Hi. I posted yesterday about going to AA as an addict and wanted to follow up, and say hi and thanks to the posters that responded. I appreciate your kind attention and support, so thank you!
I didn't go to the meeting at noon yesterday, but I did get up early and go to a 7 am meeting this morning. As it was so early, it was very small, 6 including me. So I felt a bit awkward...Also they were all at least 15 years older than me (I'm 32), and much further along in recovery. So, this is probably not the group for me. But, they were all very nice and friendly, I felt welcome, and yes, there were other addicts there. It was very peaceful, and I was glad I went; It was a good start to my day.
One thing that was said that really struck me...According to the facilitator (or whatever they are called?), 95% of all addicts/alcoholics never seek treatment, go to meetings, detox, etc. for their addictions. I don't know if that is accurate, but the point was to make us think about what it means to be one of the few that gets a second chance. I had two longtime addict acquaintances die in the last few months--one in his 30s OD'd, the other in his 40s died from liver disease. They both would have beaten me hands-down in the Addiction Olympics, but still...
Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great Tuesday. Thanks for being here.
Mary
That's great, Mary. Were you able to get any phone numbers?
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss
It certainly makes me feel grateful to be here & for my recovery!!
That is so great you made a meeting!!! Personally, I went to several different ones before I found the one for me. I absolutely LOVE my home group!!! I still go to other meetings that I can work into my schedule, but my home group will always be my favorite - and I almost never miss those meetings.
I ALWAYS feel 100 times better after a home group meeting, no matter how I feel before it starts....
If no one has told you yet today, I am very proud that you took the step to go to a meeting!!! Hope you do try some others & find one you'll love it as much as I do.
It certainly makes me feel grateful to be here & for my recovery!!
That is so great you made a meeting!!! Personally, I went to several different ones before I found the one for me. I absolutely LOVE my home group!!! I still go to other meetings that I can work into my schedule, but my home group will always be my favorite - and I almost never miss those meetings.
I ALWAYS feel 100 times better after a home group meeting, no matter how I feel before it starts....
If no one has told you yet today, I am very proud that you took the step to go to a meeting!!! Hope you do try some others & find one you'll love it as much as I do.
That's so great that you went. Morning meetings tend to be a bit smaller, at least in our area. I go to noon meetings and evening ones, that's where I find more people.
I was really surprised to find out that so many people in AA are addicted and don't admit it or are in denial. Those that accept it and are honest about it are the ones I stick with.
I can't wait to hear how your next meeting goes and try not to worry about age. Those are the ones that have the most sobriety and clean time. They are the ones you want to learn from.
Cowgirl
I was really surprised to find out that so many people in AA are addicted and don't admit it or are in denial. Those that accept it and are honest about it are the ones I stick with.
I can't wait to hear how your next meeting goes and try not to worry about age. Those are the ones that have the most sobriety and clean time. They are the ones you want to learn from.
Cowgirl
Hey 12 stepper--I didn't get any phone numbers. Are you supposed to ask or wait until it is offered?
Yeah, I am going to try several different meetings and see what I come up with. I couldn't quit alone, and I want to have a place to go for the foreseeable future where I can focus on recovery. I didn't have group sessions for my detox program for 3 days this weekend, and I was starting to feel a little bit lost by the time I got back to group yesterday. It was very refreshing to be back; I feel so much better.
I agree that those with lots of sober time are the ones to learn from, but I felt odd being there, being such a basket case that I almost started crying during the Lord's Prayer! It's not like I haven't said that prayer a million times before in my life, but I am an emotional wreck. However, that is so much better than being completely numb and having no feelings.
Must run, time for group...thanks for the feedback!
Mary
Yeah, I am going to try several different meetings and see what I come up with. I couldn't quit alone, and I want to have a place to go for the foreseeable future where I can focus on recovery. I didn't have group sessions for my detox program for 3 days this weekend, and I was starting to feel a little bit lost by the time I got back to group yesterday. It was very refreshing to be back; I feel so much better.
I agree that those with lots of sober time are the ones to learn from, but I felt odd being there, being such a basket case that I almost started crying during the Lord's Prayer! It's not like I haven't said that prayer a million times before in my life, but I am an emotional wreck. However, that is so much better than being completely numb and having no feelings.
Must run, time for group...thanks for the feedback!
Mary
Hi,
Good job on makin' the meeting, and even better that you stayed! Alot of people that are new leave when they go to a meeting that small. And also congrats on going on your own.
I enjoy the smaller meetings sometimes, it usually forces me to share, and thats always a good thing to do for me. And don't be self conscience about the sober time of those that have been around a while. You help them just as much as they help you. Plus, we all only have today. We can't stay clean/sober on yesterdays sobriety. Most of the morning meetings around here are pretty full.
I enjoy starting my day with a meeting too. Then I go about my day and hit a night time meeting as well. It would be a good idea in my oppinion to keep going to that meeting if you can. Let the folks get to know you, then someone will be able to tell when your off a bit, and will be able to help ya'. Since it's a small meeting, maybe you can get the coffee commitment at the next business meeting. Thats a great way to meet people and get involved in your recovery, and also it's another way to give back. Just a thought. Good luck.....
Take care.......Bob
Good job on makin' the meeting, and even better that you stayed! Alot of people that are new leave when they go to a meeting that small. And also congrats on going on your own.
I enjoy the smaller meetings sometimes, it usually forces me to share, and thats always a good thing to do for me. And don't be self conscience about the sober time of those that have been around a while. You help them just as much as they help you. Plus, we all only have today. We can't stay clean/sober on yesterdays sobriety. Most of the morning meetings around here are pretty full.
I enjoy starting my day with a meeting too. Then I go about my day and hit a night time meeting as well. It would be a good idea in my oppinion to keep going to that meeting if you can. Let the folks get to know you, then someone will be able to tell when your off a bit, and will be able to help ya'. Since it's a small meeting, maybe you can get the coffee commitment at the next business meeting. Thats a great way to meet people and get involved in your recovery, and also it's another way to give back. Just a thought. Good luck.....
Take care.......Bob
Mary
At my home group if someone introduces themself as a newcomer a pamphlet is passed around for people to put their phone numbers on. That way, if a newcomer wants to drink/use, they can call for help before they use. Men with men-women with women. Probably, because the meeting was small, they didn't get you any numbers. Who knows. When you go to a larger meeting, if you introduce yourself as new, they will pass around a paper for you. You can always ask but if you do you will be way braver than I was in the beginning.
At my home group if someone introduces themself as a newcomer a pamphlet is passed around for people to put their phone numbers on. That way, if a newcomer wants to drink/use, they can call for help before they use. Men with men-women with women. Probably, because the meeting was small, they didn't get you any numbers. Who knows. When you go to a larger meeting, if you introduce yourself as new, they will pass around a paper for you. You can always ask but if you do you will be way braver than I was in the beginning.
Hi 12stepper,
They do that here too, but not at every meeting. Could be too, maybe the men didn't feel right giving a number to a woman? Usually, also, if you tell the meeting your new, you'll usually recieve a beginners package, the contents differ from meeting to meeting, but usually there is always a meeting directory, which will tell you the times and locations of all the meetings in your area.
Take care........Bob
I'd rather be crazy and sober, then drunk and insane! *wink*
They do that here too, but not at every meeting. Could be too, maybe the men didn't feel right giving a number to a woman? Usually, also, if you tell the meeting your new, you'll usually recieve a beginners package, the contents differ from meeting to meeting, but usually there is always a meeting directory, which will tell you the times and locations of all the meetings in your area.
Take care........Bob
I'd rather be crazy and sober, then drunk and insane! *wink*
Mary:
Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope. Being accountable is huge. By going to meetings you are being accountable. It always made me feel good (and still does) when I know I've taken action.
Rachel
They do that at our meetings too but it makes sense what Bob said about the men there.
Crying is ok. It's ok to feel emotional. I don't know too many that weren't absolute wrecks in the beginning. That's how we learn to deal with those emotions and to be able to talk about them or listen to others talk about it so that we can gain hope and strength from them.
You just cry as much as you want.
xxx
Cowgirl
Crying is ok. It's ok to feel emotional. I don't know too many that weren't absolute wrecks in the beginning. That's how we learn to deal with those emotions and to be able to talk about them or listen to others talk about it so that we can gain hope and strength from them.
You just cry as much as you want.
xxx
Cowgirl
