I’ve been going to meetings since February this year, and then coincidentally (or not) got my longest sober time by far, 92 days. When I relapsed I kept going to meetings but less and now, already 4 weeks clean again, I’m glad I have my three meetings a week.
They are not AA or 12 step meetings, just regular meetings for addicts and their loved ones, two hours in the evening. They have been very welcoming from the beginning and I feel like maybe friendships can happen there. I tried six different ones, and three of them I liked and go to weekly. I can imagine what is important in NA or AA is the community and not that much the 12 steps, is that true?
Because I have been getting mostly good, and extremely lovely experiences there and help when having craving or after relapse and some people have been like an example to me, of how beautiful life can be when clean for some years.
Of course some people I really dislike a lot, but they suffer too and it’s okay. And mostly there is such a warm loving atmosphere that I wanted to spread the message to anyone struggling: Go to meetings, or try at least!
The 12 steps from my understanding will teach you how to live a sober life, change how you think, help you heal, face your demons. I have never done the steps but I’d like to, I feel that even though I’m not in danger of relapsing they would be extremely beneficial to me. I may not get around to them until retirement, but I’ll do them eventually.
Keep doing what works for you, but always be willing to change the recipe. Best wishes
Meetings are beneficial for sure because everyone needs community.
But the program of AA is the 12 steps. If all I did was go to meetings and never worked the steps I most likely would have relapsed. I needed the steps to truly heal me from addiction. Meetings provide surface level support. The steps provide the deep inner healing
Meetings changed my life. Listening to others stories, and being able to relate to them on a level I had never felt before, is a great feeling. Makes us feel less alone in the lonely world of addiction. I attended meetings daily for 2 months before I decided to try out the actual program. It wasnt until I asked for a sponsor and started working the steps that I really began my journey into sobriety. I believe that anyone can benefit from this process. Addict or not. It’s more about learning how to exist in this world. It is freeing if you decide to take that route one day.
From what I know alot if ppl have told me don’t mind the 12 steps but they are like the Bible to some people you do what works for you for me it’s the people iam around that helps