What are /r/alcoholicsanonymous' favorite Products & Services?

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Before we got married, my wife had two "stalkers" like this. Annoying, creepy, but nothing criminal. One had a traumatic brain injury and the other guy had a different disorder. Subtle hints that she was not interested did nothing. She never tried the direct approach, and I'm not sure that it would have worked. Cognitive dissonance was big with these guys.

Gavin de Becker is a security expert, and in his book he says many of these types of guys are clueless, but harmless. Of course, some cross the line to harmful. His recommendation was to starve the stalker of any attention until they shifted their focus elsewhere. He found that threats or restraining orders were counter productive in most situations.

This is a book about battling addiction but using psychological archetypes ans creativity instead of religion: Witness to the Fire: Creativity and the Veil of Addiction https://www.amazon.com/dp/0877735883/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CKZRNSVJSJTGKAHJZNS9

A staunch agnostic, 14+ years sober, well and truly recovered (I hope!), I still cringe a bit when reading or hearing what I perceive of as fawning, almost drooling, holy roller exclamations of love for and fealty toward GOD.

But some of the things I've taken on in the recovery process are (I hope!) open mindedness and tolerance toward religion and religious people. I think that has real value. "Be quick to see where religious people are right." - page 87.

I also find that at the very least, a conception of god is an invaluable tool in recovery and in day to day life.

One little tip I've shared that some have found useful: I've never needed to pin down any precise or definite conception of a god or gods in order to make progress in recovery; simply acknowledging that I am not God, and that some sort of higher power could help with recovery seems to have done the trick. (And my conceptions in this matter vary, mutate, and perhaps evolve continuously.)

https://www.amazon.com/Staying-Sober-Without-God-Alcoholism-ebook/dp/B07MBVCS29 - looks like it could be an interesting book, I'll put it on my list - thanks!

My sponsor and I read books to each other most weeks during our weekly meeting, and so far it's mostly been general service approved, but we're running low on that, so we're kind of thinking one of Sandy Beach's books next, or perhaps the dreaded service manual (lol - I just remember checking it out once in early recovery, my then sponsor and I agreeing "Way, way boring!")

There is also a list of potentially helpful books here: https://aaagnostica.org/literature-3/

Thanks for sharing. Sorry if I pontificated too much above :)

Zoom user quick start

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362033-Getting-Started-on-Windows-and-Mac seems to cover it well.

But it's pretty much:

1. Download the app from https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting or your preferred app store.

2. Find a meeting you want to join, note its meeting ID and any password

3. Launch the app and click Join - enter the meeting ID, your name or "handle", and then the password if there is one. Real first name and last initial are the most commonly used handles.

When you start to join, you're prompted about whether or not you want to turn on the computer camera and microphone. You can also turn them on or off while in the meeting.

When in the meeting, there are buttons on the bottom of the window that only become visible when you hover the mouse in that area. (This info from a Windows PC user - tablets, Macs, phones may vary - Chromebooks area about the same.) They include mute/unmute microphone, Video on/off, a "Participants" button, and a "Chat" button.

• The "Participants" button brings up a window on the side showing a list of the people in the meeting, and is useful where one can "Raise Hand" - raise a virtual hand in some meetings. Recent updates to the Zoom app on MS Windows (and presumably other platforms) have moved the "Raise Hand" function to a "Reactions" button along the bottom section of the app's window.

• The "Chat" button brings up a text chat window, used in various ways in different meetings - sometimes it's just general babble, "Hi Tony!" and sometimes it's used to convey meeting information like sponsorship contacts, links to AA websites and such. At some meetings this is disabled to avoid distractions.

HTH.

Personally love this one:

Anyone Anywhere AA

We are a non-geographic, audio-only, AA group that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 pm EST and Wednesdays at 8:30 pm EST. Our Tuesday/Thursday meeting is a story discussion and our Wednesday meeting is a literature reading discussion​. All meetings are audio conference calls that can be accessed by telephone or online using the Zoom app (please disable your video before joining).  To join via Zoom, click on this link:

Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/9739556491

Or install the Zoom app and manually enter: Meeting ID: 973-955-6491

Or by t​elephone dial one of the numbers below and enter Meeting ID: 973-955-6491:       +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll)    +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll)    +61 (0) 2 8015 2088 (Australia Toll)    +1 647 558 0588 (Canada Toll)    +52 554 161 4288 (Mexico Toll)    +64 (0) 9 801 1188 (New Zealand Toll) Other International Dial-in Numbers: https://zoom.us/zoomconference

IIf you have any questions about the meeting, please contact: 

And with that I wrote an app while I was in recovery to stay sober. It has links to meeting rooms and rehab centers across the US. Apologize for the shameless plug but it's living proof even an ex-drunk dumb ass like me can do anything when sober. Stay zSober.
Here’s the apple version.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zsober/id1564402310
Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rooms.rehabilitation

If you have an Android phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide&hl=en_US

I'm sure it's on iOS too. I use it when I'm in the mood for meetings and it's never failed me.

A lot of people I know started out going to 2 or 3 meetings per day, said that's what kept them sober early on: a meeting every few hours and no drinks between meetings.

With all the online meetings available these days, that's easier than ever!

Seems there's always an online meeting about to start somewhere.

This web site/page seems to pull up meetings that are just about to start by default:

• https://aa-intergroup.org/oiaa/meetings/

It also adjusts for your local time zone, assuming your browser passes that info along.

Meeting I'm seeing coming along in about 17 minutes:

> 164 and Beyond - Online Meeting Friday 8:00 pm

> We are a closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous hosted by the Remote Communities Committee of District 40 - Area 79 BC/Yukon. We have increased our capacity to 1000 attendees.

> https://zoom.us/j/2316225487

> Call in from any phone:

> Dial: +1 415 762 9988 (US Toll)

> Zoom Meeting ID: 231 622 5487

I'm on day 5. Just like the other comment suggested, maybe try hopping in a meeting to see what you think. Here's the one I'm in right now: https://zoom.us/j/84053554493 ... code is: 853263

People in active addiction and early recovery typically exhibit a lot of symptoms of depression and other mental illness.

However this is typically the result of the massive chemical changes being induced by the drugs or sudden cessation and lack of drugs known as post acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).

So, it’s a reasonable thing for OP to consider coming off psych meds. I just hope this was done in careful collaboration with a therapist/physician.

Some people in AA/NA think that any substance that changes the way you think or feel makes you not sober and maybe that’s a fair stance... but if you have a legitimate mental illness do not let some people without Ph.D’s tell you to get off your meds.

EDIT: For clarity. People who are using alcohol/drugs and those who are early in recovery (first year and a half or so) may exhibit symptoms of depression and other mental illnesses (such as generalized anxiety disorder), but may not actually have those mental illnesses. Check out the symptoms of depression versus the symptoms of post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome.

Also as a side note PAWS is not limited just to drugs. It affects those who used alcohol as well.

International Zoom:

Worldwide 24/7 Marathon Zoom meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/144108372,

Password is 750583.

People are there 24 hours a
day from all over the world.

First thing that occurs to me is to wonder if there's any good purpose for seeking out Scruffs. With some things of this sort, it strikes me that it's just as well to "let it go." Are you prepared for (what I think is) the likelihood that your search will be unavailing?

Possibly not a big deal, but possibly worth a touch of 11^th step and a chat with your sponsor.

Otherwise you might check out r/Seattle or https://nextdoor.com - I'm not highly familiar with Nextdoor but have a sense that it's geographically oriented.

I use the myTuner app: https://mytuner-radio.com There’s a podcast station called SoberCast which has a new speaker uploaded every day and there are lots to choose from. With the app I can listen to it without having to keep the app maximized like YouTube. Sister Bee is one of my favorites, so funny! She’s on YouTube too.

> The app: Meeting Guide (blue background with a white chair) is for in person meetings near you!

• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide

• https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meeting-guide/id1042822181

Cool, thanks for the info. Is this the version you think you have? If so, I might just give it a shot.

https://www.amazon.com/Alcoholics-Annotated-Study-Press-ebook/dp/B001UQ71CI/ref=cm\_cr\_arp\_d\_product\_top?ie=UTF8

For my sobriety and mental health, I use a mix of AA along with other things outside of AA to keep my mental health well rounded. I am lucky enough to have my health insurance cover therapy, and I have been reading books about interpersonal relationships and how to navigate them (this book is literally changing my life right now). I do think going to meetings is important. Staying connected with fellow AA members who are working steps is a great way to build a support system of friends who align with your sobriety goals . But, I think there is more to life than completely putting all of my eggs in one basket. AA is helpful for my sobriety and connection and reminding me that I am indeed an alcoholic, but therapy has helped me deal with trauma I've faced in the past, and reading books has help me navigate more specific things like habit building, interpersonal relationships, etc. Find a well rounded balance for the life you want to live. That might mean looking outside of AA for other kinds of help :) Also, if you don't click with your sponsor, it might be time to find a new one. I look forward to seeing and speaking with my sponsor, and I don't think I could've made it through the steps if I didn't like my sponsor.

So from my personal experience with recovery, I had to prioritize my emotional sobriety if I was going to stay sober of drugs and alcohol. I'm sad that the Big Book doesn't really talk about emotional sobriety that much because I think it's a massive massive part of staying sober and sticking with your program. I work another 12 step called CoDependents Anonymous and it addresses literally everything you said you're struggling with. Especially not feeling wanted or loved by others or yourself. Keeping this stuff to yourself is a huge burden to carry and I'm glad you reached out here, but you'd be surprised just how many other people in recovery feel the exact same way that you do.

Also I couldn't manage my recovery without a therapist. I have quite a few mental health issues (mainly CPTSD) but I used to drink/use to cope with those symptoms. So throughout my sobriety I've had to deal with some pretty serious things like severe social isolation, depressive episodes, super harsh inner critic, constantly stressed and feeling on the verge of a mental breakdown etc. Working CoDA and AA and with my therapist AND with the help of some amazing medicine, I'm able to manage all of these things.

There's also a FABULOUS book called Stage 2 Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction that talks about everything you're struggling with. Sometimes we don't realize just how much other stuff comes up when we're sober and we don't always have the tools to deal with it. This book helped me SO SO SO much and I literally recommend it to everyone in recovery. Here's a link for the book on amazon.

You are totally and completely not alone, and I'm really glad you shared how you're feeling here. It's best to not let these thoughts fester in your head alone

There was book published in 1930 called "The Common Sense of Alcoholism" written by Richard Peabody some 5 years before Bill and Hank wrote "Alcoholics Anonymous". It included exercise in the section entitled "Cure made effective". You can still buy a copy on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-drinking-Richard-Peabody/dp/1453886257

Peabody had quite a lot of success with it but there was no spiritual dimension to his program. He managed to stay sober for 15 years but he died a drunk.

It's called AA Speakers Free at the play store. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have anything similar for iPhone, I've been looking for a sponsee (that's free, of course, because she's broke lol). The Joe and Charlie Big Book study app for iPhone someone listed above looks like a good option, though, and is also part of the Android app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marnistek.aaspeakersfree

If you're on android the app is here,

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ibyteapps.joeandcharliefree

If you need more direction and support than he is willing to give then I would say getting a new sponsor to help you through the steps is sensible - your sobriety is paramount.

It does come in other years!!! This is my fav color https://www.amazon.com/Medallion-Tri-Plate-Transition-Swarovski-Crystal/dp/B079WJ3SYH/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1536408765&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=aa+medallions+3+years&dpPl=1&dpID=615goZk%2B29L&ref=plSrch

Tell us how it goes! I've been in your situation many times. In my town, we had a central office where members were paying themselves a salary and misusing funds. They were taking donations from meetings and buying personal items.

Honestly, I hope you say something. These days I turn to the Big Book and AA history for answers. As God's people we stand on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone. In the beginning days, there was a tremendous amount of infighting, especially between the Akron, Cleveland and New York groups, and it's only obliquely referred to in the Foreword to the Second Edition. But it's there. (xviii, paragraph 2.)

Among other things, turns out Roman Catholic priests would not allow members of their flock to go to AA meetings. And Bill Wilson did not call the groups "Alcoholics Anonymous." The person who coined that phrase threatened to start his own group and called himself the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. A lot of our modern ideas such as "meeting attendance," "sponsorship," and "rotation of leadership" were created out of that maelstrom.

Bill Wilson held the very first international conference at that time, a previously unheard of idea and against the counsel of all his close advisors. He revealed the Traditions for the first time and it was voted on. By the alcoholics in attendance. Dr. Bob gave his final talk at that same conference and died a few months later.

I think I read these stories in this book, which you should pick up. It's been years and I still haven't finished it :)

I don't know about getting into AA -- as everyone says, people kind of have to want to go themselves.

However, as far as getting people into treatment for alcohol use disorder, there is always an intervention!

Interventions are actually not generally super successful, a more successful thing is CRAFT (community reinforcement and family treatment).

You can find a therapist that knows about it. You can also learn about it yourself.

https://helpingfamilieshelp.com/about-craft

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-Loved-One-Sober/dp/1592850812/ref=asc_df_1592850812/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=266076169372&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8172989352074111730&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&h...

You can access I’m An Alcoholic – Inside Recovery in the US through these quick steps by using a VPN. We recommend using ExpressVPN for unblocking geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer.

Select a VPN service that is optimized for streaming.

Download and the VPN and connect to a UK server.

Log in to BBC iPlayer.

Find I’m An Alcoholic – Inside Recovery and stream it no matter where you are!

I give this to all my sponsees. It helps and it uses the info from the big book so you aren't really getting away from AA by using it.

https://www.amazon.com/Pleasure-Unwoven-Explanation-Disease-Addiction/dp/B003AC98V2

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332380591_The_Disease_of_Addiction_-_A_Twenty-first_Century_Understanding_and_Beyond

Definitely suggest this one https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Sobriety-Frontier-Selected-Grapevine/dp/0933685572/ref=asc_df_0933685572/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241916856624&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15555045656894227686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&h...

If either of you have a smartphone, download the app meetings guide and type in your zip code. It will give you a list of meetings in a certain mile radius.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide

You missed the point. We are 100% in control of our dis ease. Check out the Buddhist Nun’s book :

https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Leap-Freeing-Ourselves-Habits/dp/1611806836/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=54748203983&gclid=CjwKCAjws--ZBhAXEiwAv-RNL8g1_zFFUVp7_dOWRfe_j0JlC-lsOYUvRtcaaUWwVI8ibmuiPgRsIhoCxAwQAvD_BwE&hvadid=617073837754&hvdev=m&...

Look into what where the steps came from the truth is in who is really anonymous in AA. AA was born out of the Oxford group a Christian organization. The 4th and 5th come from the book of James most meetings are in the basement of what kind of building? Bill Wilson's sponsor was a priest named Ed Dowling.

The AA big book has its roots in the book of James and the Bible AA was born out of the Oxford group a Christian organization. The big book mentions priests and religious leaders and not sponsors. Bill W's sponsor was a Roman catholic priest named Ed Dowling. The saint Francis prayer is from Catholic Saint Francis of Assisi. The 4 and 5th step is repentance and confession and prescribed in the Bible. James 5:16

The only anonymous one in AA is Jesus Christ. Most of the old timers with solid sobriety still go to church. I see them there. Why go to a God of your understanding? Your understanding got you to the rooms in the first place.

There were temperance groups and charities to help alcoholics. The innovation of AA was that the drunks helped each other.

There is a good history of AA called "Not God" which gives some of the background.

https://www.amazon.com/Not-God-Alcoholics-Ernest-Kurtz/dp/0894860658

aa big book This app has virtual meetings that use video chat, you can participate or just sit in if your not comfortable at first. Wish you the best.

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Awakening-Dan-Sherman/dp/0971304009

I personally got a ton out of this workbook. I felt like I read the book over and over again and really didn’t get much out of it until I went through this and basically looked at each sentence as a question.

Also why doesn’t your sponsor want to hear from you?

In addition to the Joe and Charlie tapes: https://silkworth.net/aa/audio-books/joe-charlie/ my favorite book for doing the steps is A Program For You. For people in the US, an Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Program-You-Guide-Design-Living/dp/0894867415/

Literacy is definitely a problem, but it’s a problem in the US too; when I was in the deep south, we helped people who could not read do the program as written in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.

One option is to have more literate people read the literature.

The AA Big Book is, of course, translated in to Spanish, and newer editions even go to a lot of effort to have the page numbers be mostly the same between the English and Spanish versions. Even non-AA-approved literature has been translated in to Spanish; I once used a Spanish translation of A Program for You along with a Spanish Big Book to work the 12 steps in this workshop we had after meetings (OK, I cheated and downloaded an English version which I put on my Kindle).

The 5^th step gave me a moral compass, and it helped me to learn how to no longer be a victim of circumstance, but instead be someone who can become a better person through the help of a higher power I choose to call God.

The first time, I had to fire my sponsor who wasn’t working the program, so did the 5^th with a sponsor.

The second and third times, I did the 5^th with a sponsor. The third time I did the 5^th, I did it with the help of the Joe and Charlie tapes and the book A Program For You: A Guide To the Big Book's Design For Living, which I the guide book I use along with the 164 to do the steps.

The fourth and fifth times, I could not find a sponsor so, since I had already done the steps three times, I did the 5^th with a casual acquaintance who I knew would keep things confidential (same person both times).

Try to set smart goals. That is small, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound. Journaling is tough as it takes time and effort so if it at all seems daunting perhaps set a goal to 'write one short sentence in my journal every evening'. Or to start even write a sentence in your journal at least once a week and then once you have that.

My problem is being so disorganized I tend to either forget or get distracted and once I miss the goal once I tend to get derailed. I am trying habitica.com and we will see how that goes but I might have set too many goals.

Taking things seriously this year. I am forty and been single for two years and in between jobs for almost a year and well it is not a very satisfying life - but I know if I just commit to this and approach rather than avoid more challenging things I can be sober and I know beyond a doubt my life will be many times better. Doing motivation exercises on Noom and actually feel hopeful (my higher power who I call God tends to talk to me through the mental health community). I just have to have faith that happiness waits right around the corner and not give up five minutes before the miracle happens.

Hi, Whit:

Just a reminder that that aabookclub meeting is this evening (Thursdays @ 7:00 PM Central time | Zoom ID 867 6227 5378). At the last meeting, one of the members commented how, at an earlier, different meeting someone had lamented about the lousy relapse and failure rates for those of us in AA. This bookclub member complained that he thought the successful recovery rate is much higher than is popularly believed. He found this report: NPR Real Addition Numbers, and this 6-minute radio report will be the subject of tonight's meeting.

Hope to see you there.

Best regards,

Wes

This is the one I ordered and use. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NJ8LJ8Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I then drill a very small hole at the top of the medallion and use clear fishing line to hang it.

> Are these coins hard enough for some people to source that I should try to get it to a local chapter, or should I just toss it?

Just toss it. You can get one on Amazon for $2.99.

Believing In Myself: Self Esteem Daily Meditations https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671766163/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_32H6A7XN14JM01XHMR9F

The title of this book ^^ is super corny… but it was given to me by one of my counselors at one of my IOP’s. I found it very encouraging. Daily readers are great.

My sponsor has me read 84-88 every morning. I actually recorded myself reading it so I can plug in my headphones and listen as I get ready for the day. It has probably been the most helpful practice I have found. Setting an intention for the day- to be a good person. Forgiving myself for harms I know I’ve done to people, but staying in and focusing on the day, what I can do today. How I can be a decent person today.

You’re sober today, which is miles away from most people, so you should be proud of yourself for having the courage to do that for yourself. Congratulate yourself for the little victories, even if no one else notices. And ask other people how they are doing - show genuine care for others’ lives and journeys… you’ll be amazed how good it feels after a while.

Yeahhh there’s only one person being condescending here OP, and it’s you.

This book may help. But neither you nor your husband will get very far trying to recreate a program that’s been around for decades. Growth is uncomfortable, might as well get used to it.

https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Reprieve-Atheists-Agnostics/dp/1974024571

You mean info on the use of the Zoom app/service itself? I put this together a few months ago ...

Zoom user quick start

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362033-Getting-Started-on-Windows-and-Mac seems to cover it well.

But it's pretty much:

1. Download the app from https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting or your preferred app store.

2. Find a meeting you want to join, note its meeting ID and any password

3. Launch the app and click Join - enter the meeting ID, your name or "handle", and then the password if there is one. Real first name and last initial are the most commonly used handles.

When you start to join, you're prompted about whether or not you want to turn on the computer camera and microphone. You can also turn them on or off while in the meeting.

When in the meeting, there are buttons on the bottom of the window that only become visible when you hover the mouse in that area. (This info from a Windows PC user - tablets, Macs, phones may vary - Chromebooks area about the same.) They include mute/unmute microphone, Video on/off, a "Participants" button, and a "Chat" button.

• The "Participants" button brings up a window on the side showing a list of the people in the meeting, and is useful where one can "Raise Hand" - raise a virtual hand in some meetings. Recent updates to the Zoom app on MS Windows (and presumably other platforms) have moved the "Raise Hand" function to a "Reactions" button along the bottom section of the app's window.

• The "Chat" button brings up a text chat window, used in various ways in different meetings - sometimes it's just general babble, "Hi Tony!" and sometimes it's used to convey meeting information like sponsorship contacts, links to AA websites and such. At some meetings this is disabled to avoid distractions.

HTH.

It's commonly referred to as the "Big Book" but the literal name of the book is "Alcoholics Anonymous". This one here. Most AA meetings would have a copy of the book to freely give out to newcomers.

The 5th Dimension Young People's Group of AA is a speaker & discussion meeting that meets every Night at 8:30PM CST/9:30PM EST.

The Wednesday meeting includes an ASL interpreter - the Monday meeting does not. We also have a secret Facebook group for building community. If you'd like an invite, you will need to send a friend request to one of us so we can add you. Come to a meeting and friend a member!

Recommended - join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/687118144 Call in from iPhone with just one-tap (US Toll): 14157629988,687118144# Call in from any phone: Dial: +1 415 762 9988 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 687 118 144 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=Akyatn05hff4G99JWsQeTBITbupMmKBH

If it's technical information you're asking about ...

^(If not, ignore this reply! 😊)

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362033-Getting-Started-on-Windows-and-Mac seems to cover it well.

But it's pretty much:

1. Download the app from https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting or your preferred app store.

2. Find a meeting you want to join, note its meeting ID and any password

3. Launch the app and click Join - enter the meeting ID, your name or "handle", and then the password if there is one. Real first name and last initial are the most commonly used handles.

When you start to join, you're prompted about whether or not you want to turn on the computer camera and microphone. You can also turn them on or off while in the meeting.

When in the meeting, there are buttons on the bottom of the window that only become visible when you hover the mouse in that area. (This info from a Windows PC user - tablets, Macs, phones may vary - Chromebooks area about the same.) They include mute/unmute microphone, Video on/off, a "Participants" button, and a "Chat" button.

• The "Participants" button brings up a window on the side showing a list of the people in the meeting, and is useful where one can "Raise Hand" - raise a virtual hand in some meetings.

• The "Chat" button brings up a text chat window, used in various ways in different meetings - sometimes it's just general babble, "Hi Tony!" and sometimes it's used to convey meeting information like sponsorship contacts, links to AA websites and such.

HTH.

Two quick thoughts:

First, YES it is normal, but for most people things get better. How long that takes depends on the person. I used to drink whenever I was uncomfortable. I didn't know that my emotional state would level off and improve without alcohol -- I always drank before that could happen! Today I have my bad days but I get through them without drinking.

Second, my local AA Fellowship has a Living Sober meeting on Zoom, Fridays at 5:30 PM Pacific Time. Living Sober is a book written for newcomers and offers practical examples on breaking the alcohol habit.

What you are doing takes enormous courage, I'm so glad you posted here.

Online meetings: http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php

Your regional AA website might also list online meetings.

Most online meetings are done via an app called Zoom, download from https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting

Read all this again when you sober up a little bit :)

Yes, it runs on Android, IOS, MS Windows, Chromebook, and probably more.

Should be able to find it via an app store or https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting

It's a little bit nicer on a PC/Tablet/notebook, but it seems to work on phones very much well enough.

I recall feeling somewhat glum when my homegroup, for the first time in its over 20 year history, canceled its meeting (at the request of the church hosts) in mid-March.

Next week, we were up and running on Zoom, and it was all quite awkward - people were scribbling weird shit on the screen until the hosts sorted out how to disable that, the speaker didn't want to share video, so it sort of felt like I was just listening to a speaker talk, not a meeting. I kind of felt like, "I don't think this is going to work out..."

But it very quickly turned around, and things continue to improve in this new environment. Sure I miss the in-person meetings, the handshakes, the hugs, the feel of energy in the crowd, but there are compensations such as being able to transcend geography and be able to drop into meetings all over.

> While our literature has preserved the integrity of the A.A. message, sweeping changes in society as a whole are reflected in new customs and practices within the Fellowship. Taking advantage of technological advances, for example, A.A. members with computers can participate in meetings online, sharing with fellow alcoholics across the country or around the world. In any meeting, anywhere, A.A.’s share experience, strength, and hope with each other, in order to stay sober and help other alcoholics. Modem-to-modem or face-to-face, A.A.’s speak the language of the heart in all its power and simplicity.

— From Foreword to Fourth Edition

Zoom can be downloaded from https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting

Like CharitySufferethLong said, http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php

Also just search various regional websites for online meetings.

Zoom can be downloaded from https://zoom.us/

Most of the meetings I go to include something along the lines of "If you need a sponsor..." stay online after the meeting, or send email to, or send a chat message, but I'm guessing many meetings do not.

A lot of meetings actually start the Zoom session 10-30 minutes early. Try joining the meeting 10-30 minutes early and mention that you're looking for a sponsor. You'll probably trade phone numbers and arrange a time for a first call. It ain't a big deal. My first meeting with a new guy, I tell my story, I listen to his story, and we make preliminary arrangements to meet, read the big book, and do the steps - mileage varies person-to-person, for instance, I've sponsored a couple of guys in halfway houses that were functionally illiterate (they both disappeared within 2 steps or 30 days.)

The steps include help for depression and anxiety, though the terminology is a bit different.

There are thousands, more likely at least tens of thousands of AA meetings online these days. Many or most regional AA websites have lists of online meetings, and there's a large list at http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php

Most of the online meetings are done via an app called Zoom, can be downloaded from https://zoom.us/ (turning your camera on is nearly always optional - perhaps you can strike out "nearly" and just say "always optional".)

BTW, I'm a staunch agnostic and have been quite able to work the program irrespective of all the "God" talk. Sober a bit over 14 years and happy as heaven with that.

It kind of sounds like drinking's getting rather unpleasant for you and you might want to do what we've done to quit and get our lives onto a good path.

HTH.

Most (all?) Zoom meetings offer a phone-in option. (Don't know if this "A.A. big book app" lists those. Pretty sure that the app doesn't come directly from the AA organization itself.)

Zoom (https://zoom.us/) has apps for smartphones and tablets as well as desktop/laptop platforms.

In addition to the Big Book, one bit of conferenced approved AA literature to help us with day to day living sober (e.g. sleeping problems, all too common when we sober up) is the book Living Sober.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Sober/dp/0916856046/ or if you don’t like funding Jeff Bezos’s exportation of space [1] https://www.aa.org/living-sober

[1] AA has no opinion on this matter, since it’s an “outside issue”. It’s a lively debate whether or not AA’s own success rate is an “outside issue”

Try Joe and Charlie app. It's great. Keep you occupied while you work. Also when you go home if you can't make a meeting try finding one on zoom there are meetings there 24/7 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ibyteapps.joeandcharliefree&hl=en_GB

One book that helped me with a lot of the issues you are struggling with that caused me to drink was, "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz.

AA has no doctrines, no creed, no statement of beliefs, so there’s not much to indoctrinate someone with in AA. It is God as we understood him and I have seen atheists, Buddhists, non-theists, Christians, and Islamic people effectively do the 12 steps to improve their lives.

Also, there are no membership dues or fees, the most we ask is for $2 to be put in the basket when the 7^th tradition is passed around and under $20 for the Big Book.

Welcome! I am about nine months sober and would highly recommend an AA Zoom meeting I go to every night at 10 pm EST. Great speakers and shares. You can also get a temporary sponsor there to help you. It's been a life saver for many.

One Day at a Time

https://zoom.us/jd s/773878425

Meeting 10pm every night

Password: 121212

My preference is still local online meetings. Find your local intergroup via https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-aa-resources and check their website for online meetings and/or give them a call.

Supposedly one can simply download Zoom from https://zoom.us/ and search for meetings via the app, but I've not done that and kind of prefer to stick to meetings more directly connected to 'official' AA intergroups (but y'all be as autonomous as y'all like!)

It's also kind of fun to wander around now that there are few geographic limitations, so one might drop into AA meetings hosted in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Miami.

Hope that helps ...

My preference is still local online meetings. Find your local intergroup via https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-aa-resources and check their website for online meetings and/or give them a call.

Supposedly one can simply download Zoom from https://zoom.us/ and search for meetings via the app, but I've not done that and kind of prefer to stick to meetings more directly connected to 'official' AA intergroups (but y'all be as autonomous as y'all like!)

It's also kind of fun to wander around now that there are few geographic limitations, so one might drop into AA meetings hosted in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Miami.

It's a bit all over the map.

Some meetings have passwords, some don't.

Sometimes the passwords are published on websites, sometimes they aren't.

I've seen some listings where they were asking people to send an email requesting the password.

Sometimes I've noticed I'm able to get into a meeting via its Zoom URL where it looked to me like the Meeting ID and Password as published didn't work. For example (a fictional example) https://zoom.us/j/759908860?pwd=VlNDZDJUVEtadXFtSHZxY0Z3VVc5Zz09

Visit us at "Sober Mario Bros" Discord. Gamer and non Gamers, AA, and NA meetings everyday.

150+ Members https://discord.com/invite/Ht6mzmb
We talk about life, sports, games, computers, hobbies, everything in between. Someone is always online.

Interesting mixed reviews at https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/intherooms.com

> Horrible site! Within minutes of opening my account with InTheRooms, and before I had the opportunity to add any information to my profile, I received countless emails from people who (judging from their suggestive profile pictures) were using InTheRooms as more of a dating site. Within a week of opening my account I received an email from InTheRooms administrators scolding me for not being available to assist another site member who was at risk if relapsing. NOT healthy! TOTAL meat market!

> I am comfortable with this site, they always acknowledge my recovery dates and give me warm wishes for every new year that I achieved in staying clean. I don't chat much I do check in daily to read the new message each day. I listened to one of the shows that had on the air, there was just one thing I was not to excited with the speaker using profanity while speaking live. Other then that I am fine with INTHEROOMS.

> You get what you pay for. This is not a proper 12 step service, this place has a bunch of people selling books on how to quit drinking and using by plagiarizing the big book. They got Internet begging and over all watered down 12 step service. they kick people out of the AA meetings for smoking vapes whiles on camera yet allow the chair person to? a lot of step 13 going on and over all i would say if intherooms.com got shut down, the 12 step world would be a better place. if you say the word sober whiles in the NA room they kick you out, so much for free speech. if you download the agreement to join, you will also notice intherooms.com files everything you say and can give it out to whoever they want, of course they say they do not sell info but they do not empathise trading with the authorities and government.

If you have a gsuite account (gmail for corporate, education, etc) you can use meet.google.com to setup video/phone conferencing for up to 250 people. Only the host needs to have a Google account, everyone else can dial in from anywhere (recommend a VPN'd incognito tab for best anonymity, but will work regardless)

search "zoom app" rather than just zoom. zoom is a common word so who knows what google was finding for you.

Here is the website: https://zoom.us/download

and here is a tutorial in case your still lost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTSJ0YDoF7o

Sonoma County Online Group - DAILY meetings DAILY: 7am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm, 7pm (room open 24/7) Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/5159624728 One tap mobile: +16699006833,,5159624728#

Need facilitators for each day and time slot! Please email to volunteer.

Keep on trudging and recognize this is an experience of staying sober to add to your repertoire. You can

Reach out via PM if you need to! Sometimes just writing out your feelings and thoughts helps you out if you can’t get to a meeting.

There’s a virtual meeting tonight at 10pm EST if you need it: https://zoom.us/j/8864590234

Thanks for being a part of my sobriety today.

https://zoom.us/j/9739556491

we meet tuesdays and thursdays at 10:30 pm. and you can just download the Zoom app on your phone click that link, or copy/paste it into your browser and it'll redirect you into the app. the room opens up at 10 or 10:15, i can't remember. there's another meeting tomorrow night at 9:30 with the same app but through a different group. i might log on tonight to that one.. good luck. :)

It’s around 2% for staying sober for 1 year some people are so filled with fear and learned helplessness that the program forces on you ,they stay sober .good for them . What helped me stay away from meth was meditation ,getting really into working out ,being in nature going on hikes changing my environment, gardening ,walking my dog and hanging out with people everyday and just being a good friend .when I was on meth all I did was isolate but all those things that I listed helped massively with my depression .aa doesn’t address depression enough that’s why it doesn’t work for most addicts and that’s okay it does work for some people but scolding everyone who doesn’t think like you do is a little crazy.this book helped me so much it’s a book about addiction and depression https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/1408878690 I read it in rehab and it’s really helped me check it out . I haven’t put a needle in my arm in years and I’m happy that’s all that matters .

I like NOMO, Sober Time, and ESPECIALLY recommend AA 12 Step Toolkit. Toolkit is a few bucks to eliminate the ads, but it really helps with daily reflections, inventories, and helping keep track of everything. Plus I like the push notifications with encouraging messages.

I have found the daily readings in Beyond Belief great.

As one review says,

"Joe Cs book "Beyond Belief" is, without question, the best book of dailyreadings I've run across. It's a staple of my daily practice, and Ihave recommended it widely and without reservation, both in person andthrough my own writing. There is no mystical b.s., no pseudo-spiritualpreaching, and it's easy to read and understand. Every day brings someclear thought and insight into my recovery. It's not so much that whathe has to say is new (some of the ideas, in fact, are very, very oldindeed), but that it is presented in portions of just the right size to digest"

Are you referring to the workbook by Dan Sherman?

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Awakening-Dan-Sherman/dp/0971304009

Most of the replies seem to assume that you're asking about the big book "Alcoholics Anonymous" and I'm guessing it's this other book.

(Only used the big book and 12&12 myself, no workbooks or other such things.)

Great news! Best of luck to you!

Don’t be afraid to request and take a short cycle of benzodiazepines to get you through the discomfort. I’m definitely not saying that you won’t have withdrawal symptoms. Plan for 2-3 days of sleep and discomfort. Take a couple days off work. Plan for a 4 day weekend. Get a good blood pressure monitor and check yourself frequently (just about all they do at a detox center (check my blood pressure hourly, temperature, brought me food/fluids/vitamins/medication).

I have this one:

OMRON Bronze Blood Pressure Monitor, Upper Arm Cuff, Digital Blood Pressure Machine, Stores Up To 14 Readings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S2H3XB9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JFAR04WKHP7NJ4K1ARZ5 Works great.

I just don’t personally think you will have the DT’s or need to go to a detox center.

Continued care, AA, abstinence are important though.

This is all just based on my personal experiences. I’m not a Dr.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes!

We've been there! You're asking in the right place!

Definitely medical detox comes first. Find one that's at least a week. Don't try to manage that part yourself, you can die from withdrawal without medication.

After/during detox, follow absolutely all directions you're given. At this stage you have to accept your ill thinking got you into this mess, so you have to humble yourself and listen to someone else's (who is knowledgeable and experienced).

Long-term, start going to AA and/or seek out inpatient/outpatient treatment programs. Took me about five years to get from where you are to actually be willing to work a program without reservation, but it doesn't have to be that way for you! Step 1 is the key.

Oh, and no matter what you do, buy the Big Book! You're not alone or a special case, you'll be shocked to hear your own story over and over from other people!

https://www.amazon.com/Alcoholics-Big-Book/dp/1893007170/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=alcoholics+anonymous+big+book+4th+edition&qid=1624194925&sprefix=alcoholics&sr=8-3

You can get the daily reading from AA's website: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/daily-reflection

This is a good app if you don't want to go on the internet browser.

For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.companyname.Today

No problem! I’m glad it’s something you’re interested in! I also recommend this book (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646112652/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_2J7CG3NWN3F00PX7PB4P) or anything you can find online about practicing mindfulness. There are lots of free resources, like r/Mindfulness. It goes a long way in regulating anxiety and other emotions not only in recovery but in life in general

I got this book and it’s really been helping me. The Alternative 12 Steps: A Secular Guide To Recovery https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991717465/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Ph.8FbSMT9N9E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

If you have the desire to stop drinking, that's all you need and you DO belong! It sounds like your on a good track and very self aware which is awesome. I think if you continue to be mindful and open with your sponsor and therapist.

I am on step two also and have a hard time developing my belief system. I think it's a great idea to find someone with similar beliefs, but my problem with that is that I'm not sure what I believe! haha. My sponsor recommended the book A Woman's Way Through the Twelve Steps. This book really helped me. It's an easy read and offers a lot of alternatives to HOW we pray and talk about God. Highly recommend.

> Bill W. tripped on Belladonna and had a white light experience while at Townes under the care of Dr. Silkworth.

You might want to do a bit of research on the effects of belladonna and how it as used for detoxing from alcohol at the time. They are nothing like what he experienced. Strangely, no one else taking the treatment reported the type of experience he had nor did he experience it the first three times he went through the treatment.

> There was no equivalent to the steps at this time.

You're wrong there, also. The Oxford Group advocated practices that were similar to AA's 12 steps and from which they derived. A good source to learn exactly how the steps were hammered out can be found in William Schaberg's <em>Writing the Big Book</em> (2019). It's a long read, but worth it IMO.

> This nonsense that the founders were some kind of recovery ninjas who worked the steps in a few days is ridiculous.

Agree. It took years for them to figure out exactly what worked and what didn't, but the basic principle--one alcoholic helping another--was there from the beginning and has endured.

I have done exactly this. After a very traumatic whirlwind of events in my life over the last 2 years and struggling with mental health issues all my adult life. Years of counciling , therapy and even hypnotherapy, I said no more. I heard about the laws of attraction so I gave it ago. I have been following the laws of attraction for 3 months now.
I got this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013ZRM5VQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share (they have lots of different types) it has been amazing and really worked for me. I have changed my mindset and will not be looking back. Everyone has noticed the change and I myself are the happiest I've been in a very long time. The secret book is a great read too. Good luck Happy to chat xx

I use an app called meeting guide to find meetings: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide

I don't have a link to the IOS app for iPhones, but the app is available on iPhone too. Just search "meeting guide" in the app store.

Type your location in and it should show you meetings in your area, including the ones that are being held online via zoom. (If you want to do one of the online ones, download zoom. Most online meetings require passwords but if you read through the description of the meeting on the app it should include the Zoom group ID and password.)

The app will also tell what type of meeting it is, e.g. open, closed, womens, spanish, literature, etc etc.

Hope this helps. It works great in the area that Im in.

Im just gonna copy paste a comment I made in another thread here a few days ago, its not for the 24/7 meetings but it might help you find one locally (not just in person)

If you do decide to go to a meeting, this app is very helpful : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide

I don't have a link to the IOS app for iPhones, but the app is available on iPhone too. Just search "meeting guide" in the app store.

Type your location in and it'll show you dozens of meetings in your area, including the ones that are being held online via zoom. (If you want to do one of the online ones, download zoom. Most online meetings require passwords but if you read through the description of the meeting on the app it will include the Zoom group ID and password.)

The app will also tell what type of meeting it is, e.g. open, closed, womens, mens, spanish, literature, etc etc.

Good luck, glad you're here.

If you do decide to go to a meeting, this app is very helpful : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide

I don't have a link to the IOS app for iPhones, but the app is available on iPhone too. Just search "meeting guide" in the app store.

Type your location in and it'll show you dozens of meetings in your area, including the ones that are being held online via zoom. (If you want to do one of the online ones, download zoom. Most online meetings require passwords but if you read through the description of the meeting on the app it will include the Zoom group ID and password.)

The app will also tell what type of meeting it is, e.g. open, closed, womens, mens, spanish, literature, etc etc.

Good luck, glad you're here.

How you keep track of your sobriety is important. You have to visualize your journey everyday by looking at your progress all the time to remind you of what is at stake. How about draw grids on a paper or better yet get an app on your phone like the 90 Day Challenge

Make a habit of looking at your progress and try to avoid the relapse button.

What I have learnt is recovery is not linear (don't expect to get better immediately), but everytime you try, you feel the positive effects and that is what you should learn to crave.

Tracking your progress is also essential. It gives you a visual representation of where you are in your sobriety. Personally I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluefox.a90daychallenge

I avoid resetting(relapsing), by looking at my progress all the time. Its really helpful and I hope it works for you.

When you think about that first drink, pick up the phone instead. Call your sponsor. Call your home group. Find an online meeting - go to it. Listen to a speaker tape.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marnistek.aaspeakersfree&amp;hl=en_US&amp;pli=1

Just wanted to share this. Not sure if you use apple or android but here is an android link to The Big Book app that I use. It has an audio book version with it that I listen to in the car or whenever I have a free quiet moment. I feel like if I'm always focused on recovery it helps me stay strong. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.aabigbookfree

I've never done what you're suggesting, but I have an app downloaded on my phone call AA Speaker Free ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marnistek.aaspeakersfree ) that has recordings of speaker meetings, the Joe and Charlie Big Book recordings, audio Big Book and 12&12, and a few other things. It's good listening and makes me not feel so alone at times I can't get to a meeting. Wishing you safe travels!

I am a Big Book / 12 & 12 guys. I was taught to not over analyze, so I don't. No harm in reading whatever helps, but I prefer going to the prisons and mental institutions, serving and taking meetings to homeless shelters. When I came into the fellowship, the Philadelphia Five County directory was a ten page pamphlet. I am grateful for everything that is available now.

The book that I still go back to is https://www.amazon.com/Adult-Children-Alcoholics-Janet-Woititz/dp/1558741127

https://www.amazon.com/Slaying-Dragon-Addiction-Treatment-Recovery/dp/0692213465/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=55071440134&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiArdLvBRCrARIsAGhB_swm9w4vvsputDeCB59vXlITxq0CnnC_CS-zaR3Cl-TWBI9hh7E0anIaAlusEALw_wcB&amp;hvadid=274722620129&amp;... Just about everything you want to know about what came before AA

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/meeting-guide/id1042822181?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide&amp;hl=en_US

Get to a meeting

Edit: Given your age from the last post I’d recommend a young people’s meeting, but any one will do

Android play store link here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.health.tenthstepnightlyinventory&amp;hl=en

I use this app to find meetings:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide

If the area your in isn't supported by the app, call the county Intergroup (just search Intergroup and whatever town, county or zipcode you are in) and they can not only tell you what meetings are in the area, but also hook you up with someone to go with.

Yes. A lot of times they have the book available at the B2B meetings. But if you need a quick source here it is.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Alcoholics-Beginners-Meetings/dp/0965772012/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=back+to+basics+book+aa&amp;qid=1568211999&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-3

This a good book you might want to read from a non-alcoholic perspective. I find the dynamics of an AA meeting fascinating even though I am an alcoholic myself and actively participate in order to help others and stay sober myself. It's good also to see how it works from a psychological viewpoint. https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Alcoholic-David-R-Rudy/dp/0809312441

Some folks here have good advice. I have this issues for sure. There is a good book called:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Adult-Relationships-Mindful/dp/1570628122

I personally am open to the idea that my current relationship may fail one day if I dont work at it. But I have to work at it. If I dont, who else will. I try to open honest, and check in with my partner. Be honest with feelings and really try to forgive her and myself for the wreckage. Thanks

There is a great book used in my local meetings for some daily readings instead of the big book. I find it useful to have on the shelf as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Belief-reflection-nonbelievers-freethinkers/dp/0988115700

Interesting discussion, thanks. I just started in Al Anon this year, and it struck me that a lot of the 12 Step principles are similar to what little I know of stoicism. I've been reading One Day at a Time in Al-Anon as well as a relatively new book, The Daily Stoic. The main thing that strikes me is not anything about god-talk, but about what is and is not within our field of responsibility. We take care of what is in our purview, and we don't stress or build up expectations or hopes around things that aren't. Very helpful reminder for me.

I have a less than lay understanding but I think people or or me. I was born an alcoholic I was born with a genetic predisposition to enjoy alcohol. I read under the influence the more I learn the less u King mattters I just can’t tske the first drink. A guy at a treatment center said it’s mostly genetic and that what happened in your childhood did it cause alcoholism although it may excaserbated it.