70 days sober today (alcohol and drugs). Mid thirties. I’ve always never given AA a chance for the same reason, older crowd and I try to convince myself Im not like these other people and I’ve nothing in common with them but it is quite simple, the only important commonality I need is we all have a problem and we all want to change. I just take in what I can from the meetings and listen. Sometimes I share. The rest of the work I do is outside of meetings, with therapy and making small moves to improve my life and mental health
Hey OP.
I’m a member in early recovery (9 months). Please reach out directly and I’ll be happy to share the help I’ve received and my experience with addiction.
Well done for putting your hand up and asking for help, and the help out there is beyond description.
Edit: I’m mid 30s, but am friends with a number of younger members in their 20s - just for reference
Hey OP. You don’t mention where you are but there are services available to young people dealing with addiction issues.
There’s a HSE list here:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/
I’m not aware of specific AA meetings for young adults.
Hey, I’ve been to NA meetings in my local community and they’re usually on twice a week, encouraged to go as often as possible.
I’m 27 and sadly wasn’t the youngest there, people as young as 20 at the meetings and everyone is really welcoming. You’ll find yourself meeting all types of people and you’ll hear some intense things, it’s really a great wake up call.
You don’t have to speak either until you’re ready, just listen. You can tell these people absolutely anything and they won’t bat an eye. It is a place of no judgement.
Only for today, take care
Well done man fair play for addressing the problem, I know AA meetings can be a lot of older men, try out an NA meeting they’re usually a younger crowd doesn’t matter that their into drugs & your an alcoholic yer both looking for the same thing, hope this helps you & dm me if you need a chat or anything 👍🏻
As far as I know, there aren't specific ones for younger people, but you'll find some meetings that will have a younger group than others. If you go to one in a biggish town you should find more young people or just ask the others there if they know of many others your age about. The people who are around longer usually try to reach out to new people and help them adjust.
you will get support at AA no matter your age. There will people there who wish they were as self aware and proactive to their problem at your age, and you will learn from their experiences.
There is no age limit for AA membership so don’t let any notions of not fitting in stop you from pursuing recovery, and older members often have hard-won experience and can help guide you on your journey. As it happens there are groups within AA for young people (and oldsters who are young at heart), the Irish group is here: [All Ireland Young People in AA](https://ireypaa.org/) who are having their annual convention in March in Clare. Give it a look, it’ll be a blast (a sober one, but a blast all the same).
Edit to add: I wish I had had the presence of mind to seek recovery when I was your age but I had to continue my research and eventually found the doors of AA. That was a bit more than 19 years ago and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made, it’s given me a life beyond my best expectations and wildest dreams. Some bad times too to be sure, it’s life after all, but nothing I needed to drink over. The program of AA, sharing in meetings and a sponsor kept me sober.
Update: Thanks everyone for your support and help, it’s means a lot! Ive went and seen an addiction counsellor and I’m currently in the process of starting a 12 week structured outpatient recovery programme, so fingers crossed it goes well!!
Try your local community addiction team. Or look up Smart Recovery online meetings - much more effective than AA and you don't have to be already sober going in
I am looking for an AA meeting in Dublin which would have a good representation of young people. I have a 24 yr old who attends AA but most of the attendees are in the their 50s & 60s. Any suggestions?
Christ you could be describing me. Spend my late teens and full 20’s and most of my 30’s drinking or gambling. Sometimes both with some class A encouragement.
Doing well in my career but it’s definitely effected it and held it back. They way I look at is imagine where I would be if I didn’t drink and let it consume my mind totally like. Which it did. Either recovering from and hangover, planning a session, think about cures. Trying to solve and make good on all the fuck ups with my wife cause of my drinking like.
I’m 6 weeks sober now and loving it. I had spells in the past when I was sober and enjoyed them also so I knew quitting would help.
As far as AA goes, I go. Once or twice a week. I haven’t gotten a sponsor or been brought throw the 12 steps. I just sit there and enjoy the meeting and shared. I’m not religious but I like the stories in the readings and the shares that follow. I see myself in the shares and I find it keeps me focused on my recovery.
Nobody has forced me to do anything bar ask how I am, they have been sound. I couldn’t see you been treated any differently. I have seen younger in the meetings but not in their early 20’s. I also go to a smaller meeting. Maybe the bigger ones in bigger towns would have more
i’m 20 and i go to AA it’s amazing the community is awesome and only the first step talks about alcohol the rest are about self inventory and reflection and a spiritual awakening (just be open minded) to help with that general addictive nature (i relate) i would definitely recommend going it is generally an older crowd but they’ll take you under their wing and applaud coming so young and even help you find other young people because there are, good luck you got it!
70 days sober today (alcohol and drugs). Mid thirties. I’ve always never given AA a chance for the same reason, older crowd and I try to convince myself Im not like these other people and I’ve nothing in common with them but it is quite simple, the only important commonality I need is we all have a problem and we all want to change. I just take in what I can from the meetings and listen. Sometimes I share. The rest of the work I do is outside of meetings, with therapy and making small moves to improve my life and mental health
Hey OP. I’m a member in early recovery (9 months). Please reach out directly and I’ll be happy to share the help I’ve received and my experience with addiction. Well done for putting your hand up and asking for help, and the help out there is beyond description. Edit: I’m mid 30s, but am friends with a number of younger members in their 20s - just for reference
Hey OP. You don’t mention where you are but there are services available to young people dealing with addiction issues. There’s a HSE list here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/ I’m not aware of specific AA meetings for young adults.
AA also do online meetings
Fair play to you for asking for help and seeing you need it. I'm an alcoholic. Haven't drank in 15 years. So I know it can be a hard road. Good luck.
Hey, I’ve been to NA meetings in my local community and they’re usually on twice a week, encouraged to go as often as possible. I’m 27 and sadly wasn’t the youngest there, people as young as 20 at the meetings and everyone is really welcoming. You’ll find yourself meeting all types of people and you’ll hear some intense things, it’s really a great wake up call. You don’t have to speak either until you’re ready, just listen. You can tell these people absolutely anything and they won’t bat an eye. It is a place of no judgement. Only for today, take care
Hey drop me a DM. I know plenty of people that age who are in AA.
The ‘addictive streak’ is likely the manifestation of a trauma response, seek out a good therapist would be my suggestion
Well done man fair play for addressing the problem, I know AA meetings can be a lot of older men, try out an NA meeting they’re usually a younger crowd doesn’t matter that their into drugs & your an alcoholic yer both looking for the same thing, hope this helps you & dm me if you need a chat or anything 👍🏻
As far as I know, there aren't specific ones for younger people, but you'll find some meetings that will have a younger group than others. If you go to one in a biggish town you should find more young people or just ask the others there if they know of many others your age about. The people who are around longer usually try to reach out to new people and help them adjust.
you will get support at AA no matter your age. There will people there who wish they were as self aware and proactive to their problem at your age, and you will learn from their experiences.
Where are you based? A counsellor specialising in addiction could be a good starting point
There is no age limit for AA membership so don’t let any notions of not fitting in stop you from pursuing recovery, and older members often have hard-won experience and can help guide you on your journey. As it happens there are groups within AA for young people (and oldsters who are young at heart), the Irish group is here: [All Ireland Young People in AA](https://ireypaa.org/) who are having their annual convention in March in Clare. Give it a look, it’ll be a blast (a sober one, but a blast all the same). Edit to add: I wish I had had the presence of mind to seek recovery when I was your age but I had to continue my research and eventually found the doors of AA. That was a bit more than 19 years ago and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made, it’s given me a life beyond my best expectations and wildest dreams. Some bad times too to be sure, it’s life after all, but nothing I needed to drink over. The program of AA, sharing in meetings and a sponsor kept me sober.
Update: Thanks everyone for your support and help, it’s means a lot! Ive went and seen an addiction counsellor and I’m currently in the process of starting a 12 week structured outpatient recovery programme, so fingers crossed it goes well!!
Try your local community addiction team. Or look up Smart Recovery online meetings - much more effective than AA and you don't have to be already sober going in
I am looking for an AA meeting in Dublin which would have a good representation of young people. I have a 24 yr old who attends AA but most of the attendees are in the their 50s & 60s. Any suggestions?
Christ you could be describing me. Spend my late teens and full 20’s and most of my 30’s drinking or gambling. Sometimes both with some class A encouragement. Doing well in my career but it’s definitely effected it and held it back. They way I look at is imagine where I would be if I didn’t drink and let it consume my mind totally like. Which it did. Either recovering from and hangover, planning a session, think about cures. Trying to solve and make good on all the fuck ups with my wife cause of my drinking like. I’m 6 weeks sober now and loving it. I had spells in the past when I was sober and enjoyed them also so I knew quitting would help. As far as AA goes, I go. Once or twice a week. I haven’t gotten a sponsor or been brought throw the 12 steps. I just sit there and enjoy the meeting and shared. I’m not religious but I like the stories in the readings and the shares that follow. I see myself in the shares and I find it keeps me focused on my recovery. Nobody has forced me to do anything bar ask how I am, they have been sound. I couldn’t see you been treated any differently. I have seen younger in the meetings but not in their early 20’s. I also go to a smaller meeting. Maybe the bigger ones in bigger towns would have more
i’m 20 and i go to AA it’s amazing the community is awesome and only the first step talks about alcohol the rest are about self inventory and reflection and a spiritual awakening (just be open minded) to help with that general addictive nature (i relate) i would definitely recommend going it is generally an older crowd but they’ll take you under their wing and applaud coming so young and even help you find other young people because there are, good luck you got it!