5 Things to Remember before You Go to Your First 12-Step Meeting
Going to a 12-Step meeting can open up the door to a whole new world for someone new to recovery. It provides confirmation that there is a community of people in recovery who are also working to get and stay sober, and that no one has to be alone in the process.
The world of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, however, is truly a unique world unto itself. Newcomers may be a little unsure of “the rules” and some of the language that is understood by those who attend regularly.
Here are a few things to know to help you get started:
1. Peer support groups and 12-Step meetings do not constitute a treatment program. Though attending 12-Step meetings regularly can be hugely helpful in the process of setting up a new life for yourself in recovery, they do not take the place of a treatment program. There are no treatment professionals on staff; in fact, there is no staff at all. Rather, there are volunteers — other people in recovery who take on roles for short periods at a time. Tasks include running a meeting, finding speakers, and choosing topics depending on the style of the meeting.
2. A lot of different personalities take part. Some meetings are open only to those who are in recovery while others are open to supportive friends and family members. In all cases, however, there is often a mix of people who have all had very different experiences before, during, and after addiction as well as different drugs of choice and different amounts of “clean time,” or time spent without using substances of any kind. You will not get along with or identify with everyone.
3. Every meeting has a different “vibe.” There are a range of different styles of meetings. Some focus on the Big Book or stories of people in recovery from alcoholism, others look at a particular step, and others just open the conversation to different topics in recovery. They may last anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Some meetings are designated for a specific gender; some are designed specifically for a certain population like the LGBTQ community, and others are open to the public. There are some meetings that are primarily attended by older people with a lot of clean time or younger people who know each other well. It is a good idea to explore different ones until you find a few where you feel comfortable with the “regulars.”
4. No cross talk. “Cross talk” refers to responding to someone’s share with your own share, speaking to them or their individual experience directly. Also, “newcomer” describes you, “old timer” describes those who have been in the program for a while, and “triggered” means anything that makes someone want to relapse. If you are uncertain of what something means, don’t be afraid to ask.
5. “Take what you need and leave the rest.” There may be some useful things you hear at a meeting as well as plenty that provides no immediate value. There’s a saying that alludes to the fact that this is true for everyone. Like all attendees, you are encouraged to “take what you need and leave the rest.”
Not a Replacement for Treatment
If you find that you are not able to stay sober for any length of time despite attending 12-Step meetings and attempting to work the steps, treatment can help. For firefighters who are ready to lay a solid foundation in recovery, American Addiction Centers offers the First Responder Lifeline Program, a program dedicated to:
· Providing firefighters with a treatment plan designed to meet their needs
· Identifying and treating trauma-related disorders that are common among firefighters
· Providing support to family members who are interested in being a positive part of the recovery process
· Connecting firefighters with therapists and treatment professionals who are trained to work with first responders
· Assisting with the reintegration process
Can American Addiction Centers help you get started in recovery? Call us today at (888) 731-FIRE (3473) for more information.
