I've been tracking my drinks for 2 years, first time I reach such a sober streak - and I feel really better!
this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2026
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'Closed' means that only people with a drinking problem can come in.
"Open" means that you can bring a friend, or that anyone with an interest in the program can come in. Anniversary meetings are usually open so people's families can come.
"Meditation" means that they dim the lights and silently meditate.
"Speaker" means someone shares their personal journey for 15 minutes or so.
"Literature" means they read from The Big Book, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, or other AA books.
Another jargon you'll hear is 'sponsor.' A sponsor is an AA who you feel comfortable with. Some people pick a temporary sponsor at their first meeting. Other people wait until they feel comfortable. It took me two years before I got one.
Most meetings take a minute at the start to ask if there is anyone new to the meeting. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. If you're online you can usually send a private message to the host and ask for phone numbers or information.
My suggestion for you would be to find a seven day a week meeting you can get to every day. It can be early morning before work/school; or at noon on your meal break; or before you go to bed. I started out going to the same meeting every day after work and a couple of weekend meetings near me. Other people like to drop in whenever they feel the need. Some newcomers spend all day in meetings. Personally, I could only handle one a day at the start.
Ok thats what I needed, now the meetings notes make more sense.
I'll dig in tomorrow, tonight I'm still feeling out of sorts. Or maybe just listen in a online meeting. But on a brighter note my symptoms feel like they are going away. No heart racing, no fever, just feel icky w/ a very light headache and the occasional sweating.
I'll keep you posted tomorrow (Day 2) on how its going. Also I have to say it again thank you for all the help/explaining/etc it means a lot!
You can go to an online meeting. Name yourself 'Just Listening'. Most will let you leave the camera off. As long as you don't interrupt you can stay. You can also message the host if you want to know more. Each meeting is differnet, and Zoom bombers have been a problem, but generally newcomers are given plenty of leeway.
Good luck
I'll give that a go, I'm struggling a bit right now and I can't let going back happen. Hour and a half that option is gone (can't sell beer after midnight here). Until then off to see what meetings are open.
I heard this story from an oldtimer.
Back in the day, he was in a cheap hotel in Philadelphia. There was a bar in the lobby.
He spent all night holding onto the bed, because he knew if he let himself get up he'd drink.
My first few months I went to speaker meetings so I'd hear stories like that.
I feel that, it sucks I have a beer shop and a liquor story literally right next door. I just opted for funny/interesting YT vids until midnight. My version of hanging onto the bed.
I opted out of ant zoom calls as I was trying to get the thoughts out of my head. Slept terrible, couldn't fall asleep until 0400 and the most surreal dreams kept that sleep fitful at best.
I do feel better than yesterday so so thats keeping going. Need to eat more today, head feels much clearer, I think some gator-aid or the like would be a good idea too.
And thanks for taking the time to reply, its helping more than you know.
I'll try a speaker meeting asap, hearing stories like you posted will be inspiring because if they can do it so can I. And 3 hours will be the end of day 2, looking forward to starting day 3 :)
I know people who got sober while working in bars and restaurants.
I'll never say it isn't tough, because I needed a 28 day 'vacation' and constant job testing to dry out and get my feet on the path.
But with the right team, anything is possible.
Thats got to be tough getting dry when you deal w/ booze all the time.
I'm feeling it that is not easy. Craig Ferguson talks about it pretty candidly in one his monologues. I try to keep that in mind right now. If it was easy to kick there would be a single drunk on the planet...
The booziest towns have the best sobriety.
New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, LA, San Francisco all have tons of meetings.
It's one day at a time. Sometimes, it's one minute at a time.
Search out the right meetings and get a bunch of phone numbers.
I once called a guy and told him that I was practicing making calls. He got it.
Gah I wish I was near one of those cities, I'm not to far from DC though... Thats a heck of a drie though.
I will say today has been better than yesterday. Kept busy, started taking a vitamin B complex per a lot of the big med/sobriety sites. Got out of the house for a bit, next will find a local meeting. Its slim pickin's unless I want to drive over an hour.
Now about calling, I'm terrible about that, rather an introvert when it comes to talking to strangers.
But right now its one moment at a time. Keeping everything low stress and low sensory overload. The last two falling offs was socializing too much too fast IRL. Felt great and was whats the harm in one... Then 2 two weeks later I'm back at it at the same levels.
Kinda why I'm slow on the meetings/seeing trusted friends atm.
Start with the online meetings.
Plenty of 'Zoom babies' got sober during Covid without ever meeting in real life.
https://www.nyintergroup.org/meetings/?type=active
That's just the New York ones.
Dang there are a ton of them up there!
Ok I'll give it a go and let you know how it goes after. Than you again!
There's one local group called 'Never Had A Legal Drink.' People who decided to get sober before they turned 21.
Also, the International Conference of Young People In AA.
https://www.icypaa.org/
Thats wild, none of those resources were around when I was that age.
I sat in a meeting, it was late here so I hit a west coast meeting. Nice group of folks, it was helpful hearing others talk about being sober and the issues before and after. Definitely will keep exploring as I get a better feel for the community.
Be seeing you.