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Avatar universal

Why all the fear

Why are people so affraid of being seen in a N.A meeting ? We should be affraid of being seen buzzing around our garden club or PTA meetings with pinned pupils. I thought nobody knew I had a habit. If my son who has down syndrome knew .  I'm pretty sure it wasnt the big secret I thought it was.  Our meetings AA and NA have doctors lawyers and probally indian chiefs .   Nobody gets a bad rep by attending meetings. You shouldnt make all your darkest confessions at the first meeting or any meeting .  Listen . As a sponsor told me once "Sit on your hands if you have to ! "  I was worried about this that and if I said the other.  So he said, listen.  You want what they have. Its ok to share but you dont have to. It will still work if you only choose private conversations after the meetings with someone that has what you want.
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1213301 tn?1281738653
I really needed to read this post.  Things for me have been a little "clouded" for the last couple of days.  I went to a Rehab Group (and an Addiction Therapist) on Tuesday.  What I learned is that their lowest level of treatment would be 3 nights a week for 3 hours.  This would last approximately 10 weeks and then I would go into a "one-on-one" session from there.  I had a conversation and an evaluation with a woman and while talking to her I felt very good.  I was absolutely honest with her....and that is new for me.  Although, I left there with one thought in my head "I can't commit to 9 hours a week."  After all, I have a job, night classes, night course that I teach, and most important a son to raise.  So, this has been in my head for 2 days.  It hit me this morning on my way to work......Why can't I commit?????  I used to waste days of my life each month when I ran out of pills, I used to drive to the ends of the earth to pick up my prescription refill just so it wouldn't be mailed and I could get it earlier.  I would wait for hours sometimes to meet "someone" to pick up a few.  I wasted time and money making sure I got myself good and sick from taking too many pills.............and I won't spend 9 hours a week getting better?
Reading what refusingbondage said about cancer........It's true!  
I need to stop making excuses and start making changes.
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
Meetings arent for everyone.  Recovery care of some sort is.    sara
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is rather exhausting and a life altering thing to really get down to the nitty gritty about this disease.  

I look at it this way if I were dying of lets say cancer (and in active addiction that's exactly what I am doing - slowly dying) and someone said to me look, if you go to these meetings and work this program, you will live a healthy and happy life.. would I say "No, I cant chance it"  "I dont have the time" "I dont want to be bothered" "I cant find one" --  HECK NO!  

For a long time this is exactly what I did.  It took a LOT for me to admit that this disease does define me in a way.  Ive always admitted being an addict, but couldnt go further than that.  I justified not working a recovery program by initially thinking I didnt need it.  Then proclaiming I didnt have the time or just couldnt do it.  But in the end I realized that this is a literal fight for my life and everything must change.  Ill admit it, I use to think NA or AA people were obsessed.  Somewhat fanatical.  But I realized that no, they are just battling every day to live and stay on top of their addictions.  And that's what keeps them clean.

Meetings arent the only option.  For some people, it's just not their thing.  But some kind of aftercare is a very imporant step in recovery.  It's the only way to stay clean.  By dealing with the whys and never turning your back on your addiction.
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
Plus if aa is not your cup of tea just get some type of recovery whether it be therapy or your chucrh pastor whatever works for you .I dont attend aa/na its not the right fit for me I see therapist it what works for me .
Helpful - 0
769362 tn?1360788524
I know that I am afraid of attending the wrong meeting and running into all the people I have had a hand in court ordering to attend. Last year I needed a meeting sooo bad that I just went and ran into 5 different individuals that I had just signed papers on and they sat through the whole meeting glaring at me and complaining about being there. After the meeting, one of the guys came up and asked why I was there and I said I wanted to see what went on in the meetings. I couldnt just say, "I'm a junkie." I'm working with another addict in the Criminal Justice feild to find meetings we can attend until we're ready to be open to our case loads. It is not the people that go to the meetings of free will that I fear, but of cases being dismissed because I ran into the wrong person.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
retired supreme court justice -- not returned. lol.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just got a letter on a case for work written by a returned supreme court justice.  It was a charachter letter for a client and all about AA and the program. This judge has been sober for over 30 years and works the program weekly - with great pride.

In my opinion - there is nothing to be embarassed about working a recovery program. In fact there is MUCH to be proud of.  

And to anyone who looks down on people who attend meetings - P*I*S*S* off.  What's more important, sobriety and your life, or some ignorant person's opinion??  In the grand scheme of things, nothing is more important than living healthy and maintaining your sobriety.
Helpful - 0
902989 tn?1262960576
Ego !! The graveyard full of them!!!
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
I have noticed that as well.People that attend na/aa meetings are not likely to go around and tell others they have seen you at a meeting .So I hope its not fear of being at a meeting that is keeping people from attending .
Helpful - 0
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495284 tn?1333894042
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