New Alcohol self help

annapantscats

Hiya all :wave:
Bees....the best place to try is the alanon website....
http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/
They can give advice and support to family and friends of problem drinkers/alcoholics, and you can order various pieces of literature from their site (both books and leaflets).

HTH xxx

aah

I went to the AA meeting! Everyone was really friendly; the religious stuff wasn't too heavy and a lovely lady gave me her telephone number.

Biggest problem was they asked me to share and I didnt want to - not everyone did and I did just want to sit quiet at the back.

I haven't (yet) got my head around, "i'm xxx and i;m an alcoholic" - although the other newbie did!

annapantscats

aah wrote: »

I went to the AA meeting! Everyone was really friendly; the religious stuff wasn't too heavy and a lovely lady gave me her telephone number.

Biggest problem was they asked me to share and I didnt want to - not everyone did and I did just want to sit quiet at the back.

I haven't (yet) got my head around, "i'm xxx and i;m an alcoholic" - although the other newbie did!

Well Done aah!!
Dont feel pressured into sharing.... I know people who didnt feel ready to share for months, and thats fine! Sometimes its enough just to listen, and to know that you are not alone! Sharing is, however, a good way for people to get to know you. We all drink/drank in different ways, and if you share a little of your story, people may be able to give you more specific advice.
If you dont feel comfortable sharing within the meeting you can go for the more 'relaxed approach' and just have a chat with a few people outside...maybe the lady who gave you her number?
Or just sit at the back and say nothing if thats what you would rather do!! There is no right or wrong way in AA, as long as you are benefiting from going to the meetings, thats all that matters

feelinggood_2

Don't worry about not wanting to share Aah. I hope it didn't make you feel too uncomfortable that you were asked. I'm secretary at a meeting, and I often ask newcomers if they'd like to share during the meeting. I do this because a lot of people can feel like they aren't entitled to speak when they are new, so I just let them know that if they want to, we'd love to hear them. There is no pressure though. I didn't speak for a good month or so. And then I only said a sentence! I'm pretty comfortable sharing now, which is weird. I do feel a bit of a release afterwards! Its good to open up!

If you are planning on going to more meetings, I'd recommend getting there 10 minutes early and staying 10 minutes late - this is when a lot of chatting takes place, and is a good way to get to know people

I now have a nice big burn to go with my poorly neck. I'm in the wars at the moment, so am having another restful day. Don't want any more injuries!

lewt

Nice one aahh, i can only echo what other say, don't feel you have to share, i shared after about 7-8 meetings to get the fear of it out of the way, however i found it much more benifical to listen rather than sit and think about what i was going to say to try and sound great...


dunno if you have a big book or not and i dont know what you money situation is but if you need/want one i would happily buy one for you or anyone else for that matter. i also have it on audio.

good luck mate

shazrobo

tonight i am really struggling, so desperatly want a drink, but determined to stay strong, already had a pint of diet coke, and am now drinking tea, might try having an early night instead
shaz x

brodev

Hi Shaz. you can do it

brodev

If you are there Shaz and would like to chat via msn I'll give you my email. Just reply soon and say yes and I'll pm you

shazrobo

thanks for offer of chat brodev, very kind of you, but i think i'm going to go to bed and have an early night, the computer makes my eyes sore
shaz x

brodev

ok shaz i sent a pm anyway. Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bugs bite