Meetings and newcomers

Recovery
#1

If you’re new, do yourself a favor and go to meetings. They make this journey so much easier. I have been to 9 meetings in the last six days. I attended 3 today. I have been sober since June 1st. I don’t know what I was afraid of but I could’ve had people helping me the last 4 months.

Now I have the loud speaker on so listen up. People in the program really do care and want to help us. Yes I’m serious! Don’t make your life any harder than it already is. Go to meetings and meet people. I don’t know how I lasted this long alone but I guess I’m lucky I didn’t relapse.

I will also add that meetings can be fun and they are great way to pass time. Just going and sitting there is interesting to me. I hear stories that amaze me. I hear stories that give me hope and touch my heart. We are all bored, so we say in the beginning. We don’t have to be.

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#2

I find all the codes to know which kind of meeting you can/should attend so confusing. Any advice?

#3

I know what you mean. Not really. I write it all down or take screenshots. I ask people what stuff means all the time. Ask people on here. In my week of meeting hopping I learned more than I knew. I just show up to them. I don’t really know what I’m doing but I’m not drinking. I go to meetings with people on here. I’ve never met them but maybe someday we will. I’d love to. Make friends on here. They’ll teach you. :heart:

#7

And you don’t have to :pray:t2:

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#8

I know. Isn’t that awesome.

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#11

Well said. And you are a crucial conduit to the newcomer. He/she may not comprehend a person staying sober for 20 or 30 years, but 4 months is an attainable goal. These people will look up to you. You have what the person with 4 days or 4 weeks aspires to achieve. It's never too early to start doing 12th step work and you are off to a great start.

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#12

Thank you Steve. That means a lot :heart:

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#13

And, just putting it out there, they don’t have to be 12 step meetings. You can mix and match. You can add some meetings aimed at empowerment. Some at trauma You can try one with a Buddhist foundation to learn meditation. There are so many amazing opportunities for growth and support out there. You don’t just have 12 eggs and 1 basket.

Find things that resonate with you. For me, 12 steps got me going. I needed the surrender. The humility. But many do not start where I started. Recovery is not 1 size fits all. Please be respectful of everyone’s journey while you’re forging your own path. You’ll doubtless meet some amazing people along the way who will help you, but you’ll also help them. We all have something to gain by helping each other live better lives.

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#14

Yeah, this is key. Nobody expects the newcomers to be experts or even knowledgeable. If you come through the door 1% willing to try something new, that’s enough to get started.

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#15

Please put it out there for us Craig.

#16

1% went to 100% in a few days. Meeting makers make it!

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