In the beginning i went to aa because that was expexted of me. The first cliche i read was "one day at a time" Well i'll be danged, that's the way I was when I was drinking. As long as I had all I wanted to drink today, tomorrow be damned. I think i will try this. That thought kept me sober until I started reading the Big Book. That is when I found the concept of keeping sober by helping others. Bill wwwwwwwwwwwww. did not help others to get them sober, he did it to keep himself sober. A selfish program. Then I thought I did not yhave enough sobriety or eperience to help others. Then a freind in AA reminded me that helping others usually just meant telling them how it was, what happened, and what it is like now..Then....he said that wheather I had i week or 27 years of sobriety my story would be the same. That meant that I was as ready as i'd ever be to share my story. Bill went to hospitals in search of prospective helpees. We obviously cannot do that now....so I thought, what better place to find a drunk who needs helping than at an AA meeting. So that is one reason I go to meetings... to help keepme sober by sharing my story with others....And the part about what it was like, and what happened is the same now as it was 27 years ago....I believe in meetings AND STILL GO. mOST OFTENED ACCOMPANIED WITH MY WIFE.

Hi everyone. My name is Alecia and I am an alcoholic.

Never thought that I would say those words. Before I walked into an AA meeting, I wanted to be anything other than an alcoholic. Crazy? Bi-Polar? Anything!!! After walking into my first meeting, I knew that I belonged there. I wasn't crazy, I wasn't bi-polar. I was a drunk.(or alcoholic if you want to be PC) Everyone's story for the most part is the same. Some are a little more jaded than the others, but WE had to admit that WE were powerless over alcohol. And I did. I didn't share for the first week or so, but then found it easier and easier to say something. And knowing what I say, might help the person that has walked into that room for the first time.

I love this program. At my home group meeting, between all the people in there, which is like 15, there is over 400 years of sobriety. I think that knowing that, and knowing that some of those people have over 20 years, I want that too. Its inspiring.

If you are looking to try AA, I can tell you that it is the most wonderful thing that you can do for yourself.

I have done at least 11 meetings a week for the past 3 weeks and I have heard the same stories over and over, but I need it. (At this rate, I will have my 90 and 90 done in about 45 days, lol) It has slowly replaced my addiction to alcohol to that of the meetings, and going there, I know that I will not drink.

Keep it Simple!!!
Alecia

I sobered up in AA 27 years ago. I had one slip when I first started. I went to about 3 meetings a week for 31/2 yrs then started going to church instead. It took me 2 yrs to feel like a normal person and not just an alcoholic. I still think about drinking a couple times a yr, but then I remember how bad my life had become and I pray and So far so good. I think AA is great. Lots of support and the steps are great. I have learned not to let things fester, to face them head on but with compassion and understanding. I work the steps everyday of my life.

I feel that AA meetings are essential in recovery. I think we need that contact with other alcoholics to stay sober. People that are non-alcoholic will try to help but they just dont understand. I do recommend that you dont go into a meeting and totally spill your guts to everyone. Save the big stuff for your sponsor. Sometimes I think we go in there on our pink clouds and think that everyone in there is understanding and caring. Well the majority are but there are the ones that thrive on other peoples missery. We may say things that might come back to haunt us later on. Im not saying dont share, just watch out who you are sharing with. Make sure you can trust the people with the really deep stuff.

AA has always worked for me, even when I was slipping in and out. I always came back, I knew then my answers were in AA. No matter what, I just came to meetings. As an alcoholic, I don't know how it works, but it does for me. In the beginning I hated going to meetings, I felt insecure, alone, sensitive. But as I kept going, and tried to make an effort to share tried to get active, kept showing up, it just got easier and easier, I now love going and look forward to it. Nothing good comes easy it seems, we have to work for it. But it's all worth it and more.

AA meetings have been instrumental in recovery since 1939. They are absolutly necessary in the whole process of changing the way we think.Meetings were so important in early sobriety because I learned what it was like to be a friend. Fellowship plays a key role for staying sober. We learn how to trust again and we learn how to be trustworty.We learn that there is a place that we finally fit in.The common denominators being spiritually bankrupt and emotionally stunted as well as our obvious allergic reation to alcohol.Meetings keep me focused on whats really important. Our families,our God,and the need to never forget where we came from.Meetings saved my life and gave me a God to whom I have no secrets. I thank AA for my God and I thank God for AA . Greg G

I sobered up in AA 28 yrs ago. I went to meetings about 2 or 3 a week,more if I was having a hard time. That's what's good about AA, there are meetings somewhere everyday.(in most cities anyway) The sponsor program was very important to me. I could call my sponsor whenever and she would help me not drink or just talk to me. When you stop drinking it is important to leave those old drinking buddies behind and make new friends. There is such a great opportunity to meet people in AA. I met my husband of 26 yrs in AA. I also found my higher power in AA. Without him I would not have been able to make it. There was a girl I remember in the program who couldn't believe in any higher power so she used her sponsor's higher power until she could have one of her own. I came to believe in God as my higher power, but the program is not religious. There are all sorts of different types of people in it. So if you want to get sober, go to some meetings and ck it out. You may be surprised how much you like it.

I have had a liver transplant because of alcohol, and I relapsed 4mths after my transplant, then my cousin made me go to A A since I lived with her, since then I have been able to stay sober 2yrs 7mths. The people of A A have helped me so much, by that I mean that they listen what I have to say, just listen sometimes that is just what I need thats all. It has help me cope with life on lifes terms and I need that...

I can't top what Greg G had to say,every word he said is true. God Bless people like Greg that can spread the message of strength & hope to the newcomers.

GREG has put into words just how i feel and what AA has done for me they saved my life and gave me back my sanity .I have been in AA 23yrs .i thought at my first meeting they was going to teach me how to drink and not get drunk ,but what they said was dont pick up a drink just for today and you wont get drunk .
I knew they had a point .i loved thier honesty ,it was somthing i never was during my drinking ,i kept going i remember counting and i did 102 meetings in 90 days ,I found my HP IN THE ROOMS ,but today i know my HP has always been with me or else i would have been dead ;i am so gratfull to AA today i have a sponcer i allso have sponsees I give back as much as i have been given .
i have learnt to except life on lifes tearms dont all ways like it but that islife .I have the love of my children today and respect .THE steps i work on a daily basis dont always get it right but i am not perfect, but i am sober one day at a time .

Hi All... All I see in this forum is praise for AA..So I imagine that no one here will check out what I found and was also in. But for what it's worth.. . all steppers..check out the Orange Papers..http://www.orange-papers.org/. I would love to hear your shares after you do; Love, Triss

Hi, I'm an Alcoholic and my name is Shellie. First I want to "ditto" Greg and Saber. They said it for me so I don't have to retype all of that. Thanks.
Just want to add that my thinking was "I'll try AA, if that don't work then I'll go to treatment. Fortunatly AA has been working now for 15 1/2yrs one day at a time. I just know I can't do this sel alone, believe me I tried.
Thanks for the topic, Doug!
Love & Light be with/You, Shellie

oops, last sentence word is deal, not sel (LOL) SG

I love AA and i will have 6 mos. of sobriety on wednesday.

hang in there Fatigued1.