New to this
 

Hi, I'm completely new to this whole thing, and I just decided today that I needed help with my alcohol addiction. I have no idea where to start or where to go so this is my first step that I am taking. It seemed like the safest path to start with. Can anyone give me any suggestions on what I do next. I am thinking about calling my local AA tomorrow but I am just so scared. Then it becomes real. I'm scared to death to go to my first meeting. If anyone can give me any advice I would really appreciate it. thank you.

Welcome. <3 I tried to kick this thing on my own for two years, and it just made things worse. Last Sunday, after my first week on SR, I went to my first AA meeting. Hang out around here for a bit, get information and advice, ask questions. I bet within a week you'll have the courage to go to that first meeting.

Good luck!

Welcome, walkera. You've come to the right place. Keep posting, you'll find many others that have been right where you are and can help you get through this tough time. Calling AA and getting a meeting schedule is an excellent idea. Find one and go to it. Don't be scared. Attending a meeting doesn't make anything 'real' - either it already IS real, or it AIN'T. Look at it that way. Nor does attending make you a 'member', or an 'alcoholic'. Only you can decide whether you are either of those things, and they'll likely take a number of meetings (and reading and talking to people) to figure out.

But bottom line, a meeting is far less scary than a lifetime of active alcoholism - that's why everyone's THERE, remember that. Once you knock out your first meeting, believe me, you're going to walk out laughing about having been scared about going. It's a very chill place, and you don't even have to say a word, and nobody will likely even address you if you don't speak up and make yourself known. If I were you, I'd look for either a newcomers meeting, or a meeting with a speaker, and I WOULD make myself known as a newcomer - but you certainly don't have to.

You'll find there are almost no rules other than basic politeness, and it doesn't take long to figure out the format and figure out how to 'act' in meetings - just do a lot of listening. You'll find LOTS of people there who want nothing more than to help you, not judge you, so really, no cause for fear. It'll likely end up feeling like finally coming 'home' after years in the wilderness. I know it did for many of us here :)

The type of meeting will be denoted on the schedule they'll fax or mail you when you call the hotline. Or you can just check online in many areas, most meetings are posted if you poke around the AA site.

Make sure to touch base and let us know how it went :)

I tried it on my own for a long time also failing miserably at my attempts.

AA helps tremendously.

Glad you found SR! Stick around and keep posting.

Hi Walkera ...
welcome to SR. This is a great place for support , friendship, and fun!

Ummm... going to AA doesn't make a problem real.
The problem ... is already real.
AA ... makes the problem ... change.

Good for you knowing what the next move is!
Welcome!

Welcome to SR and good look with your jouney to sobriety, it happens and it's great.

Hi again!
:)
Here is link full of info on alcoholism

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html

And Yes! AA is an awesome adventure.
Do go and see for yourself...:bounce

Well done on deciding to quit, it's a brave thing you're doing!!!

You're doing the right thing... :)

Hi,

Welcome to SR...

Keep posting, so glad you found us...:ghug

Welcome :)

Good to meet you!

welcome, walkera - glad you're here. all i can say is go to that first meeting :)

and keep posting! k

Welcome Walkera,just being on here is a good start,best wishes

Hi!
Welcome aboard!
Do call A.A. They won't bite you know!! :)
Let us know how you get on.

I think an important thing is to ask yourself why you fear it.

I am new to recovery, and I feared going to the doctor. I thought he might scold me, look down on me, or tell me that I had helath problems beyond his expertise. I was dead wrong. He was elpful, encouraging, and understanding.

Tonight I go to my first AA meeting.

At first, I feared that too. I thought I was admitting to being a degenerate. After feeling great all day, having medical help, and encouragement of my best friend, I am going to walk my happy ass into that meeting, and say "I'm an alcoholic, and I am not ashamed of it. It was out of my control, and I am going to wrestle away that control....that S.O.B. is mine!"

I am going to take back all of that time that I spent thinking about booze, drinking alcohol, recovering from hangovers....not to mention all of that money....and I am going to find out what else is out there in the world.

Instead of dreading getting out of bed and finding every excuse not to work, I am going to be out and about growing my company.

I am going to meet a nice girl that is not a bartender or waitress.

AA's going to help with that.

good luck.

Hi Walkera,

Glad that you are here! Please try a meeting, it IS scary at first but I'll tell ya it's a wonderful thing that you'll look forward to going to..

Cartridge,

You sound really great today...please let us know how the meeting goes.

Karen

Hi Walkera,

Welcome!

I am glad that you're seeking help and hope that you find lots of support and information here at SR.

I feel sooo good today. I know the rougher spots are probably coming, but I feel fantastic.

This place is like AA
A meeting you can go to any time of the day!
But it is also good to experience it in person too.

Glad you are here. welcome

I understand where you are at right now. I knew what I needed to do, but yet was scared to finally let go of the life style I had ever known. I was fortunate that I have a good friend who has been sober for 5 years and is active with AA, so I called her and went to my first AA meeting with her and will keep going. It was scary, but you will be surprised how you are welcomed with open arms and although the everyone's story may not be exactly the same as yours there are many similarities that you can relate to. It is a comforting place to be. I love the knew peace and contentment I have found within myself. I wish you all the luck!!

Shiloh