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went to an AA meeting for the first time

Old 04-24-2013, 08:29 PM
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went to an AA meeting for the first time

Going was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was more afraid than I have been when I thought my life was in danger. Strange that...

Don't really know if this is for me or not. It was good to talk to people who understand how my brain works, but at the same time there were some people there that clearly had other issues in their lives besides drinking.

Everyone was very supportive. Sadly, I got talking to someone afterwards who talked to me 95% of the time for 30 minutes afterwards. Probably just a coincidence and he meant well I'm sure.

Oh, and I don't smoke. Next time I'll have to pay attention to that first.

I'll probably go again sometime, but at a different location. The forum is very useful, though.
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Old 04-24-2013, 08:43 PM
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Glad you went.. They just want to help.. I agree, try some different groups till you find one you really click with.. Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!!
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Old 04-24-2013, 10:47 PM
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Great stuff - shows you are determined to crack this!

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Old 04-24-2013, 10:51 PM
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Good on you, I went to my second AA meeting yesterday! Still don''t quite fit in but I'm committed by the strength in their weakness of the men and women I have met so far.
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Old 04-25-2013, 02:49 AM
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Good news nimeton.
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Old 04-25-2013, 04:54 PM
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Yeah, I'll go to a different one to see. The thing is, I don't doubt that I was drinking too much and have no business doing it again, but my problem was always "functional." Other than my wife, who doesn't think I need to go, no one who knows me knows about my drinking issue.

Now my doctor, on the other hand, said I had to quit.

Anyway, a lot of these people seemed like their disease was worse than mine when I quit, but then again, not everyone spoke, so I don't know.

Still, though, like I said, I learned some things. I'm feeling better now. I haven't drunk anything since December, but for some reason I was really getting cravings a few days ago, which is why I joined the site.
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:00 PM
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Congratulations on facing the AA jitters and checking it out and definitely, keep checking around until you find a meeting which is the right fit for you.
All meetings have their own personality. I had to stop going to a certain meeting because every time I went, they were focusing on wars stories and my AVs were telling me that I am just a "mild" alcoholic.
Also when you go, try to identify with the feelings and not compare the experience. I know it is tough sometimes. I have been at some meetings where I could have sworn I was the only person who had never smoked crack and was not a convicted felon LOL. Just find your niche.
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Carlotta View Post
AVs were telling me that I am just a "mild" alcoholic.
Also when you go, try to identify with the feelings and not compare the experience. I know it is tough sometimes. I have been at some meetings where I could have sworn I was the only person who had never smoked crack and was not a convicted felon LOL. Just find your niche.
I'm glad to hear you say that, because that's kind of how I felt. And I hope I didn't come off as judgmental; everyone has their own experiences and more power to them. It's just a matter of finding a place where you can connect.

Thanks for the advice.
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:20 PM
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It was good to talk to people who understand how my brain works, but at the same time there were some people there that clearly had other issues in their lives besides drinking.

I think that's what they call "real life." Alcoholics tend not to notice this as much when they are drunk and wrapped up in their own world.

Good for you for going to a meeting. By all means, try another meeting. There are a lot of different groups and meeting styles, you might find one where you really connect to a lot of the people. I was fortunate to find a group like that in early sobriety, it really helped.
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:24 PM
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It's a progressive illness and if you had continued to drink, who knows what would happen.

Try relating in instead of out. Find another meeting....lots of people have high bottoms in AA.

Keep coming back!
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by sugarbear1 View Post
It's a progressive illness and if you had continued to drink, who knows what would happen.
I think I have an idea. I was seriously thinking about suicide when I quit. I spent 9 months in Afghanistan and the way I felt when finally quit was 10 times worse than anything I experienced there. I don't want to ever forget that low it's a powerful motivator.

Alcohol was seriously affecting my mental health. (I'm seeing a doctor about that now.)

PS I wasn't in the military when I was in Afghanistan. I was working there.
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by nimeton View Post
Going was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was more afraid than I have been when I thought my life was in danger. Strange that...

Don't really know if this is for me or not. It was good to talk to people who understand how my brain works, but at the same time there were some people there that clearly had other issues in their lives besides drinking.

Everyone was very supportive. Sadly, I got talking to someone afterwards who talked to me 95% of the time for 30 minutes afterwards. Probably just a coincidence and he meant well I'm sure.

Oh, and I don't smoke. Next time I'll have to pay attention to that first.

I'll probably go again sometime, but at a different location. The forum is very useful, though.
I have mixed feeling about AA meetings.
As your problem relates primarily to drinking and this is what AA seems to specialise in, it may well be good for you.
Some people everywhere like to hog the conversation and I usually try to avoid them if the condition is chronic.
AS for smoking, I am not sure if forgetting of bad habits as necessary to overcome alcohol, at least in the early stages, is wise but it appears to be the basic doctrine of some AAs.
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