I've been reluctant to go to meetings too. That's awesome that you found a good fit so easily! How did you decide which one to go to? Did you just luck out with a group you fit in with? I feel like it will b hard for me to find that. I'm also reluctant to focus so much on the recovery aspect... trying to just live well, and be well, instead of focusing on my past or the ugliness I've seen.

good for you hun:)

lol well, I live in a small town, so if I didn't want to drive more then 20 min. (which I knew would discourage me) I really only had one choice. There is a pretty good variety of people in this group and there were different people at each meeting I went to. I'm giving it a try anyway. I don't want to focus on the past either, but I think if I don't focus on recovery and figuring out why I drink - I will probably start drinking again. I DON'T want that! Good luck mama!

YAY good for you. Whatever works, work it:) I too have found great support, understanding, and some real grounding with AA.
Go you:)

Good onya Juliemom. I didn't know much about that HP thingy either but I always came away feeling better from a meeting so stuck around. I was in the right place for me, and the members gave me Hope. That Hope was Gold to me at that time. Keep going back :}

That's great, juliemom2.

No one else's "higher power" has to be yours. That's all up to you.

Just enjoy the feeling you get from these meetings and build upon it.

Good luck to you.

It's good to try things out and I hope that the meetings do the trick....sounds promising so far :-)

Good luck x

Hi everyone.
I was a bit of an ass when I started my AA meetings.
I would not even hear of any higher power talk period.
I told them the program would have to stand on it's own 2 feet
with me, and then perhaps a higher power could come latter.

With the bravado of someone who knew I was right and they
were all wrong ... I explained to them if God or a higher power
were going to be brought in to help me ... I'd have NO use for
them ... I'd go directly to my higher power and since this HP
can/could do anything he'd cure me instantly.

Well I stuck to my guns ... I kept going back ... but go easy
on the HP stuff I warned them.
This approach was satisfying to a point ... I struggled some,
didn't get the serenity others seemed to get, but didn't drink
or use others meds.

Somewhere around 2 yrs. I decided to open my mind to the
idea a little more & began to realize there was some 'power
greater than myself' at work here ... and lo and behold this
POWER WAS WORKING THROUGH THE PEOPLE IN THE
PROGRAM !

Stay open minded, BUT don't let hard core AA's force you to
move too fast ... I hung around because they said some get
it quickly, some get it SLOWLY ... and I got it SLOWLY.
I have a little over 4 yrs. and it is a miracle ... I WAS married
to a pharmacist & loved to drink, and that was who I was and
what I did.

I love this program now.
I can't believe it works for me.
It's the best thing I've ever done for myself.
These folks literally loved me, and wanted what was best for
me, long before I wanted what was best for me.

Everything I thought I hated, slogans and just about everything
they did and said ( most all of it I thought was stupid,useless,
and annoying). WAS MY DISEASE TALKING TO ME.

Keep going back and if they move you too fast ...
remember, the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking.

You don't have to make it as slow and painful as I did ...
but that's what it took for me.
I wouldn't trust or believe anyone when I arrived.
Good luck,
Jimmy

They were right, I was wrong ... who knew ?

Good for you! One foot in front of the other, do the next right thing. Sounds trite, but it works. Listen to those who have been there.

Jimmy, I liked your post. I heard a woman share recently who sounded just like you when she was first coming around some years ago. Higher Power? Never.

As time went on, she couldn't ignore all the little "coincidences" in her life. There was something greater at work in her life and she opened herself up to It.

I know my life has changed immeasurably. Couldn't imagine doing this deal on my own.

All the best, Julie.

~Chris

You took a big step juliemom. Welcome to the road of happy destiny!

And ditto to whoskiddinwho. Thanks Jimmy.

Dont worry about the higher power. Stay open minded, get a sponsor and work through the steps as they are in the big book and your concept of a higher power will be revealed.

I am an atheist and it has worked out just fine for me.

Happy to help anytime if you want to PM me :)

Wow! thanks everyone. I will keep going and trying!

get yourself a book at the next meeting you go to they cost around 10$ so carry some cash to the meeting....then start with reading it even if just three pages a day...I do not know why they told me three pages a day but it is what they told me to do....so I am telling you the first 164 pages describe AA and how it is to be done...the stories in back of book are a way to see others recovery written formatted.....it is helpful too

hope you stick around until the miracle happens that miracle is your sobriety on a longer term than your wildest dreams....

hugs bill

What Nicky said. Don't worry about the Higher Power stuff. I'm 12 years sober, never took one drink during that time, but tI still haven't got the Higher Power stuff sorted!! lol If you commit to the Program of AA, which will be such a revelation to you, and engage in the Fellowship of AA and "stick with the strength", you'll do fine.

Just came back from meeting number three. Good stuff. I have been reading the big book online.