That is about the easiest question to answer… As many times as you need!
I have recently been talking to a friend about how many times should you attend AA in your first year of sobriety and we both agree that, you should go as many times as you possibly can.
AA helps in the first year of sobriety
Whether you are into religion or not, AA works if you work it.
If you go into AA thinking that it may not be for you, try it anyway and see that just being around those who share a common lifestyle as you did is extremely helpful.
It took me a while getting used to it all to be super honest and made me uneasy to hear others talk about alcohol when that was the one thing I wanted the most.
I started going to AA meetings a few times a day. Around my town they have at least 3-4 meetings a day, everyday.
At first, I had a difficult time admitting that I was even an alcoholic even though deep down inside, I knew that I was.
I had that nervous feeling inside when I first stepped into a meeting and everyone started introducing themselves as “hello, I am ….. and I am an alcoholic”.
I had a lump in my throat knowing the time I had to mutter those words aloud amongst so many when it was my turn to introduce myself.
I still am not sure why though? We all were in the same boat and some were not even there for alcoholism but for an addiction of some other form. Yet they still attended because there was not an NA meeting at that time of the day.
Now, I actually did not attend AA everyday for the first year. I actually only went for about 10 months and have never returned.
It’s not that I don’t need it any longer, I just felt I had the tools to handle it on my own as I still am to this day. Some may not be as fortunate or lucky to go as long as I did without relapsing.
I wrote an article about the 5 warning signs of relapse in case you are interested in reading it and you should if you think your addiction is far behind you!
How many times should you attend AA in your first year of sobriety
Well, that is entirely up to you really. At first I went anytime they had a meeting but not the first two weeks as I was detoxing heavily! And on my own by the way…
I had my Mother there to help me as I stayed with her during that time and even went into a rehab for 2 days but learned very quickly, that was not the place for me. Home… that is where I found serenity and I am very happy it stuck with me. 🙂
After those 2 weeks of detoxing is when I believe I started going to AA. I say believe because that first month was a blur but a sobering blur. Some I remember, some I do not…
This, by the way, was not my first go at AA as I did quit drinking for a year and a half a few years prior to this last time so, I knew what to expect yet was still an unnerving time none the less.
The answer to the question for this post is, go as many times as you feel necessary! There is nobody that can tell you when you need to go, you will feel it within yourself.
You need to go when you think about alcohol, when you desire alcohol, when you feel like you just want to run to the store and say “screw it” this is not for me and most importantly, any time you are just sitting there doing nothing.
I say go when you are doing nothing because the more you sit and think about staying sober, can be that pivotal moment in time where you snap and relapse!
Like previously mentioned, any time is a good time, nobody can tell you when to attend only you can know and feel it.
Go and get as many around you for support as many there will and can help in this process.
Get a sponsor, they can help you when you don’t think the group can help you and they do unconditionally because they do not want to see you go down that dark path again.
As far as for myself, I never had a sponsor but many had asked if I needed one and with my ego, I did not feel as if I needed one.
I have had an excellent support group being family and friends so, I never needed a sponsor but I know of many who have had to have them and were thankful they did!
Bottom line is this… How many times should you attend an AA meeting in your first year of sobriety? As many times as you feel you need it, it will never hurt, only help.
I did want to thank my Mother… She helped me get through the worst detox I have ever experienced in my life. She was compassionate and caring and for this, I thank you Mom, you are the BEST!
One Day At A Time…
