Hi! I'm going to go to my first AA meeting soon, but before I go, I wanted to make sure I knew what to do, and what not to do. What are the ground rules? Do I have to share? Do I have to use my real name? Any and all input is appreciated. : )
Great! I think I can manage that part. I sing "The Eye of the Tiger" to get myself revved up, be my own cheerleader, etc. But probably not during the meeting.......
Use your first name only and only if you want to speak. Other than that, you don't share or speak without raising your hand in most meetings. Some are round robin and in those, you might get called on to speak. You can't do anything all that wrong when you are just going for help. Don't worry.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
We just go around the room and each person has the opportunity to share. No hand raising. You can share if you like, or just say "I'd like to listen today". There are lots of different types of meetings, so if you don't like the first one you go to, keep going to different ones until you find a fit. Keep an open mind, and relax.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
I always shudder at the thought of a newcomer turning up cold at some of our meetings. I've been to some really wacky ones, to put it kindly, where you would really wonder what you have walked into. If at all possible I would suggest meeting with an AA member before hand, perhaps through the hotline you can find someone, and let them explain it all to you. Then, with a little luck they will take you along to a meeting that they feel might suit you. And you won't be alone. That was my intro to AA and I am so grateful that was how it happened, it got me off to a good start.
I agree with Mike. I walked in blindly, and was kind of turned off by my first meeting... not so much the message, but all the rituals... try to look past that for a while.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
You really can't screw up! Suit up and show up. The rest will fall into place.
We all have had the fear your feeling right now. So when you enter the meeting, remember, all the folks there have been in your shoes. They know what your thinking and feeling. That's why the meetings and fellowship are so powerful. We're all alike to a certain degree.
Great suggestions here. Also remind yourself of why you are here?For more in depth information you can GOOGLE 'THIS IS A.A. an intro to the program ,I believe it is P-1 info pamphlet.......Will pull up an information pamphlet to give you some thoughts about the program,get you early into the different writings of the program..I found early on(1984) to make sure I listened to learn and for me definitely learned to listen,not a great asset of mine. Also realized early that I needed to identify and not compare with others. WE all have our own story and the reason we seek help....Let us know how it goes,based on the evidence it only gets better, it gets good,then it gets real good and then it gets real!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
When I first went to a meeting I just cried because they were talking about how I was feeling. Fearful, unsure. and embarrassed because I did not want anyone to know me.
I cried because I felt safe,they seemed to understand and no one ever did that ! understand me.
We had a new comer visit us for the first time tonight. We all so hope he keeps coming back. Both for his sake and ours. Because newcomers are so very important to us. We get very few where we live. But the word is getting about slowly. :} Remember you are important. And everyone is happy to meet you. They will give you a worm welcome. Something that i never received from anywhere else.
This new comer did share a little. Took some phone numbers and we hope to see him at the next meeting. We talked about picking up the phone and not picking up the drink. About if you do not pick up the first drink you can not get drunk. And the pleasure of going to bed not having had a drink.
Its a day at a time. Go to your meeting,meet some new found friends that will help you stay sober just for today. For just 24hrs.
