If you have ever attended 12-Step Meeting, you know there are few different types of meeting that take place. Speaker meetings and meditation meetings are a few of the different genres of meetings that you can choose to go to along with discussion meetings where people are encouraged to share their experience, strength, and hope. You may be terrified to think that you may have to tell others the reasons why you are there in the first place, but do you have to speak when you get there? The answer is no.

A 12-Step program is based off of suggestions which means you are not obligated to do anything you do not feel comfortable with including speaking at a meeting. On the other hand, the suggestions you are presented with have made a difference in the lives of so many who have walked through addiction. Recovery starts with honesty which can easily be done with other members of your group by stating why you are there. The benefits you will get from simply speaking up in a meeting will help your recovery more than you may even realize.

You will release pent up anxiety

Saying out loud what you are upset about takes undue pressure off of you. You will feel better once you let go of some of the tension that you have held in once you have told your story. Sometimes you may not even understand what you it is that you are going through and talking about it can give you some clarity that you were lacking.

You will receive support

If you do not let others know what is going on with you, then there will be no way to know how to give you the support that you need to remain sober. Very rarely does someone get and stay sober all by themselves. The term “it takes a village” is a very real aspect in recovery. You will need help at first and then you will turn around and give back so freely what was given to you which creates the “village” of unity for each group to maintain.

Speaking in a meeting can be frightening because you may not know what to say. The main thing is to share in a general way what it was like and what it is like now. Even if you think you do not need any help, your words could very easily help someone else.  

If you or someone you know needs help with their drug or alcohol addiction, The Kimberly Center has a treatment plan that will work for you. We believe that successful recovery encompasses the improvements in your self-esteem, relationships, and vocational productivity that substance abuse took away from you.

Call us today to begin: 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683)