Meetings and New Experiences

[sunflowersam]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this site. So I'm in the IOP (intensive outpatient program) at my local hospital, and we are required to attend 3 meetings a week, wether it be AA, NA, etc. I'm only able to make 2 this week so I'm hoping to get feedback so this can count as a virtual meeting. I have been diagnosed with chronic depression, and I get super anxious going to places I have never been before (going to meetings). I know that I have to go, it's just a matter of getting off the couch and going. It makes me nervous- What if I can't find the location? What if someone that I know is there and judging me? I recognize that these are a bunch of "what if" statements, and that I probably overthinking this whole situation. I was wondering how some of you guys motivate yourselves to do new things, go new places, meet new people. I need to find a way to motivate myself to be successful in my recovery, and right now I'm just not feeling it. Thank you in advance!

[TommieHelps]

Hil sunflowersam. I have used 12 step meetings for a few years to keep myself mentally healthy. I hear you with your concerns of going to new places and being with new people. It is scary on a good day, impossible on a bad one(for me). The best thing about 12 step meetings, meaning NA and AA, is the A part. Who goes to a meeting and what is said there is supposed to be kept ANONOMOUS, meaning you should not see it on social media or hear about it at the local coffee shop. So, look up the AA website and find open meetings in your area. Pick one in a familiar location and go. Open meetings are for learning about the program, so listen and learn. You will find alot of free resources at a meeting, like a list of meetings and other literature. AA deals with alcoholism, but I find it helps me with my mental health. Now here's the tricky part...for some.....I am not an alcoholic, but I go to AA. The only "requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking". So that is how I introduce myself(e.g. My name is ------and I don't want to drink anymore) You see, with my meds, I shouldn't drink, sometimes I do want to, but I know I can't. Right there is the struggle everyone in AA has to deal with. I hope this helps. There are also online AA meetings. Google it.

[sunflowersam in reply to TommieHelps]

Thank you for your advice. I actually went to NA tonight and enjoyed it. It's where I should be going and working with my issues. I'm still interested in AA but I think for now, at least at the beginning of my recovery, is to figure out how to deal with my drug addictions and why it's important to stop.

[copasedic]

Hi Sunflowersam!

Welcome and thank you for sharing 😊 You'll hear that a lot. For your issue of not wanting to go out and do things, I had the same problem, still struggle with it. I've found that the things I'm most anxious of turn out to be very enjoyable. Go ahead, take that first step! What's the worst that could happen? Missing out would be the bigger tragedy.