Facing Alcoholism: My Journey to Join LA AA Meetings
Disclaimer: This is a guest post shared anonymously to protect the sender. The experiences and opinions expressed are personal and may not reflect those of everyone in recovery.
A Note from the AA-Meetings.com Team
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, know that support is available. Finding “AA meetings near me” can be the first step toward recovery. This story is shared to encourage those who may feel lost, showing that change is possible with the right support.
When I Finally Faced My Alcoholism
I spent years pretending my drinking wasn’t a problem. I had a job, a place to live, and friends who drank just as much as I did. But deep down, I knew something was wrong. I was tired all the time, my relationships were strained, and I often woke up regretting things I couldn’t even remember doing. The idea of quitting seemed impossible. I didn’t know how to live without alcohol, but I also knew I couldn’t keep living the way I was. That’s when I decided to join LA AA meetings. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was the best one I’ve ever made.
Read more: AA Meetings Cleveland Ohio: A Guide to Staying Committed
The Moment Everything Changed
Everyone talks about "hitting rock bottom," but for me, it wasn’t just one moment. It was a series of them. A broken friendship. A terrifying blackout. A call from my boss telling me I was on thin ice. I had convinced myself I was functioning just fine, but the truth was, I was barely holding on. One night, after yet another argument with my family, I searched for “AA near me” and found a meeting just a few blocks away. I sat in my car for ten minutes before I finally walked in.
My First AA Meeting in LA
I was nervous. Really nervous. I thought everyone would judge me, or worse, try to fix me. But that’s not what happened. No one pressured me to speak, and no one made me feel like a failure. They just listened, shared their own stories, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel so alone.
I learned about the 12 steps of AA, and while it seemed overwhelming at first, hearing how others had made it through gave me hope. These people had been where I was. Some had lost everything, but they were still here, still sober. If they could do it, maybe I could too.
The Road to Recovery
The first few weeks were tough. I had cravings, doubts, and plenty of moments where I wanted to give up. But I kept going to meetings. I started using a sobriety calculator to track my progress, even if it was just one day at a time. I also looked up “therapists near me” because I knew I needed more support than just willpower.
I met people who had been sober for years, people who were just starting out like me, and even some who had relapsed but found their way back. I saw firsthand that recovery wasn’t about being perfect; it was about showing up and trying.
Life After Alcohol
As the weeks turned into months, things started to change. My mind felt clearer. My relationships began to heal. I started considering options I never thought about before, like going to a halfway house for extra support. The idea of living sober didn’t seem so impossible anymore.
I won’t lie and say it’s been easy. There are still hard days, and I know I have to keep working at it. But the difference is, now I have people to turn to. I have a community that understands. And I have hope.
Why I Keep Coming Back
I still join LA AA meetings regularly, not just for myself, but for the person out there who is sitting in their car, scared to walk in, just like I was. I want them to know that it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to not have all the answers. But if you’re struggling with alcohol, please, just take that first step. Look for “AA meetings near me.” Find people who understand. You don’t have to do this alone.
Recovery is possible. I know because I’m living it.