Michelle009

Day 30! Woo hoo! I think the last time I went 30 consecutive days without alcohol was because I was pregnant and my daughter is almost 10, so... this is big!

AA Questions:

I have only been to two meetings thus far. It's a closed women's discussion on Saturday mornings and I like it very much. The only reason I haven't been every week is because I was away 2 Saturdays in the past month. I intend to stick with that meeting, but I get the impression that this meeting is an auxiliary type meeting, or something. They don't give out chips, and it seems as though the women that attend also attend other meetings during the week.

Many of the women talk about "working the program" and their sponsor, etc. I don't really fully understand what "working the program" entails. How do I get a sponsor? I know about the 12 steps and the Big Book, but what exactly is "the program"?

I am going to attend another women's meeting tonight. I'm nervous, but I feel like I'm missing out on some key element of AA by only going to the Saturday meeting. Plus, it's my 30 days and I want my chip, damn it!

Can anyone offer me some insight into what I may be missing about AA?

Thank you!

Jules714

The program is AA and the steps. A sponsor is someone you pick for yourself who will help you through the steps, be a sounding board especially if you feel like drinking. Where I am anniversary (chip/coin) meetings are held once a month.
Talk to some of the ladies in the group you like and see if they have any other favourite meetings.
Congrats on 30 days!!!
Jules

AnvilheadII

do you have a Big Book? i suggest reading it.

tomsteve

the program is laid out in the big book- it tells how and why the steps.and how they are implemented into every day life .
how to get a sponsor- go to meetings and listen. listen for someone that has what you want.

always a good idea to go to different meetings,too

Maudcat

Hi, Michelle. Welcome and congratulations on 30 days!
When I attended AA, i found that women's meetings kinda sprang up out of regular meetings because there was a need.
Women wanted to share their experiences with other women.
As to "working the program," I think it means going to meetings regularly, sharing your ESH with others, getting a sponsor, and working the 12 steps.
I actually was an Al-Anon member long before I went to AA.
At first, a lot of the language was confusing to me, but I liked the peace of the meeting, so I kept going.
Keep at it. Things become clearer over time.

Dee74

congrats on 30 days Michelle

D

january161992

sugarbear1

Go to the meeting again, maybe get there 15 minutes early and talk with the women there (or stay after the meeting and talk with the women there).