

Horn95

Unfortunately, drinking. I just worked out, and feeling a little better. My wife thinks it’s a good idea for me to go the meeting.

Anna

I hope it goes well.

Ghostlight1

I think it's a good idea, too. Please do. Wishing you well.

FreeOwl

I remember heading into my first voluntary AA meeting... scared, anxious, hungover..... I was a wreck.

Fortunately I had a girlfriend at the time who came with me. Helped me not feel so scared. Helped me face up and do it. I might not.... probably would not... have gone if she hadn't come.

I'd been to a few AA meetings about a decade earlier. Those were court-ordered and I went with the attitude of 'doing my penance' and getting it over with. I wasn't like them. I'd just had some bad luck. Those people were alcoholics. etc.

hahah... ahh man. Life sure is an interesting ride. I'm sure glad for AA. I hope you have a great experience and this represents a first step along your first steps to a better life!

Berrybean

How did it go Horn?

Horn95

Meeting is at 7 pm CST. Still hanging on.

Berrybean

Ahhh. How long away is that from now? Im on gmt. I get confused by time differences.

BB

PinnacleOR

I went to my first AA meeting in a long time last night. Go, be totally honest and you’ll find tons of understanding and support. Long timers there have been through, seen, and heard it all. Get phone numbers and use them!

Horn95

Are you in the UK? I think you all are 6 hours ahead of us here in Houston, Texas. In any event, it is 2:54 pm in Houston. Meeting is at 7. So about 4 hours from now.

As for this meeting, I am anxious but not sure really why. I think I am just going to take it all in and observe, for now.

Berrybean

Ahhh. I'll have to have your update with my breakfast then - gonna hit the sack soon.

First meeting is always scary - not so much the meetingbistself, but the whole build up beforehand. Once we get in the door and sit down it's generally fine. Funny - my AA bestie is from Texas.

BB

tomsteve

probably some fear kikin. maybe not knowing what its going to be like? no used to walkin into something without knowing what its going to be like?

Horn95

Probably. I think part of is also that I have been through a lot in my life -- which I don't like to talk about, or even admit affected me. Both parents were alcoholics, and I saw some stuff a kid should never see -- I'll leave it at that. I did a really good job of keeping it all in, for many years. Very successful academic and professional career. But I have been self-medicating for years, and I lost control of it. And I cannot get it back. I have to face a bunch of things I have been avoiding for decades. In retrospect, it cost me a marriage.

It's that old adage. A man stares into the abyss and nothing is staring back at him. That is when he finds his character.

And all of y'all, thanks so much for all of the support. Y'all are just good people.

Berrybean

Well, don't worry about having to talk about anything this evening. You can just sit quiet and listen if you want. Plenty of time for talking once you've decided who you want to share with. And it might never be in a group situation at all for you. Plenty of folk prefer to keep certain things private.

BB

awuh1

No need to say anything, but I would strongly suggest that you say that it your first AA meeting, at the first opportunity. People will then know where you are coming from.

All the best Horn

Berrybean

Hey Horn.

How did it go?

BB