natehamburg

Never been to one before, all I imagine is a bunch of old ppl sitting around talking about how there drunks and drinking coffee. is that wat its like? is there really caring people or are they just putting on a show because there at aa

EndGameNYC

If that's all it were, you wouldn't be asking about it.

Of course, there is another way to get the answers to your questions.

Taking5

AA is wonderful IMHO. Not at all a bunch of old people, Last night's meeting, I was old enough to be half of the people's dad (I'm 52) so there were a lot of 20-mid 30s people there. Here is what you should expect:

Your First AA Meeting

Why not try a meeting or two?

deeker

Maybe you should check it our for yourself.

So many wonderful things in life are rejected or overlooked by people because of what they imagined.

DoubleBarrel

Go see for yourself.

I imagine you never thought too hard before checking out a bar you hadn't been in before to see what it was like.

Take an hour and if it doesn't suit you, check out a different one. It's all just people, trying to stay sober. Some are better than others. Worst case scenario, you wasted an hour.

Best case scenario, you hear something that touches your soul, and helps you stay sober.

mecanix

I've been on this site for about 2 years nate and the AA'ers seem a real nice bunch of people .
Certainly seems to be a lot of wisdom and life experience to draw on from those who work the kind of program i admire .

If you're finding it hard not to drink certainly seems worth checking it out doesn't it ?

Bestwishes, m

DAB

AA saved my life both physically and mentally.
Before AA, I spent many years quitting when I needed to only to go back to it when the coast was clear. I would get complacent and bored with being sober.
With AA I have a purpose, sense of belonging, and a program that helps me grow as a person. I have happily remained sober for the longest I ever have in my life. I have remained sober through situations that without AA, I know I would have drank.

Natalie17

In my limited experience, they seem to be genuinely caring people. You should try it. You can always leave. No one will stop you or make a fuss.

1newcreation

Key word in post:"imagine"! Seeing is believing. Last nite's speaker mtg had only handful of "old pple" n rest 20/30's including spkr himself. Willingness is the only key that's required

AAnoob

Caring comes from building positive relationships with people over time.

I been going for about 1 month and half now, at least one meeting a day.
It has definitely been an enjoyable experience.

I was talking to my therapist last week regarding my certain dislikes of AA.

She recommends me to just take the things I like or enjoy from the meetings.

GracieLou

There are alcoholics of all ages. Alcoholism does not discriminate. We admit we were drunks, we share how not to be that way anymore. How to live a sober life using the AA program and the meetings for support. No one can understand me like a fellow alcoholic.

They are caring people because they came before me, they understand that I did not understand. They held me up when I could not hold up myself. They encouraged me when my self esteem had crashed and burned. They congratulated me on my milestones.

Now I can do the same for others when they come into the rooms. Giving back to keep sober.

I drink Coke Zero, no coffee for me.

FeenixxRising

Nate, AA members are all ages. I suggest checking out a number of different meetings in your area, rather than just one meeting and then forming an opinion. The only thing you have to lose is a little time. You will then be able to have an informed opinion.

aasharon90

All the members I met in early recovery,
when I was just starting, were what seemed
to be all older folks, and me I was just 30.

I sat and listened to them share their own
ESH - experiences, strengths and hopes
of what their lives were like before, during
and after alcohol. They shared stories I
could relate to. I heard them quote from
the text book of AA knowledge with seriousness,
laughter, a bit of humor, sterness, and I
aborbed and learned the ropes of recovery
from them.

It was suggested to us in recovery to
have fun and enjoy the journey which
I am and have been for 23 yrs now. I
didn't get it all what I was suppose to
know over night, but rather over a period
of many one days at a time sober and
learning from many who have paved the
road of recovery for me and many others
to follow.

Today for me, I am so glad to see the
newcomers walking in the rooms of
an AA recovery program meeting as
well as online programs offered to
them and me, like here in SR, wanting
to get sober and learn how to live a happier,
healthier, honest life without alcohol
or drugs.

How was I gonna know how to live a
life like that if I didn't have teachers,
mentors? Its the same with the newcomer
today. How will they learn how it works
to stay sober a day at a time, if "WE"
don't share with them what we learned
over the yrs.?

One day, it will be them who will be the
teachers helping the newer generation
of folks looking for help and knowledge
of how to live a sober or clean life themselves.

I can honestly say, YES, AA has been
the most rewarding program of recovery
that has helped me live a life that is a
blessing. And for that I am truly grateful
for it.

Mountainmanbob

wow

sounds like it may not be for you

no one needs to defend AA
it has a pretty much given track record

MB

Natalie17

I went to a great meeting this morning. Yes, I was the youngest person in the audience, but the speaker was this young kid, 18 months sober, and he was fantastic! I won't go into details, but suffice it to say, the odds were totally stacked against him. He hit his bottom hard, and came back. His current faith and utter joy in life moved me to tears. It was a beautiful start to my Saturday. Plus, I got my first coin! It was funny, I was the first one called up, and I got all mixed up, but I joked about it, and everyone laughed in the nicest possible way. I felt so much love from these people I had never met, and who were old enough to be my parents.

DoubleBarrel

I wouldnt be so quick to run him off Bob,
I mean, isnt his description exactly how AA is portrayed on tv? I think it is.

TV is just a representation of reality. But there is no way a tv meeting can portray local variables, different personalities, and how it actually feels to be in a room.

MIRecovery

Is AA worth it all? I guess that depends on whether you want to quit and stay quit. If you do the answer is 100% YES!

CAPTAINZING2000

When I came into AA going on 15 years ago, I was thinking the same thing about a bunch of old guys sitting around the table. Before I knew it, I was an old guy sitting around the table.

There is a delusion, the only way to have fun is to poison our brains. I'll admit it, many years ago it was eurphoria from that magic elixir . Ok didn't always get into trouble every time I drank but, every time I've ever gotten into trouble alcohol was the reason.

Years back when I was your age, the police helped enable us. The bosses at work would turn and walk away if they suspected alcohol. It's no longer politically correct to drink alcohol with wild abandon as it once was. The consequences keep getting worse.

If, your on this site you're experiencing problems with alcohol or you wouldn't be on it. As other posters have pointed out, there is a lot of younger people in the rooms these days. I'm encouraged by it. I strongly recommend you trying several meetings where you live.

Anna

I think you should do anything and everything to help your recovery.

2muchpain

Actually, I had a different experience in AA. A few times, I went to a young peoples' group to listen to some speakers. I am old enough to be their father (or grandfather). Some of them looked at me like they were thinking, "why is this old guy here"? lol. At the meetings I normally go to, the people there actually like having the young people there.
IMO, you can't go wrong going to AA meetings. I always end up learning something, sometimes things I really didn't want to learn because some things are difficult to accept, but all good stuff. I hope you give AA a shot.