Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
I have been thinking about going to an AA meeting. However, I have a perspective of AA that probably is not fair... And I want to have it changed.
I just want to know how the first, the absolut first meeting is, how was it for you?
My view (as I said, I'm probably not right so don't judge me) is that the meetings involve people that has been living on the street for like 10 years, now some authority forced them to go to the meetings. The ones that actually are going to the meetings, they are believing in god, and say that they have surrendered themself and now are blessed with a higher power that makes them not drink anymore.
Anyhow, I am not religious, I respect the people that are, and I believe that they are probably a hell of a lot happier then I am, but I just can't say that if I stop drinking (or they) it is because of god, insted I say that they have accomlished something that few has, they have a willpower that is admireble, and god has nothing to do with it.
I read about the "steps", i read that you need to surrender yourself to a higher power, but like me, how do you do if you don't belive there are a higher power?
Have anyone actually been helped by AA without believing in anything besides themself?
I really want to be able to enjoy life without alcohol, and I do believe that I have got a very very wrong view about AA, but please, help me change it.
I'm not judging anyone, anyone! I admire people that actually accomplished what I want to!
So what happens when I go to an AA meeting? I understand, correct me if I'm wrong, that yu don't need to say anything at the first meetings, but what do the other people say? What sort of people are there? How have they been helped? What is a sponser, what does it do? How are AA selecting which sponser one gets? If you don't believe in god, can you still get helped? Do you need to go through the steps? If you do choose to go through the steps what happens?
So many questions, so few answers..
And last of all, would AA help me?
Appologise for the essay....
I just want to know how the first, the absolut first meeting is, how was it for you?
My view (as I said, I'm probably not right so don't judge me) is that the meetings involve people that has been living on the street for like 10 years, now some authority forced them to go to the meetings. The ones that actually are going to the meetings, they are believing in god, and say that they have surrendered themself and now are blessed with a higher power that makes them not drink anymore.
Anyhow, I am not religious, I respect the people that are, and I believe that they are probably a hell of a lot happier then I am, but I just can't say that if I stop drinking (or they) it is because of god, insted I say that they have accomlished something that few has, they have a willpower that is admireble, and god has nothing to do with it.
I read about the "steps", i read that you need to surrender yourself to a higher power, but like me, how do you do if you don't belive there are a higher power?
Have anyone actually been helped by AA without believing in anything besides themself?
I really want to be able to enjoy life without alcohol, and I do believe that I have got a very very wrong view about AA, but please, help me change it.
I'm not judging anyone, anyone! I admire people that actually accomplished what I want to!
So what happens when I go to an AA meeting? I understand, correct me if I'm wrong, that yu don't need to say anything at the first meetings, but what do the other people say? What sort of people are there? How have they been helped? What is a sponser, what does it do? How are AA selecting which sponser one gets? If you don't believe in god, can you still get helped? Do you need to go through the steps? If you do choose to go through the steps what happens?
So many questions, so few answers..
And last of all, would AA help me?
Appologise for the essay....
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
My first meeting was fantastic, the second crap, at the first meeting a Guy talked and it could have been me, the next meeting was quite boring, meetings change so you need just take the bits that are for you.
Down and outs, may be a few but also might be a few millionaires there as well, I have met many famous people, one cannot say who will or will not be there, drink has no barriers, we all meet in the rooms on the same terms with the same problem drink.
Religion, well I am not religious, so you choose your own higher power.
The only rule at AA is the desire to stop drinking, and it sounds as though you have that desire.
They say every body goes through the steps, whether they choose AA or not, and that is true as the only way to reach sobriety is by going through the steps, you will (Have ) admited your powerless over drink, you will overcome and denial you can accept.
There are no hard and fast rules, you may find a higher power in the rooms, your Grandmother may become your higher power.
Everybody in AA are different, some take it very seriously. Others take the bits that they want, what you will find is good caring people that have the same problem as you, you will find your not alone and you will be surprised that very few are living on a Park Bench, AA welcomes all Top to Bottom, be a part of it, after all sobriety is worth all the effort you can give.
I wish you luck on your journey
Trickey
In AA meetings they are there to share their experiences. Usually the first, you can just sit and listen. You are not by any means forced to participate. It is by choice. And the BB is a guide for us alkies to understand what alcoholism is and to guide us through the 12 steps.
The BB was written by the first 100 people of AA.
And religion..AA is not a religion. When we are willing to surrender to a HP or god of our understanding, it will help us strive for our goal. Living sober and happy.
An HP/God can be anything. It doesn't have to be the traditional sense of god.
It is something that is more powerful than ourselves.
For me my HP of my understanding is within Nature.
And I am not a religious person by anymeans.
Good luck and I do hope you will go. Just take what pertains to you.
Although some of us have spent time on the streets, jail,etc. most of us are average people in the community with a disease that we cannot control on our own. I always thought that alcohol was the great equalizer. It says in the Big Book of AA, we are people that would normally not mix. Doctors and lawyers sitting with unemployed or whatever. We come from all walks of life and relate to each other because of a commen bond, alcohol.
Going to a meeting was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I'm going to a 34yr cake tonight. We celebrate AA birthdays, my friend has not had a drink in 34 years one day at a time. Hard to believe but oh so very true.
AA gave me back to myself, my fellow alcoholics help me with the nuttyness that is my life.
My sponsor is a woman who has been sober since dinosaurs ruled the earth and I picked her because I want the quality of life she has. Not her stuff, how she handles the day to day stuff that comes up.
Check us out we are a friendly bunch and most alcoholics are more than willing to share their stories with you. You would be surprised who was on a bench in the park. Most of us haven't had to get to that point, they are there too, I like hearing their stories, walking miracles, if you please.
Bring the body, mind will follow, good luck.
About believing in a Higher Power. Believe in the force of gravity. It's enough to work the steps. There are plenty of religious AA's who will tell you otherwise; but all you really have to know is that there are larger forces at work in your life, God or no God, than you can hope to overcome, but that you should also find that reassuring.
First, most of the attendees are not people living on the streets nor are they people who were forced to attend. I have a doctor and two lawyers in my group as well as a couple other people who are obviously very well educated but I don't know what they do. We also have some moms. There is a guy who's currently living at the salvation army and was recently released from jail but I've seen him perk up in the last week or so.
As far as the higher power concept I've heard there are a few bible-thumpers around but there are non in my group. I'm pagan and believe in a universal force greater than myself and a path of learning that has been preordained for me. For some the AA group itself serves as their higher power. The Lord's Prayer at the end can be a little unsettling but you don't have to say it. I know people who step out when its time to close.
If you're unsure about attending AA go to an open meeting. You'll be treated as an honored guest. You don't have to identify yourself as an alcoholic nor do you have to share anything other than your first name.
What do other people say? It depends. Usually there is a topic of some sort and people speak of how they deal with things such as anger and resentment but a common theme that I hear is hope and serenity in sobriety.
A sponsor helps you work the steps. I have been told and I believe that one is essential. I sort of found mine by accident one day. We just instantly connected and she asked if I was ready to work the steps and said it would do her some good to go through them again.
I don't think I answered all your questions but I did cover a fair number of them. I think you should at least give it a try...
Religion has existed for many centuries and it has turned humans into fighting idiots - just look to the middle east.
Its really very simple. If you can just get quiet with yourself for 30 minutes a day, and not let your mind tell you what is true or not, you will find the truth pretty soon. That is your "higher power".
"God" lives within us, through us, around us, above and below, so access is easy. AA people know this to a degree, but they label it to keep it real.
Just go and take what you will, until you feel more connected to your inner voice. Learn how to hear it. I like looking at a fire (either in a fireplace or outside in a pit). It helps my mind get quiet so I can figure out the truth.
Good luck.
I spoke about how it is hard for a mother to refrain from enabling and how the lines between enabling and helping someone are so blurred, especially by the fact that this person is your child. I mentioned that the mother/child bond is different from other relationships and even somewhat sacred.
Some guy came up to me afterwards and his daughter had recovered. He told me he "took issue" to my comment about the mother/child bond because his relationship was so special now with his daughter. I said, "yes, I'm sure it is, but did you carry her in the womb for nine months, did you give birth on the table?"
Guys, you can't own childbirth, and if some woman is grieving the loss of her child through alcoholism, try to understand that you can't fully know her heartache. Keep your mouth shut about your miraculous recovery experiences when you're dealing with a mom who is watching her child destroy himself.
That was my first Al-Anon meeting. I attended one other one, which wasn't much better and that was it. I'm not saying I would never go back, but I'll keep looking for options.
You have to go and see for yourself. It has something for everybody in some way or form. For me, it was the fact that so many other parents are going through the same things and they know how hard it is.
But then, I sometimes wonder who is sitting on information that could be useful. Who is not sharing because they don't want to admit how hard it is? There are no easy answers.
Good luck.