You're the best - Finally went to AA
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Los Angeles
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You're the best - Finally went to AA
First, a thanks to those that asked me how my first meting went last week. Well...
It took a few more days after my last post, but today is day 5 and I feel real changes. Days 1 and 2 were hard like they always were. On day 2 I was sure I would cave in so I left my wallet at home for the day and gave myself no access to money
. Worked great.
I went to 2 AA meetings this past weekend. Both of the Speaker variety. If you'll let me indulge...
I have mentioned this in the past, but as an atheist I had a real hesitation about going to AA meetings. I decided to go finally and got a lot out of it. I was easily able to shake off the "god stuff" and look through that to gain some real insight from the speakers and the people asking questions. It was downright inspirational, as it is to be on this site, to hear people who have had it as hard or harder than I ever did talk about conquering their problems and living a great life. One man who spoke has been sober since the day JFK was assassinated.
By the second meeting I had a little more of a concept of the procedure which helped a lot. This meeting was an hour and a half. Had a short speaker, and then a half hour speaker. I got a lot out of both. There were over 100 people in the room and this helped me blend in. Until they asked newcomers to stand up and speak those words "... alcoholic"
I'll keep going back. And coming back here.
Looking through my old posts, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the kind words, even if I hadn't been quite ready to hear them.
To day 5 of ?
It took a few more days after my last post, but today is day 5 and I feel real changes. Days 1 and 2 were hard like they always were. On day 2 I was sure I would cave in so I left my wallet at home for the day and gave myself no access to money
. Worked great.I went to 2 AA meetings this past weekend. Both of the Speaker variety. If you'll let me indulge...
I have mentioned this in the past, but as an atheist I had a real hesitation about going to AA meetings. I decided to go finally and got a lot out of it. I was easily able to shake off the "god stuff" and look through that to gain some real insight from the speakers and the people asking questions. It was downright inspirational, as it is to be on this site, to hear people who have had it as hard or harder than I ever did talk about conquering their problems and living a great life. One man who spoke has been sober since the day JFK was assassinated.
By the second meeting I had a little more of a concept of the procedure which helped a lot. This meeting was an hour and a half. Had a short speaker, and then a half hour speaker. I got a lot out of both. There were over 100 people in the room and this helped me blend in. Until they asked newcomers to stand up and speak those words "... alcoholic"
I'll keep going back. And coming back here.
Looking through my old posts, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the kind words, even if I hadn't been quite ready to hear them.
To day 5 of ?
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 112
Thanks! Feels like such a mountain climbed to be on the 5th day. Something about days 1-3 that are so hard. Usually for me it is because I feel like it's such a small number it's not really ruining anything to drink. But 4 and 5 with everyone's help is a major milestone.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
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to mess up your drinking
Originally Posted by Beeraholic 
I have mentioned this in the past, but as an atheist I had a real hesitation about going to AA meetings. I decided to go finally and got a lot out of it.
Don't let your beliefs keep you away
for (all) are welcome there.
Coming from a guy who has attended a few thousand meetings.
All they wish to do in AA is
to mess up your drinking.
For us if alcoholic -- that's a good thing.
Good luck
MountainmanBob
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Join Date: Apr 2015
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Posts: 112
Originally Posted by Mountainmanbob
AA has helped many to get and stay sober.
Don't let your beliefs keep you away
for (all) are welcome there.
Coming from a guy who has attended a few thousand meetings.
All they wish to do in AA is
to mess up your drinking.
For us if alcoholic -- that's a good thing.
Good luck
MountainmanBob
Don't let your beliefs keep you away
for (all) are welcome there.
Coming from a guy who has attended a few thousand meetings.
All they wish to do in AA is
to mess up your drinking.
For us if alcoholic -- that's a good thing.
Good luck
MountainmanBob
It's been really easy so far to not let my beliefs get in the way. Easier than I thought. I think the deep honest truth as to why it took me so long to go was that I knew that once I started going, it was that much more solidified that I can't drink anymore.
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Originally Posted by Zebra1275
After avoiding AA for a long time I finally went when I got desperate enough.
It was a great experience, glad I went.
It was a great experience, glad I went.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,251
What a great post to read Beeraholic! I am glad you went.
I have a friend who lives in LA who got clean from drugs and alcohol by attending AA and NA. He recently celebrated 3 years. A while back I reached out to him, asking for help and guidance, which he kindly offered. He also said something which I think you might find helpful. He told me "I'm really lucky though, LA is a great place to get sober, there is such an active and exciting sober culture here, I have so many new sober friends and so many cool sober activities available to me any night of the week, any time of the day." He is really living a full, amazing, super fun and might I say, very cool life that anyone would be envious of, sober or not! It's all there waiting for you too, I bet you won't have to look that hard to find it, just be open.
Oh and by the way, he does not believe in a Christian God either. He has though gotten big time into yoga (knowing this guy from "back when" I have a hard time even writing that without being surprised) and I think people big time into yoga have some spiritual beliefs so maybe he relies on that for the "god" part. But I know he started out completely unreligious and unbelieving in anything remotely spiritual.
I have a friend who lives in LA who got clean from drugs and alcohol by attending AA and NA. He recently celebrated 3 years. A while back I reached out to him, asking for help and guidance, which he kindly offered. He also said something which I think you might find helpful. He told me "I'm really lucky though, LA is a great place to get sober, there is such an active and exciting sober culture here, I have so many new sober friends and so many cool sober activities available to me any night of the week, any time of the day." He is really living a full, amazing, super fun and might I say, very cool life that anyone would be envious of, sober or not! It's all there waiting for you too, I bet you won't have to look that hard to find it, just be open.
Oh and by the way, he does not believe in a Christian God either. He has though gotten big time into yoga (knowing this guy from "back when" I have a hard time even writing that without being surprised) and I think people big time into yoga have some spiritual beliefs so maybe he relies on that for the "god" part. But I know he started out completely unreligious and unbelieving in anything remotely spiritual.
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Join Date: Apr 2015
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Posts: 112
Thanks for the reply and the encouragement!
LA is a great place to be almost anything. I am also a vegan and am so fortunate to have such a large community of vegans here. I am also finding a large community of sobers.
That's great about your friend, I am glad he is having such a great life. My wife has been trying to get me into yoga for a long time, I will probably finally give in and try it myself.
LA is a great place to be almost anything. I am also a vegan and am so fortunate to have such a large community of vegans here. I am also finding a large community of sobers
.That's great about your friend, I am glad he is having such a great life. My wife has been trying to get me into yoga for a long time, I will probably finally give in and try it myself.
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