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.
Hi Shorty welcome. You are not alone. I do believe that most of us can certainly identify and can assure you that although walking through the doors of alanon meeting rooms was frightening, I was greatly surprised by the warmth and love that I felt immediately.
I did not talk for my first few meetings and no one minded . I could simply sit and listen and learn. The literature is fantastic and members truly do reach out.
We have on line meetings here 2xs a day and if you like you can venture into the chat room and get a feel for the meetings. There is hope and help.
Hi, Shorty. Just go...don't think about it any more than a stop at the store. Get the address, the time, and just show up.
I was a bit nervous before my first meeting, too, it's not uncommon. I decided, however, that I was more afraid of not finding relief than of anything that could happen at a support group meetup.
I can tell you that my decision to go marked a turning point in my life that led to incredible insight and continues to enrich my life. Do whatcha gotta do to get there, at least try it out. Come back and let us know how it goes and a little more of what's going on!
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
When I went to my first meeting, as I was about to walk into the room I thought I heard my son's scoutmaster in there. I turned right around, went out to the car, and thought about it. I realized that if he was in there, he had the same problem as me, and so there was little to hide from him. So I went slowly back in, crossed the threshold of the meting room, and saw that he wasn't there. But the people that were there were people that, like I had surmised, I didn't have to hide my life from, I could open up to them, as they were in the same kind of place as me. It was totally liberating to not have to have the secrets from them that I did from the rest of the world.
I hope you can go. Al Anon saved my life and my family.
Keep coming back here too, especially if you need more encouragement.
Welcome to MIP Shorty - glad you found us and glad that you shared. I was also afraid to go and just had to do it. I felt better knowing that it was anonymous, there was no judgment and speaking was optional. Sending you hopeful thoughts and prayers of courage to help you get to that first meeting!
It was the best thing I ever did for me and truly did help me in recovering from the affects of this disease. Keep coming back - there is hope and help in recovery.
__________________
Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Walk in, listen, I wish I had done so much sooner. I was scared too, but I was but at ease very quickly. It is liberating hearing that you are not the only one feeling and experiencing these things. If you don't feel comfortable right away, don't give up, go again or find a different group.
Please, just do yourself a favor and give it a go, I for one am glad I did!
I was scared to go too, but things were so bad I literally couldn't take it any more. I walked in and there were only two people in there. I said hello, asked if I was in the right place, they said yes and I broke down into tears. Both got up, hugged me told me it was going to be alright, and they started the meeting which focused on me, lol.
Your HP gives you what you need when you need it, I figure that's why there were only two people there that day. One lady became like a mother figure to me, and the other a mentor. It will be the same for you. Walk in and your HP will give you what you need. You will never regret it, and you will feel stronger for having worked through that fear. {{Hugs}}
Groo what a great story. Shorty, you will not regret going....only regret not going and trying one out. Face to face meetings are so great. I get where they are scary at first. I was at my lowest when I finally dragged myself down the street (literally two block from my work so I had no excuse not to go....though I found reasons to procrastinate not going) to go to my first lunch time meeting. When I got there I couldn't believe that it had taken me so long to make this important step in my recovery. All the best to you.
Thank you all! A friend went with me to my first meeting last Saturday. It was nice to hear what everyone had to say and some of the same feelings that I have. I haven't had a chance to go to another one this week. Going to try another Saturday meeting this weekend. But I have been reading How Al anon works.
Anita
Fantastic! Wasn't so bad, eh? It's nice to get the fear out of the way so you can focus more on ideas and thoughts...So glad to hear you taking up the reading, that was something that really, really helped me and continues to play a large role in adopting healthier perspectives and habits.
Thanks for letting us know how it's going, don't hesitate to ask questions and share your experience
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
