beach N/A meetings

[flmagi]

Your response to Natilie about how YOU deal with new people at meetings was nice to hear. Wish there had been someone like you at my first (and only) meeting. I felt extremely ignored and uncomfortable. No one came up to us when we arrived and introduced themselves or anyone else, didn't show us info and really didn't explain anything... at the actual meeting.  I ended up having a anxiaty attach while the meeting was going on. But I have never been good in large groups, even before the pills took me.   As luck would have it, a guy came into the meeting (late) and we reconized him as someone we knew from about 28 years ago.  After the meeting, he showed us all the stuff and we caught up on our lives. Had he not been there (and WE approched him after), no one was going to talk to us.   When I say "we", I mean my sister, allaboutmary & me.  Anyway, I just wanted you to know, that what you do with new people has probably allowed alot of them to feel comfortable enough to go back to the meetings.  I don't know if you realize how important that one initial contact can be for people.  Way to go.

[allaboutmary]

Ditto

[Marce4]

What a great support system...you are sisters...are you both addicts. I need to catch up...so busy with work. Can  you give me a quick version of your stories? What a great support system!  I wish my sister didn't live so far away...she's in Panama City FL and I'm near Phila.  She's an alcoholic and I'm a pill head!  We talk but I wish I had someone that would go to meetings with me....it's very lonely and difficult to go alone!  You are so right about the initial contact being important.  I haven't been able to bond with anyone at the meetings I have attended so I am apprehensive to keep going. Maybe I  have shut myself off from them?

[allaboutmary]

I had an auto accident 4/12 years ago got to liking the pills.  So as the great sister I am << I got my sister hooked.  I was working on getting the other sister hooked , when Magi and I decided enough was enough. Both of us have been clean a month now. ( Magi 1 day ahead of me due to old tramadol in my medicine cabinet) lol Couldn't have gotten clean with out her.  Do you try going early , maybe that would be a time to talk to someone.  I think I might try another meeting.  

[addictedme]

many of us spent much of our using time alone, avoiding other people,,especially people who were not using,,at all costs. after yrs of isolation, trying to find a place for ourselves in a bustling, sometimes boisterous fellowship is not always easy. we may still feel isolated, focusing on our differences rather than our similarities. the overwhelming feelings that often arise in early recovery,,,feelings of fear,anger and mistrust,,can also keep us isolated. we may feel like aliens but we must remember, the alienation is ours,not na,,,,,,nov 16,,,hope that helps if it applys

[flmagi]

OK, quick version...
Mary was in car accident and started with the pills. We also work together and do very physical work and both have taken some falls, carry heavey equipment etc. So along with her car accident pain, we both were having pain from job. She told me to go to doctor and get pills for pain. I did and we both really enjoyed them, pain or no pain. They were like a fountain of youth pill. We could work our as ses off, even in pain. Lots of bad things happened over the last 4 years and we both liked the mental numbness too.  Anyway, like most everyone else, we needed more and more. Running all around Florida to get pills. When we didn't have them,  bad news.  Many times decided to be done, but weren't.  Didn't really understand  withdrawls and rebound pain etc.   Then one day, a month ago, we both said we're done. Found this forum.  And here we are. Clean.  Yeah Mary & me!

[allaboutmary]

My version was quicker ! lol

[flmagi]

Have you tried a few different N/A meetings? Maybe different people would make you feel more welcome and supported.  I know how you feel though. I would not have gone to that meeting had Mary not been with me.  God, I think we're attached at the hip.  lol  Glad we get along good.

[flmagi]

Thank you for that comment. A feel good moment...aahhhh.    And back at ya.

[Marce4]

Thanks ladies!  I have looked for other meetings but they are in really bad areas in Philly?!!?  Not sure where else to go...this meeting is a few blocks from my house but the people are really young (I'm 47!)  and I feel like an old fart that has nothing (except addiction) in common with the people....there were a few older ones that were there the first meeting I went to but they weren't there the last time???

I appreciate you giving me a brief synopsis of your history....you really are so lucky you decided to quit and face this together!!!!!
Peace!
Marcie

[beachtowel]

Meeting all reflect the trustees that run them they will all have a Chair, Treasureur, secretary, and a GSR......they have business meetings at least once a month to discuss the meeting plus they have the GSR (ME) pay the rent and represent the group at the Area meetings which we have the second sunday of the month........where three counties here all get together Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland..

My first meeting I walked in and stood there staring I wanted to run to the car so bad when an older guy named Jim walked up to me and introduced himself showed me around a little bit and made me feel very comfortable......

He had over 10 years of clean time and I have learned a lot from him.....he is a no nonsense kind of guy remind you of anyone......lol

If your not comfortable at the first meeting you go to while your there on every information table there will be a meetings book that has every meeting and time in the counties all around your meeting...

Go and try another meeting I know in some smaller towns there isn't to many but a lot of cities will list a lot of meetings day and night, straight or gay, go and check them out.......

Once you start working on your recovery N/A will be invaluable to your success........

Go to a meeting I know I talk about it a lot but A/A and N/A have been around for a very long time and there is a reason for it........
One thing that does get to me here is where people say ya I went to a meeting it didnt' do anything for me, its not for me........
Wow one meeting and it didn't do anything for you, its up to you to put in the work.........