I Almost Gave Up, Then I Located AA SEPIA Meetings

Disclaimer: This is a guest post, shared anonymously to protect the sender’s identity. The experiences and opinions expressed in this article are personal and do not reflect official statements from AA or AA-meetings.com.

A Note from the AA-Meetings.com Team:

If you're struggling with alcohol addiction, you are not alone. Finding the right support can make all the difference. This personal story highlights the power of community and how tools like Locate AA SEPIA can help connect you to meetings and resources that support recovery.

Hitting My Breaking Point

I never thought I'd be the kind of person who needed help. I told myself for years that I had my drinking under control. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t true. The blackouts, the broken promises, the mornings filled with regret: it was all piling up. I had tried quitting before, swearing off alcohol after particularly bad nights, but nothing ever stuck. I felt trapped, convinced I was too far gone.

One night, after waking up in a place I didn’t recognize, I hit a point where I couldn’t keep pretending. I pulled out my phone and typed, “AA meetings near me,” hoping for something, anything, that could help. That’s when I found Locate AA SEPIA. I clicked through, not entirely sure what I was looking for, but knowing I couldn’t keep doing this alone.

Read more: Find AA Meetings Chicago: Rebuilding Life One Sober Day at a Time

Failed Attempts at Sobriety

I had tried quitting before: more times than I could count. I read self-help books, tried a sobriety calculator to track my progress, even attempted to limit my drinking instead of quitting entirely. But every effort ended the same way: me back at the bar, making excuses for one more drink.

The hardest part was the shame. I knew alcohol was ruining my life, but I was too afraid to admit it out loud. I didn’t want to ask for help because that would mean admitting I had a real problem. I convinced myself I could figure it out on my own. I was wrong.

The Turning Point: Finding Locate AA SEPIA

That night, as I scrolled through the list of AA meetings, I felt a mix of fear and relief. Fear because I had no idea what to expect. Relief because, for the first time in a long time, I had a plan. I found a meeting nearby and told myself, “Just go. You don’t have to say anything. Just sit and listen.”

Walking into that meeting was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. My hands were shaking, my heart was racing, and every part of me wanted to turn around. But then, something unexpected happened. Someone smiled at me. Another person said, “Glad you’re here.” No judgment, no questions: just acceptance.

My First AA Meeting Experience

I sat in the back, afraid to make eye contact. But as people started sharing, I heard my own story in their words. The struggle, the guilt, the cycle of trying and failing: it was like they had been living my life.

When the meeting ended, someone handed me a pamphlet on the 12 Steps of AA. They told me to keep coming back. And for the first time in years, I wanted to.

How AA and Locate AA SEPIA Changed Everything

I kept going. I found a sponsor who had been where I was and knew what it took to stay sober. I learned that I didn’t have to do this alone. Through AA, I found people who truly understood. It wasn’t just about quitting drinking: it was about rebuilding my life.

AA also connected me to other resources, like a halfway house where I could focus on recovery without distractions. I even looked up “therapists near me” to work through the deeper issues that led me to alcohol in the first place. It wasn’t easy, but for the first time, I felt like I had a chance.

Where I Am Now & Why I Keep Going

I won’t lie; sobriety is still a challenge. There are tough days when the cravings hit, when stress makes me want to numb out. But now, I have tools to handle it. I have meetings, I have people I can call, and I have the 12 steps of AA to guide me.

If you’re reading this and feeling hopeless, I get it. I was there. But I promise, there’s a way out. I almost gave up, but then I found Locate AA SEPIA. It led me to people who saved my life. And if you’re struggling, it can help you too.

Take the first step. Search for “AA near me” and find a meeting. You don’t have to do this alone.