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.
Others can better address if it's a good idea to attend meetings together- I think that would depend and I also think that working the program separately has merit.
There are open AA meetings and closed AA meetings; open, I believe that this means that anyone affected by alcohol can come, closed AA meetings are only for alcoholics.
I've attended many open AA meetings and gained so much valuable information from attending them. Information on how to work a stronger program, strengthen my relationship with my HP, different perspectives, the struggle to work the program (helped me see that I'm certainly not alone that way), and much more. I've attended speaker meetings, discussion meetings, and step meetings. It may have felt awkward at first, but the awkwardness faded quickly- and- I was there to learn.
Please forgive me for asking, but are you sure that no one showed or is it possible that you didn't find the right room?
In support.
-- Edited by bud on Friday 1st of November 2013 08:41:45 AM
Bud, you can ask anything you want :) I got the Al anon list off line. I tried calling people to confirm (because out therapist said they can be touch in go in our area). I Went to a couple, no one was there, they one lady (the first time, said they no longer hold them). The others are not safe areas at all at night.
Anyway, this last one was by my house. I called to confirm that there was really a meeting but no one calls or emails back. So I went to check. It was the right address and church, small church, they had AA there but the sign said no Al anon meeting.
Funny how it works, I was the one trying to find a meeting for me... he would NOT go back to AA, he found out I was going to a meeting up the street and that an AA meeting was in the same church and same time so he said "you go to your meeting I will go to mine" ... and his meeting was being held and mine wasn't LOL I am sure he would have wanted it the other way around :) he knew I was let down (again) by no meeting. So that is when he brought up the open AA.
OH HP, what are you up to!!! :)
-- Edited by Iwantthingsback on Friday 1st of November 2013 08:58:04 AM
__________________
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
HI all - so my A did go to a AA meeting this Wed past as he said (this is when I tried to go to my F2F in the same BLDG). Good thing we drove separate because there was no meeting there for me, I am beginning to think there are no real Al anon meetings in Rochester LOL
Anyway, he mentioned last night about me going to an AA open meeting. And said maybe even if I wanted to go with him. One, is it a good thing to go to an AA meeting with your A??? and two,,, What is an AA open meeting? Ya know, he confuses me more and more each day LOL
__________________
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
I have gone to open AA meeting with my A husband. They are for anyone - alcoholism is not required. If it is a leader meeting, I would go. The discussion meetings can be awkward if you are not an A. The leader meetings are just someone up front talking about their experience and then you leave. I have found great job in going to them and I have learned a lot about my A from hearing from people like him. I highly encourage it, the 12 step program can be for anyone.
Open AA meetings are meetings where AA members share: How it was, What happened and How it is now. Anyone can attend these meetings Closed meetings are reserved for alcoholics only
Alanon Speaker meetings do the same. In alanon the focus is on recovery for the family members and in AA the focus is on the alcoholic, Since most of my time was spent focused on the alcoholic an how to fix him ,I found AA meetings more comfortable. Alanon meetings were very hard because they forced me to look at myself and I did not even know how to start doing that.
I found the purpose of Alanon face to face meetings is so that I could break the isolation caused by living with the disease of alcoholism , feel the support of those who understood as few others can and most importantly learn how to focus on MY needs and recovery . I too cried at my first meetings because I finally felt safe enough,understood enough to connect with my inner sadness and despair. Feeling these feelings were my first step to recovering my true self and honoring my wants and needs
II agree with Paula sponsorship is a reciprocal relationship It is a connection of equals who are attempting to recover from the devastating affects of this disease Both participants should be attending meetings regularly
((IWTB)) Thanks for understanding the question in the light it was intended. I'm glad you've inquired about where there are active meetings. Keep looking and inquiring until you find something(s) that work for you.
I go to AA open meetings. I have one friend from Al-anon go's every week because she is also an A. We get along great. Go and get the experience because it really helps.
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Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.
I've gone to open AA meetings. I appreciate them. They give me hope for my loved ones. I go to Al-Anon meetings because they give me the tools I need to change what I can, let go of what isn't mine to change, and the wisdom I need to know what I can and can't change. I also gain support at Al-Anon meetings that I don't receive at open AA meetings.
I go to AA open meeting and get so much from them.
However Al anon is a must for me living with alcoholism. Plaese do not give up looking for a meeting. Even the ones in the not so nice area. If you ring someone from the meeting may assisst you in getting there.
Al anon has saved my sanity, I really do not know where I would be today without it. I is so nice to be able to chat with pwople who understand what I have been through and who have similar experiences. People who do not judge, I have net friends for life in this fellowship.
Aa helps me to understand my partners illness and struggles and how this disease effects him, I respect AA so much for helping him where I couldnt I did not understand.
I get my understanding in Al anon
he gets his in AA
we both understand each other when we attend open meetings or convetions. This really works if you work it, my dreams are slowly coming true.
