What happens when two alcoholics come together? You may imagine more booze, lots of chats, dance, fervor, and some reckless behavior. Well, that’s not what happened when Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson came together. Instead of having more drinks together, they quit drinking! You can say, this was the first AA meeting.
It was a success.
When two alcoholics can come together and discuss their alcoholism, express their emotions and share their stories, and then encourage each other to quit drinking, and they do, finally, then the same can happen with other alcoholics too.
The concept of meetings was born in this manner, and from that day onwards (in 1935), alcoholics meet and help each other recover from their alcoholism.
But it’s not a bed of roses, as it may sound.
Not everybody is the same
The world has all kinds of people.
Many are unsure whether they want to quit. Many others quit but then relapse. Some others are weak in their determination, while some may not believe in the 12 traditions of AA, and then there are those who became lifetime sober after attending such meetings.
People who attend AA get different results.
Why is that so?
AA is not magic
If you think attending an AA meeting in Texas will make you quit drinking, then you are wrong. Attending the meeting won’t make you ditch alcohol; it will HELP you strengthen your resolve to quitting alcohol.
So, the resolve is yours. First, you must have the desire to quit drinking. If you don’t, AA can’t help you much.
In fact, the basic criterion for participating in these meetings has the desire to quit drinking.
According to experts, only those with a desire to stop drinking will find Alcoholics Anonymous meetings beneficial. This is because only such people will sincerely perform all the 12 steps of AA. Only such people will fight hard to control their urges to drink and strengthen their determination each time they falter.
It requires sheer focus and determination to change a habit, and drinking is a habit. For alcoholics, it is a deep-rooted habit which takes time and strong efforts to uproot it.
You ought to be patient with yourselves and be forgiving towards yourselves; because there may be times when you take a drink and then feel guilty about it. Relapse is more common than you think.
But if you are focused on your mission to achieve sobriety, you will continue to march ahead in the path, fighting obstacles, falling, and then rising again until you achieve milestones, such as not drinking for 12 consecutive months or 24 months and so on.
So, before you search for “meetings near me,” make sure you want to stop drinking. If you don’t, create the desire and then attend a meeting.
You can easily find a meeting near your area by referring to online directories. Almost every state in the US has a meeting now.
What are AA meetings?
AA meetings are a way for alcoholics and addicts to get together and discuss their problems. The meetings usually last from one to two hours, and participants typically share what’s been going on in their lives since they last attended a meeting.
Some people find AA helpful, while others say it doesn’t work for them. Regardless of whether or not it works for you, attending AA meetings is an important part of recovering from alcoholism or addiction.
How do AA meetings work?
AA meetings offer an opportunity to share experiences and feelings with others who are also striving to overcome their addiction. AA is a self-help group that emphasizes working through problems together. Members typically meet weekly in a public place, such as a library or coffee shop. The first step of any AA meeting is the opening talk, in which the leader discusses how Alcoholics Anonymous works and introduces the members present. After this, members typically share their experiences with sobriety and discuss how the meeting is going. Finally, everyone shares what they have learned for the week and takes collective notes.
What are the benefits of attending AA meetings?
AA meetings offer individuals the opportunity to share their experiences, work on solutions to common problems, and connect with others who share similar interests. Additionally, attendees can learn how to maintain sobriety and rehabilitating oneself after a drinking or drug abuse problem. Many people find AA helpful in developing better relationships, learning how to set boundaries, and growing emotionally. Finally, AA offers support during difficult times such as relapses or when facing addiction head-on for the first time.
Are there any risks associated with attending AA meetings?
There are a few potential risks associated with attending AA meetings. First, if you’re not in recovery, attending a meeting could be difficult for you and may be uncomfortable. Second, Alcoholics Anonymous is not a clinical treatment program and does not offer medical or psychiatric services. Third, AA is not a replacement for professional treatment and should only be used as part of an overall treatment plan. Finally, AA is not a substitute for active participation in your own recovery program.
What are aa meetings?
AA meetings are a great way to get help for your addiction and stay sober. AA is a fellowship of people who help one another stay sober. There are meetings all over the United States, and you can find meeting times and locations here.
What are the benefits of attending aa meetings?
Attending a meeting can provide many benefits for members. There are social aspects to meetings, such as networking and making new friends. Meeting attendance can improve mental health, increase productivity, and foster creativity. Some researchers believe that groupthink is less likely to occur in groups that regularly meet. Additionally, Meeting attendance has been shown to improve problem-solving skills, increase self-confidence, and boost morale. Finally, some people believe that attending meetings can lead to career advancement.
How to find aa meetings near you
Finding local AA meetings can be a little difficult, but there are a few resources that can help.
One way to find AA meetings is to use the Alcoholics Anonymous World Service website. This website has an interactive search tool that allows users to search by zip code or city.
Another way to find AA meetings is to use the Google search engine. Type “alcoholics anonymous meeting” into the Google search bar and then click on the first link that appears. This link will take you to a list of websites that contain information about local AA meetings.
If you want to find specific types of AA meetings, you can type in “AA meeting for men” or “AA meeting for women” into the Google search bar and then click on the first link that appears. This link will take you to a list of websites that contain information about specific types of AA meetings.
