90 Meetings in 90 Days…It’s not just for newcomers!
By Caroline Tisdale, Fellowship Hall Counselor
If you’ve recently completed treatment, your counselor probably suggested you attend 90 meetings (AA or NA) in 90 days – and you probably wondered, “do I really need to go to a meeting every single day?” The answer is YES and here’s why:
- 90 for 90 is not just for newcomers. We encourage newcomers to go to 90 meetings in 90 days immediately following treatment because you need connection and the fellowship of a 12 Step Program – it also really helps with finding a sponsor.
- When you’ve done 90 meetings in 90 days – start over. Attending a meeting keeps you engaged in a constructive activity – if you’re not at work, or volunteering, or helping out your family, why aren’t you at a meeting?
- 90 for 90 is a great way to gain experience, strengthen your recovery, and keep the hope going strong through interactions with lots of people who have good experiences to share.
- 90 for 90 is a great way to recommit to your recovery when you find yourself feeling complacent. Maybe you’ve been in the program for a while, you’ve worked the 12 Steps, you’ve sponsored people, and you find yourself saying, “what else is here? What is my recovery about?” 90 for 90 can help.
- 90 for 90 can be a life-saver when something significant is happening in your life. The people in meetings have experience and will offer support to help you navigate life changes.
- 90 for 90 is for old timers too! Oldtimers go for the newcomers to share their story and help them get sober. If we want to stay sober and have a happy life, we are required to carry the message to other alcoholics and addicts. This is a fundamental tenant of the 12 Step Program. 90 for 90 is for everyone.
Caroline Tisdale (LCSW, LCAS, CSI, CCTP-II, RYT200) is a social worker by profession and this is her second career. She graduated in 2017 with a masters in social work from the Joint Master of Social Work Program between NC A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro after having had a long career in public health working in HIV/STD prevention. She is passionate about working with people experiencing addiction and assisting them with their healing process and starting the road to becoming the people they truly are. She is a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical addictions specialist, a clinical supervisor intern, a certificate complex trauma professional, and a registered yoga teacher at the 200 hour level.
About Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.