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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Finding Out About AA
Post Info TOPIC: Finding Out About AA
barisax


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Finding Out About AA
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I notice a frequent topic here is just people asking about AA, wanting to find out what is AA, how it works, etc.  I think I was the same way when I made my first phone call to the area office and asked some similar questions.  The people I talked to made me laugh, and that made me want to come to a meeting.

Anyway, what I wanted to say is - for anyone coming here for the first time, if you have not been to an AA meeting or multiple meetings, pretty much anything you see in response is going to be based on experience or opinion - both are seen through the individual's eyes.  It can't convey the actual experience of going to an AA meeting or better yet, doing 90 meetings in 90 days and really throwing yourself into the program.  So I'd encourage anyone who is curious about AA, curious about alcoholism, ask away but please, got to a meeting and you'll have your own experience.  You'll discover the experience is ongoing, and soon you'll be sharing it... and opionating on it too wink.gif

I just found out a family member has been going to AA and has 2 months sober now.  This person had been to open AA meetings with me previously, as well as Alanon, but is going to AA for himself now, and finding it to be a very different experience.  It was fascinating to hear him talk about his new found sobriety and his new perspective on AA and alcoholism, after many years dealing with it and learning about it from the outsider and Alanon perspective.  He was also extremely relieved to no longer be hiding his drinking from the rest of the family - which he correctly identified as "either sober or dead".

So if you really want to find out about AA, and what it is and can be, for YOU, go to some meetings.  And don't drink in between them....

Barisax

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Larry_H


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I found this on wikiHow and I previously posted it but with all the newcomers it may be time to post it again so here goes.

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."

 



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mikef


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Wonderful message barisax..thanks.......smile

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Rob84


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Good info. I especially like the ideal of making contact with central office and geting a ride or at least making contact with someone in the group who can get you aquainted with everything.

Today at least folks have foums like this where you can get some basic info.

I spent my first few weeks wondering what is a "Big Book", a program, a sponsor, the steps?

Total clueless

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Rob

"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
pinkchip


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I would advise if you are a newcomer and have questions...Ask them but don't expect an answer until the meeting is over. Yesterday at a newcomers meeting a newcomer seemed to feel really put off that nobody would answer his question on the spot. He did not understand about no cross talking and that this was just not the format of a meeting....even a beginners meeting. Also, it does a person well to speak up...you can't really get help if you don't ask for it. Don't sugar coat it either because nobody wind up in AA at their first meeting because drinking was working for them. It is wise to speak up at any meeting if it is your first. There is sort of an unwritten code at some meetings that only oldtimers share and newcomers listen...that is why I stress the importance of beginners meetings. That is the place for beginners to share most. Just my take.

Mark

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TwelveSteps


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At least in my area, there are beginner's meetings where 10-15 minutes are explicitly set aside for beginners to ask whatever questions they may have. Maybe call your central office and see if there is a meeting in that format.

GG

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