Newcomer

Welcome Potential Newcomer!

DO YOU EVER ASK YOURSELF “WHY CAN’T I STOP DRINKING…COULD I BE AN ALCOHOLIC”?

If you are reading this and think you have a problem with alcohol you are NOT ALONE. Alcoholics are everywhere, and sober alcoholics will help you get sober. It may be difficult if not impossible to maintain lasting sobriety by yourself. AA is a program that can help lead you to recovery and teach you how to live a sober life. Millions have achieved sobriety and so can you!

Click here for the meeting schedule if you are looking for a meeting at Serenity in The Woodlands, TX or need to attend AA for any reason.

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is defined as an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency.

There are several ways to determine if you are suffering from alcoholism. The easiest way to know is to honestly answer a few questions. Even so, determining whether you are an alcoholic or not is something only you can decide…

1. Have you decided to stop drinking but can only last a few days?
2. Do you get annoyed when people question you about your drinking habits?
3. Do bad things tend to happen (even only once or twice) when you drink?
4. Do you feel like you need more drinks even when you are drunk already?
5. Do you black out or have you blacked out when you drink (even just a few times)?

If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you probably have at least a minor problem with alcohol or are on your way to potentially becoming an alcoholic. Alcoholism is progressive so it will keep getting worse for you and manifest itself in ever-increasing mysterious and confounding ways. Most people do not want the stigma associated with being labeled an alcoholic. But there WILL come a point where drinking alcohol is no longer manageable. Click here for a more thorough questionnaire that will shed additional light on the issue.

OK I think I might have a problem, now what?

If you feel like you need more information or assistance with your problem please attend an AA meeting. Here is the AA Preamble, which explains what AA is:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

• The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
• There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
• A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

When you attend your first meeting it is suggested that you identify yourself as a newcomer. The meeting chair will ask at the beginning if there are any newcomers – simply raise your hand. You may be asked basic qualifying questions, you only need to answer if you want to. Most people that go to AA have some kind of issue with alcohol and we are all there for the same reason so don’t feel nervous about saying anything about it.

The natural reaction is to not identify yourself but keep in mind AA is based on ANONYMITY and attendees will not breach that trust. In addition, other alcoholics will most likely introduce themselves to you after the meeting and offer any assistance you might need. You do not need to say or do anything, you can simply listen and make your own decision if you think AA is right for YOU. It is not a class, and you don’t need to do anything more than attend. Tradition 3: The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Click here for the meeting schedule – please come to a meeting and introduce yourself as a newcomer and sober alcoholics will be there to help you through the next steps of living a sober life.

Newcomer FAQs