Okay I go for my first meeting tomorrow since I have been drinking a bottle of wine a night for the past 3 months. I used to drink socially until I realized that my back pain goes away when I drink so I ran with it. I also have depression issues and drinking perks me up unlike any antidepressant but lasts only so long. If you have experience with AA please let me know what to expect at tomorrows meeting. Thanks.
2006-09-20 14:27:10 · 12 answers · asked by aouija 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Ummm I meant alcoholics, I am hispanic but it was a typo :)
2006-09-20 14:29:37 · update #1
OMG I cannot believe how much your answers affected me. Thank you so much for your support since I feel so alone, thank you.
2006-09-20 15:28:36 · update #2
Sorry, but Valium is a drug my friend takes occasionally.
It doesn't appear to be habit forming.
Exercise may help but you don't sound like your prob is so bad!
Best wishes.
2006-09-20 14:30:10 · answer #1 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
OK, all that will happened is that they will greet you with open arms. It usually starts with a prayers (sometimes depends where you go), They will all get up and say their name and say I am an alcoholic but have been sober for so many years, some like yourself will be new. They will ask you to either stand up or just stay seated and say a bit about yourself. They will not force you to speak if you don't want to. You can sit down and listen for the first couple of days, after that they will expect you to start talking. They will assigned to you a friend with a phone # in case you want to drink again, you can call this person for support. Keep that number it comes in handy when you least expect it. Suggestion to you is be open, listen and if you want to speak the same day do so, you can even cry. The people you will be meeting will not say anything about you on the outside, what you say there it stays there. Sometimes you will find that people in the meeting see you in the street and don't even say hello, that is because your meetings are private and no one needs to know. I wish you the best of luck. I am an alcoholic and have been sober now for about 3 and half years. Always have an open mind.
boricua
2006-09-20 21:39:10 · answer #2 · answered by Boricua Born 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've suffered from depression since I was a teenager, discovered drinking made it bearable in my twenties, and ended up in AA before I was thirty.
AA made my depression and my drinking worse, and it took me almost 20 years of trying to do things the AA way and failing after a few months before I was able to stop drinking. I finally got help for the depression, turned my back on AA, and have stayed stopped (5+ years now).
According to AA's own Triennial Survey and other studies, AA works for 5% of the people who walk through their doors. So does attempting to quit on your own. People who have been exposed to AA are four times as likely to end up binge drinking than those who try quitting without any help.
AA has been found to be "religious in nature" by the 2nd, the 3rd, and the 7th Federal District Courts, The New York Court of Appeals, and the Tennessee Supreme Court. I'd go one further: AA is a religion unto itself....and it's bad religion. AA's god cannot cure alcoholism, only grant you a daily reprieve. The God I was brought up with could raise the dead. You must be willing to turn over your will to their god, whatever happened to Free Will?
2006-09-22 01:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by raysny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am empathetic to your back pain and depression. I can understand how you could start drinking to relieve the pain. Drinking can bring spirits up, but it can also make your depression worse effecting your loved ones and life.
I apologize that I can not give you any info on what to expect tomorrow, but when I started reading your question I had to write to you that I truly felt for you. I pray that the doctors are relieving your back pain through surgery or meeting what ever needs. Also that depression is something that alot of people go through but do not understand. Counselors and doctors are eager to put someone on medication. But perhaps it is your surroundings or the pain from your back. Until that changes it is normal for you to feel this way. You don't need anti depressants that don't work. Make some changes. It sounds like you are on your way to getting help. Good for you and God Bless you.
2006-09-20 22:07:39 · answer #4 · answered by galbee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Expect a group of men and women who will be supportive and very glad to have you amoung them. You will hear many suggestions like 90 meetings in 90 days, get a sponsor, work the steps, etc. Dont worry about any of that, just speak to a woman after the meeting and she will explain to you what you need to do to stay sober. AA works. I am coming up on 9 months, and I have am and alcoholic and a drug addict. AA is a wonderful 12 step program that has enabled me to be in recovery. It is an experience you will not want to miss. Good luck and God bless.
2006-09-20 21:32:04 · answer #5 · answered by stacey a 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My dad has been in AA for 27 years. If you really want to change your life and become a better, happier person, it's a great way to do it. If you just want to go and tell your story to get attention, don't bother wasting their time. Each area runs their meetings a little differently, and each meeting is different, but generally speaking they cover one of the Twelve Steps. You will have an opportunity to introduce yourself and talk if you choose to, or you can decline to speak if you prefer not to. The important thing to do is LISTEN and learn. You will hear from people who have been to hell and back, and you have an opportunity to learn from their mistakes so you don't have to go through it yourself. Drinking and drugs are not the answers to your pain and depression. If you can heal the source of the pain, you'll be a much happier person. Good luck to you.
2006-09-20 21:35:18 · answer #6 · answered by Paula from Maple Street 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the aa meetings are pretty good if you really want to kick this thing! also see your doctor about your back pain, might be able to recomend a chiropractor, but that depends on what kind of back pain it is! So long as you're prepared to stick to your 12 step programme, AA is a great way to go, otherwise, look into addiction rehab programmes, a little more intense, but probably the logical next step
2006-09-20 21:34:28 · answer #7 · answered by aussiegeezer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have no fear. You'll be in good company. However, you're about to enter a club which offers no explanation to outsiders. You come in here, and your're sworn. No explanation to outsiders is even considered. You're a member. A junior member. A bottle of wine is like a fart in the wind. Prepare yourself for really great stories. Hopefully, you've got one to tell.
2006-09-20 21:34:28 · answer #8 · answered by Johnny P 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dunno...not an AA member. But seriously keep in touch I have a lot of recipes and we can be online friends...trust me...I can be a great friend to you...no strings attached
2006-09-23 22:31:02 · answer #9 · answered by Chistiaŋ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG!! I know exactly wat u feel like. My mom goes ot AA meetings every day becauser she is a recovering acoholic.She also have bipolar disease, which is a manic depresion dissorder.She says the meetins are people who talk to other acohlics in hte same position.You learn about your 'condition' and how u can make it better...and dont worry,it will be alright.
2006-09-20 21:34:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't have experience with AA, but want to wish you the best of luck!!! Take care of yourself!!
2006-09-20 21:32:34 · answer #11 · answered by farmersdaughter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋