Sharing at meetings is an important part of recovery. Sharing makes you feel more like part of the group, creating a sense of mutual support. It allows you to get feedback on your problems so you don’t get lost in delusional thinking. It helps you feel better and get some clarity on your problems. Sharing is essential, but you want to share the right things. Here are some tips for sharing at meetings.
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Use some discretion. What you say in the rooms is supposed to stay there, but meetings are not legally obligated to be confidential. What’s more, relapse is common. Someone who would keep your confidence while sober might talk freely under the influence. Also, you don’t always know who is listening. There may be cops and there may be criminals in the room. You will probably have at least one mutual acquaintance with another group member. If you feel the need the share something that may have consequences for you or someone else, it’s best to assume what you say will be made public. Save the specifics for your lawyer or therapist.
Stick to addiction-related topics. When you’re new in recovery, there is plenty of bad stuff to talk about. Try to stay focused. Talk about how addiction has affected you, your relationships, and your career. Talk about what made you get sober and what made you relapse. Talk about what’s going on that might be causing cravings. Sometimes meetings will choose specific topics related to the Steps or the Big Book. If so, talk about your experiences related to those.
Stay focused on yourself. You’re not there to point fingers or get other people in trouble. You certainly aren’t there to judge or criticise other group members. Stay focused on the challenges you have faced and the obstacles you have overcome. If you feel the need to involve others, stay positive. If you find yourself going on about how various people have wronged you, it might be a sign you are carrying some resentment.
Keep it short. Be respectful of other people’s time. Identify the most important thing you want to say and get to it. You have a right to speak just like everyone else, but try not to ramble. Remember that sharing is a form of service. You’re giving something to the group so try to make it honest and succinct.
Smarmore Castle Private Clinic in County Louth, near Dublin was founded in 1988 as a residential rehabilitation hospital treating people suffering from drug and alcohol purposes. Smarmore Castle believes in helping patients lead a life of abstinence through 12 Step programmes, detox and medical treatment, psychotherapy, and complementary therapies.
