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 will be going to my first Celebrate Recovery meeting this Thursday. I dont know what to expect. There is a dinner beforehand. I dont want to really share, just observe. What are some other peoples experiences? Anything I should be aware of before I go?
In any case, you usually split up into small groups after a service and dinner...usually men with men and women with women. That helps when it comes to sharing. I felt obligated to share so I did. But I know it's not a requirement. If you just want to be in the company of others and want to listen, people should respect that. Just explain it's your first time, and you would rather observe when it comes time for you to share. They usually go around the room, giving everyone 3-5 minutes to speak their mind. There is no cross talk, which personally I don't like. I prefer if people chime in and help facilitate the discussion.
Good luck and let us know how it goes! You will probably have someone talk to you one on one after service since this is your first time. They like to know the reason you are here, what they can help with and to explain what it is they do.
For at least some of us real alcoholics, and perhaps especially for us who were raised in Christian denominations which enthusiastically support drinking as an institution and which regard alcoholism as a disease, the doctrinal revisions that would have been required to transform ourselves into Protestant teetotalers on moral grounds were simply beyond our capabilities.
More on the Catholic view of it here:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01274a.htm