Alcoholics Anonymous
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> "How to get through your first Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting"
Post Info TOPIC: "How to get through your first Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting"
Larry_H


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1008
Date:
"How to get through your first Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting"
Permalink  
 

I found this on wikiHow I did not write it but I like it.  I would like your comments. Are any additions or subtractions needed?

Remember the subect is "How to get through your first Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting" 

I am going to print this and keep it handy for 12th step work

Larry,
-------------------------------
I go to meetings to hear voices other than my own

_______________________________________________________

How to get through your first Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

originated by:Ljp26, Maluniu


Nobody wants to go to their first Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. Everyone is afraid. AA welcomes everyone, and

you don't need to meet any requirements. If you've ever thought of going, or have been told you must go, here's what to do.

1 Find a meeting. There are lots of sources. Call the nearest Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office, visit http://www.aa.org, ask a church pastor or anyone you might know in recovery. Many cities have hundreds, or even over a thousand AA meetings each week.

2 Pick a compatible meeting. If you're going because you are curious about AA, go to an "open" meeting, which is for anyone. Closed meetings are only for people who have decided they have a problem with alcohol and want to stop drinking. Some meetings are for men only or women only, are foreign language speaking or are for other special groups. The sources above can guide you to the right meeting.

3 Ask for a ride if you don't have a way to get there. The local AA office can usually arrange for someone who is going to the meeting to pick you up.

4 Get there early. Many meetings are held in churches. Watch what door people go in so you can follow them to the right room. If you aren't sure if you're at the right place, ask someone if it is the meeting for "friends of Bill W."

5 Expect to see all kinds of people there: young, old, worn-down, elegant. They may be very different than you. You might be surprised that so many people look healthy and happy. They are all there for the same reason no matter how they look on the outside.

6 Relax. You aren't required to do or believe anything. You don't have to say a word.

7 Watch how the meeting works. They usually begin with volunteers reading from AA literature, followed by a group discussion, book study or featured speaker.

8 Sometimes the leader will ask if anyone is at their first AA meeting. If you want, you can raise your hand and give your first name.

9 Listen. You will get a lot out of your first meeting by hearing others' experiences. You might not understand all the discussion, but try to find something you can relate to.

10 When they pass the basket for donations, you do not have to contribute. If you want to, the normal contribution is $1 or $2 in the U.S. Don't give more than what others are giving.

11 Take a white chip if offered. Some groups give chips to people have been sober for a length of time. They also give a white chip to anyone who doesn't want to drink just for one day. Chips are reminders to help you stay sober. They are free.

12 Ask the chairperson after the meeting for a directory that shows where and when meetings are held. You can go to as many meetings as you want. If you go to a second meeting located near the first one, you might recognize people that were at the first meeting.

Tips

Meetings start on time. Plan to get there early and stay late so people can introduce themselves.

If you get there late, it's OK. Just go in and sit down.

Tell someone you are new. They will probably introduce you to others.

Go sober and not high. Otherwise the experience won't be very useful.

During the meeting, don't ask questions or talk to anyone in the group directly, even if it seems like someone is talking directly to you. Stay after the meeting to ask questions or tell them your story.

There is a lot of laughter in AA meetings. It's also OK to cry.

If you see someone there that you know, don't worry that they will "tell on you." They are probably there for the same reason you are.

Go to a different meeting if you don't hear anything that you can relate to. Each meeting has a unique personality.

If people give you their phone numbers, they want to help if you need it. Call them before you take a drink. Say that they gave you their number at the meeting and you want to drink.

Warnings

Never drive with alcohol in your system, even if you think you need to get to an AA meeting right away. Get someone to give you a ride instead.

The group might ask you to leave and come back another day if you are disruptive or start rambling about something other than alcohol.

Once you get home don't talk about who was there or what they said. One of AA's mottos is "Who you see here, what you hear here, let it stay here."



__________________
Mike B.


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 2520
Date:
Permalink  
 

Larry,
I like it.  It's comprehensive but simple to follow.  Nothing I can think of to add.  It might be a little lengthy for a newbie depending on their anxiety level.  I know when I came in my attention span wasn't so great.  Come to think of it, it's still not that great.  biggrin
Thank you.

__________________
Aquaman


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1201
Date:
Permalink  
 

Looks Good to me.

__________________

I alone can do it...but I can't do it alone.
AGO


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 619
Date:
Permalink  
 

I don't think it misses anything either, looks perfect

little more comprehensive then the instructions I got which were:

Sit down, shut up and try to listen

__________________
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
SteveP


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1052
Date:
Permalink  
 

Looks great to me -- wish that I'd had that prior to my first meeting. :)

__________________
camitch


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Permalink  
 

I just went to my first meeting Sunday night and this would have been helpful to have read before.  It is very accurate on how things went that night. 

I arrived early, was welcomed by everyone.  Wasn't sure what to do when they passed the jar for offerings.  I thought they said if you are not a Member do not donate.  Being my first meeting I wasn't sure what to do.  Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

I stayed and helped move the tables and chairs but left without really talking to anyone.  I feel like I missed a good opportunity.

__________________
And sometimes to help them we have got to help ourselves. - SRV
Mike B.


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 2520
Date:
Permalink  
 

Camitch,
Welcome to the board.  It's great to hear you went to your first meeting.  Sounds like you had a positive experience.  At AA meetings you'll find support, compassion and love.  People who share a common problem and a common solution.  A place were people stay sober by helping others stay sober.  Great concept.....

Are far as the offering; AA is self supporting through our own contributions.  The money collected goes to support the group: rent, coffee, goodies & literature.  Anything extra beyond that goes to the district or area the club belongs to.  This keeps the program alive and well at all levels.  You give or donate if your able too...

Missed opportunity-  don't beat yourself up because you didn't talk to anyone before leaving.  The folks there know your new.  We've all been there.  The important thing is you recognized it.  The next time you go introduce yourself to a couple of same sex members and let them know your new.  They will take it from there.  

Keep coming back and help us stay sober!

__________________
whitewhineoh


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 72
Date:
Permalink  
 

Just wanted to say that I actually read this the night before I went to my first meeting and it helped me feel more comfortable going. I am really glad that I got there a little early and stayed late, and that I did raise my hand and mention that it was my first meeting even though it terrified me to do so, because it helped a lot in that people came up to me immediately after and offered me encouragement, literature, and support. I got taken out for coffee and that helped tons to just be able to talk to someone honestly.

Camitch, you didn't miss anything you can't get today. Just mention that this is your second meeting and your first time saying hi, or generally anything about being new and you will get people who will help you. Every meeting where I've said anything to that effect I've had great experiences with.

__________________
Larry_H


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1008
Date:
Permalink  
 

whitewhineoh wrote:

Just wanted to say that I actually read this the night before I went to my first meeting and it helped me feel more comfortable going. I am really glad that I got there a little early and stayed late, and that I did raise my hand and mention that it was my first meeting even though it terrified me to do so, because it helped a lot in that people came up to me immediately after and offered me encouragement, literature, and support. I got taken out for coffee and that helped tons to just be able to talk to someone honestly.

Welcome Whitewhineoh and keep coming back.  My first meeting will always be remembered by me.  I was terrified also, and I did not wan't to live anymore.  I could not understand why the majority of the people at my first AA meeting seemed happy.

By coming back I found out.

Larry,
-------------
Every alcoholic will eventually quit drinking, but it's better to do it when we're still alive

 



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> "How to get through your first Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting"