First Meeting
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: upland, ca
Posts: 46
First Meeting
I found this website on Wed and made my first meeting tonight. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. It was very hard to go honestly. I had wanted the first meeting to be a woman's meeting - I thought I would feel more comfortable. But I realized I was just procrastinating & could always find an excuse. So my husband was able to stay home with the kids and I made my way to the closest one.
It was an older crowd, little rough around the edges; and I didn't think this was where I would fit in. So the meeting starts - I take the seat closest to the door of course. And then people start talking. It was really, really where I needed to be right now and what I needed to be hearing. I don't see why I was so hesitant & I am glad I got over it.
Thanks
It was an older crowd, little rough around the edges; and I didn't think this was where I would fit in. So the meeting starts - I take the seat closest to the door of course. And then people start talking. It was really, really where I needed to be right now and what I needed to be hearing. I don't see why I was so hesitant & I am glad I got over it.
Thanks
great job on making it out to a meeting. Did you talk with anyone or get any numbers? Might be good to get a blue book too.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
That's great stuff! Keep going back and getting help, don't be afraid to stick your hand up for help. Get those numbers, stay 5 minutes after to see who goes for coffee (some great 30 min meetings over coffee too;-)), look out for a sponsor (a lady, i presume you are) and get cracking on wortking the steps...easy:-)
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Chepstow
Posts: 359
I think meetings are great and I don't know about you lot, but I go to three regular meetings and each one of them is different; but one of them I have to travel a distance to get to is a Big Book Study Meeting and it's the best of the lot. If you need to hear a message of hope and recovery, find a meeting that carries a strong message.
My other two meetings are great for the Fellowship (coffee and a chat), but I always try to pass on the message there, even if lots of the members think I'm a bit strange.
My other two meetings are great for the Fellowship (coffee and a chat), but I always try to pass on the message there, even if lots of the members think I'm a bit strange.
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 85
Great job on attending your first meeting! I don't think it's easy for anyone. I know I stood outside, staring at that door for about 15 minutes before I got the courage to go inside. I'm so happy to hear you had a good experience. 
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
That is awesome, keep going back, keep in mind that every meeting has a different personality, some of them just do not click for every one, just check out another meeting. BTW get some of the ladies phone numbers.
Resident grateful guy!
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bloomington, Mn.
Posts: 120
GOOD for you!!! 
Now just remember 1 thing. There are 2 times you got to meetings. When you want to, and when you don't want to. Get yourself a sponsor as soon as possible. Even if it's just a temporary one until you find someone you're comfortable with. The longer you wait the harder it will be. Keep coming back!!!
Now just remember 1 thing. There are 2 times you got to meetings. When you want to, and when you don't want to. Get yourself a sponsor as soon as possible. Even if it's just a temporary one until you find someone you're comfortable with. The longer you wait the harder it will be. Keep coming back!!!
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,035
I'm glad to hear you made it to a meeting and were able to have the kids taken care of, I know that was a concern from your first post.
I was worried about not fitting in with the crowd too. But our members range in age from 14-94, they come from all walks of life, races, and creeds. We all get along so well, it's amazing to have such a huge family in recovery.
I was worried about not fitting in with the crowd too. But our members range in age from 14-94, they come from all walks of life, races, and creeds. We all get along so well, it's amazing to have such a huge family in recovery.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: upland, ca
Posts: 46
So a lot of you are recommending finding a sponsor right away. I've read a few posts about people having trouble finding experienced sponsors or ones that fit. Does anyone have advice on what to look for in a sponsor - in their a minimum time they should have been in recovery themselves, what if they already sponsor others? Would it be unheard of to finding an online sponsor - like at this site?
Thanks & thank you again for all the encouragement. This site is so accessible - it is really making the first steps somewhat easier for me.
Thanks & thank you again for all the encouragement. This site is so accessible - it is really making the first steps somewhat easier for me.
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,035
Personally I think it's important to have a face-to-face sponsor. It'd be really easy for me to hide away from and avoid an online sponsor. Here's the AA pamphlet on Sponsorship, please take the time to read it as I think it explains it best Alcoholics Anonymous : Pamphlets
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: upland, ca
Posts: 46
I guess you are right Astro. I think a lot of this disease is centered around hiding and escaping anyway - which are really the same thing essentially. When I would drink it was usually to hide away or try and forget the stresses in my everyday life, and during everyday life I was trying to hide away that I had a drinking problem and was an alcoholic. So the search begins - time to seek not hide.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Chepstow
Posts: 359
Originally Posted by killingmesmalls 
So a lot of you are recommending finding a sponsor right away. I've read a few posts about people having trouble finding experienced sponsors or ones that fit. Does anyone have advice on what to look for in a sponsor - in their a minimum time they should have been in recovery themselves, what if they already sponsor others? Would it be unheard of to finding an online sponsor - like at this site?
Thanks & thank you again for all the encouragement. This site is so accessible - it is really making the first steps somewhat easier for me.
Thanks & thank you again for all the encouragement. This site is so accessible - it is really making the first steps somewhat easier for me.
And I can think of one person I know whose in and out of AA and rehabs; procrastinating about getting a sponsor because she wants to 'find the right one', and I suspect that'll kill her in the end.
I would suggest you find a 'temporary sponsor', (ask someone in those terms) but ENSURE they're a Big Book fanatic that carries a strong message of recovery. And the chances are you'll find this temporary sponsor becomes a lasting one.
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