How do you know when to search for “AA meetings near me?” It’s when you experience the urge to drink all the time. This feeling implies that you may be addicted to alcohol and need to check it.
AA meetings, by Alcoholics Anonymous, help alcoholics fight their addiction by conforming to the 12 traditions of AA. The battle is long and filled with challenges and setbacks. However, one doesn’t have to fight it alone. AA meetings, friends, and family support can help an addict overcome his addiction. The path to sobriety becomes easy with the support from Alcoholics Anonymous.
What is the Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous refers to a group of people working together to give one another strength and support to fight alcoholism. To become an AA member, you must be keen to quit drinking. The membership is free of cost; members support each other through contributions.
When is the right time to attend an AA meeting?
To start your journey towards sobriety, you must attend AA meetings. What are the signs you should start looking for AA meetings near you?
- If you crave alcohol immensely, you may be addicted to it. The desperation can be so great that you cannot focus on anything else. You may associate things, people, and places with drinking. It is time you start attending AA meetings to cope with these cravings.
- If you spend much time drinking, it implies you may have an addiction. Drinking on certain occasions is normal. It’s a means of socializing or unwinding after a long day at work. However, if you drink more for no reason, it’s a sign you are addicted.
- Alcohol can be fun or entertainment, but if it makes you give up other activities, then it’s a warning sign.
- If you start experiencing occasional withdrawals such as sleep problems, irritability, shakiness, depression, or sweating once the effects of drinking wear off, you must take it as a red flag.
- If you start missing office or school because you have a hangover or are drinking in the mornings, you must seek help.
- If your relationship with friends and family members starts suffering because you drink and refuse to do other activities, you need help staying sober.
- If you want to quit alcohol but find yourself incapable, you may need help. Alcohol can camouflage unhappiness and negativity. However, when you stop drinking, these feelings resurface. It derails your sobriety efforts. It’s a sure sign you must attend AA meetings.
What to expect in your first AA meeting in Connecticut:
If you stay in Connecticut, start looking online for an AA meeting in Connecticut. You will find it easy to conform to your sobriety goals when you meet fellow addicts in these meetings.
It’s normal to feel anxious before your first AA meeting. The experience can be nerve-racking and intimidating, and you may feel shame and embarrassment. Don’t try to fight these emotions because they are normal. They suggest that you are ready to acknowledge that you have a drinking problem.
Getting through the first AA meeting is a big step toward full recovery. You realize soon how important these meetings are to maintain sobriety and get guidance for a complete recovery.
- You must remember that every AA member underwent a similar fear when he started out. It’s alright not to understand what the 12 steps mean or what you must do to abide by these. You learn as you attend meetings. No member will judge or reprimand you for your weaknesses and vulnerabilities. They will try to help you understand the 12 steps and facilitate your recovery process.
- You can start by introducing yourself when you feel secure. It’s better to inform the chairperson that it’s your first meeting. He will welcome you and make you feel at ease. Once it’s over, you can hang around and introduce yourself to other members.
- You must be honest and open in your first AA meeting. Don’t walk into a meeting with set beliefs and ideas. Keep an open mind and try to soak in the experience. Listening to others can make you feel better because you find many of them sharing similar experiences as yours. Members may share different experiences and stories of struggle, but they all have a common desire to heal.
- You can’t interrupt conversations or engage in cross-talk in an AA meeting. Rules are in place to prevent cross-talking, and participants are discouraged from commenting on others’ lives. It ensures the environment is calm and peaceful, and members can express their fears and insecurities without feeling judged.
- If you feel nervous about attending an AA meeting for the first time, bring a friend along to give you company. You are more likely to speak up about your problems to strangers. Friends and family members are allowed to accompany you in an open meeting.
- The first AA meeting experience may be far from satisfying. Don’t worry; you can always try out meetings in other locations. Search options because there are meetings for different age groups and gender-specific meetings. Choose an AA meeting group that shares similar personality traits and recovery needs.
FAQs:
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How many AA meetings should you attend every week?
There’s no limit to the number of AA meetings you attend every week. Many recovering addicts continue to go to these throughout their lives. Attend more AA meetings in the first few weeks of recovery to stay on track. As you progress towards recovery, you can cut down on these.
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How long can alcohol detox take for a person?
Alcohol detox flushes out toxins from your body and is the first step toward treating alcoholism. It is a painful and uncomfortable experience for those that have been abusing alcohol for very long. Detox duration varies depending on the level of dependency and severity of withdrawal, age and gender, and overall mental and physical well-being.
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What are common signs of alcohol addiction?
Drinking in secret, short-term memory loss, making excuses to justify drinking, extreme mood swings, irritability, quitting work and avoiding responsibilities, and isolating oneself, are common signs of addiction.
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When should you seek help for alcohol addiction?
You should get help if you find yourself or a loved one showing symptoms of alcohol abuse.
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How does an AA meeting work?
It starts with the chairperson reading out the Preamble, followed by prayers. Members then read out sections of the AA literature.
