Working AA
 

I am a newcomer to the forums, and I am a newcomer to AA. I find my mind wandering during meetings. I have read the Big Book, but I have had trouble internalizing the program. How have others worked AA? Are there any tips to help a newcomer REALLY WORK the program? I know you only get what you put into the program, but how do you get that start? That honest desire to stop drinking? I have the "desire" to not drink, but I am completely dishonest with myself at times.

Have you read the first 164 pages? How many meetings have you been to?

I have read the entire Big Book. I have attended roughly 10 or 11 meetings.

Choice 1 do what I did - Get a sponsor who has worked the steps and had their own spiritual awakening (drastic personality change, psychic change, whatever you want to call it) and ask them to take you through the same process in order for you to recover.

Choice 2 probably not what you want!

I'm also relatively new to AA. What I'm doing (not sure if it's the RIGHT way, but it's working for me):

I go to a lot of meetings. I've been to 5 this week.

I listen. I listen to each person talk as though they had a personal message just for me that my life depends on. Even when I cannot even remotely relate, I try to become open and set everything aside in my mind except what they are saying. I go to meetings to get out of my head, so I try to make it count and do exactly that.

I talk to at least one person after the meetings (my weakness). I have attended a social event of one meeting. I say yes as a default. If I'm called on, I share. I don't try to think about what I will share, I open my mouth and tell the truth for a few minutes. I don't have a sponsor yet but I am working on that.

Mostly, I just show up and listen and am open. I'm not trying to force anything else. It is helping. I am starting to feel apart of something big enough and strong enough to help me save my life.

Are you still going to meetings under the influence?

I stopped going under the influence the last 2 meetings.

adee has about the best attitude, for a newcomer, that I have ever seen. To recap. Be honest, go to meetings, try to help, look for a sponsor and, above all, keep an open mind.

I'm new to this too, but so far it seems like the path to recovery is long. Stay the course and hope for the best, at least that's my plan.

Once I learn the steps and principles set
down for us in the AA program, I then
began to learn how to apply them in my
everyday life.

I learned to listen, absorb, and apply
them each day ive remain sober for a many
one days at a time following in the footsteps
of many that learned themselves how to
stay sober.

I also learned that I never have to go thru
anything in life alone again in recovery.
That there is always someone who has
done close to the same similar things Ive
done before and can share share their own
experiences, strengths and hopes of what
their life was and is like before, during and
after alcohol.

I also learned how to have fun and enjoy
life in recovery because they insist we do. :)

Living a recovery/sober life is a journey
and a way of life. Changes for the better,
healthier, happier, honest way of life.

IMHO anything you did under the influence either attending or reading is pretty much a waste of time. If you want to do it right you have to do it sober.

Just keep going back and don't drink.

Keep it simple.

When you need to do more, do more.

Just a thing or two will jump out at you. A different way of seeing things around you or a different way to approach something in your life. Apply those things to yourself as best as you can. This is always "experiential". As you go, more things will "click". You are doing fine.

try talking with some of the people there and find out how they work the steps of AA. Find your sponsor and start working those steps with them!

Best wishes on your sober journey!

Keep going to meetings sober.

Ask someone to sponsor you and start working through the steps.

Honesty is essential.