Canuckleman45

Good morning. Not a bad friday or saturday evening, but just enough to to irritate the hell out of you. Everyone here would know what I'm talking about. But I'm getting up this morning, dusting myself off and going to try my damnest to have the best day ive had in awhile without the devil water. Some of you have asked me if Ive gone to a meeting yet, sadly I've gone to 2 and my anxiety was so bad i couldn't go in. i sat in my truck and couldn't do it. I even had a man come up to my truck and tried encouraging me. we had a nice little chat right there and hopefully the noon meeting today is my day. Anyways enough of the boring stuff, I hope y'all have a wonderful Sunday!!!!!!!

FLCamper

Even if you just sit in the parking lot, keep going. Your anxiety may lessen and you'll become more comfortable and be able to walk in. Regardless, if you're in the parking lot, you're not drinking.

doggonecarl

Has your anxiety ever stopped you from getting alcohol or drinking? Then don't let it stop your recovery.

Canuckleman45

I get anxiety when I'm out of my comfort zone. normally I'm fine. Im kind of introverted, so an AA meeting would totally amp that up. LOL. a bunch of people in a setting like that is going to be tough

aasharon90

You have our SR support as you begin taking
small, positive steps in recovery, listening,
learning, absorbing and applying an effective,
continuous, program of recovery to build
a strong, solid foundation to achieve many
awesome gifts and promises that many of
us are experiencing while remaining sober.

The hand of AA has been reached out to
you to take. Grab it and hold on tight as
many will lead you with each step you take.

You are never alone within the fellowship
of recovery.

Keep us posted.

aasharon90

I was always filled with anxiety when
going to meetings until I began bringing
food or goodies to go along with the coffee.

Many of the meetings I went to were around
noon time in which lots of folks were taking
the hour out of their job to run to a meeting
for the day. It being the lunch hour, I thought
it would be nice for them to have a treat to
take the edge off while making their meeting.

Sure enough it worked well for me, because
the anxiety lessened so I could go to those
meetings, get my AA medicine for the day
and feel apart of the fellowship.

Soon I became the cake lady or Sharon
of Pepperidge Farms as part of my service
work.

Doing some sort of service work, which back
in the day when smoking cigarettes were
allowed, cleaning ash trays was important
for some one to do. They also need folks to
come in early to make coffee or set up chairs.

Suiting up and showing up either early
or staying after the meeting to clean up,
maybe a greeter at the door, reading something,
chairing a meeting, handing out chips, collecting
empty coffee cups......all that and more is considered
service work in recovery and allows many to
participate and help them with whatever is
ailing them.

If you bring some cookies or something to
eat at your meetings, I believe you will be
so welcomed as you forget your anxiety
and place your focus on helping others while
you are building a strong solid recovery
foundation one day at a time.

Street67

Just a thought for ya. Everyone in that meeting is just like you. At one time they was the one full of fear to walk thru those doors but when they did they felt at home. They felt as they belonged. Hope and love is on the otherside of those doors. Don't be afraid. That fear will leave the instant you face it. Don't give up.

DontRemember

I laughed a bit about you setting in your truck..No offense.. I drove to my closest meeting 4 times before going in. Being court ordered, I only had three choices: Go in, sign my own slip or go to jail.. I went in and it was a HARD door to walk through,but once there I was welcomed. I still go today and my court stuff ended in Feb. I'm not an avid AA'er,but we don't bite and are just like you in more ways than you know. You'll hear it when you do go in. F2F meetings have helped me a lot! It's only an hour(you can leave whenever you want) and you don't have to say a word.

Delizadee

The fact that you showed up is a great first step.
I gave up on a few meetings that were new to me because I was fairly timid and couldn't find those mysterious hidden doors without some help.

It gets easier with time. And if you branch out and try new meetings, you will have the opportunity to suss out the right group for you and perhaps a companion to go to meetings with, and, if you're interested, maybe even a sponsor. Keep going!

D122y

Can,

When I was really ready to quit I knew it.

Otherwise, i was not prepared to deal w the suffering getting sober causes., the ongoing struggle we in recovery deal with.

The end game is early death w mental damage including insanity. Until i was ready, none of this mattered. The physical addiction was too strong.

I have mental damage. Anxiety I never learned to deal w....Anger issues. Other stuff too I figure.

Now...Physically I am stronger than I have been in 20 plus years. Mentally, much better.

But, I still crave sometimes. I crave the euphoria the initial buzz gives. But, I suffer through that because I know, for that time I am buzzed, I will deal w the hell of detox and withdrawals.

The deal is I got addicted early in my life and I could recover to a state of somewhat solid function. But, as I got older, I degenerated. I was a mess. A fat, stinking, lazy, greasy mess.

Not anymore.

Thanks for the post.

Dee74

Welcome Street

I'm glad you're back canuckleman - sorry about the weekend tho.

I think sometiemns we need to get out of our confort zone - bring in some reinforcements , try something different, rather than simply trying the same thing again.

Start making an action plan for next weekend now mebbe?

https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...very-plan.html (What exactly is a recovery plan?)

D

oakleaf82

Don’t give up! Getting out of our comfort zone is exactly how we grow and transform. This is coming from an introvert.