Looking for AA Meeting
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 59
Looking for AA Meeting
I notice the open and closed meetings on the local website. My question, being a certified alco looking to start meeting, is it acceptable to go to a closed meeting for my first meeting?
And between discussion, speaker, etc., is there a recommendation?
And between discussion, speaker, etc., is there a recommendation?
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,934
Myself, I would go to a closed meeting because I would be more comfortable. A discussion meeting around here means an open discussion of whatever topic anybody brings up. If you tell them that it is your first time they will likely do a "first timers" meeting and gear the meeting to support you. Several people will give you their phone numbers, and if you don't want to talk you do not have to.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 10,182
Yes, a closed meeting is perfectly acceptable. 
Personally I prefer literature-based meetings. My little home group has 3 meetings a week, Wednesday is Big Book Study, Fridays are open but we usually read out of the Big Book, and Sundays are 12 Steps/12 Traditions study.
Speaker meetings are good too as I usually get something out of a speaker's share. It's an opportunity to just listen.
Personally I prefer literature-based meetings. My little home group has 3 meetings a week, Wednesday is Big Book Study, Fridays are open but we usually read out of the Big Book, and Sundays are 12 Steps/12 Traditions study.
Speaker meetings are good too as I usually get something out of a speaker's share. It's an opportunity to just listen.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 37
Originally Posted by abnheel 
So, what does a closed meeting mean? I almost felt it was strictly for those who were already part of a group.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
Originally Posted by abnheel
I notice the open and closed meetings on the local website. My question, being a certified alco looking to start meeting, is it acceptable to go to a closed meeting for my first meeting?
And between discussion, speaker, etc., is there a recommendation?
And between discussion, speaker, etc., is there a recommendation?
It might be a little embarrassing but getting honest is paramount. Go there prepared to listen. Listen for things you can identify with....and do a lot of looking. Look for the clear eyes. Listen to the laughing. Feel the love in the room. It doesn't matter if you talk or not, that's up to you.
Congratulations on taking some action, on being willing to do something you may not WANT to do, and on being open to trying something you didn't come up with on your own
Good goin!!!
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
open meetings are open to anyone....you don't need to have a problem with alcohol or want to do anything about it.
closed meetings are limited to people who have a problem with alcohol.
closed meetings are limited to people who have a problem with alcohol.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hello again......
Here is a link with lots of good information
Your First AA Meeting<
I'm so pleased to see you are going to check out AA
The program offers so much more than not drinking....
I suggest you attend several different groups..if possible.
Each group has it's own ambience.
All my best
Here is a link with lots of good information
Your First AA Meeting<
I'm so pleased to see you are going to check out AA
The program offers so much more than not drinking....
I suggest you attend several different groups..if possible.
Each group has it's own ambience.
All my best
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 59
Originally Posted by Freedom1990
Yes, a closed meeting is perfectly acceptable.
Personally I prefer literature-based meetings. My little home group has 3 meetings a week, Wednesday is Big Book Study, Fridays are open but we usually read out of the Big Book, and Sundays are 12 Steps/12 Traditions study.
Speaker meetings are good too as I usually get something out of a speaker's share. It's an opportunity to just listen.
Personally I prefer literature-based meetings. My little home group has 3 meetings a week, Wednesday is Big Book Study, Fridays are open but we usually read out of the Big Book, and Sundays are 12 Steps/12 Traditions study.
Speaker meetings are good too as I usually get something out of a speaker's share. It's an opportunity to just listen.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
My first was tonight, too. It was a "beginners meeting" and I was the only newbie, and indeed the whole meeting of these 40 or so people was geared to me. That's important for the newbie, because of the support you get, and for the old guys, because of the 12th step. It's damned encouraging to see that they mean it, and I sincerely believe they do.
A work in progress
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
I'm so happy you guys got a great first meeting! Just so you know, you will once in awhile stumble into a meeting that might not be so great. Even the best groups can have an "off night" (I remember one where a big dog was brought in by someone who let it off the leash sniffing everyone--the problem was eventually dealt with), and some groups will tend to have a lot of people--mostly newcomers--moaning about what's bad in their lives without much experience, strength and hope from those with some sobriety. There are other variations on "not-so-hot" meetings. Overall, I find them to be relatively few and far between.
Early sobriety is a great time to explore LOTS of different meetings. Inevitably, there were some you will like more than others. I tried to get a good mix of different kind of meetings when I was new--some step study, some Big Book, some open discussion. I went to a couple of women's meetings (which some women LOVE), but I didn't care for them as much. There are also men's meetings.
Early sobriety is a great time to explore LOTS of different meetings. Inevitably, there were some you will like more than others. I tried to get a good mix of different kind of meetings when I was new--some step study, some Big Book, some open discussion. I went to a couple of women's meetings (which some women LOVE), but I didn't care for them as much. There are also men's meetings.
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