Any tips on how to get over my fear of public speaking? I want to love AA so bad and be a part of it, but I hardly participate in meetings because of my fear of public speaking, especially with strangers. This is why I always do AA for a while, then stop going. I feel like this fear and my anxiety around it is preventing me from staying sober long term.
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The only way to get over it is to do it. I had terrible stage fright when I was younger. I just faced the fear and went on stage and did what I practiced. Eventually the anxiety went away. It could be you need meds to help calm your anxiety. Talk to your doctor. The best part of AA meetings is even if you don’t want to/can’t talk, the group will thank you and not judge one bit. There are meetings I have been to when I just needed to listen, not say a word. Nowhere does it state you must speak. Good luck man.
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Practice speaking out loud to yourself. Describe things, stream of consciousness, etc. I’ve found that it eventually starts to make sense and feel more natural.
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I feel ya there. Maybe try different meetings with different setups. Some go in a circle where everyone talks, some you raise your hand, find one you feel most comfortable in and if you feel the urge to talk during it, just do it! Perhaps sharing your anxiety to the group will help too. We’ve all been through it ❤️‍🩹
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I always get so nervous but try to just raise your hand and speak from the heart. Even if you say complete gibberish you will feel better after. Remember it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks and no one will judge you. Meetings are a safe place and this is a selfish program. We need to go to any lengths to stay sober. 
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Do you have a sponsor? Get a sponsor, then you know at least one person at meetings and you won't feel like such a stranger.
A strategy that I learned early on was to figure out who the old timers are and then sit with them. People will come to shake the hands of the old timers and by default, you. After a few meetings you'll feel less weird. Ya gotta get there early though.
I feel your pain. I fluster anytime I think of sharing in a meeting. The few times I have, I forget what I want to say because I get nervous. I told my therapist today about it and my desire to share more and be open. I told her how envious I was toward people who seem to do it so naturally. She said: “you know how they probably got that way? Practice.” She encouraged me to share one meeting a week and even just start with “Hi my name is Al and I’m grateful to be here. That’s all I’ve got.” So that’s what I’m planning to do this week. I hope it goes well for both of us. Thanks for putting that out there today. Glad it’s not just me.
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Thank you all for the great tips. I will definitely try some out!
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I was taught that if you have a solution you should share about it.
You might be the only big book someone has
(Ironic or redundant in a meeting)
But you can be the Hope to someone’s hopelessness.
I’m a social butterfly but when it comes to public speaking I’m a chicken
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I think we all have to get over some of our biggest fears to stay sober public speaking may not be one that you have to get over I don't know it's okay to share a meeting so if that helps
Hold something in your hands, and just look at that while you talk. In AA , you don't have talk to anyone in particular so you really don't have to look at anyone there. Just focus on what's in your hands and talk. you shouldn't be judged by anyone in AA.
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92 % of people have anxiety about speaking in public. I get it off and on still sometimes but I force myself to talk almost each meetings by claiming my seat.
I was the same way!
Not anymore.
Remember, all the people in the room are just like you. There just garden variety alcoholics. No one is there to judge you. You can say as much or as little as you want.
Also, if your and alcoholic in recovery and your talking about your recovery then you know what you’re talking about! Just talk about what you know.
And share that your petrified of sharing. I have many times.
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Read books out loud, tell jokes in front of a mirror, go have conversations with random people. It all is a skill set, and you live how you train - a dude with speech phobia that lasted from 3-27 years old.
You are so right Tim!
Picture everyone wearing your underwear.
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It's not a contest or competition, Brandon. Tell the group that you're nervous and then just be honest. You will do a fantastic job of carrying the message.
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Great advice
Wow thank you so much everyone for the tips and comments. It’s greatly appreciated. I’m going to get to a meeting this week and try some of these out.
Question. Have you heard anyone shamed, put down, recieve negative criticism or anything other than a round of applause after sharing at a meeting? It won't happen! Just do it!