Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

[cpn1004]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Kimberley,
Good on you for making it to a meeting! All you have to do is not drink today and go to another meeting tomorrow. Simple...yeah..but not easy. Listen to Mary. Her story helped me to get into AA in 2009, well also DG had some influence whether she knew it or not.

The important thing is YOU DID IT. It truly is one day at a time and sometimes one moment at a time.
Take care and stay sober.

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Thanks Phil,

Yeah I am so glad I went. I know at times it won't be easy, but then it never has been going it alone either. At least now I have some proper support - that's gotta give me a better shot at long-term sobriety than going it alone. It feels comforting.

I am going through some tough times at the moment with my boyfriend leaving me (yes, because of my drinking) and am very sad about it. But I guess at least I won't be as lonely and will always have somewhere to go and someone to talk to where they just want to help. Better than the way I dealt with it when he told me which was to go out, get hammered and end up in hospital because I'd managed to fall over and whack my head!

Yeah I'd rather just go to AA

I'll be sticking around the AA threads so see you around and see you sober, fingers crossed!
K x

[j-vo]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Kimberly,
I read your thread from above. I'm so glad everything went well, as well as they can go for the first time! I think I can speak for most people, that we all went into this scared to death. And all of your crying is natural, and I believe that you're right. It's that you're finally admitting powerlessness of this disease. When you said you had inadvertently had admitted this before, I can understand that. When you listed everything you'd tried, that pretty much sums up the path I had taken, the strategies I'd tried, but to no avail. Glad to have you aboard! Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Thanks J-Vo,

It's funny it was almost like fate - it was a Step meeting and guess what the focus was- yup step one And to make it extra-lovely, the volunteer who took me in was celebrating her 7th year sober - so I'm going with her tomorrow to pick up her AA token (can't remember what its called sorry!) She seemed just as pleased to help me through the first meeting as I was grateful to her for helping me. Seems like I got into a good group. Fairly small and very friendly. I feel very lucky.

K x
ps hope you're feeling a bit better in yourself now. Catch you soon.

[retteacher]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Kim: You are on the right track. 90/90 is great. Don't worry about anything else: steps, sponsor, type of meeting, etc. Just go to your 90/90. It's great to have someone going w/you. I've heard many, many people get back what they lost through drinking: boyfriends, family, careers, etc. Just focus on your recovery for now. Phil is right: the only thing you have to worry about is not taking a drink today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Mary

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Thanks Mary - I feel like I may be asking for your advice quite a lot over the coming weeks

[Cherbear]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Welcome Kim!

So glad you went to your first meeting and had a great experience! I loved how you put it.. joining a secret society of lovely people! The more I get into the AA program the more grateful I am that I'm an Alcoholic who went to AA.
I was the same as you.. crying like crazy before during and after the meetings for awhile. but that truly is why it is life changing.
If you have access to a Big book study meeting try to go to one because they are usually great.. they read from the big book and then discuss what they read. Great way to study the big book and get other's perspectives.. especially the long timers!

take care everyone.

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Hi all,

Thanks cherbear for the welcome and the advice - I will look up a study meeting to do soon.

Well today was my second meeting and it was SSSOOOOOOOOO much bigger. My hand-holder was supposed to be picking up her 7-yr chip, so it was at a different venue - but I arrived before she did so I went up to the tea-making people (still shaking and sweaty - I have done loads of things in my life but nothing seems to be as nervewracking as this!) and said I was supposed to be meeting someone and that it was only my second meeting, so she was kind enough to let me go sit with her and chat until my friend arrived.

My first meeting, which will probably end up as my home group, was only about 20 people - there were around 40 people in this room, if not more.

When they were giving the chips out at the end, my friend went to get hers, then she said that I should claim my 24-hour chip. I was like ABSOLUTELY NO WAY!!!! But then I thought about it and thought well this whole thing is going to take some frigging guts so I may as well. So when the guy called out for anyone with 24 hours, I stuck my little hand in the air and stood up. So now I am the proud owner of a 24-hour chip and the chair even gave me a Living Sober methods book as a pressie.

I can't believe how nice these people are - afterwards I had loads of people come up and congratulate me and the tea-making lady gave me her phone number as well.

I am so glad that I took the plunge now - and I know it won't be easy at all, but these meetings just kind of restore your faith in humanity I find.

Oh and I didn't cry!! (although I felt like it when I walked in )

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

ps I am attempting my first meeting alone tomorrow, so I have worked out my strategy if I am very nervous, as it will be another new group. I will walk up to the tea-making people, explain it is only my 3rd meeting and hope they will take me under their wing a bit. I will look all pathetic-like (which won't take too much trying I'm sure)

[retteacher]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Kim: You are doing so well. I'm so glad you got the 24 hr. chip. That's big! I bet it was very uplifting to hear all the clapping as you got your chip. Yes, your plan for the 3rd meeting is a good one. Pretty soon you'll know people & won't feel uncomfortable during those few minutes before the meeting starts. I'm a naturally shy person, & I still have a few awkward moments after almost 2 years of going to meetings almost daily. Well, I'm off to a step meeting. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Mary

[Kimberley]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Thanks mary - enjoy your meeting

[cpn1004]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Kimberley, you have the right attitude. Be honest with folks, tell them its only your third meeting or whatever and they will take care of you. I travel a lot and attend meetings where I know NOBODY, but as soon as I introduce myself as a visitor from out of state, I am warmly greeted. For me, AA is better than church.

[j-vo]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Congrats on your first chip, Kim! And you're doing so great. Love your plan for tomorrow. It's nice to know that you can enter a roomful of strangers and be welcomed and loved! It's an amazing experience. Keep goin' back! It works if you work it!

[TheSunFlower]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

I have been going back to AA and love it. But, being an alone drinker.....I never thought to do what some people have. Not that I would not have. Take small bottles with you....so you could drink more than anyone knew. I'm like damn, here I am getting sober....and I never thought of that...."what a great idea" duh!

[marriedgirl29]

Weekly AA thread Jan. 3-9

Hello again

Hello AA Threaders!!!

I am really excited to say that I picked up a white chip today....it's sooo not my first time in AA but I'm really happy to be back and have gotten the white chip picking up over with, I know I could just go to meetings but to me it's not right unless I get the surrender chip, much as I hate to since I know I have been enough that people recognize me.

I had about 4 months in October, a personal record, I had a great sponsor who was actually working the steps with me, and I even did a truly honest 4th step which was very difficult. Although I was in regular contact with her all I can say is that I stopped making meetings a priority after my 90/90 time was up and I got down to about 2/week. Even though I was still talking to my sponsor, I can say now that the meetings are still very much the deal and by letting them go so far down on my priority list I lost my focus on sobriety, cravings returned, and I gave in.

My sponsor has continued to text me which is really so nice of her, considering I was so ashamed I couldn't call her back to talk about it although she left me many messages saying it was ok to talk about whatever it was. In any case, I said a prayer and left her a message today, and she just texted me back and we are going to talk tomm. After the 4th step I did with her I can't see starting over with anyone else, so hopefully she will sponsor me again.

I don't know why I ever choose drinking and using after all I've been through but I am looking forward to rejoining this thread for support. I know I can't get sober if I don't start with day 1 so here I go....

Thanks everyone for still being here! :thanks: