Guitarista: Yes, there is NO pressure to say anything at all. At some meetings I've raised my hand & introduced myself as a newcomer. However, I've been going for weeks & still have not picked up a newcomer chip (which some groups give out). I also haven't shared. I'm still at the stage of entering & leaving meetings wo/saying very much to anyone. I'm letting my inner self (HP?) guide me. Tonight there is an anniversary meeting (25 years), & there will be a pot-luck supper prior to it. I'm planning on bringing a pasta salad & getting there early. There are a couple of women at that meeting I'd like to get to know. We'll see! I'm not pressuring myself.
It is a great feeling to be in a group of people who have had the same issues I've had. BTW, interestingly, that argument about whether I'm an alcoholic or not is decreasing. You don't have to be living out of a cardboard box & drinking hooch out of a paper-bag to be an alcoholic.
I'll check back later or tomorrow to let you know about tonight's meeting.
Mary
PS: Good luck. I found meetings on-line at the AA website. Then when I went to my first meeting, I picked up a little book listing all the meetings in my area.
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