Hi, my name is Mary. I've been lurking around here for several days, and I have a question I am hoping someone here can help me with.
I started suboxone detox for oxy addiction last Wednesday. Part of our program is to regularly attend 12-step meetings. I also want to find some good meetings so I will be prepared when it is time for me to go it alone, without the detox program.
In my area, there are many more AA meetings than NA, so there are more times to choose from that fit my schedule. There is also an AA women's meeting that I am interested in. NA does not currently have one here. So, I am interested in attending some AA meetings.
I have seen where many people, including the therapist at my detox program, say it is OK for painkiller addicts to attend AA, even if alcohol was not a factor in their addictions. Is it likely that other addicts will be at AA meetings? Will the members be comfortable with non-alcoholic addicts? Of course, I don't want to lie, but I am afraid people will look at me funny for being there when I am not an alcoholic, but an opiate addict!
I am wondering if anyone here has experience with AA, and can let me know what to expect. I know all meetings must be a little bit different, but does anyone know enough about AA culture to tell me how I might be received? I am nervous about this, but excited to get started and find a good place for me. Any advice is welcome!
Thanks for being here, and for any help you can give me.
Mary
You will be received with open arms. At least that is my experience. I go to AA. I started in NA.
Rachel
Mary
Congratulations on getting into a program. If you go to an "open" meeting of AA you should be all right. At least that's how it is in S. Florida. I suggest go to a meeting and just listen to people share for a while and then decide if you're comfortable or not. Try more than one. There are many kinds of meetings. Your main concern should be whether it is open or not. Try a speaker meeting or a open discussion group maybe.
Good luck to you. If I can help, let me know.
Congratulations on getting into a program. If you go to an "open" meeting of AA you should be all right. At least that's how it is in S. Florida. I suggest go to a meeting and just listen to people share for a while and then decide if you're comfortable or not. Try more than one. There are many kinds of meetings. Your main concern should be whether it is open or not. Try a speaker meeting or a open discussion group maybe.
Good luck to you. If I can help, let me know.
The spiritual program offered by both is the same, based on the 12-Steps. In most AA meetings I've been to, discussion of drug use -- beyond simple acknowledgement -- is discouraged. That's not because there's judgement about addicts, but rather because fairly early on, AA realized that it couldn't be all things to all people. They worried that someone seeking help only with booze would come into his/her first meeting and hear a lot talk of talk about cocaine, injecting heroin, etc..... identify out and and never go back. And that could be a life lost. So they decided singleness of purpose was best. But I think you'll find that there are a lot of addicts who attend AA, and as Rachel said, the fellowship will welcome you with open arms.
Thanks for your responses. I feel reassured.
I was thinking that the best thing for me to do would be to keep my mouth shut and my ears open at first, heh. I am so nervous, I doubt I would know what to say anyway. Mostly, I just want to try and absorb what I can and find a place where I feel comfy.
I'm glad to hear that you have felt welcome at AA meetings--that is what I was hoping you would say!
There is a noon meeting today less than a mile from my house, so I'm going to go check it out. Thanks for the encouragement and well wishes.
Mary
I was thinking that the best thing for me to do would be to keep my mouth shut and my ears open at first, heh. I am so nervous, I doubt I would know what to say anyway. Mostly, I just want to try and absorb what I can and find a place where I feel comfy.
I'm glad to hear that you have felt welcome at AA meetings--that is what I was hoping you would say!
There is a noon meeting today less than a mile from my house, so I'm going to go check it out. Thanks for the encouragement and well wishes.
Mary
Let us know how it goes.
Hi and welcome! My drug of choice is also painkillers but i attend AA meetings. My group knows about my past history and i have felt very welcome there. I have noticed that just about everyone in my group also has some sort of drug history. Good luck and God Bless, Bri :)
Hi Mary, welcome to the board, so glad you're here.
I go to both and have never felt ill at ease or like I didn't belong at either. Most AA'ers are cross addicted (all that I have talked to, that will admit it anyway) so they feel comfortable with talk whether it's drugs or alcohol. All pain pills are is dehydrated alcohol anyway.
I finally found a women's NA meeting, I've been going to a AA women's meeting for years, but it was nice to find an NA one. But all the talk is the same, just people wanting to help others.
Take care
Cowgirl
I go to both and have never felt ill at ease or like I didn't belong at either. Most AA'ers are cross addicted (all that I have talked to, that will admit it anyway) so they feel comfortable with talk whether it's drugs or alcohol. All pain pills are is dehydrated alcohol anyway.
I finally found a women's NA meeting, I've been going to a AA women's meeting for years, but it was nice to find an NA one. But all the talk is the same, just people wanting to help others.
Take care
Cowgirl
