Notes from a Newcomer

By, Terri R.

I will always remember my first MA meeting. I was scared and nervous, but I remember all of that melting away as the meeting started. Soon I realized, “This is where I need to be.” I could relate to what I was hearing. Listening intently, I was amazed that there was a group of people just like me. By the end of the meeting, I felt much more relaxed and real glad I found my way there. A few people approached me after the meeting to greet me and give me a phone list, and tell me “Keep Coming Back.”

Approximately two weeks after the first meeting, I had what I choose to call a “Spiritual Experience.” I was high and I felt really terrible. I realized that after nine years of smoking everyday, morning noon and night, that I was an addict and that pot ruled my life. I never wanted to get high again. I feel very fortunate that this happened. I knew I could not get sober on my own, so I made a decision to make MA a part of my life.

The first 30 days were very difficult. My body was changing, mentally and physically, and I felt very strange. MA gave me a program I could believe in and follow. Soon I started looking forward to getting to at least one meeting a week and sharing my feelings, as well as listening to others. I began to feel more comfortable and soon started talking to people after the meeting. Everyone was very supportive and I knew they really cared about me and my sobriety. I was even nominated for the refreshment commitment, which I gladly accepted. Being of service is an added boost to my program.

I now have 60 days and I will be taking my 60 day chip this week. It is hard to put in words how my life has changed, just in the last two months. I am happy. My self-esteem and self-confidence has improved tenfold. I have never been more proud of anything I have ever done. These 60 days are very previous to me and I would trade them for anything, not even a joint.

“Keep coming back, it works if you work it.”

Published in A New Leaf – February 1991

More Articles

  • THEN and NOW

    Written by, Al E. The sixties, everybody was tuning in, turning on, and dropping out. I wanted to feel a part of it all. Love-ins, concerts, flowers in my hair, Beatles, Doors, Stones, and even the music went against the “norm.” I’d swear to this day that the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper told us to “smoke…

    THEN and NOW
  • Thought for the Day

    “Yesterday ended last night. Every day is a new beginning learn the skill of forgetting and move on.” – Written by, Norman V.P. Published in A New Leaf – May 1991

    Thought for the Day
  • The Heart of the Seventh Tradition

    Written by, an Anonymous Trusted Servant The Seventh Tradition is about more than “just” money. It’s about unity, responsibility, and protecting MA’s integrity. By declining outside contributions, we remain free from outside influence. That means it’s up to us to keep our fellowship strong. This Tradition is vital to MA’s growth. It deepens our spiritual…

    The Heart of the Seventh Tradition
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “MA is a Higher-Power-help program — not a self-help one.” Published in A New Leaf – July 2025

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Being of Service

    Written by, Kathy C. Webster’s Dictionary defines commitment as:“An act of doing or performing something; a promise or pledge to do something.” I describe commitment as a simple extension of oneself in service to others, done in the name of gratitude. We can have no speakers without listeners, no takers without givers. Being of service…

    Being of Service
  • Contemplating Fellowship

    Written by, Geoff F. Recently, it came to my attention that a new MA meeting has been started at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center in West Hollywood. I knew one day such a meeting would start, for if we believe even Master’s and Johnson’s conservative statistics, 10% of all marijuana addicts are gay. I…

    Contemplating Fellowship