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Originally Posted by maleficent
At AA, from the few meetings that I attended, you absolutely do not have to get up and speak unless you want to, you can go and sit and just listen, drink coffee and smoke cigarettes (ones i went to were not smoke free, dont know if that's changed) You might, after listening to people spill their guts, feel compelled to tell your story, or introduce yourself... it's a supportive and nurturing environment. they are there to help. and if public speaking causes you pain, then you don't have to do it...
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Mal is absolutely correct - I've been to many AA meetings before (supporting alcoholics; I do not believe that I am one) and there is no requirement for speaking. I suspect that if you go to a few, you will hear a number of people speak about things and think to yourself "wait a minute! He just described exactly what I did 18 month ago!" Just go an listen for a while - when you first go, someone will probably ask if anyone is there for their first meeting - if you want, you can raise your hand, and they will ask you to stand up and introduce yourself - note that you DO NOT have to say that you are an alcoholic then and there - You may later, but it is perfectly OK to say something like "Hi, my name is Johnny and I think I may have a drinking problem." After that intro, you don't have to talk again until the spirit moves you... so to speak!