Everyday my sobriety is getting harder and harder to maintain. I’m scared to go to a meeting. I judge myself so how can I expect others to not judge. I don’t even know how to find meetings or how to get help. All I want is to grab a bottle and drink to help forget everything.
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Hi Anika, There is an app called Meeting Guide, it has a picture of a chair. It will tell you all of the meeting near you. There are zoom meetings and you have the option to turn off the camera. This is a list of zoom meetings, Browse the Directory of Online Meetings – Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous . I agree with Nathan, you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want too. I felt the same as you about being judged. I learned that no one in the rooms will judge you, because they are just like you. They have an amazing empathy and want to see you succeed. I was a cubscout leader. I was scared to death of a parent seeing me in a meeting and knowing what I was. The first person I saw was a parent and he gave me his phone number and has helped me on my journey. Stay strong and take that first step towards the door. You got this.
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Hello Anika, meetings are usually a very uplifting experience. Every once in a while some folks just gripe or tell super long winded stories, but the vast majority of the ones I've been to were full of hope. I don't go often, but am thinking about going back weekly. The thing is, drinking won't actually make us forget. It might not let us remember what happens while we drink, but whatever pain or disappointment is there will still be there when we're drinking. And after we drink. That poison has absolutely no benefit, and plenty of drawbacks. Please don't turn to it.
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You wont find judgement there. You can count on that.
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Hey Anika, I just went to my first meeting in a while. It was very friendly and uplifting. Worth a try for sure.
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Thank you! The support really helped me make it to my first meeting.
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See it wasn’t all that bad no was it! Aren’t you proud that you did something to make you a better version of yourself! We are proud of your ability to accept guidance on your journey of recovery. Keep asking for help and you will be amazed with the results!
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Everyone in the meeting is there for the same reason that you are. Glad you made it to a meeting! It’s the best deal in town for the Alcoholic.
So glad that you went, Anika!!
Anika, I feel you! Been there so many times, I lost count.
I wish another drink worked but it stopped years ago. Only makes the pain worse!
I had to go to meetings everyday & night for well over a year. At first I just listened and eventually I shared and got involved.
We don’t judge, we all have been where you are. We/I want to help. But you gotta at least show up. You gotta do your part.
Someday you’ll be passed this and want to help newcomers too. That’s how this works.
I’m here if you want to talk. I’ll friend request you now.
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AA meetings directory in your area.
Zoom meetings are all over the world some even marathons 24/7 I hope u find one u can find comfort in!
Online is the best way and it looks like others have provided the website. Try to imagine the other individuals that are in the meeting with you, that are experiencing something similar to what you are. You are not alone. Ask what love can do for you.
Thinking that others even care to judge you could be viewed as self absorbed. I am by no means stating that you are but viewing it that way will help combat the thoughts.
Attend a meeting and try and avoid the meetings that have a large number of people who are there from sober living, halfway etc as I have found that when people are there because they have to be versus theu want to be, the level of maturity in the room tends to show.
The "meeting guide" app and the everything AA app are both great tools. Also the SMART Recovery app helps you find those meetings which I love but none are local to me.