The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
So I went to my first Al-Anon meeting on Tuesday and actually went again on Wednesday. It became even more ackward because my friend and I actually went to the AA meeting on accident. We didn't know we were in the wrong room until they started and then had to ask them where the Al-Anon meeting was which was across the hall.
I was really amazed when I went to my second meeting last night. One of the ladies there who was there on Tuesday as well took me aside and gave me the "Courage To Change" book and had bookmarked a page that she thought I would benefit from. It was so sincere for her to do that. I'm not going to lie, it was strange as I was definetly the youngest there (I'm only 22) but I'm starting to realize that age plays no role in Al-Anon.
I want to thank all of you who encouraged me to take the step to go to a meeting!
Congratulations loper. I am a newbie like you and went to my first Alanon meeting last week. Don't try to fill your head with too much info. at one time or you'll drive yourself crazy trying to find the quick fix.
I am thankful that I found this site and Alanon. For the first time in a long time I feel I'm going somewhere instead of around in circles.
You're not the only one who's gone to an AA meeting by mistake - I think there are other stories about that very thing in here, somewhere.
You're right, age has very little to do with it. Also, I found when I share honestly about problems I am facing, the most astonishing people have helpful insight - people who LOOK like nothing bad has ever happened to them have had the same experiences I have. They aren't in that room by accidnet, after all....
So glad you made it - it only gets better from here. Your observation on age is right on - I am 42 and most of those that I am close and most in contact with are 60+. They say "Hang with the Winners" - I've found the ones who've been around a long time and have sincerely worked their programs are the ones I've benefited the most from. And they benefit from me too reminding them of where they started and how far they've come.
Keep coming back, it truly does work if you work it! Hugs, Twinkie
Good for you! I was 24 when I first started going. I loved the fact that I never felt the age difference. The women just accepted me as one of their own and took what I had to say seriously. It is an ageless program.
Way to go I was the youngest in my meetings too!! It doesn't matter how old you are but that you are getting the help you need for a healthier furture !!!
I just love the responses you got to your post...don't you? Yeah I have gone into AA meetings "searchin for the truth" and continued with Al-Anon. I have even been asked to leave an AA meeting because it was a "closed" (for AA's only) and I didn't know if I was and was just looking. I thought I might just make em nervous for a minute or two until my Al-Anon program kicked in and told me to stop messin around with sick people. I let them go and went to my Al-Anon meeting later with a smug smile on my face. I don't recommend this form of behavior today and neither does this program. This is an ageless program. Newbies learn from the elders and the young and old learn from each other. What matters is that you got a taste of the unconditional love of this Family Group and it helped draw you back into the room. Now we say..."Keep coming back. This program really works."
I am glad you went. I am glad you posted your experiences and feeling about it. I am glad you got has much honest back in response and it don't matter that you're younger...just because. I wanna hear what you have to share when you get your first miracle; the next one after getting the "courage to change" with unconditional acceptance from another member.
This is an ageless program. Newbies learn from the elders and the young and old learn from each other. What matters is that you got a taste of the unconditional love of this Family Group and it helped draw you back into the room. Now we say..."Keep coming back. This program really works."