Welcome Mike!  a beautiful sound,that of admission to the problem and surrender.I can only suggest making an AA meeting,learn about the solution"our steps/traditions/concepts etc . We have a disease that is physical,mental and spiritual in nature.! You can see that even when you put down the drink,there is more going on inside.You can learn a "new way to live" and do the work ,a day at a time " that will bring you to a life even better than any you have known.It is light years in difference from just  being abstinent ..Relapse is not the shame,it is part of many peoples story,the shame is not making it back....So here you are,listen to suggestions,keep showing up,find a sponsor,share as if you life depends on it(and it does)and this nightmare can end,you can face life,using spiritual principles and taking "life on lifes terms"Just For Today!! You are the most important person because you help us know that its not getting better out there and only by the grace and mercy of God,there go "we"......Hope to hear back from you..great name!!!!!

Try not to be nervous.  Another member posted this about how to get through oyur first AA meeting.

Larry_H wrote:

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

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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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I hope your meeting is a good one. All I can say is that AA is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. You are to be commended for wanting to make a change in your life. Victory over alcohol is possible.

I was so fortunate to have a beautiful angel of a lady come up to me after my 1st meeting & offer to be my sponsor. At many of the meetings in my area, the leader will ask those who need a sponsor to raise their hands, and then those who are willing to be a sponsor. You could always raise your hand during sharing & just say "if anyone would be willing to be my sponsor, I would really appreciate that." I have a hard time asking for help & never want to "impose," but my sponsor told me that I was a blessing to HER. Remember that sponsoring is a part of their own recovery. Congratulations & good luck!!!! It's only been 12 days for me (this time!) & I feel like a different person. I'm doing everything my sponsor tells me to do, including going to meetings every day & calling her every day. It's cool to be surrounded by people who really "get" you & to connect people who have had success in sobriety. Do let us know how it went!

Believe me that will go away and be filled with inner peace. Great Idea to split wood and like you said sweat the demon out. Your body is going to feel a bit off for awhile but I promise it wont last long. Keep the strength go to meeting and your hear will start to warm! It did for me. Also try hard to eat healthy it helps with mood swings. And if you have a craving try sugar. I loved having the excuse to eat candy bars!!!! oh and cake!!! :)

Welcome to sobriety Mike !!

I remember those first few days, weeks, and months of sobering up. They were tuff. Thankfully I had resources ... AA meetings, my sponsor, God, the book, a job, family, the great outdoors, and the list goes on and on.

Please dont be afraid you will fail ... Be confident that you will succeed :)
You can do it ....

Rarely have We seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed Our path.

Welcome, grats, and keep coming back

You can walk a million miles by yourself without a plan and you have accomplished nothing, but walk just one step with another and a plan and you have already accomplished something.

Absolutely right, hopefully that plan is go to 90 meetings in 90 days, find a sponsor, work the steps, and pull the guys behind you up, or to simplify "go to a meeting today and find a sponsor"

We found that is a good plan, and it works, keep us posted, tell us how it's going, we all love to watch alcoholics get sober

gaudettemd wrote:

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thats my plan!

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This is outstanding news!!!!!

I got goosebumps

stick with it and you never have to drink again