This is what keeps me from going to an AA meeting:
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 66
This is what keeps me from going to an AA meeting:
I live in the San Francisco area, so you can imagine there a plenty of meetings all the time. My problem is I have no idea which one to go to as someone who is new to sobriety. They all have names liek Singleness of Purpose; Sunday Serentiy, Sharing Choices, 12 Step Study; Courage to Change, etc. What do all these names mean? Are there different kinds of meetings? I'm afraid I'll walk into a meeting where you need some prerequisite or it's tailored to certain people. Too confusing.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Melbourne victoria
Posts: 1,975
Ho Garsh ! 
The names are only names to identify the groups. There ARE different types of meetings , but it doesnt matter: The ONLY prerequisite you need is A DESIRE TO STOP DRINKING that is the ONLY requirement for membership. There is nothing to sign, no obligation to return to the same meeting again if it is not to your liking, I would try them all and see where you are most comfy.
You will be warmly welcomed, and congratulated on your sober time. The newcomer is the MOST important person at any meeting. There is no pressure for you to even speak, just park your butt, and listen up! LOL
HUGX
Lee
The names are only names to identify the groups. There ARE different types of meetings , but it doesnt matter: The ONLY prerequisite you need is A DESIRE TO STOP DRINKING that is the ONLY requirement for membership. There is nothing to sign, no obligation to return to the same meeting again if it is not to your liking, I would try them all and see where you are most comfy.
You will be warmly welcomed, and congratulated on your sober time. The newcomer is the MOST important person at any meeting. There is no pressure for you to even speak, just park your butt, and listen up! LOL
HUGX
Lee
Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Melbourne victoria
Posts: 1,975
Ha Ha ! that might be a good idea !
HUGX
Lee
PS we had someone from our group who was going to new York for work , and we got a NY meetings book for her , there were some crazy names in there I tell ya
HUGX
Lee
PS we had someone from our group who was going to new York for work , and we got a NY meetings book for her , there were some crazy names in there I tell ya
Living and Loving.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Saratoga, California
Posts: 475
Heya garsh,
I can relate! Took me a long time to walk into a meeting. I think mine was called "The Easier Way" group. wtf does that mean? lol I know now but at the time I had no clue. But, it doesn't matter what it's called... doesn't have to say "Newbies only" at all. In fact, all meetings are a good choice for your first one. You will find stories that relate to you - I know I was amazed at that fact. Also, I was amazed that no one there fit my mental image of an alcoholic. Course, *I* don't fit my mental image of an alcoholic either and yet there I was afraid to go cuz I felt awkward/outofplace/********/shameful/afraid/<insert insecurity here>. Nope, I can honestly say not a single one of them smelled like urine, stale cigarettes, and puke. LoL I know, I know, what a not nice thing to say... but seriously, this really went through my mind as I was contemplating going to an aa meeting. Everyone of them, if I saw em at the grocery store, were people I would never in a million years have guessed they were alcoholics. They were just like me - yer everyday normal lookin kinda people.
g'luck to you,
Suga
I can relate! Took me a long time to walk into a meeting. I think mine was called "The Easier Way" group. wtf does that mean? lol I know now but at the time I had no clue. But, it doesn't matter what it's called... doesn't have to say "Newbies only" at all. In fact, all meetings are a good choice for your first one. You will find stories that relate to you - I know I was amazed at that fact. Also, I was amazed that no one there fit my mental image of an alcoholic. Course, *I* don't fit my mental image of an alcoholic either and yet there I was afraid to go cuz I felt awkward/outofplace/********/shameful/afraid/<insert insecurity here>. Nope, I can honestly say not a single one of them smelled like urine, stale cigarettes, and puke. LoL I know, I know, what a not nice thing to say... but seriously, this really went through my mind as I was contemplating going to an aa meeting. Everyone of them, if I saw em at the grocery store, were people I would never in a million years have guessed they were alcoholics. They were just like me - yer everyday normal lookin kinda people.
g'luck to you,
Suga
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Montana
Posts: 50
Oh garsh you are toooooo funny... I have heard every excuse in the book for not making meetings but that was the worst one ever.. ( smile )
Yes -- there are various types of meetings... But mostly what you wrote were just the name of the group. Groups name themselves. Yet there are also Big Book study groups where they read then talk about something in the book. Step study meetings means they talk about a particular step. etc..etc..
I pay little attention to it as the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.. We don't even have to be alcoholic or say we are.. Just a desire to stop drinking. If anyone challenges me -- I could care less.. I have been sober 25 years and will go to any dang meeting I choose.. Have not been thrown out yet.. ( smile )... If I were to get thrown out then that would NOT be an AA meeting..
The best way to get your questions answered is go...
Linda C.
Yes -- there are various types of meetings... But mostly what you wrote were just the name of the group. Groups name themselves. Yet there are also Big Book study groups where they read then talk about something in the book. Step study meetings means they talk about a particular step. etc..etc..
I pay little attention to it as the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.. We don't even have to be alcoholic or say we are.. Just a desire to stop drinking. If anyone challenges me -- I could care less.. I have been sober 25 years and will go to any dang meeting I choose.. Have not been thrown out yet.. ( smile )... If I were to get thrown out then that would NOT be an AA meeting..
The best way to get your questions answered is go...
Linda C.
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