ism's in the rooms

[sway1]

although drinking hasn't really been my problem for many years, i can say that i've done enough bad drinking to qualify at any AA meeting. NA meetings in my neighborhood are scarce and mostly at least a good 45 minutes away.(my car is in the shop and will be probably until next week) i am on methadone now and in 2 weeks i am going to a suboxone program and will follow whatever protocol they advise to taper down and then stop opiates altogether. i've been trying for several years to do it without help. this time i will let help "help". i have been to 7 meetings in the last 5 days. only one was an NA. there were 3 people at the NA meeting. that was fine. it was still a good meeting. i have noticed however, that the AA meetings are full of racism and classism. the meetings after the meetings, which back in new jersey where i used to live were sometimes the best time. that's when people could pull someone aside and address problems too long or personal or just inappropriate for the actual meeting. what i am noticing in these "aftermeetings" is people gossiping, and putting people down. basically just a bunch of negative stuff going on. they say the only requirement is the desire to stop. as it turns out, my sponsor is right i the thick of it. i will continue to attend these meetings and maybe keep track of which ones have this crap going on. i am there for the experience, strength and hope and that's what i will pay attention to. it's just a shame that people with many years of clean time would behave this way. newcomers and those still trying to get out from under could really be harmed be this nonsense. i am glad i can come on here and "share" about it. it has left a terrible taste in my mouth and although i want to be a part of 12 step recovery, i must do so with my guard up. the purpose is somehow defeated here. peace, sway

[sway1]

thanks for responding. i dream of getting enough clean time under my belt so i can go in and shake things up to cause a change. i am not too good at just sitting on my hands. will check out any meeting within a reasonable distance. hopefully find some with better behavior. peace, sway

[LongerDays]

I suggest visiting other meetings. They're all different, and what you describe would be unacceptable to me and I would leave to find a more welcoming, empathetic group. I am not an alcoholic, but the AA group I go to most frequently has no problem with that, and I haven't experienced any of the negative and destructive behavior that you describe -- quite the opposite. If I did, I wouldn't stick around.

Can you find other AA meetings that are relatively close by?

You're right that NA meetings are scarcer, and I attended one that was a little sketchy, which is why I investigated the AA option.

Hope this helps a little.

LD