I'm looking at meetings in my area....and the acronyms used, etc, (OD = open discussion, CD = closed, etc etc), but I was wondering if anyone would be able to make a recommendation as to what would be the best "type" to attend first? Does it matter? I mean, clearly, I can't attend a closed discussion (why are they closed anyway? Not understanding, maybe....hmm), but I'm wondering if anything would be more fitting for me, since I have never been to one.
I understand that if you have a desire to stop drinking, this is enough for entry. My first meeting was a closed meeting, they had no problem with me being there.
Hi ET, Open means that it's open to people who are checking out AA, open to the public... Closed meetings are for members who have a desire to stop drinking only. Discussion meetings are discussions about a given topic of sobriety. Speakers meetings are where 2 AA speakers will take 30 ea. and tell their story. Step meetings are a read and study (discuss) one step at a time out of the 12 steps and 12 traditions book. Big book meetings, same thing but with the big book. Beginners meetings (which you should try) are self explannitory.
As far as a first meeting? Speakers meetings are good. It's assemble seating and no audience participation is asked for other than if there are any newcomers or first time in a meeting, which you should identify yourself.
Speaker meetings are awesome! In my area it's almost always just one person and they share what it was like(drinking), what happened, and what it's like now( being sober.) The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. An open meeting is okay, but I much prefer closed meetings.
Hi ET, Open means that it's open to people who are checking out AA, open to the public... Closed meetings are for members who have a desire to stop drinking only. Discussion meetings are discussions about a given topic of sobriety. Speakers meetings are where 2 AA speakers will take 30 ea. and tell their story. Step meetings are a read and study (discuss) one step at a time out of the 12 steps and 12 traditions book. Big book meetings, same thing but with the big book. Beginners meetings (which you should try) are self explannitory.
Yeah, what he said!!
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Rheinhold Niebuhr
Hey darlin'... My first meeting was open, though everyone there was an alcoholic. Like I told you, I just said, "I'm Laurie and just checking this out to see if it's where I need to be." Seems to me like everyone gets not wanting to say the words, "I'm an alcoholic." Something about saying it that makes it more true. The first time I said it was totally frightening for me, but it's funny cause you actually stick out less despite feeling like it dooms you. I went to my first speaker meeting on Sunday--it was good. One story, lots of listeners. I've been to Big Book, Twelve and Twelve and Discussion meetings. Love them all. Most meetings I've been to have a "newcomers" break out group after the reading... Any way you slice it, you're gonna like it. I guarantee it.
THANK YOU everyone :) May go to one Sat afternoon. Seems like there are a few that are close to me... Sat would also bring me to day 3.....which is almost always my most troublesome day.
Get to any meeting, any one will do at this point. Pick up some phamplets that you can read to help you better understand Alcoholics Anonymous.
Then -- get a big book ( it is our text ) . and then I would highly suggest you attend as many step/tradition and or Big Book meetings as you can. That is if you decide to keep going to meetings.
It has been my experience that the Ones who are really serious about staying sober and helping others usually go to step/tradition and big book meetings on a regular basis, and therefor are willing to sponsor/help new ppl.
I like them all. My favorite is a special type of big book study called Primary Purpose, but I love the women only meetings (WO) too! (The guys in town say they love the (MO) meetings as well. Here, the open meetings kind of end up being the newcomer meetings, although they aren't specifically such. I would just pick one and go. Later on you can figure out what works best. Ask for a temporary sponsor...she can help you figure out a good meeting schedule for you.
I reread your message, don't wait, go now, or at least, tomorrow morning. If you have a desire to stop drinking that's all you need and it can't help but help. Heart, Angela
Closed meetings are fine, like everyone here has said, you "qualify", you have an honest desire to quit drinking and you can't. That's price of admission at a closed meeting. They, generally speaking are a little more advanced, but not necessarily, typically they are actually actively trying to work "The Program", step study meetings, big book studies etc. they make them closed generally so they can address alcoholism specifically.
I agree with Dean, a big anonymous speaker meeting would be a good start, maybe a birthday chip meeting with a speaker, we have a few locally, one has 200-300 people, one has 500-600, one in the city gets 1000, that's plenty anonymous, and they get good speakers.
I think it would be a good idea to go and see how much fun these people are having, see them celebrate their time away from a drink, see people get chips up to 50 years on occasion, and then listen to a speaker and see if you identify with what they say. See if you think like them, see if you find yourself nodding.
Newcomer meetings are great as well, there are various formats, we have them every night of the week but my favorite is Tuesday, they have a speaker, and while (s)he is speaking, they pass around an "Ask-it" Basket, where newcomers can ask questions and after the speaker is done they read the questions and the attendees share their experience with the questions.
Almost every week someone has a question about new relationships or sex and that always sets off a steamy cauldron of debate, so we get to get sober and watch "heated" discussion at the same time, no pun intended...OK...maybe a little pun.
Truthfully?
just go, if you don't like the first one, try again, meetings come in a lot of flavors.
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Build a man a fire and he will be warm for a night, light a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life
