Contributing 

Attending the First AA Meeting in Kansas – Dos and Don’ts

Leia Doyle
Attending the First AA Meeting in Kansas – Dos and Don’ts

You are not the only one to feel anxious about attending your first AA meeting in Kansas. Anyone who has been an addict in the past can vouch for this. AA meetings are important as part of the recovery process once you have been discharged from a rehab or treatment facility. But people tend to have a wrong idea about these sessions because of how AA meetings have been portrayed by the media. Some addicts are reluctant as they are forced by the court to attend these. So, it is not unnatural to feel anxiety when you step into one for the first time.

Tips to get through your first AA meeting in Kansas:

  • The first thing you must do to find local AA meetings in Kansas is to search for “AA meetings near me”. Once you have identified a location close to your home, be sure to get there on time because AA meetings will invariably start on time. Being early helps you settle down before others arrive.
  • While the meeting is going on, it is best to keep your phone’s silent so as to avoid any distractions. An AA meeting will usually not stretch beyond an hour.
  • Once you have found a seat in the meeting, you will be greeted by other members who will then introduce themselves. You are free to stay quiet if you are not comfortable opening up to them. 
  • The best way to go through the first session is to listen to the others sharing their stories. This helps you understand how the meetings work. There is no obligation to speak up on your first meeting or even after that. You can always decline an invitation to share your story if you are still not ready.
  • The idea is to listen for the similarities and not the differences. When others speak of their struggles with addiction, you will probably be able to identify with those. Looking at differences in background, age, or ethnicity will not help the cause. Remember everyone is there for the same reason.
  • You must understand that the only reason you are in an AA meeting in Kansas is because you are keen to stop drinking and maintain sobriety. So, you cannot be dissuaded by talks of God even if you are an atheist. Rather, you should focus on ways to get better and take advantage of their 12 steps of AA program.
  • It is important to select the right type of AA meeting. You can choose from open or closed meetings, meetings for men or women exclusively, beginner’s meetings, speaker meetings, and discussion meetings. When there are too many choices in your neighborhood, choose the type which caters to your needs.
  • It is advisable to sit through the whole session and try to converse with others once the meeting is over. Newcomers often tend to arrive late and leave early to avoid having to interact with others. This will not help in your recovery. If you can be there throughout, you will probably feel more secure and accepted by the group.

AA-Meetings.com will provide you with an exhaustive list of AA meeting directory locations in your state and near your home. Their AA meeting locator will make your search simpler and faster so that your recovery stays on track and you get the help you need.