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 went to AA for the first time tonight. Ive been building myself up to go for months if not years but never could quite pluck up the courage. Also I kept telling myself that Im not as bad as prob most people there. But the bottom line is everytime Id drink Id end up drunk and after quitting for 5 months before on my own I knew I couldnt do it again on my own. I needed help this time. So I went along and felt weirdly emotional when I went in. Everyone was friendly lots of middle aged women like me. So Im feeling good and will go again.
That is great news. It is normal to feel emotional the first time that you walk into an AA meeting but it gets easier. My suggestion to you is to make the most of what you find there and I will list a few things that you may wish to consider.
Arrive early, maybe 15-20 minutes before the meeting is due to start as this gives you a chance to check the place out and to talk informally to other members over a coffee. Leave late for the same reasons.
Get telephone numbers from other members (preferably other ladies) and keep in touch with them.
You dont have to say anything at meetings but if you do talk (share) you will almost always feel better afterwards. Sometimes you may have to force yourself to share but the more you get out of your comfort zone the easier it gets. You do not have to have something deep or meaningful to say in order to share.
Remember that the other people are there for the same reason as you so nobody will judge you.
Anonymity is taken very seriously in AA and nobody will say outside that they saw you at a meeting or repeat what you have said. It works both ways so you dont talk about other people either.
You will get a lot more from the meetings if you become involved in helping out in small ways. It can be something as simple as helping to put away the chairs or talking to new people who come in the door.
Most important of all in my experience: If you go there expecting to get something you may go home disappointed but if you go with the attitude of giving you will receive more than you would ever have expected.
A couple of things that I remember from the first meeting:
You need never drink again.
Approach AA with an open mind.
Try to get to as many meetings as possible for the first 90 days.
Good luck on your journey.
Keep us posted and great step!