Hi all I'm new to NA i just got out of my first rehab yesterday on 3/30/2012 i plan on going to my first outside meeting today and am extremely nervous. I am a very shy 29 year old female and I have never shared before. I was wondering if anyon ould give me some advice as to how it is done for our first meeting and what i should or shouldnt say if asked to share???
Also I am deathly afraid of relapse and with being on the outside of the confined walls of rehab im experiencing alot of anxiety over the situation If anyone can maybe help me with this i would greatl appriciate it.
My first meeting will be in or around the dover, NJ area if anyone knows of a good group here.
Welcome. You said "first" rehab--let's hope it's your only one! You are doing a smart thing by going to a meeting as soon as you get out of rehab. I understand about being nervous, but we've all been in your shoes before. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how accepting, welcoming, and non-judgmental the people you find at meetings will be. Sharing is usually not required at meetings. The most important thing you can do at this point is show up and listen. It is highly recommended that you make as many meetings as possible when you first start out in recovery--90 meetings in 90 days is the slogan. Keep coming back!
Thank you very much and I WILL make this my only time out of rehab and follow the program to the best of my ability. And thank you for the information about sharing i wasnt sure if it was nessicary for me to share and i really hope everyone is as welcoming as you say. Im also going to do the online meeting at 10.....:) THANKS AGAIN
hi and welcome I understand how going to a meeting can make you feel nervous. I was my first few times, but that passes. I suggest that you introduce yourself as a newcomer and ask for help. Also to stick with the women untill you know your way around a little. good luck and let us know how you are doing
It's okay to be afraid. Being afraid is a feeling and it is temporary. Showing up to meetings is change for you, and ALL change, no matter how small, is an act of COURAGE. So just by showing up and listening, you are demonstrating to yourself that you have the courage to face fear. Go to a lot of meetings, and if you get any creepy vibes, go to different ones until you find one where the chemistry is good for you to trust people. The most important thing is to keep showing up, to try something new by sitting in that meeting. It's okay if you just listen for as long as you're comfortable. I believe your inner voice will tell you when it's time to open your heart and speak its contents. I believe it will be compelled from you from within, and your mind won't even have a chance to get in the way. Be there and be there and be there until it happens.
Phillymichelle, Well go into meeting ,sit down ,If they go around and introduce each other just say your first name .Just doing that is the beginning of sharing.Some people can share from day one on but some it takes a while. Meet someone who you like what there saying ,talk to them at break.If someone with lots of cleantime comes over and talks to you, that is great guidance.I have 7 years clean after 39 years of using,I still have the same group of people I met at my first meetings in my recovery life .Clean people have lots of fun , don't worry.Also what everyone else said is true we all have great ideas of what works . Try http://navoices.com good people there.
-- Edited by cdbuckberry on Monday 2nd of April 2012 04:19:41 PM
-- Edited by cdbuckberry on Monday 2nd of April 2012 04:20:53 PM
The best thing I did was to remain open-minded and try to absorb as much as possible. I agree - it's a good idea to introduce yourself as a newcomer, and most importantly - keep coming back! I started by listening to what others were sharing. When someone spoke something that was true to my heart, I asked them to be my sponsor. Here's what worked for me:
1. Go to meetings 2. Get a sponsor 3. Work the steps 4. Get involved (help set up a meeting, wash coffee cups, etc) 5. FELLOWSHIP! (it's where i learned that i didn't have to sit at home by myself feeling miserable)
Also, reading the pamphlet "Introduction to NA Meetings" as well as the chapter "What Can I Do?" from the Basic Text (the big book of Narcotics Anonymous) would be helpful...
Best wishes!
__________________
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.