When I was first introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous  I had all kinds of preconceived notions about what it would be like. I was scared that they were a cult and I would become brainwashed or that they would try to convert me into a religious fanatic. I was surprised to learn that AA does not even have any rules but in fact is a program of suggestions. These suggestions are organized into the twelve steps of recovery and the twelve traditions for service.Â
I remember the very first AA meeting that I attended when I was only 16 years old. I arrived about fifteen minutes early and was nervous as I walked toward the crowd gathered outside the community center where the meeting was being held. The first thing that I noticed was that I was by far the youngest person there which didn’t really bother me because I was desperate for a change in my life. My drug and alcohol abuse had come to a point where I lost control and I knew that I needed help to conquer my addiction.
The room was dark and crowded and I have to admit I was intimidated by the fact that everyone seemed to know each other. A woman introduced herself to me and asked if it was my first meeting. She offered to be my temporary sponsor and explained that she could help introduce me to the program as far as where the local meetings were and to help me in my early recovery. I was fresh out of detox and still shaky so I accepted the guidance and figured out soon after that a sponsor is also someone who takes you through the twelve steps of recovery. Overall I didn’t retain much from that first meeting but the thing that stuck with me was how welcoming and friendly everyone was and that while I entered the meeting very anxious I left with a feeling of calm and well-being.
