It would take a few meetings to make me feel comfortable, I was just curious what the meetings are like
2006-12-28 11:03:45 · 11 answers · asked by Eric S 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
You could ask, but if they allowed much of that, the meetings wouldn't be very 'anonymous' would they?
The only thing I have against AA is the "spiritual aspects" of their services and the steps.
2006-12-28 11:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course. You can just listen and/ or ask questions for the first several meetings, if you like. This is natural and expected. You may feel not so "transparent" if you go to a large AA meeting (safety in numbers, so to speak). This way you can observe how meetings are run and how member speak. I was "in and out" for a few years before I felt it was surely the right place for me. No regrets after that. Just gratitude.
2006-12-28 12:10:28 · answer #2 · answered by rvrjff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. You don't have to speak at all if you don't want to. I go to A.A. and often times never say a word except maybe introduce myself. There are all kinds of meetings within A.A. but if it is your first time, an Open Meeting will give you an idea of what to expect. All that means is it is open to the general public and all are welcome.
No-one would ever turn you away if you went to a closed meeting, trust me. Closed meetings simply mean that they are for certain aspects of the A.A. recovery process and are generally for those who are have admitted they are alcoholics and want to do something about it and so seek the help and companionship of like-minded folks. A lot of gay meetings are closed meetings as well, primarily to designate them as gay and so str8 people won't be wandering in by accident.
Depending upon where you live, there is usually a number you can call for lists of meetings in your general area. I'm in Massachusetts, so I can only give you information about who to look up here. But A.A. is usually listed in the telephone book.
Good luck, mate.
2006-12-28 11:19:57 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Call your local AA central office. It's in the phone book.
They have "Speaker Meetings", where there's only one or two speakers who talk in front of the audience. You don't have to say anything at all.....to anyone. Nobody's gonna bother you, either.
You're there to listen and that's fine. You just grab a cup of coffee, sit down and listen.....and leave. That's all.
That's how I started out and it worked for me really well.
That was 17 years ago and I was really shy and pretty scared.
Oh...by the way.....nobody ever forced any religion on me in AA.
I don't know where people get these strange ideas about cults and religion and guilt in AA. Ridiculous.
2006-12-28 12:06:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to go to the larger aa meetings. i went with my g/f to a few... some are large meetings with 100+ people... some are small with 8-20 people. If you don't want to say anything I suggest trying to find a larger aa meeting.
2006-12-28 11:06:56 · answer #5 · answered by readyman2627 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with the advice from Sophacles. This makes the most sense.
2006-12-28 11:56:05 · answer #6 · answered by fall2005buseng 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes U only have to talk when you Really get into it. just drink the coffe and stay out the cold for one more hour :)
2006-12-28 11:19:26 · answer #7 · answered by DeadLock 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you Liston to other people and just sit there and you don't have to talk if you don't want.but you should go a couple time.the people are nice and they will Liston you your problems
2006-12-28 12:42:06 · answer #8 · answered by candelpizza 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can although they do like participation, it is not required
2006-12-28 11:09:27 · answer #9 · answered by schneider2294@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don' need to say a word at a.a.
2006-12-28 20:53:38 · answer #10 · answered by schflng 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋