First AA meeting.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 133
First AA meeting.
I'm thinking of attending my first AA meeting this week. I found one poking around on the internet at a church less than a mile from my house. There's no phone number or email adress just the day and time. In general as a newbe do you just show up or are you supposed to contact someone and let them know you're interested in attending?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 133
Originally Posted by PaperDolls 
All you have to do is show up ... the only requirement to attend a closed meeting is that you have a desire to stop drinking.
Congrats on making this step!! AA saved my life.
Congrats on making this step!! AA saved my life.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: In a Good Place
Posts: 484
Good luck! I have went to several AA meetings. Some I liked (open discussion) and some I didnt (they read from the 12 steps book). You'll find one you like and probably gain some good friends. Dont worry, within five minutes you will be very comfortable!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 456
Yep- just show up. Find the coffee, find a seat.
The first 15 minutes will likely be the prologue. At some point they might ask "if there is anyone here for their first meeting since their last drink or (in the case of my home group) their first meeting anytime, anywhere please introduce yourself by your first name only so that we may get to know you better." At this point is would be appropriate to say "my name is_______." You can say "an I'm an alcoholic" if you feel that you are.
This will likely go into what we call a "First step" meeting.
In this type of meeting members will often share their experiences of what their lives were like before and what they are now.
In my groups new members are never asked to speak but are welcome to if they would like. I've found that many who find themselves so fed up with life to find themselves in the rooms of AA can't wait to say something.
To me, the most important part of the first meeting is after the meeting. Stick around, there will likely be a few people who will want to get to know you. We also give our phone numbers to new members and invite them to call us if they have questions or just need to talk.
The most important thing you'll notice is that AA is about attraction and not promotion.
Let us know how it goes for you. I think you'll find it full of very nice people that tell your storty.
The first 15 minutes will likely be the prologue. At some point they might ask "if there is anyone here for their first meeting since their last drink or (in the case of my home group) their first meeting anytime, anywhere please introduce yourself by your first name only so that we may get to know you better." At this point is would be appropriate to say "my name is_______." You can say "an I'm an alcoholic" if you feel that you are.
This will likely go into what we call a "First step" meeting.
In this type of meeting members will often share their experiences of what their lives were like before and what they are now.
In my groups new members are never asked to speak but are welcome to if they would like. I've found that many who find themselves so fed up with life to find themselves in the rooms of AA can't wait to say something.
To me, the most important part of the first meeting is after the meeting. Stick around, there will likely be a few people who will want to get to know you. We also give our phone numbers to new members and invite them to call us if they have questions or just need to talk.
The most important thing you'll notice is that AA is about attraction and not promotion.
Let us know how it goes for you. I think you'll find it full of very nice people that tell your storty.
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
Craze
You may find this website helpful for answering your questions about your first meeting:
Your First AA Meeting<
Good luck!
You may find this website helpful for answering your questions about your first meeting:
Your First AA Meeting<
Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 26
Good for you. I'm going to attend my first meeting tomorrow night. It's specifically for "newcomers", so that's why I chose that particular meeting. Luckily there are a lot to choose from in my area. Hoping this will help me (and you too!)
- Motivated -
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Framingham, MA
Posts: 309
Originally Posted by mwstylee
Please report back with your experience. I'm very curious and too chicken to go to one myself.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 450
Originally Posted by Jay1980
If you can find an open meeting in your area a friend or family member could go with you for support.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 133
Originally Posted by Fluffernutter
Good for you. I'm going to attend my first meeting tomorrow night. It's specifically for "newcomers", so that's why I chose that particular meeting. Luckily there are a lot to choose from in my area. Hoping this will help me (and you too!)
- Motivated -
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Framingham, MA
Posts: 309
Originally Posted by mwstylee
Thanks for the kind words Jay. I've been isolating myself lately the past few years...the pattern is weekend bender, drink every weekday, go to work, go to a few social/family gatherings to keep my friends and family and coworkers off my trail. Every single one of them. Would prefer to quit alone or in the company of strangers...
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
