Which Meetings - ?

[marcatj]

Hey guys, most of us on here are on for pills and/or some form of drugs.

For those of you who go to meetings, do you primarilly attend N/A meetings, or do you go to both - N/A & A/A?

Thx....
mj

[mom2rachie]

I have been sober from alcohol and all illegal substances for 5 years, actually it was 5 years on thursday to be exact, but became addicted to pills after I started taking them for an injury.  When I recognized it was a real problem for me, I did something about it.  I was always honest with my sponsor, family and AA friends about my pill intake until the very end which is when I realized it was another addiction I had to beat.  
But, since alcohol was always my first love, I attend and have always attended AA.

[marcatj]

thanks for the feedback, sister... and Congrats on 5 years!! :)

[serenitysaves]

I find them both extreamly helpful.  Meetings in different area's can range at all levels.  so it's important to seek out what's avilable in your area and choose.  I myself go mostly to N/A, but I attend a womens A/A meeting once a week that rocks, and I've found some great support there.  So get a meeting list for both and enjoy.
take care, Robin

[marcatj]

thanks Robin......

[beachtowel]

I primarily go to N/A but my best friend is was a heavy drinker and like to go to open speaker AA so I go with him to support him........

[blueyz]

There are meetings called smart recovery.  You can look up more info on this at smartrecovery.org.  They have them all over the us.  They also now have PA, but not in all areas.  I know CA has them.  I like the smart recovery meetings because they operate on a different philosophy.  They opererate under the umbrella  that we are NOT powerless against our addictions that we CAN have control and gives us the tools to embrace that control and power.  I prefer that.  I got addicted after 7 surgeries in a short time period.  I didn't like the control they had over me so I took control and got off of them.  I did have the control to do that and know I can stay that way. That's why it works for me.  

[Two222]

hmmm smart recovery? That sounds interesting. think i'll try that!

[marcatj]

thanks you guys... I really appreciate the feedback.... :-)

[tzt2lady]

Im 21 and a half years clean off illegal drugs.  But I cant take cakes and tokens in NA meetings because the prescription pill abuse is considered a relapse.   So Im a newcomer.   I always went to NA but want to try Pills Anonymous now.

[marcatj]

sweet potato - be proud of that 21 1/2 years!!!!

[beachtowel]

I never went to an N/A meeting until November of 2005 and I was very apprehensive and the reason why I didn't go sooner was I didn't think I belonged there I didn't belong with those low life junkies I had my **** together and under control.....
I always controlled the drugs the drugs never controlled me and I and I alone managed my own life and nothing was going to tell me any different.........
I guess I should mention I had a little honesty problem too......

[beachtowel]

I think the key though is to find a meeting your comfortable with and fits your age group..........
you owe it to yourself to research the meetings in your area and try a few different ones.......and at first even try and open meeting or one with a open speaker try different ones........What ever meeting that you go to it really does not matter the important thing is that you go to a house of sobriety and be with people who are fighting addiction and doing well.........

[LIZZIE LOU]

you said above. "i think the key though is to find a meeting you're comfortable with and fits your age group"

wow...this is soooooo true.   many ppl will go to one meeting...already feeling that they "really" dont belong there or need to be there...and never go back.  i have stressed this sooo many times...to go meeting "shopping" until you find one that suits you.

it has been my experience...or should i say davis' experience...that he always felt out of place.  he started meetings at 18...so he always felt like a fish out of water.  i understand that at 18, he was trying to remain clean...while so many of his peers were deep into the drug scene with no desire to change.  he did shop around...but he would always come home saying there is just a bunch of "old farts" there...lol.  it would have been so much easier if there had been someone who was closer to his age that he could identify with.  

it wasnt until he was in taos, in rehab. that he was finally able to start enjoying the meetings and working the steps.  there, all the young men who were in the same program, went to AA together.  at first they were required to attend...but as they progressed and moved into the city on their own...it was up to them to make that choice.  he was very enthusiastic about it too...he did his 90/90 and continued to go when HE had to make that decision.  but then again...he came home ...and was faced with the same dilemna.

damn, i so long winded this morning...lol.  ok, ok...i know, i'm always long winded...

what i wish is that someone, some organization, some group...whatever...would reach out to the younger ppl in their community.  it may just make a huge difference in some young man or woman's life.

kim

[bettie1976]

I am an alcoholic and an addict but I go to AA just because I find them easier to find in my town and Ive just found a pretty good home group.

[tzt2lady]

You are funny.   I like that little "honesty problem" pun.  Gosh, it all sounds too familiar.

[marcatj]

thanks for that, buddy.  and nah, i don't feel "superior" to anybody! i know the pills are an equal opportunity leveler...  also been to a few AA meetings a number of years back to support my buddy, and saw (thank goodness) that everyone is just like folks like you and me.  in fact, i really enjoyed it.  also saw exactly what you meant about the "right" meeting... went to one that was just kinda weird, one i loved, and one that was soso ...

the prob with AA meetings is i do drink.  socially, but i do.  so i don't think i CAN go to AA meetings, right?  for the right support?  

[marcatj]

... and obviously the bummer is, the meetings for AA and NA are like 100 to 1....