AA meeting experiences please?

[mauritiusdodo]

I went to an AA meeting a while back (prob a few years ago now) and didn't really feel comfortable there, there was a big emphasis on religion and that is just not for me and I just wondered if some are more religious than others as I really think attending meetings would help me and I am thinking of trying a different one.

For those of you who have been what has your experience been please?

[Liath]

AA meeting experiences please?

Hi there--

Every 'homegroup' has a slightly different tone, type of people that go there, etc. The best thing for you to do is find a meeting that is listed as "beginners". There will be others there that are just starting out as well as some experienced people to help get you on the right track.

I certainly did not feel comfortable in AA meetings at first, in part because I was not comfortable admitting that I am an alcoholic. But now, I LOVE the program and I can attest that it really works and saves many lives.

You will find meetings where god is barely mentioned and also plenty of people who are not religious, who make it in the program anyways. Don't worry about the god stuff right away. Worry about Step 1--admitting you are powerless over alcohol. Introduce yourself as being new and people will talk to you/offer phone numbers and help after the meeting. If you get a bad vibe from one, try another. Ask people where the 'good' meetings are....

Does this help? Any other questions?

[mauritiusdodo]

AA meeting experiences please?

Thanks that is very helpful I really want to find a group I feel like no one understands what I am going through!

[spacebebe01]

AA meeting experiences please?

Hi M, I dont go to AA, the god thing Is actually what its about whether they tell you or not, so if thats not for you have you tried SMART meetings. I see you are in north england, I am in NW and depending on where you are I think there may be one you could go to. SMART is not at all about god or higher power as AA is its about how you can change how you think and feel about things and how you react.

Anyway look up thier website, if you need any more help please pm me and I will see if I can find any info for you.

[Liath]

AA meeting experiences please?

I did not like all the powerlessness stuff either, so I went back out there for another year.. and I could not control my drinking, hit another bottom. At that point I realized I actually AM powerless and it was only my pride and addiction telling me different. But everyone has their own path. AA is good because it is a large and successful organization set up to help suffering alcoholics. I take the good with the bad.. don't worry to much over the god thing.... The key is that it helps me NOT to drink, so it is worth any cost!

[mario]

AA meeting experiences please?

Mauritius Dodo I went to a few AA meetings when I started my alcohol free life, I found them all quite interesting and the meeting I went to there was no big God or religious aspect to it, I made great friends there and afterwards a few of us always went for tea/coffee and actually met up on other occasions for a meal.It was great for me to be surrounded by like minded people who for the most part all wanted to do what I hoped to do,To stop drinking alcohol.IMO AA meetings are all different with different groups focusing more on different aspects of life,find one to suits you or as been posted go to other help support groups, there all well worth going to if you have the strenght to take just what you want from it and leave the rest.

[porqoui]

AA meeting experiences please?

Maurit, I returned to AA after a year's absence. It was hard to go back as I figured I would never find a group that understood me like my old group in a different province. I found MWO and it was a life saver. What MWO didn't give me was the face to face social contact that I was craving. I had isolated myself from family, friends, life in general. I needed to learn how to live again, AF, and be content within my own skin.
It took awhile but I finally found my new home group. What AA gives me is the tools to living a better life. I apply the AA steps in all aspects of my life. Like Mario says, take what you need, and leave the rest.:l

[mauritiusdodo]

AA meeting experiences please?

Thanks everyone I am going to look up which ones I can make and try one out this week.

Space there isn't a meeting near me at a time I can make but thank you for your post

[mauritiusdodo]

AA meeting experiences please?

Tuesday 8pm I am going!

[TheSunFlower]

AA meeting experiences please?

I too had a tough time with AA and left for years. Now I am back in the program and I love it!

[cpn1004]

AA meeting experiences please?

I was reluctant to attend AA. The God thing is a "so what" to me. You can take it or leave it. The most important part for me is talking to people that totally understand what it is like. I can talk to another AA about the weather, sports or whatever and always feel better.

[Running4life]

AA meeting experiences please?

I have been to many AA meetings. I can't say I love them but it is an opportunity to connect with others who are going through the same struggles. I am still needing a home group so will have to check into other groups. The meetings are important because we are reminded that it is crucial to take care of ourselves and to work with our own higher power (not necessarily God) to find and maintain the strength to fight this disease one day at a time.
R4L

[Bean]

AA meeting experiences please?

Hi Mauri

AA is a spiritual program not a religious one. In the serenity prayer, it starts by saying 'using the word god as YOU understand it". Your higher power can be nature, your job, a relative/friend/child/pet. It could be your shoe if focusing on that as a source of strength and harmony is what does it for you.

I go to an AA meeting about twice a month. I don't agree with everything about AA but for me that's probably true of everything in life. I probably wouldn't support every policy a political party puts forth, or every aspect of Christianity or Buddhism or how my local cricket club is run. To me it doesn't matter. No-one at AA is there to bash you over the head with AA doctrine or can force you to attend meetings or do anything YOU don't want to. You are in control of your life aren't you?

Give it a whirl. Like I said, I don't go that often but I have never come away from a meeting wishing that I hadn't gone. Someone always says something that hits home or makes me think or opens up a new avenue of thought and possibility. To me this means I continue to grow and change in a positive direction.

I am 9 months AF and life is the best it's ever been. You can have that too.
Good luck.
Bean xx

[mauritiusdodo]

AA meeting experiences please?

I am going to go with an open mind and not let my past experience of a meeting get in the way, I am looking forward to meeting people who understand my struggles as I have on here and hopefully picking up tips and information to help me.

Do I need to take any money with me by the way (can't remember from last time!) and how long do the meetings last approx so I can tell my hubby what time I will be home?

[TRUCKER123]

AA meeting experiences please?

Hi mauri In the USA they are usually a hour or a hour & half...No you don"t have to put money in the basket good luck.