Notices

1st AA Meeting

Old 12-10-2014, 10:57 AM
  # 1 (permalink)  
11.30.14
Thread Starter
 
SarahB60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: California
Posts: 401
1st AA Meeting

I'm finding EVERY excuse not to go to my 1st meeting this afternoon. Everything like "rainy weather" to "my social anxiety issues" are on full blast in my head right now. I'm the queen of anticipatory anxiety. I also think deep down inside my distorted alcoholic voice is staying "you don't really have a problem..." Right. I can't drink. Period. I will never be a one or two drink person who drinks on special occasions. Not in this lifetime!

I need a kick in the rear. Thanks
SarahB60 is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:05 AM
  # 2 (permalink)  
Member
 
biminiblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373


There. AA meetings are the kindest, gentlest places ever. They won't make you talk, you can just sit quietly and listen.
biminiblue is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:07 AM
  # 3 (permalink)  
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 81
Just go. Really, just go. You will not be alone for long; someone will welcome you in no time.

Whether you really need it or not, it's just an excellent experience/adventure. You will learn something worth knowing.
Boylan is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:14 AM
  # 4 (permalink)  
Member
 
BirdsAteMyFace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 107
I was terrified to go to my "first" meeting too (I say that because it's the first I was sincere about and actually nervous to attend).

That was Sunday, I hadn't slept in 2 days, was still kind of hallucinating from withdrawal and just generally anxious. It's hard, but go. It gets easier after that, nervousness-wise. The people are kind and have seen it all before. You don't have to say anything, or share. But I do encourage getting your welcome chip and hug, it feels really good afterwards.
BirdsAteMyFace is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:15 AM
  # 5 (permalink)  
Member
 
DefconOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Aberdeen SD
Posts: 180
Go and then write back and tell us how it went.
DefconOne is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:16 AM
  # 6 (permalink)  
Journey of Sobriety
 
Frixion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 195
I have major anxiety even thinking about being in groups, so I had to really force myself to walk through those AA meeting doors. I would suggest that you think of it like this: If you want to accomplish something you never have before, you're going to have to do things you never had done before. Allow yourself to leave your comfort zone.
Frixion is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:16 AM
  # 7 (permalink)  
Member
 
BirdsAteMyFace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 107
Oh, and buy a Big Book. Best $10 I've ever spent.
BirdsAteMyFace is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:21 AM
  # 8 (permalink)  
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 809
Yoo kin doo it!

It's honestly like ripping off a sticky bandaid. Yeah it's uncomfortable for like - one second. But once it's off - you never have to deal with the uncomfortableness again, and you'll find great relief in making it through that yucky moment for a greater purpose
Mrrryah1 is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:34 AM
  # 9 (permalink)  
Member
 
tomsteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
I'm thinkin the excuses are a result of fear- possibly fear of the unknown. Good time to get Some courage and i hope that fear of the known- what could result from not getting help, which I'm willing to say you can go further down into the pits of alcoholism- will help you make what could possibly be the best move of your life.

We don't bite. Seriously.....we don't.

Yer worth the help so get yer arse to a meeting.
tomsteve is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:40 AM
  # 10 (permalink)  
Trudgin
 
Fly N Buy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Completely understand.......know many who have come and won't walk in or turned around in the parking lot.

I have found it really is a remarkable experience. Without judgment, I can listen and interact if I choose and be surrounded by those who are different, but all have a common problem. I then found there is a common solution which may be somewhat tailored to your journey and experience.

But, you will have to go and get outside your comfort zone some
We don't bite and there really are no secret handshakes.

Keep posting, and keep coming back!
Welcome, friend......
FlyN
Fly N Buy is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 11:53 AM
  # 11 (permalink)  
Sober Alcoholic
 
awuh1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,539
You will meet a whole lot of people who are not one or two drink people. They all had to go to their first meeting also, and every single one of them remembers what it was like.

I can't wait to hear how it goes.
awuh1 is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 12:11 PM
  # 12 (permalink)  
Member
 
FacingFuture's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern California
Posts: 554
OP, definitely go!!! It's worth it.

Originally Posted by BirdsAteMyFace View Post
Oh, and buy a Big Book. Best $10 I've ever spent.
I just bought one today after losing my old one more than a year ago. It's already really helped me today. One of the stories really resonated with me.
FacingFuture is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 12:31 PM
  # 13 (permalink)  
Behold the power of NO
 
Carlotta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
FEAR
F... Everything And Run or
Face Everything And Recover.
It's your call and like TomSteve said, we don't bite (well I rarely do and only if a newcomer to the meeting zooms in for that one double chocolate chip cookie I was eyeing).
Carlotta is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 12:56 PM
  # 14 (permalink)  
Administrator
 
Dee74's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,058
I hoep you decide to go Sarah - what have you got to lose?

D
Dee74 is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 01:05 PM
  # 15 (permalink)  
Stay positive.
 
blueyes618's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 84
Sarah- I went to my first AA meeting this past Saturday. I was equally as nervous as you are, but it was so worth it. Everyone was SO kind to me and extremely caring. All I did was raise my hand and introduce myself when they asked whose first meeting it was. The rest of the time I just sat and listened to the speaker. The hardest part is physically getting yourself there. You can do it!!!
blueyes618 is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 01:06 PM
  # 16 (permalink)  
Administrator
 
Anna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,331
Anything that helps your recovery is worth doing.
Anna is online now  
Old 12-10-2014, 01:38 PM
  # 17 (permalink)  
11.30.14
Thread Starter
 
SarahB60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: California
Posts: 401
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!! I made it. The first 20 minutes I was anxious as heck. My palms were cold and sweaty and I wanted to excuse myself and run out the door. But I told myself to just chill out, there's nothing to be afraid of. Then they called upon the newcomers to share.

I met two ladies, one who asked to be my sponsor and the other who gave me her card and told me to call her anytime, if I get the urge to drink.

I'm going back tomorrow
SarahB60 is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 01:51 PM
  # 18 (permalink)  
Journey of Sobriety
 
Frixion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 195
Oh I am so so excited for you Sarah!! Congratulations going to your first meeting!!
Frixion is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 01:55 PM
  # 19 (permalink)  
Member
 
BirdsAteMyFace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 107
Congrats! Go to another one tomorrow! Today will be my fourth in a row and I'm actually excited about it.
BirdsAteMyFace is offline  
Old 12-10-2014, 04:31 PM
  # 20 (permalink)  
Member
 
tomsteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
Originally Posted by Carlotta View Post
FEAR
F... Everything And Run or
Face Everything And Recover.
It's your call and like TomSteve said, we don't bite (well I rarely do and only if a newcomer to the meeting zooms in for that one double chocolate chip cookie I was eyeing).
Although Not a biter, I have gotten a little crazy myself when it comes to chocolate chip cookies. But Today the knife I use is plastic. PROGRESS!!!!!!
tomsteve is offline  

Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:16 AM.