I decided to go to my first AA meeting while my girlfriend was away for a week on business and I was very worried about how she would feel about it. She's a very straight laced, overachieving, well balanced person (what she's doing with me is a mystery) and I was afraid she would think less of me. She knew I was trying to stop drinking and that I was finding it difficult but she didn't know that it was as out of my control as it is. When I told her that I had started going to AA meetings she asked me what the they were like and if I thought it was helpful, she wanted to know what AA was all about so I explained to her the best I could the AA philosophy. When I was finished she gave me a hug kissed my cheek and told me that she was proud of me. It was not what I was expecting...it probably would have made me cry if I was a girl :)
I still can't bring myself to tell any other friends and family...I can't see my self telling my boss or coworkers. I guess what I'm asking is do I have to? Can I just keep all this AA business between me and my girlfriend and tell anyone else that I just gave up drinking for my health or whatever. It doesn't have to be screamed from a mountain top does it?
Just whatever you feel comfortable with Tip. Its that simple Buddy. And youre right. I still tell a lot today,"Thanks--but no thanks-had to quit for health reasons."
AA used to be a real under the cover, hush hush thing. Its pretty well accepted by society these days. Ive never seen anyone put down for going to AA. On the contrary--Ive seen the opposite. You have a great day.
Good to hear things went well with the girlfreind.
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
I'll go with what Phil says, just do what you are comfortable with. I know some people who just keep it between them and their partners.
I just don't care what people think of me so I am totally honest and tell people that I don't drink because I'm a raging alcoholic. If they take the time to get to know me, it's up to them to form their own opinions.
Congratulations on your first meeting, sounds like you've got a good supportive woman too.
Bye for now.
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
It is often extremely hard to admitt to friends and family that you have a problem with alcohol. I think the first time I actually admitted that I was an alcoholic was on this board. When my wife read my first post, she cried tears of joy because I had finally admitted that I had a problem. Last night I told my best friend from college that I am soon going to go into a detox center. It was hard to tell him about my problem, but he is supporting me. You will find that those who really care about you will give you lots of love and support. They might not fully understand the effect alcohol has on us, but they will be there for us if they really care about us. Keep going to the meetings and try to find a sponser. You can beat this. I will be going through it at the same time you are. It is hard to do, but we can get over this.
Step one says "admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable". I don't think it means shout it from the rooftops (unless, I guess, you feel so inclined!), just admitting it to yourself. That's the very first person with whom you have to be totally honest to make that first step.
Along the way, I believe it's pretty difficult not to share with those people you are closest to, like your significant other. It's good also to be able to talk to others about the problem, which kinda makes it handy to make some really good AA friends.
Prayers for love, peace, and serenity for all the kind folks in our group,
I don't really have much to add. You are the only one who can decide when and who to tell you are in AA. You will find in time, you may want to share the fact with people you know who might benefit from knowing you are in the program.
I'm so glad you are giving AA a chance. And good for your girlfriend, she is supportive, that's great.
, and serenity
for all the kind folks in our group,