I'm just wondering how you guys (who do NA or another 12 step) knew which meetings were right for you? How did you find a sponsor? Were any of you scared about going? Did any of you start slow with going or start medication before starting other types of recovery resources? Have any of you done this without being in the program? I am so at the beginning of all of this and I'm not sure what the best route for me to take... Confusion abounds!!!
Any thoughts or stories would be so helpful!
SP
SP-I had to go to a lot of different meetings before I found some I liked.Others hit on the right one the first time.A lot of it depends on where you live and what's available.
When you find a group you like,start listening for people you connect with.When you do hear someone who is speaking to you,go up to them after the meeting and ask them how much time they have and if theyve worked the steps.Maybe go out to coffee and see if they would like to sponsor you.
I commend you for asking this question.
There will be some others on here that can share their experience.
When you find a group you like,start listening for people you connect with.When you do hear someone who is speaking to you,go up to them after the meeting and ask them how much time they have and if theyve worked the steps.Maybe go out to coffee and see if they would like to sponsor you.
I commend you for asking this question.
There will be some others on here that can share their experience.
SP...I didn't know right away what was right for me. I didn't know anything that was right for me at that point, only that I needed to quit. I went to a women's meeting to begin with...that was comfortable. It helped me figure it out from there
Do you know where meetings are in your area?
Do you know where meetings are in your area?
Thanks guys. Yeah, I have made a calendar of all the meetings that look like they would be good for me to go to in my area. I definitely need to do a newcomers meeting and an all woman one. I think they would be good for me. I just have to get myself to go. I'm scared for some reaon and I'm not entirely sure why. I'm going to have to do some thinking about this one. I guess I'm just still processing everything.
The thing is, I had just started going to Al-Anon because my younger brother is an addict and my father is an alcoholic and it was hard enough just to go to that. Now I don't know what to do. If I should be going to both or just concentrating on the main issue at hand (my own addict behavior). Bahh!
I bought the NA workbook just to see what was in it... I like having something to "do."
The other problem I have with the group organization is the God stuff. I honestly don't know where I'm at with my spirituality and it's hard to give myself over to something that I'm confused about in the first place.
God - the more I talk the more I sound like a total mess. Anyway, please, keep sharing.... please :)
SP
The thing is, I had just started going to Al-Anon because my younger brother is an addict and my father is an alcoholic and it was hard enough just to go to that. Now I don't know what to do. If I should be going to both or just concentrating on the main issue at hand (my own addict behavior). Bahh!
I bought the NA workbook just to see what was in it... I like having something to "do."
The other problem I have with the group organization is the God stuff. I honestly don't know where I'm at with my spirituality and it's hard to give myself over to something that I'm confused about in the first place.
God - the more I talk the more I sound like a total mess. Anyway, please, keep sharing.... please :)
SP
I can say I know how you feel. It was scarey at first. I thought I wouldn't fit in, but every meeting I have ever gone to I was honestly welcomed.
I started with Na and now I go to AA. I am a bit more comfortable in AA, since NA is just getting going here. AA gives me more support do to the longiveity of sobriety of the members.
My advice is just to try out some meeting. Just observe at first, until you feel comfortable in sharing. I carried a small notebook and asked for numbers of members I felt I could approach. If you find someone you are comfortable with and like what they have to say, ask if they would sponsor you or just be available to talk. We can't do this alone, we need the help of everyone we can. In AA we say the most important member in the room is the newcomer. It's right, the newcomer shows us that we all had that first meeting, and reaching out to them helps us remain sober. And the best thing about AA/NA is that it is free. There is no requirement to join, other than the desire to be sober.
As far as the spiritual side of the 12 steps. You can just use the meeting as your higher power, if you are unsure of what, or who you call your creator. I like to think that the program get us physically well first, then mentally, finally spiritually healed.
Good luck to you. When I really reached out for help, it came pouring in. My life 2 1/2 yrs later, is totally grand. I could not in my wildest dreams imagine what has been given freely to me, because of my sobriety. Now I didn't win the lottery, and I have just as much s--t to deal with as I did before, but now I know how and don't have to numb myself to do so.
I started with Na and now I go to AA. I am a bit more comfortable in AA, since NA is just getting going here. AA gives me more support do to the longiveity of sobriety of the members.
My advice is just to try out some meeting. Just observe at first, until you feel comfortable in sharing. I carried a small notebook and asked for numbers of members I felt I could approach. If you find someone you are comfortable with and like what they have to say, ask if they would sponsor you or just be available to talk. We can't do this alone, we need the help of everyone we can. In AA we say the most important member in the room is the newcomer. It's right, the newcomer shows us that we all had that first meeting, and reaching out to them helps us remain sober. And the best thing about AA/NA is that it is free. There is no requirement to join, other than the desire to be sober.
As far as the spiritual side of the 12 steps. You can just use the meeting as your higher power, if you are unsure of what, or who you call your creator. I like to think that the program get us physically well first, then mentally, finally spiritually healed.
Good luck to you. When I really reached out for help, it came pouring in. My life 2 1/2 yrs later, is totally grand. I could not in my wildest dreams imagine what has been given freely to me, because of my sobriety. Now I didn't win the lottery, and I have just as much s--t to deal with as I did before, but now I know how and don't have to numb myself to do so.
SP..I get where you're coming from. My first meeting was in treatment, so going "public" was terrifying. I think it would be really smart for you to go to a women's meeting first. It took me a long time to get comfortable sharing in mixed meetings but I always made sure to share at the women's meeting. Just breath. Sit back and listen for a few, you don't have to talk unless you want too.
I go to both alanon and NA/AA. I didn't at first but do now although not as regularly as I should. Alanon sure gives us a perspective that we need to hear. You do what's comfortable for you. Play it by ear. Try to remember that this is a good thing and what you're doing is laying the foundation for the "rest" of your life. NA/AA teaches us those skills and tools that we never learned or forgot while using. We need help.
Take care
Lisa
I go to both alanon and NA/AA. I didn't at first but do now although not as regularly as I should. Alanon sure gives us a perspective that we need to hear. You do what's comfortable for you. Play it by ear. Try to remember that this is a good thing and what you're doing is laying the foundation for the "rest" of your life. NA/AA teaches us those skills and tools that we never learned or forgot while using. We need help.
Take care
Lisa
