Has anyone here ever been to an AA meeting?

[Sweet Venus]

I think I have developed a dependence on alcohol in the past year. During my affair with a married man, I started needing to numb the pain of what I was doing, and dealing with the stress. Or maybe I dated a MM because I was drinking.I don't know.

 

I haven't drank in a week, and I was thinking of going to an AA meeting.

But I am scared, because someone I know might be there.lol

Plus it means admitting I am an "alcoholic".

 

If I go to AA what can I expect? Thanks for any advice.

[Mutley]

Well, I'd recommend going to a variety of meetings. All of them are different. Try to find one you are comfortable with.

 

You don't have to admit you're an alcoholic.

 

Just look at this as a time of exploring other options.

 

And go see for yourself. Don't let anybody talk you out of going.

[Hope75]

Hi There,

 

I have been to a few with my ex and some friends and it's very casual. People meet, have coffee, and those who feel like sharing a story about their drinking do. They celebrate sobriety and milestones, and pray. No one judges anyone else because they have all been there.

 

Check it out, it can't hurt!

 

Good for you for admitting it's become a problem in your life.

[Sweet Venus]

Thanks Mutley. I have visions of a bunch of drunks with wine bottles

sitting around half in the bag, slurring their words. I know that's probably

not how it is at all...lol...then I have to say my name and I'm an alcoholic.

But I have heard good things about it too.

[Clementine orange]

I sat in on one when I was doing research for a paper (yeah, seriously). To be honest, I don't think I have ever seen so much strength and courage in one room.

This was a men's only AA meeting and these guys were not "pansies" in any stretch of the imagination. Big burly, tattooed biker types admitting they had problems, being supportive of each other, sharing feelings, telling stories of survival. It was an incredible feeling and very moving actually.

 

Basically it is very low key, no-one is forced to talk, you can just sit there and observe if you want. There is no hard sell, no guilt talk, no religious talk (not specifically anyway - spiritual maybe) . People just go around the circle telling their stories, what "stages" they are at. There is literature to read that they give you.

 

If you think you might be an alcoholic then it is worth putting your head in to check it out. At the very least, it will be a very interesting evening.

I urge you to check it out.

[Sweet Venus]

Hi There,

 

I have been to a few with my ex and some friends and it's very casual. People meet, have coffee, and those who feel like sharing a story about their drinking do. They celebrate sobriety and milestones, and pray. No one judges anyone else because they have all been there.

 

Check it out, it can't hurt!

 

Good for you for admitting it's become a problem in your life.

 

Thanks Hope!!! I appreciate the encouraging words. I

miss the "old me". I know this is not who I am...just need some

guidance.

[CallingAllAngels]

I have never been, but I have a good friend who did, and it changed her life.

 

She said when she walked in the door, she felt like she was "Home." That was 15 years ago and she has been sober ever since.

 

You don't even have to speak if you don't want to...don't have to admitt a thing.

 

Go to one...see what you think.

 

Like the above poster said - don't let anyone talk you out of it. Go see for youself with your own two eyes.

[Clementine orange]

Thanks Mutley. I have visions of a bunch of drunks with wine bottles

sitting around half in the bag, slurring their words. I know that's probably

not how it is at all...lol...then I have to say my name and I'm an alcoholic.

But I have heard good things about it too.

 

I don't think one is admitted if one is under the influence.

[Sweet Venus]

Clementine, that is awesome.Thanks so much for your insight.

I think I would be too scared or shy to talk. But I will listen and see how it goes....

[Mutley]

If you're at a meeting were they are announcing their names....you don't have to put "alcoholic" behind it. You can just say your name.

 

Well, I haven't drank (or used other drugs) for 17 years...so some of us don't bring wine bottles!!

[Sweet Venus]

I am going to see where I can find a meeting...but I want to find one

not so close to my vicinity...because I really don't want anyone to see me there.

[25thfloor]

I think I have developed a dependence on alcohol in the past year. During my affair with a married man, I started needing to numb the pain of what I was doing, and dealing with the stress. Or maybe I dated a MM because I was drinking.I don't know.

 

I haven't drank in a week, and I was thinking of going to an AA meeting.

But I am scared, because someone I know might be there.lol

Plus it means admitting I am an "alcoholic".

 

If I go to AA what can I expect? Thanks for any advice.

 

just stop drinking for awhile. you don't need a meeting to do that...unless you really think you have a problem. perhaps try some other activities and see how that goes? don't start labeling yourself, i think they do more harm than good. some of those meetings are good, some not so good. some folks use it as a crutch like drinking and some actually get some use out of them.

[Mutley]

just stop drinking for awhile. you don't need a meeting to do that...unless you really think you have a problem. perhaps try some other activities and see how that goes? don't start labeling yourself, i think they do more harm than good. some of those meetings are good, some not so good. some folks use it as a crutch like drinking and some actually get some use out of them.

 

She needs to find our for herself.

 

There's nothing wrong with going and finding out if there's anything she can use there.

 

You don't need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

There's possitives and negatives to everything.

[redhearts]

I went to one with a friend, much better than going to ANALON. ANALON is for friends and families of alcoholics.

[25thfloor]

She needs to find our for herself.

 

There's nothing wrong with going and finding out if there's anything she can use there.

 

You don't need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

There's possitives and negatives to everything.

 

right...i just thought about what i wrote and went back to delete. there are definitely good meetings. i believe i misread what she wrote in the beginning and went back over it. yes, just go to a different part of town to make it easier not to run into someone you may know.

[Mutley]

right...i just thought about what i wrote and went back to delete. there are definitely good meetings. i believe i misread what she wrote in the beginning and went back over it. yes, just go to a different part of town to make it easier not to run into someone you may know.

 

Cool!!!

[25thfloor]

Cool!!!

 

 

amazing how the written word can look so different the second time around. i like your advice. very cool and good for you on your life too!

[Sweet Venus]

I am pretty self sufficient....but I realize things have gotten out of hand.

No, I am not a stumbling alcoholic, but I notice I AM drinking a lot...

and by myself at home. I always laughed at people who drank a lot...

but now I am becoming one of them. I also did some reading..and that women tend to develop a drinking problem more as they get OLDER...and that scares the crap out of me.

[Mutley]

thanks. I appreciate that.

[CallingAllAngels]

I am pretty self sufficient....but I realize things have gotten out of hand.

No, I am not a stumbling alcoholic, but I notice I AM drinking a lot...

and by myself at home. I always laughed at people who drank a lot...

but now I am becoming one of them. I also did some reading..and that women tend to develop a drinking problem more as they get OLDER...and that scares the crap out of me.

 

my friend was not a stumbling alcholic either.

 

Alcholism is like an elevator...you'll keep going down down down...you can get off on any floor. You don't have to hit rock bottom.

 

Don't wait till you hit rock bottom.

 

What does it hurt to check out a meeting?

[Sweet Venus]

I am going to try to make a meeting tomorrow..

[CallingAllAngels]

I am going to try to make a meeting tomorrow..

 

good for you girl! post again and let us know what you think!

[ghost69]

i thought of going to AA meetings. i don't even depend on drinking to get through stuff. i only drink like once a week. i just thought it would be great to get some perspective on myself.

[just M.E.]

I asked a friend who is a recovered alcoholic how one knows if they have a problem with alcohol and he gave a great reply.

 

When you find that you change what you do because of alcohol. You don't go to a certain restaurant because they don't serve drinks. You change your plans because you drank too much to go out or on a trip, etc. Anything you do that is changed by drinking is a good cause for you to look closely.

 

I'm not an alcoholic, I have never really drank, I have pretty much stopped drinking altogether because I don't enjoy it. There are many in this world who don't drink so you won't be pushed to the outskirts.

[Sweet Venus]

Well, I kniow if drinking is affecting my life negatively I have a problem. I am not a "happy" drinker either. I tend to get nasty and belligerent. That is the total opposite of

who I really am when sober. I just don't want to be the mean drunk lady..lol