Ten Ways to Get the Most Out of an AA Meeting

Written by Anne Dibala, M.D., The Recovery Coach™


Continued from page 1

6. Have a bite to eat before you go if it’s a later meeting, and you would have to delay your lunch or dinner.

No reason to be distracted by hunger pangs

7. If you are a smoker and find it very difficult to go without a cigarette, you can make it easier by choosing a “smoking” meeting where, not surprisingly, smoking is allowed duringrepparttar meeting, ashtrays are provided, and you won’t go into a nicotine fit.

8. Try to arrive a few minutes beforerepparttar 101734 meeting is scheduled to start.

Most AA members are very friendly and glad to greet “new comers.” They’re there forrepparttar 101735 same reason –alcohol was a problem, and they want to stop and stay stopped.

9. Realize that you are not required to say anything at all at a meeting.

It’s all up to you to say as much or as little as you wish. You don’t even have to give your name if you don’t want to.

10. Just take it a day at a time, or five minutes at a time.

And allow yourself to enjoyrepparttar 101736 Fellowship.

©Anne Dibala, M.D., The Recovery Coach™, http://www.responsiblerecovery.com . Credentialed, experienced professionals who tailor programs to your personal needs, utilizing resources from the fields of coaching, mental health, wellness medicine, psychology, and addiction recovery. If you’re high-functioning, we want to help you reach your further goal. If you feel stuck, let us help you. HOPE + HELP + ACTION = RESULTS. Mailto:TheGrowthCoach@responsiblerecovery.com .


Tips For Singles On Surviving (and enjoying) The Holidays

Written by Toni Coleman, LCSW


Continued from page 1

Don’t overbook OR overstay a good amount of time with relatives/friends. Sometimes a shorter stay works best and leaves you energy and space to get back to your own home and decompress.

Look for ways to give to or do for others. Feeling useful and appreciated will provide a great boost to your holiday spirits. Check into volunteer opportunities at local shelters and nursing homes or through any local church or non-profit group.

Don’t plan to spendrepparttar entire holiday season with married /coupled family and friends. Seek out other singles and singles groups/ activities where you can feel relaxed and able to share with folks you have more in common with at this time. Better yet, plan a get together with other singles for one ofrepparttar 101733 holidays. A festive potluck meal, tree trimming party or other holiday event would probably be much appreciated.

Do avoid using food, alcohol or drugs to cope with holiday stress. Nothing is worse thanrepparttar 101734 feelings that followrepparttar 101735 use (or wrong use) of these things. This way of coping leads to depression, low self-esteem and a greater sense of isolation and despair.

Do decorate your home with any and all things that make it feel more festive and fun for YOU. Tune into all those wonderful traditions you grew up with. It does not have to be very costly or time consuming to begin your own traditions in your own place. Don’t put off or deny yourself those happy holiday expressions, as you wait for your significant other. Make your life all it can be right now.

Consider emphasizingrepparttar 101736 more spiritual aspects ofrepparttar 101737 holiday. Go to a concert featuring religious holiday music or attend a church (or other) service, (even better with a friend).

Finally, going away to an exotic place may be just what you do need. Look into tour or vacation packages for singles. This may provide plenty of rest and relaxation and help you meet new friends and develop new interests.

Whatever you decide to do for your holidays, have fun and enjoy them. Focus on taking care of yourself and doing what is right for you. This way you will also be giving your best to those around you. Happy Holidays!



Toni Coleman is a relationship coach in Virginia. She specializes in working with singles who want to create lasting, intimate relationships. Toni has over 20 years experience in relationship coaching with singles and couples. She has written numerous email classes for singles on all aspects of meeting, dating and relating. She is the author of The Art of Intimacy, which goes out to thousands of subscribers monthly.


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