I wanna start going to AA meetings... can anyone tell me what to expect when I g!


Question: I wanna start going to AA meetings!.!.!. can anyone tell me what to expect when I go!?!?
This is my first time to go!.!. I looked it up online as to where and the times to go!. But I'm nervous cuz I've never been! So can anyone tell me what they are like and how long they last usually!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
I disagree with therealcognic!. Just because he failed doesn't mean you will!. At least you are trying to get on the right path!. I have been to many AA meetings starting from when I was 16!. My drunken Dad had an intervention sprung on him from his boss at work and the immediate family!. He quite drinking 5 days after and eventually became an AA meeting leader and sponsors of alcoholics that needed support to keep dry!.
That was in 1977 and he still has not had a drop!. He did not have to go for his whole life after several years he got over the hump and it became a part of normal life not to drink!.
Luck be have it - like father like daughter I grew up and became an alcoholic, went to AA meetings and over came it with the help of sponsors to call when I was weak!.
The meetings are about an hour long!. When it first starts everyone will go around and say " My name is ______ and I'm an alcoholic, because admitting your'e one is half the battle!. If you don't want to say this just say "pass", but this will flag you as being in denial!. You will hear people take turns telling little stories of winning the battle and some of current struggles!. You don't have to say a word unless you feel the urge!. Congrats on making the decision to lead a clear life, when I drank I really got tired of trying to find clues of what I did that I blacked out!. You will feel so much happier about yours self one's you get it under control!. AA meetings also give out chips for every so many days you don't drink!. Like there is the 30 day chip and 3 month chip, 6 months and ect!. Make it your goal to earn the 5 or 10 year chip, it's awesome!.
Oh, and most of them serve coffee and they pass a donation basket around to pay for it and the literature!. There is no obligation to put anything in the basket, most people are so friendly and will be glad to see you taking the steps to be there they love to welcome a new comer's!. You will make many new true friends going throught he same issues - GOOD LUCK on your new journey!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

First of all, congrats on recognizing the need to get help, for sure!. I attended some AA classes because I was legally required to, following a DUI arrest!.

It was around the same time that other events in my life made me believe I had an alcohol problem, and that I should quit drinking, so I did try to approach AA with an open mind!.

A couple things to be aware of: first and foremost, AA is a Christian organization, and the meetings I attended were very heavy on the scripture!. Sometimes speakers would quote directly from the Bible, and other times it's more like a hybrid language of scripture and the phraseology of the 12 steps!. Secondly, the meetings I attended were not structured thematically!. Instead, they featured a 'reader,' usually talking about his or her recovery as it relates to the steps, followed by a town-hall style round robin where anyone in the crowd could get up and talk about his or her progress (or lack thereof) and get words of encouragement from other attendees!.

Though it's clearly not intended to, it can feel very alienating for someone who is not a Christian!. I am an atheist and found the focus on the Bible to be a distraction from the real-life problems many people were trying to confront!. Many speakers ran out of detail in their updates and started repeating the phrases from the program mindlessly rather than talk about which strategies had been successful and why they thought that was the case!.

On the other hand, for such a diverse gathering, mixed across racial, economic and cultural groups, it was certainly uplifting to see how those with a common problem really try to support each other!.

I would suggest you talk to your doctor about your decision, and be aware that AA is not the only option!.

I wish you good luck and good health!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

expect to be bored and hit on and hear alot of the same stories!. AA only helps 6% to 7% of the time thats about the same rate as quitting cold turkeyWww@Answer-Health@Com





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