Welcome friends – I’m Grace and I’m an alcoholic.
It’s great you’ve found the young person’s page here on the Edinburgh intergroup website of Alcoholics Anonymous…like most people, you probably haven’t ended up on this page without reason. You may just be interested or perhaps you have a loved one who is struggling with their drinking consumption. However it may also be that you are looking for help and support for yourself. I’m glad to tell you, you’ve come to the right place. Everybody is welcome. Nobody is turned away. We’re here to help. Having been where you are in one way or another, we can only offer our experience, strength and hope to support you on your journey.
Why am I writing here?
I’m a 26-year-old female in recovery from the disease of alcoholism. I haven’t felt the need to pick up a drink since 20th October 2014.For an alcoholic of my type, I would have thought this impossible. In my personal experience, it IS impossible without AA.
I got here when I was 23 and thought I was far too young. I hadn’t done some of the things I have heard other people do. I am so lucky I stuck around because doing so meant I don’t have to get to some of the dark, lonely places other people have. I felt terrible enough inside to stick around and keep coming to meetings and I am so happy I did. It can be challenging as a young person coming to AA but it is the best decision I have ever made.
I don’t think anyone approaches AA by accident. I think we come certainly for a reason — ‘normal’ people don’t usually look for help here. I want to help to ensure that any young people like me that reach out asking for help are supported and comforted.Throughout your journey, you will have peers like you, right by your side. As much or as little as you like.
To begin, you can:
- Ask yourself these twelve questions below and watch the video!
- Find a local meeting on this website and come say hello! There are loads in Edinburgh and a few especially for young people in recovery. They are labelled as ‘young’ in their titles.
- If you have any questions, feel like you need to talk to someone or would like to meet up with someone before a meeting, make sure you call, email or fill our contact form on this website for help.
- 0800 917 7650
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Twelve Questions
Do you think you might have a problem with alcohol? Consider this list of questions
- Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
- Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking – stop telling you what to do?
- Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
- Have you had a drink in the morning during the past year?
- Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
- Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
- Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
- Do you ever try to get ‘extra’ drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
- Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don’t mean to?
- Have you missed days off work because of drinking?
- Do you have ‘blackouts’?
- Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?
Did you answer YES four times or more? If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in AA have said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves – the hard way.
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