Thank you so much cabledude. I feel much better now. I appreciate your time in responding to my post!

they usually went around room with a little thing called a Newcomers Package that has some important stuff in it like the Where and When of meeting schedules.....it tells you where and when you can go to another meeting...go to one again and keep on going....the ladies with time or experience will usually sign the list on the newcomers package with telephone numbers for you to get hold of them before your next drinking bout...not after it but hopefully you will never feel you need again another drink....hugs bill

Beth, I was nervous and not quite sure it was for me. A lot of it was a blur for the first and I sat on my hands and counted the words on the banner at the front of the room. Only said Hi, my names Coog and I drink a lot when asked for intro's. My second meeting was a corker though lol. One thing that did stand out was how nice everyone was to me. That in itself was uncomfortable. But discomfort comes from change, and that's what I needed. Here's a link a few of us have shared about first meetings...

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/aa-a-place-to-start/discussions/messages/7487903

Let us know how you go. :}

Good luck at your first meeting!! Can't really add to what was said here. Go with an open mind and listen to what's being said.

Here we pass around a book for all the women to put their names and phone numbers in. Use it!! I've made some great friends.

Would love to hear how it goes.

~Chris

I get nervous at new stuff, often. Just try and stay in the moment-know you are NOT the center of attention. It helps me so much when I realize that must people are too wrapped up in themselves to even care what I am doing. This is freeing! Just know there are people there who are really in the same boat-try and see you are not the only one this is difficult for. We all have had our "first" meeting and felt the spotlight was on us (atleast me).

Just know people do not expect anything from you-it is just nice that you came.

Great that you're going, Beth.

I was overwhelmed by the kindness extended towards me during my first. Still am in subsequent meetings. Talking to someone face to face really brought a new level of understanding about alcoholism.

my very first was a blurr as has been mentioned....and my second was nine years later...do not do as I did...get to the next meeting the very next day...OK?

I have only been to one (two little kids, hubster who works 14 hour days, yada yada ya). I was 15 mins. late because I got wrong directions. It was a women's meeting and it was so packed I had to sit on the floor, with about 8 other women. It was beautiful. I was blown away by not only how friendly and welcoming everyone was, but by how eloquent, elegant and masterful these women were in speaking. I have real social anxieties, so I am almost relieved I was late and got to sneak in under the radar a little. When I had to introduce myself, I was crying so hard I could barely speak. No one made me feel weird about this, for which I was grateful. A woman came up to me after the meeting and said "the more you come, you less you cry". Hugs.

How did the meeting go? I want details! When are you going back?

If you don't get asked out for coffee, don't think it's because they don't like you or anything like that. My first meeting, there was only one woman who had 10 years of sobriety and she didn't say one word to me. The men, of course, did ... but they were respectful.

I hope it is a good first meeting for you. If not, check out another one. I have found that every meeting has a different feel to it.

You are on a new adventure! Welcome!

i remember my 1st meeting and felt just as u do! and no u do not "have" to speak...unless ufeel the need to...and tho speakin in any public forum makes me damn near "stroke out" there have been times that ina mtg it just came over me...i HAD to speak...untill that time comes for u...just keep on keepin on! best of luck!