Went to first AA meeting tonight
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 355
Originally Posted by person197 
Everyone was so welcoming! I was TERRIFIED to walk in that building.
I got all the way to the outside of the meeting room on my first try, but I turned around and left. Finally got through the door last Friday and have been going every day this week.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 123
It tough to first through the doors but once you start it becomes easy. It's about facing fear and I can guarantee when make the right decision and go to a meeting and face that fear only good will happen...and you will feel awesome that you just showed up. It's a great first step to the journey to freedom!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North of England
Posts: 1,442
All the best Person197! I attend AA meetings and though I don't/can't go along with a lot of what is said I take the bits that work for me - especially hanging out with fellow sufferers who know *exactly* what you are talking about. I find it a great help. Take care.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: North Yorkshire, England
Posts: 91
My first meeting at AA was awesome. To hear people who were just like me when it comes to alcohol. The meeting was enough to throw the switch in my head to the 'off' position. I went to a meeting that said on the timetable 'first Wednesday of the month 'open". I thought that this meant that there was only one meeting per month - silly me! However, I knew that after the meeting, that I would not drink until the next month, which I didn't. Of course I went to other meetings and was advised to go to as many as I possibly could. That was good advice that I would now like to share with you. As they say at meetings 'keep coming back'.
I wish you well.
I wish you well.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North of England
Posts: 1,442
So glad you got so much out of your meeting. I go to four a week - it may sound a little over the top, but I need to right now. Frankly I'm willing to go to 'any lengths' as they say at AA.
I tend to be an apologist for AA, the reason being that for many years I was a sceptic because of the 'spiritual' element. Here in the UK at least that element is very much a take it or leave it aspect it turns out, depending on the group you find yourself in. Anyway I would encourage anyone looking for real life face to face support to at least give it a go. Walking in the first time does take some effort, but it is worth remembering that everyone there has been through more or less exactly what you have!
I tend to be an apologist for AA, the reason being that for many years I was a sceptic because of the 'spiritual' element. Here in the UK at least that element is very much a take it or leave it aspect it turns out, depending on the group you find yourself in. Anyway I would encourage anyone looking for real life face to face support to at least give it a go. Walking in the first time does take some effort, but it is worth remembering that everyone there has been through more or less exactly what you have!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North of England
Posts: 1,442
There are a couple of people at my meetings who say they didn't speak for weeks or months when they first went. I have only been going for three weeks and have spoken twice - and briefly. I haven't done a 'life story' and you don't need to. I think a comment or two is fine to start with.
I guess the size of the group might be a factor in how OK one feels about speaking. The meetings I go to vary in size from day to day from about 10 to 18. It is of course easier to speak in a small group. However, as I said a bit earlier everyone is in the same boat and everyone knows what it is like to be new, so there isn't any need to be shy or nervous, though it is of course a natural response.
I guess the size of the group might be a factor in how OK one feels about speaking. The meetings I go to vary in size from day to day from about 10 to 18. It is of course easier to speak in a small group. However, as I said a bit earlier everyone is in the same boat and everyone knows what it is like to be new, so there isn't any need to be shy or nervous, though it is of course a natural response.
Originally Posted by lommey
I go to four a week have done 8 now but can pluck up the courage to tell my story yet. Anyone else got that problem. Is it ok just to listen
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