Horn95

Yep. It is weird to watch, especially when it is my wife.

NerfThis

I think it is a very good thing that she was there to get help, under the influence or not. As long as people aren't having a negative impact on others in the room, they have every right to be there.

I agree though that the first thing that came to mind was 'Did she drive the children there drunk?!'

Sadly I think a lot of people avoid AA because they are worried about being judged or thought to be strange by others. The fact this topic even exists shows that some level of judgement exists, enough so that you're posting this topic and reaching out to others because you found her behavior strange. Hopefully she isn't a member here and doesn't get put off going again by reading the post!

Horn95

Yeah, as I noted above I felt bad for thinking this was big deal. As I said, pot meet kettle.

tomsteve

i have a feeling this was the first time youve seen someone at a meeting a wee tipsy?

i was rather shocked the first time i saw someone plastered at a meeting. i mentioned to an old fart after the meeting. he chuckld and said,"tom, no one came in here recovered. we all started somehow."
if anything, it can do 2 things:
1- plant a seed.( hopefully she returns soon.
2- screw up their drinking and get em back sooner than later.

january161992

i wasnt sober at my 1st or 10th meeting !!!

i went to meetings for a while before i took my last drink

then a few weeks later i took my last drug

then the next day when i was alcohol and drug free i got my real correct and honest sobriety date jan 16 1992

djlook

I brought up with my sponsor one time that I had seen something that was weird to me in a meeting and I added, "oh, I should not judge" and she told me there was a difference in having an opinion, making a judgment versus being judgmental. She never made me feel guilty about voicing what was on my mind, particularly about what I'd seen or heard in meetings. She used it as an opportunity to teach me more about the program.

dcg

Don't care if someone is fall down drunk; do care about how he or she and the kids got there.

Horn95

Yep, at least so far as I have been able to tell.

Anna

Some posts were removed as per the Forum Mandate, which will ALWAYS be the case.

The Newcomers Forum is a safe and welcoming place for newcomers. Respect is essential. Debates over Recovery Methods are not allowed on the Newcomer's Forum. Posts that violate this rule will be removed without notice. (Support and experience only please.)

48heath

The only requirement for AA ,membership is a desire to stop drinking.AA meetings would be strange places if a drunk wasn’t allowed in.I have seen drunks in many meetings over the years.

AA responsibility pledge:
I am Responsible.
When Anyone, Anywhere
Reaches Out For Help,
I Want The Hand Of A.A.
Always To Be There.

And For That,
I Am Responsible !

Porcetta

^
Do you think showing up to a meeting half cut is showing/taking responsibility?

eyes99

I think you missed the point of the poem.

Obladi

I have stayed away from meetings out of shame and a fear of being judged for continuing to drink. While I tried to remember the only requirement, it's hard to do when I know some people will judge.

I'm done drinking now, but I still have those feelings. Too bad that my point is proven.

eyes99

It’s about taking personal responsibility, not judging someone else’s. So if someone shows up drunk, you lend them a hand toward their sobriety by saying a kind word, sharing something that helped you, or even just sending a small smile to make them feel welcome.

I think a lot of us have been drunk in places that we had no business being drunk in. AA or any recovery meeting should be the least worry on the list.

Why does this bother you so much? That’s a sincere question.

Porcetta

and have been drinking/drunk are two seperate things

eyes99

Those two are the same as far as AA is concerned. Maybe not for other methods.

But I’m not an AA thumper, although I do attend a meeting most weeks. I was just sincerely surprised by some of the responses. If you feel like sharing your thoughts further, it might be helpful.

Obladi

What if you could clearly tell I had been drinking even if I didn't seem to be impaired?

suki44883

The only requirement for AA is a desire to stop drinking.

Anna

Once again, please stop poking at each other and sniping.

The Newcomers Forum is a safe and welcoming place for newcomers. Respect is essential. Debates over Recovery Methods are not allowed on the Newcomer's Forum. Posts that violate this rule will be removed without notice. (Support and experience only please.)
__________________

eyes99

Many apologies if I was a sniper. It wasn’t my intention, and I’ll make sure to do better in the future.