JW85 I've been to a meeting like that. It was early morning. The leader would collect the record sheets, sign them and pass them back. It was the most interesting meeting I went to. My guess is they went to an early morning meeting so the could go to work and wouldn't miss any drinking time after work.

The part of town has ALOT to do with it! Hate to be non politically correct, but face it, their are people with no class. If you are a person like me, with some class, you don't always fit in everywhere in the city! IMHO! Sly

Btw, before you all start hammering me, money does not equal class, how you conduct yourself and your behavior are your calss!

I'm very sorry that you had that experience. Totally NOT what an AA meeting is normally. It's very unfortunate that it's the only meeting in town. They must have different times of day? My home group does 3 to 4 meetings EACH day. Each meeting has some of the same folks, but most are different due to working hours, etc. The 6:30 am meeting is definitely a more "professional" crowd because they go before work. The 11:30 meeting is more of the "card signer" types, along with us regular folks who just want to stay sober. The evening meetings are a mix. Check to see varying times.

If nothing else, get a Big Book at least. It's awesome, supportive. Lots of online stuff for doing steps as well. Good luck!

I live in rural northeast Missouri. My town has a population of around 3000 permanent residents - the rest are college kids. This area has a huge meth problem.
I've never tried to quit drinking before. I've never seen it as a problem. I've never felt like I HAD to have a drink. I'm going to try this on my own. I'll read things online. Maybe check out an online meeting. Right now, I'm kept very busy by my little girl. And when she goes back to her mother's I'll be on a serious job hunt.

wow. A two fer at your first mtg. Sounds pretty wild!
1is2many

Sounds like yu have a plan, JW, that's good.

Crazy! I like on line support and am lucky to have a good group of people at the AA meetings were I live. Good plan on online meetings I enjoy just listening to people and their stories so I enjoy them when I don't feel like going out.

I suppose I should just be glad no one offered me meth. No one really focuses on alcoholism around here - it's all about the war on meth. I can' understand it - meth is definitely worse than alcohol. So, it is what it is. I would start looking for a job now, but I only get the munchkin half time - usually 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off - so I figured I would just take the extra time with her. Always find the silver lining.

Definitely cherish the time with your kid while you have the chance. They're only young once. I love the time I get to spend with my grandkids. I am dad to both of them (10 yr old girl, 2 yr old boy) and it's a responsibility I both enjoy and take very seriously.
On the flip side after 17 years of being employed I worked only 1 week in a 3 month period. At the end I was going stir crazy and am thankful to have gotten back to work in a job with a great employer. Wishing you well in your sobriety and your endevours.

I have not been to any AA meetings myself but if what you describe is true I would suggest reaching out to another group and/or looking into notifying AA that this particular group does not seem to be taking its purpose seriously and see if there is anything they can do.

Perhaps you could start an AA group on your own and others who were serious about getting sober would join it.

Good luck

Rich

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry you had that experience. I have yet to go to a meeting, and now I'm a bit scared to try it out. Yikes!! ._.

I wouldn't be scared. I think its just this area. All the "respectable" people hide their problems leaving the trash - and I'm not meaning only poor people - to go to court mandated meetings.

I wouldn't go back to that meeting either.
Honestly, been to thousands, all over the world, and I've never had that experience. Not even close.
You might try another meeting.

I lived i rural Wyoming in a town of 5,000. Back then there was nothing other than live AA meetings. Today we have the internet.

I now live in California. I know what you mean about the court people. I quit AA. Meetings were my trigger to drink. I achieved sobriety just using this DS group. There are other online groups, Life Ring, AA etc. Google it.