Went to my first AA meeting last night. It was great but disorienting because I didn’t get all the lingo and rituals.
What is the thing said in unison at the beginning when reading the rules?
Do you have to say you’re an alcoholic? I feel like I’d prefer to say I’m an addict. Is that allowed?
Other helpful tips?
I think every meeting is different so not sure what people are saying in unison at start. Took me ages to work out something everyone was saying at the end of my local meet. I just mumbled along 
. I’d just ask.
Saying you are an addict will be fine I am sure. AS seemed a bit odd to me when I started. Still does. There are some nice people, some weird people, some irritating people. Just like any group. But they are all there for the same reason.
Any time a meeting seems a drag I just remind myself…
“Remember why you are here!”
At the AA meetings I attend, addicts are welcome to attend with the understanding that the meeting is restricted to the topic of alcoholism. We have alcoholics, addicts, alcoholics,/addicts in attendance.
@tayjaramillo. I would believe the meeting probably opened with the serenity prayer. God grant me…? And the identification of addict is mostly up to the type of meeting it is. If it is an open meeting then nobody would mind At a closed meetings they prefer alcoholics. I’d just google the meeting and see if it’s open or closed. At a closed meeting you might find less resistance if you identify as alcoholic. My small town group has 50% addict and in my opinion we are all welcome. If it becomes a problem for you you can look for NA meetings. I’ve been to some great NA and CA meetings and I’m an alcoholic it’s the fact we all suffer with addiction that I like. But some AA meetings do have problems with the idea we all suffer from the same disease just different DOC. My only other tip is find a group that you like. Try a few. But give each one several tries because it does take a little while to get a feel for the group. Don’t be afraid to show up a little early and stay a little late get aquatinted with some members. Good luck and I hope you get as much from it as I do
Maybe they’re saying the serenity prayer, which is done at the beginning of meetings.
I’m alcoholic and addict, so I just say Courtney alcoholic out of respect for AA. If I go to a NA meeting, I say Courtney addict. But it’s important in the beginning to say what you are, addict, alcoholic, both to accept that’s what you are and for people to get to know you.
At an AA meeting, alcohol is what they talk about, even though youll notice that the people have also used drugs…
I started my recovery in NA and then ended up in AA. At NA I could relate to the drug use more, at AA, I could relate to alcohol more. It’s all the same when it comes down to it… It all takes you to the same place of misery. When going to AA, I just replaced the word alcohol with drugs in my head, that seemed to help me relate to what people were saying.
If you have any more questions I’d be glad to help out. I wish the best of luck to you.
@Chad_R. Great advice about trying different meetings. From my personal experience some meetings I attended were a real turn-off. If I didn’t try other meetings my opinion of AA would be much different than it is today. At the meetings I attend, everyone is welcoming (some more rhan others). At one meeting I attend two van loads from a local rehab facility come. 50% or more are addicts or alcohol addicts.
@All At the meetings I attend, the serenity prayer is recited in unison first. At the close of the meeting, either the serenity or Lord’s Prayer is recited followed by “Keep coming back because it works if you work it and you’re worth it.” Never be afraid to ask another member if you have a question about something that has transpired during the meeting. Glad to help.
Thanks guys this is helpful. It was a closed meeting but people did mention drug use. To me, I started using alcohol as my main DOC when I kicked other drugs. When I moderated my alcohol, I relapsed on drugs. So to me, I’m not an alcoholic… but rather just an addict. I guess I’m being picky and probably somewhat in denial - which is why I’m having trouble saying alcoholic.
Who knows maybe I’ll have a break thru if I force myself to say it in an audience.
Yeah
A DRUGS A DRUG,
WE USE THEM FOR THE SAME THING
TO LEAVE THE PAIN BEHIND!