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.
If you attend an open AA meeting as opposed to a Alanon meeting...what do you say when ask if there are any newcomers? I just wonder if AA members are ok with Alanon members in their meetings.
I also am a recovering A and married to 1 also. As long as u sign in with a nickname - I dont see any problems. If u just sit as a guess - you will be logged out.
I've been to about four, and each & every time I felt welcomed by the attendees.... Typically, the ones that don't want us there, attend closed meetings. I simply say, "Hi, I am Tom, and am a grateful member of Al-Anon"..... and that seems to be very well received.
I would also encourage any people out there who haven't tried an open AA meeting to do so, as I got a lot out of it... I don't think we necessarily "belong" there on a regular basis, but occasional attendance can be good for our recovery, AND the A's.
Tom
__________________
"He is either gonna drink, or he won't.... what are YOU gonna do?"
"What you think of me is none of my business"
"If you knew the answer to what you are worrying about, would it REALLY change anything?"
I attend f2f open AA meetings, usual just listen, only sharing if called on in the meeting and like Tom, "Hi, I'm Rita, I'm in Al-Anon," Attending open AA meetings help me understand the concept of the disease, before that I truly could not grasp that it was a disease.
Best Wishes,
Rita
__________________
No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
I found them really good for understanding my (now ex-bf) A's behaviour - everyone was very welcoming. Everyone in the room in turn says their name and how long they've been sober; all people under a year get a "well done george/anita/rita". When it gets to me I say Hi, I'm Lila and I'm a visitor. They all say 'welcome Lila' in response. The first one i went to i cried, laughed, sat open mouthed and felt egnuine sadness for people with the disease. Its heart and gut wrenching stuff and teached you tolerance, patience and a great depth of understanding.
For me personally I needed the heard-hitting A experiences as well as the Al-anon sharing at meetings, it helps me grow in evey way.