I think by following their steps and getting a sponsor and reading the books it is a treatment too, but support you find there is so important too. I feel reconnected each time I go it has become my new addiction to get to my meeting that I go to. I was so scared my first one and I think I cried my way through it, but each time I get healthier and each time I come away knowing I am not alone.

Thanks everyone!! I am still pretty nervous to go..but all of your words are encouraging.

Today is Day 3 for me being sober!!!

Another question, some of the meetings say "D" for discussion and/or "S" for speaker. What does that mean?

I'm not sure that I will be comfortable talking tomorrow....I could if I had to I guess...

Speaker usually has someone telling their story. Discussion is usually based on a step and you talk about how it applies to you or if it does. I am still on step 4 so i usually will pass if i have nothing to say. Otherwise just saying how many days you have or how your week is going is acceptable too. My group is really unstructured basically it is whatever you need to talk about.

PJ54 - ANY treatment/programme of recovery is very effective if people "want" it. How else would it work? No matter what the solution is for any one who quits drinking the common element has to be the desire to quit.

AA has no better success rates than any other support form for alcoholism however if it works for YOU than go for it. Candilion, I encourage you to GO. You never know the life-changing effect it may have on you:) I personally was not a fan but AA has proved successful for many for a reason. Don't let fear get in your way. Give it a try!
Good luck and congrats on day 3!

No need to be nervous about AA -- people there are usually very welcoming. AA was not helpful to me and I found the meetings depressing, but there are people who get a lot out of it. So check it out -- it might be just what you need to help you stay sober.

I walked into my first AA meeting alone on Oct 16, 1992. My knees were knocking. What I looked for was the similarities with these fine folks, not the differences. I could identify not so much on the drunkalogue but the shame, guilt and remorse among many other emotions.

I had been in a treatment center for medical detox. The treatment they had was AA's 12 Steps. It was suggested when I got out, to get a sponsor. I was so desperate too not drink that I got one. I thought I was screwed when the term "God" was mentioned. I need not have been. It's just about a spiritual connection, not religious.

My sponsor guided me through the 12 Steps like she was, was big on the 12 Traditions and she sponsored me into service work.

I haven't had to drink since that first meeting. My life has changed drastically through the years. My husband and I have been married almost 37 yrs and I have a close relationship with our children and extended family. Best choice I ever made, to walk through those doors. I wish you the best of luck.

Hugs,

Dianna

AA is a great support base, however it is not the be all and all of staying sober. you have to find something that works for you. I didn't accept that I was told if I did not complete the 12 steps I would not become sober...The twelve steps no matter how you white wash it, do involve god and if you look into the meaning of each step, the twelve by twelve book explains is surrendering yourself to god..getting rid of your defaults, etc.. this was way did not work for me, however each to their own. Achieving sobriety is a journey in itself, and hard work is involved, but always believe in yourself and know you deserve and are capable of happiness..I go to an alcohol counsellor who offers me support, in Australia, similar to Smart Recovery this may also help. Use all supports and you will find one that will be best for you.

I loved AA for the group shares, the stories.
It moved me greatly.

I couldn't buy into the whole 12 step thing though but that was fine for the majority of the people in the group.
If it's a good one you shouldn't feel any pressure to speak & sometimes it's nice just to be in a room with people who "get it".

I suppose I took what I needed from the experience & used the bits I could.
I haven't been to one for years but I'm not saying I never will again & I don't regret going.

It's sometimes worth trying as much as you can to see what works for you.

One big thing I learned was that there is no right or wrong about getting cleaned up.
Do what you can, when you can & try & find some people who know what you are going through. Big love.

I went to 12 step meetings,Smart recovery meetings, stopped drinking and using drugs and now I have choices in my life. Hope you quit and the same happens for you.

Hi there. Thursday night! Tonight. GO!!!
I too went to my first AA meeting very afraid and nervous about being outed. I live in a college town; I know a ton of people, my three kids are in the school system, and I have a big high profile career. So yep, shared similar concerns. I remember talking to my sponsor about this after my first few months in AA. She said come on, if someone is THERE in the rooms then they are a drunk like us looking to stay sober a day at a time. Why would they out themselves, let alone you? Why are you so much more interesting than the hundreds of thousands -- millions --- who have come through these doors?
Five years and thousands of meetings later --- I've never been outed. to my career/ work colleagues -- not even close.
So go. You can go. You will find help if you keep an open mind; and keep on keeping on.
I didnt love my first AA meeting and found another home group within a few weeks. Its saved my life, my families lives are so incredibly different than if I'd been out there the last 5 years...
So go. You will be just fine.

Hope you made it to your meeting today. You're definately in my thoughts

I went to the meeting...I was so nervous to go I almost didn't. It was a women's meeting and before I walked in the room I heard people laughing and thought that there was no way I was in the right place. But I was!

I'm so happy I went. I'm not sure how I feel right now, because I am so emotionally drained from being irritable bc of not drinking and stressed from being nervous about the meeting and crying while I was there.

BUT, on the other hand, I found a group of people that seem so insanely nice and so incredibly supportive of each other it literally blows my mind.

Thank you everyone so much for all of the comments and stories of your first meeting...it helped push me to go and I am going to go to more. I have no idea what will come of it, but for today I am glad I went and I didn't drink today.

Success!!! Thank you!!!

Yay! So glad you had a good experience tonight.

So happy you went and it felt like a good fit for you! I am so proud of you that you made it another day.... that's all any of us have is 24 hours at a time. It is very emotionally draining to go through this. I have found journaling really helpful as well as reflecting on my day each night