Recovery Meetings – the importance of making alcoholics anonymous meetings or narcotics anonymous meetings

There are many different benefits to drug and alcohol rehabilitation. This is treatment that has a history of what works and doesn’t work for the majority of those that need or are looking for help in addiction recovery. One of the more important aspects of rehabbing from drug and alcohol addiction is attending alcohol anonymous and narcotics anonymous meetings.

By doing so ideas can be shared, tools can be added to combat relapse and getting to know people who are just like you are all invaluable aspects of what meetings can do. As the old saying goes… “Meeting makers make it”

Some more benefits that AA and NA meetings can address include:

  • Support and advice are given and can circulate around meetings. These are people who are just like you. While everyone is an individual, people in meetings have been through similar, if not the same, type of scenarios and events in their own life that you have been through. This can help foster an environment where support and advice are offered.

  • The 12-Step Program is an integral part of any AA and NA meeting. This is where the teachings of the 12-Steps can benefit an individual by building the foundation for a life of sobriety. It’s not just about escaping addiction but also about living a quality life in sobriety.

  • Experience, experience, experience… By listening to others share their experiences in life using drugs and alcohol, individuals can compare and contrast reasons for relapse. This is an everyday reminder of what life is like back on the streets and what led individuals to going back out and drinking and using.

  • Meetings have the unique ability to let people vent and to let out what is making them feel certain ways at certain times. While this might be difficult to do anywhere outside of a meeting, meetings offer this unique opportunity for individuals to let the “weight off their shoulders”. Being able to share what’s bothering people is a gift that only AA and NA meetings can offer.

  • Some people might find inspiration. This is what’s known as inspirational characters. Many individuals find comfort by people who have led by example and experience.

  • Socializing at meetings is a gift in the rooms of AA and NA. This allows the opportunity for people to network and begin to build a support group, or a group of people that can help individuals with their sobriety. This can take the form of phone calls, conversations and social interaction within these particular groups. Support groups can help many cope with problems that may arise within someone’s ability to get and maintain sobriety.

  • Service within these meetings is also key. This can take the form of making coffee, cleaning up a room, helping with holiday meetings and special events. Service can help an individual strengthen their sobriety.

It’s recommended that individuals should attend 90 meetings in 90 days. While not required, 90 in 90 can help in several ways:

  • In early sobriety attending meetings every day can help people stay committed to sobriety.

  • Having too much “empty” time on one’s hand in early sobriety is considered dangerous in terms of relapse. Going to meetings can help fill the void of having nothing to do.

  • 90 meetings in 90 days can help increase the time spent with the 12-Steps early on, increasing the odds that individuals might dive into the 12-Steps as soon as possible.

  • More meetings mean more opportunities to receive support and help in the early days of sobriety.

  • Spending as much time as possible in meetings ensures that attending AA and NA meetings becomes priority.

  • Attending as many meetings as possible will also ensure that individuals hold onto promises and commitments, something that was near impossible in the past as a drug user and alcoholic.

  • Willingness to change one’s life is another important aspect of attending 90-in-90.

There are many different theories, criticisms and schools of thought but let it be known that in our experience attending meetings is an integral part of recovery and sobriety. While some may have a hard time assimilating, find it hard to attend 90-in-90 and may find other problems with AA and NA meetings it’s extremely important to keep coming back to meetings. The help is being offered so individuals can look to find a better way of life.