NA Meetings

[Readytolive31]

I am so happy to say that I started aftercare to really work my recovery and its very satisfying!! I decided to try different meetings from the one that I had attended before because I am lucky enough to live somewhere that has lots of them and I had a great experience.  I met a wonderful woman who I instantly clicked with who I think will end up becoming my sponsor. She has already been reaching out to me because I'm going through some personal stuff to make sure I contact her if I'm having issues!! I met her at a meeting on Sunday, last night, and we are going to another meeting tonight.  So for anyone that is fearful of meetings I promise if you find the right one you wont be disappointed :)

[Readytolive31]

I also agree with CIK, I def spent an hour or more looking for and doing my drug of choice so I can replace time not being spent on that doing something healthy and for my recovery.

I have also used the excuse that going to the meetings would take away time that I had with my kids which I have since realized was stupid thinking because I wasn't really there anyway when I was in my active addiction and they are also benefiting in the long run by me attending meetings!!

The NA meeting that I attended on Tuesday strictly works the 12 Steps and Traditions and reads them over and over from what I was told. I am excited to actually start working the steps.  I also leave there feeling so GOOD and happy that I made the decision to go :))

[VICourageous]

I have to 10000000% agree with CIK. Also the more you go the more info you pick up! As you grow toward and upward in Recovery the words or reading will mean something new to you each time.
I go to this AA up the road, but I go to more NA in town..In this AA we read the 12 Steps & Traditions over and over from the start to finish and then start the reading again. Even if I work these Steps with a Sponsor, there is something more I pick up every time I go to this AA. I always leave there SO Spiritually High. I just love it!! Like they ALL say..Keep coming back, it WORKS if YOU WORK it!!!!!!
Bless

[clean_in_ks]

Well just a huge HOLLA to both of you for becoming willing to seek help outside of yourselves!

I can tell you for sure that I spent well over ONE HOUR PER DAY doing my drug of choice.  Doesn't seem like much of a commitment to make...especially in the early days....to spend an hour a day around other addicts in recovery.  I never let anything stop me from getting my pills....so I need to be on high alert about believing my own BS should I begin saying why I "can't" participate an hour a day in my own recovery as well.  

Regardless of WHAT type of recovery support group I go to....I say,
"My name is Connie, and I am a recovering addict".
PERIOD.....doesn't matter WHERE I'm at.....and if someone has a personal objection....or takes offense.....or advises me that I "HAVE" to say thus and such....know what I say?  
"Thank you for sharing your opinion with me....but it's probably best if you work YOUR program....and I work MINE."

Admitting we are an addict/alcoholic is STEP ONE....we ALL need to begin working step one as soon as possible. (That's why it's called Step ONE, right? Duh...LOL)  So happy you both have discovered that getting and staying clean cannot not be done in secret nor can it be done alone.  We simply weren't designed as human beings to be isolated and alone......we need each other.

[Readytolive31]

I understand about doing things differently because that is what I'm doing as well. I only went a few times cause I thought I could do it on my own and I learned the hard way that I couldnt.  It's definitely hard but I am finding out what works for me. I am planning on attending meetings as much as I can because it helps so much!

[jifmoc]

Last nite I went to an all gay male AA meeting (I'm a straight female) but I didn't care and neither did they. I just HAVE to do it differently then before. Last time I went to NA, but only a few times and I never admitted I was an addict. This time I identified as a bonafide opiate-loving addict. In AA, most people have cross additions I found out. But everyone calls themselves an alcoholic. (Gotta find out more about that.)  And yes, the dude that spoke had 20 YEARS sobriety. I can't even imagine. But, yes, NA or AA, whichever!

Okay, just sharing my thoughts. This shyte is hard, gotta be honest tho.

[Readytolive31]

I went to another meeting tonight and it was a celebration of that particular meeting being established for 31 years and it was a really good experience.  I have read a lot of stories on here and saw the support that everyone gets but I am truly understanding what everyone is talking about that there is nothing better than being face to face with other addicts, hearing their stories,  and getting to meet tons of people that are just like you! I met some awesome people tonight that have been clean and in recovery for 13-25 years and its so inspiring.  So I will say again if you are reading this and are on the fence about going to meetings or think you can do it are your own trust me because I learned the hard way you won't be disappointed if you go and you CAN'T do it on your own!! Recovery is a WE thing not an I thing :)

[OpenMind24hours]

Enjoyed reading your experience. I go to both AA and NA. Here in the Detroit area we have tons of both. The best description of a good meeting for me is that it's a true sanctuary. I go there to get better and come out feeling better. I always do. I've been to meetings everywhere I've traveled and I always feel like I'm home no matter where the meeting is.

Your description of your sponsor choice sounds great!  I've had the same sponsor for my entire time in the program. He's truly a blessing.  Nobody knows me better than him. In the early days my sponsor would talk to me in the parking lot after the meeting and help me out. Next thing you know I had, for the first time, formed a partnership with another human being.

[Readytolive31]

Thank you both!! I will try AA as well so I can gather as much information as possible :)

[VICourageous]

I am Happy for You too! Try hitting both AA/NA..YOU will get something new out of each and every meeting you go too. Keep it up! lol

[clean_in_ks]

Good for you....happy for you....great post~