I’ll tell you “why,” I had nine years in the “program.” They weren’t really “high quality AA years” but at least I didn’t have a drink during those years. It frankly was “dry drunk” sobriety. But when I quit going to meetings and said to myself that “I understood the Program” and knew where to get help if I needed it or if I felt a slip was coming, soon, I went back out drinking for 6 or 9 months. And it was a hateful time for me. I knew what was going to happen, and yet, I did it.

So, I know and believe that if I don’t go to the meetings and participate in the inner-workings of the Program, I will get drunk.

But the answer is really “no you don’t have to go to meetings” for the rest of your life. You just have to go to a meeting today, for it’s a-day-at-a time Program.

If I can’t get to a meeting, I make certain that I have “an AA moment” or more every day: I can write this meditation. I re-read the Big Book and some of the new stories in the latest edition. I can reach out to my sponsor or someone I’m working with, and of course, with the experiences we have had with the pandemic, I can always ZOOM into any meeting in the world.

If we don’t maintain a “conscious contact” with the Program, we’re really on shaky grounds. It is best to be part of that energy of 20 or 30 people at a meeting to keep our thinking straight.

It’s your call. AA doesn’t take attendance. We don’t evaluate someone who hasn’t attended for a period of time. Working the Program brings an honesty we lost while out in the wilderness. We learned to be honest with ourselves and not play games that lead to a return to those old days. When you might be in doubt about this, get to a meeting for “a conscious contact.”  Why chance it!?

And besides, most meetings are a lot of fun -- meeting new people and old friends -- and I’ve learned that no alcoholic drinks are served at AA meetings.

So, see you at Monday’s meeting!

JRA/St. X Noon, Cincinnati