AA works 4 me

what happens when you go to AA.

What is the first visit like, what do you do there

sounds to me like you're an alcoholic. You can't stop once you start and you can't stay away from the first drink. AA and spirituality has helped me alot to quit and recover. AA meetings are alcoholics who sit around and share their experience strength and hope with each other. It's kinda awkwards and scary at first but you don't have to talk if you don't want to. Everyone is usually very non judgemental, friendly and welcoming. You're feel less alone and like people understand completely what you're going through. You'll find strength in the ones who have managed to quit and recover from alcoholism. and you can say whatever is on your mind, what you're going through etc and receive feedback from others. It is a spiritual program but you choose what you want to believe in. well wishes and hugs

I am trying the cold turkey way, if it does not work I will try AA or whatever makes me sober.

Peachy, in AA we have a programme of recovery called the 12 steps, it is this that allows us to have permanent sobriety if we want it. AA meetings vary in their format, but you would certainly find a warm welcome there.

I don't know where you are but most places offer what is called a 12 step call, it's where you give some basic details to the local AA telephone service who get someone who is local to you and is sober, to make contact with you and go with you to your first few meetings - that makes it easier than walking into a strange place alone.

Give it a try - you've really got nothing to lose. You don't have to sign up for anything, there are no membership records but it can save you from a miserable life!

PM me if I can help in any way

Lyn

Sounds just like me before I stopped.
I was like this becuse I was powerless over alcohol. Still am. Always will be.
Try AA you have nothing to loose.
Without help it is too much for us. Well, was for me.

I have no control if I pick up that first drink. It's where we all starts Just don't take that first drink come hell or high water.

I was powerless over alcohol. when i was drinking I couldnt predict once started when i would stop and then i would stop quit for good throw in the towel only to find my self in a few days or weeks drunk again. that i was told by aa is what being powerless over alcohol is. Now knowing i was powerless wasnt enough. it was a start but I knew that prior to aa I had to be willing to do anything to not live that way. I was dying so i didnt put conditions on what i would and wouldnt do. I went thru the steps right out of the Big book with a sponsor and found permanent sobriety provided I am willing every day to live the steps. I am no longer powerless over alcohol. all the power I lacked was given to me by God. I am sane noe when it comes to booze. he took the obsession away from me so i wouldnt have to struggle this time to stay sober. this works no matter what anyone says on here aa works. I am proof of that.

Sounds familiar...I'd say that too in the middle of the night and morning..then when it got later in the day..I'd plan my next drink.

Serenity-I didn't know that about the 12 step call! :)

I walked into my first meeting 2 days after leaving detox and I've never felt so at home in my LIFE. No bar or club ever welcomed me in like that! :) Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds. Hang in there..give it a try.

AA works when you work it. I found my relapses were due to a lack of committment to recovery. It is possible you are not ready to quit. On Friday I recieved a gift from recovery and faced the reality of the disease. The gift came that morning. I was blessed with feeling the love of God, my church family and my earth family all at one. It came to me through a song: Butterfly Kiss. I was reflection on my life since my birthday(belly button) was the next day. When I heard these lyric, I must have done something right to recieve hugs in the morning and butterfly kiss at night, I was filled with the knowledge that I am love and I love back. My past was a tool I have been given to opportunity to use to help others. Yours can be too. I have this because i put down the bottle and pick up the steps of AA. While I was using I always lived in the fear of what is it going to take for me to quit. Engulfed in love I headed to the noon meeting. When I arrived i got to see a man being sobriety tested by 3 police officers. My first thought was "Oh let him go to the meeting. The next thought was "You do know what happened. What had happen is driving drunk to the meeting he hit some house. What I got to do was say for the Grace of God go I. I don't want that to be you. Thank God the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Pray for increased desire and willingness to stop drinking. I will pray for you too. The only reason I have control today is because I accept I am not in control.
Tina

Well like some others said, I don't pick up the first drink. that works to start.... and trying AA can only help because there you are not alone.

AA is full of people who have been in your shoes, you remind me so much of me when I was stuck on the merry go round.There are no bosses in AA, and we come from all walks of life. Alcohol is not choosy. I knew from the the moment I realized I was an alcoholic that I had come home in AA. Give it a try, and I wi wish you luck.

Peachy,
My first AA meeting, all i did was say hello and listen to people share stories about what their lives had been like, how they realized they needed help and breakthroughs they had made. when they came to me, i said, "I'd like to just listen today"

They all smile and assured me that was just fine.

My second meeting, when they came to me, The most amazing thing happened. instead of saying, "I'd like to just listen today", I said, "Hello, my name is Cherie and I'm an alcoholic."

To this day, I don't know where it came from or remember making the decision. It just popped out. After I said that, every one said, "Hello, Cherie".

They waited for me to share but I kind of felt faint because this huge weight had lifted off of me and I and to sit down. Everyone wished me well, and they went on to the next person.

I hope this is what you wanted to know. If not, just ask here and I'll check back later or PM me.

Wishing you Love Light and all good things!

people are too selfish and selfcentered to make 12 step calls anymore..at least in this town...that was part of the original program..i am so disgusted with the aa in my town they're imbarrassing and full of themselves..this place is not what aa was meant to be..half of them leave the meetings and smoke pot and those are the "old timers" aaaaack!!!! thanks for letting me vent

thats in my town..there probably are some good meetings elsewhere