Newcomers to 12 Step Meetings

Because the newcomer to Twelve Step meetings is considered to be the most important person at the meeting, you as a new face may be called on to speak at the meeting. One of the great things about these meetings is that participation is voluntary. So, if you are called on, you can merely say, "I'll pass tonight", or "I'd just like to listen." If you wish you could say your first name, followed by one of the responses just mentioned; or, you could say your first name, and identify your self as an alcoholic or addict, depending upon whether you are at an AA or an NA meeting, and say you'd like to pass or listen. Finally, you could respond with your first name, and that you are an alcoholic or addict and say a little about yourself, such as, "My name is Jan and I'm an alcoholic and I'm new to AA...", followed by a short description about how you know you have a problem and how you decided to get help. The point is that it is up to you when and how much you will share. I will say that by letting people know you are new, you will then have people at the meeting coming up to you after it is over volunteering their telphone numbers and their help. Also, if you can share at the meeting, doing so helps you to feel a part of the group.

Tips for Those New to 12 Step Programs

Here are more tips for someone attending Twelve Step meetings for the first time: Be a student; soak up information that will help you to stay clean and sober today; learn your new language of recovery. Try to identify in rather than identify out, that is, listen for details and facts shared by other recovering individuals that you CAN identify with. When you hear something that you can't identify with, just set aside the information for possible use later, or, rather than saying "that didn't happen to me", say "that hasn't happened to me, YET."

New to AA or NA?

The best way to prepare yourself for attending your first Twelve Step meeting is to have an open mind, setting aside any negative ideas you may have about these groups. Remember that AA or NA meetings are run by their members who are not professional therapists but individuals from all walks of life who attend meetings to help themselves and others to stay away from alcohol or other drugs. Also know that members of these self-help groups consider newcomers not to be people who have to prove themselves before they are accepted, but as 'the most important people at the meetings." Recovering alcoholics and addicts who have been clean and sober for a period of time truly welcome the opportunity to help persons new to recovery because, as it is often said in AA and NA, "in order to keep my sobriety, I have to give it away" (by helping the new person).