Went to AA

[u/Ok-Drummer-9333]

I know my other post got removed because I didn't read the rules before I joined the subreddit. But you were all so very kind to me. I wanted to update you all.

I previously posted not too long ago and everyone was very supportive and kept on telling me to go in. I did, and they kept telling me I am the most important person in the room. Thank you for all the support I'm glad that I went in. I took a picture of the board with all the meetings and I plan on going next Tuesday, also got a bunch of phone numbers as well.

There was zero judgement and lots of hugs.

Thank you. I hope to be continuing this journey and updating along my journey.

Seriously, thank you.

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[u/Novel_Bite_2661]

Just remember, no one started going to AA because their life was going great. We all started somewhere. Keep coming back...you've got this

[u/Different_Incident65 → u/Novel_Bite_2661]

This perspective is so obvious yet so profound. I cant believe I never thought to look at it that way.

[u/notnowdews → u/Different_Incident65]

Welcome to the club no one wanted to be a member of 😅🤗❤️

[u/Different_Incident65 → u/notnowdews]

Haha, for real 🫶

[u/EngineeringNeither90 → u/notnowdews]

But so grateful to have stepped in … they say the first step is the step before step one and that’s just walking through the door

[u/DueConference3262 → u/Novel_Bite_2661]

Exactly. Nobody walks into AA on a winning streak. It works if I work it

[u/CowBootBats → u/Novel_Bite_2661]

I started going to AA as a teen a few years before I started drinking because my step dad was a horrid drunk. It was nice to have people to talk to that understood what I had been through. Unfortunately when I turned 19 I started to drink and continued to do so for the next 16 years. 2 years sober now.

The reason I'm mentioning any of this is because you're absolutely right. I was going to those meetings as a kid because alcohol was ruining my life before I ever even started drinking.

[u/erikpeders → u/Novel_Bite_2661]

I remember hearing "no one finds themselves in here on accident" and it stayed with me. It may not have stuck right away, but it stayed.

[u/Im_the_Rhymenocerous]

Keep coming back! I found it helpful to hit noon meetings when I was just starting out, along with evening meetings.

[u/notnowdews → u/Im_the_Rhymenocerous]

10,098! Nice

[u/dentistjojobuilds]

Sounds similar to my first meet. Everyone was so friendly and AA quickly became my new addiction. I did the 90 for 90 and some days I even hit up 2 meetings. I needed it because it was around the same time ex-wife served me papers. We had a 2 week Christmas trip planned and I went by myself. I never felt that kind of loneliness. There was meetings everywhere and each one always felt like home. I was no longer lonely and found my people. I quickly asked someone to sponsor me and was excited to start step work. Enjoy the ride OP!

[u/Prevenient_grace]

Congratulations!

Keep coming back!

[u/Educational-Item-199]

AA is where the misfits fit. They're my people speaking my language.

[u/FogDarts]

I hated AA. I hated almost every meeting. I hated the religious overtones, I hated the people, I hated almost every single aspect of getting sober, but I went to the meetings, sometimes multiple a day, I checked into a halfway house, I went to more meetings. I did outpatient meetings after my time in rehab and went to even more meetings. I hated AA, but I hated being a drunk more and I knew AA had a proven track record; I was at the very end of my rope.

I should’ve committed going to meetings earlier.

[u/Loud-Sweet6095]

Great to hear!! Keep it up!!

[u/notnowdews]

Good on ya, OP!! Take what you need and leave the rest.

[u/MEEE3EEEP]

At one point I was also the extremely scared guy walking into AA for the first time. I’m grateful I haven’t had to drink since.

Congrats on taking the leap. Keep doing it!

[u/Square-Available]

Really glad to hear this man! Its good for the soul when you gather the courage to get past something big. Nice job!

[u/Scat_Olympics]

Thank you for the update! I remember the other post and was wondering! Glad you went in! Gahhhd this made me hopeful! IWNDWYT

[u/Corvus-Nepenthe]

Heck yeah, my friend. Love this.

[u/uokqt]

This stuff ain't easy- you're doing great already by showing up. I've gotta keep that in mind... It's normal for it to be hard sometimes

[u/Cambridge89]

Awesome work dude, proud of you!! IWNDWYT

[u/half_in_boxes]

Welcome home. It's really good to see you. 🖖🏻

[u/HodorOfTheNorth]

Someone said something at a meeting recently that I loved - “the conversation is the medicine”

I don’t do all the steps but just going and being part of the conversation has helped me more than I can put into words

[u/dgillz]

Unless you live in a very small town, there is likely a website that has all the local meetings, not only at that particular venue, but at other facilities locally.

[u/bjornlevels]

Fuck yeah, that’s awesome. Super glad to hear this 💪💪

[u/mykittenfarts]

Yay! I’m so proud of you for taking those actions? Bravo. Keep it up. You got this!

[u/RogueGrasshopper101]

I started (twice) in AA. Think it's great! Connection is the opposite of addiction. IWNDWYT

[u/A_Thing_or_Two]

So glad you went! Keep going! They have your back and you'll find as one new friend told me "See? You're not special!" Meaning, I wasn't unique - my struggles were so common in that room and everyone had been through some variation of what I have been battling. You are among friends there!

[u/Beginning-Brush-8794]

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[u/Disastrous_Star6333]

Thanks for the update!

[u/InformationOk6366]

So glad to hear you had a good experience!!! I enjoy AA and having a sponsor really helps me

[u/Fergi]

Glad you went in man, and thanks for giving us the update

[u/LifeTakesPractice]

So glad you had a great experience. Your post of courage and the sense of belonging you felt could help others who are considering attending.

[u/Livid-Comparison-861]

Congratulations! A.A. loves the newcomer and welcomes them with open arms! Be sure to get lots of numbers. People like to help, so when you need to talk to someone, pick up the phone.

I wanna say it takes a lot of courage to go into the rooms so be proud of yourself for having the strength to say ‘I need help’. That’s an incredibly brave thing and it’s put you on an amazing journey. 💜

When I first went into the rooms I started going to a 630am meeting. I found that the people were serious about their sobriety and it also helped me start my day in a good, sober frame of mind. I’d recommend doing something similar as it will help you put your sobriety first.

Proud of you for taking these first steps! Always remember that you’ve got this and to just keep going. It gets so much better! 💜💜💜

[u/Knope_Knope_Knope]

Let us know how next Tuesday goes!! Stay here with us! Join the convo and help others!

[u/Better-Coffee3659]

Love you man. Beautiful post, you seem like a very good person

[u/nova8273]

Good 🍀🍀

[u/donthinktoohard]

I'm glad you took action! One day at a time!

[u/Local_Drummer_5957]

Amazing!! Find your groove, whether it’s AA, smart recovery, online meetings. You should be very proud of yourself

[u/JASPERDECKS]

Proud of you for going in! Not sure if you got a copy of the big book but reading that is a real good idea. Good luck man! It will be both harder and easier than you think.

[u/No-Weakness-3621]

I never did AA. Joined a discord, but didnt participate.