This afternoon I'm hoping to attend my first support group meeting. Outside of an email to the moderator, these folks don't know me.

Any suggestions on how to handle that introductory meeting for a newbie?

Have you found that such groups are generally pretty good with maintaining confidentiality?

Go as you, be honest with them and more importantly with yourself, be open

Wendy

If it's the group I suspect you're going to, have no fear at all. As Wendy said just be yourself. That includes what you feel you need to do or say at that moment, even if it is nothing. Many newbies are a tad shy to totally overwhelmed their first group meeting. I sure was! Big Time. Even after my second and third.

I've been to a couple, one is really good the other not so.

Depends on where you're going, but if its a pub and you don't know anyone it can be a bit awkward trying to figure out who you're meeting. Can't say I've any advice for it though.

Remember that we all have been there as well. First meetings can be intimidating. Second meeting and you are an old timer.

Thanks for the tips!

Now that I've returned I want to share that it went very well. The group was very welcoming and made me feel at home and at ease quite quickly.

As I've gotten older I find I'm not as shy as I once was. I'm used to public speaking so telling the group a bit about myself and my struggles was far easier than it would have been in the past.