Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Alcohol support

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Open AA meetings

5 replies

TimeIhadaNameChange · 22/08/2019 20:32

Has anyone been to an AA meeting as a friend / family member? There are no Al-Anon meetings within a hundred miles of here, but there is an AA one which is open at request. I'm tempted to go but the thought that I'd basically be gatecrashing a normal meeting, plus there would probably be people there who I know (smallish community) and thus know DP makes me really nervous.

But I need to do something. He was going to give up when I fell pregnant, and I really believed he would. But something seems to have happened and he's now drinking more heavily than he has for a while. He did something awful to me a couple of months back and I thought he'd be shamed into stopping, but he didn't remember anything about it in the morning and I don't think he fully believes me so that's no incentive. I'm not in danger but my tolerance for him being drunk is decreasing, and I'm concerned about bringing a baby into this situation.

I asked him this morning when he was giving up the drink and he replied 'When I choose' which I fear means never. I'd love to speak to others about it but am scared. Does anyone have any experience?

OP posts:
Dapplegrey · 22/08/2019 20:38

If it’s open by request then you go and the secretary asks the meeting if they are happy for it to be open. As far as I know they usually say yes. I’m sorry that there’s no al Anon near you - I also wish there were more meetings as my nearest one is 20 miles away - doable but no ideal.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 22/08/2019 20:43

Thanks, @Dapplegrey - so I don't contact them beforehand then? Are the meetings as scary as I fear they'd be?

OP posts:
Dapplegrey · 22/08/2019 21:28

I’ve been to an open meeting and they’re not at all scary. Why would you think that.

Itscoldouthere · 23/08/2019 07:59

You can you phone Al-Anon and talk to someone.
I did it yesterday and it was very helpful just having an outsiders support and reassurance.

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 31/08/2019 19:44

I'm a AA member and I have always kept in mind the family that suffers. I think a lot of us do and will be sympathetic, particularly if you explain that there's no local AlAnon. AA meetings are the least scary of places. Just turn up and explain. People will be welcoming.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page