My name’s Brian, I’m an alcoholic and a grateful member of East Kilbride, Carnegie Hill Wednesday morning group. As I write this I am fast approaching ninety days sobriety thanks to the Fellowship of AA. I attended an AA meeting almost three months ago following a ten day binge then three days locked in a room drying out and swearing: “Never again!” I’d been in this dark place many times before.

The Monday night meeting I went to was sparsely attended - maybe 12 people, but they all made me very welcome; their hospitality lifted my spirits. I believe today it was the feeling of being among people who understood how I was feeling that brought me back through the doors the next night. After the meeting everyone shook my hand, wished me well, told me to keep coming back and I knew then, even though my head was a bit cloudy, that there was a chance I had found a way out of my alcoholic way of life.

Rewind some 20+ years - I am at an AA meeting in Glasgow, my home town, with two gentlemen who between them had many years sobriety. I sat and listened and managed to mumble something about it being my first meeting. On the way home one of the guys mentioned that it wasn’t a great meeting for a newcomer. Maybe he sensed that I didn’t get a lot out of the meeting. Either way I knew I wouldn’t be rushing back. My memory of the meeting is that there wasn’t the same sense of welcome or belonging and also there was a lot of God talk and at that point in my life, as far as I was concerned, I didn’t relate to God.

Today I thank the God of my understanding that I gave AA another go and I have a second chance at living a productive, meaningful life. I go to as many meetings as I can, listen to people share their experience, strength and hope and learn how to stay sober, keeping it simple ODAAT.

I am well aware that my journey has just begun. I have joined a group and I know I am very close to starting on this Programme of Recovery through a sponsor. My thinking regarding alcohol has changed. I feel I have a defence today against lifting the first drink. Thanks to the Fellowship of AA for that and much more besides, I am continually grateful.

Brian G
East Kilbride Wednesday Morning