𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙠𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨

• aa •

warning: mature themes ahead and some violence. this is a satirical piece of work. it makes light of addiction, and addiction support groups. i myself have directly and indirectly experienced addiction and i know loved ones who have, too, which is the only reason i find myself eligible to write this. if you are triggered by mentions of addiction/rehab, i suggest skipping this one :]

•

"I see we have a first-timer joining us today. Would you like to introduce yourself?"

You realize her eyes are on you and, feeling small under her gaze, shrink down into your seat. "Uh... Hi. My name's Y/N. And... I'm an addict, I guess."

Bynie gives you a soft smile; one you've learnt to associate with pity. "And what is it that you're addicted to?"

Her question makes you scoff as you look around the circle, trying not to linger on any one person for too long. "Aren't we all here for the same thing?"

"It's healthy to say it out loud," Bynie informs you. "You know; to verbally accept its existence."

"If I didn't accept my addiction's existence, why would I be here?" You ask dryly, holding back from rolling your eyes. You know she's only trying to help you, but it's difficult to process the concept of someone being nice to you without an ulterior motive.

"This is a safe space, Y/N," She promises you earnestly. "A judgement-free zone."

You let out a long sigh. "Right." A few of the others are giving you odd looks, but you know better than to be offended. After all; you're all here for the same damn thing.

"Okay," Bynie breathes out, plastering on a smile. "Was there any specific event that caused you to come to this AA meeting today?"

The sordid memory flashes through your mind, but you immediately shake your head. "Nope."

She doesn't believe you. Of course she doesn't; she's met a million yous before. You're not the first ever closed-off addict in an AA meeting, and you won't be the last. "Okay then," She says, slight disappointment in her tone before she brightens up and looks around the circle. "Why doesn't someone else share their own experience, so Y/N feels a little more comfortable in opening up to the group?"

A short silence falls over the cold room. Then, a hand is lifted up. It belongs to the girl sitting three seats away from you. "I'll go," She announces softly, before putting down her hand. The attention falls onto her, filling you with relief. "Hi, I'm Hail. I first realized that I was addicted about a year ago, but I didn't seek help until six months ago. I got arrested for hacking into governmental systems, and kept for two nights in prison before my mother bailed me out. That was my wake up call. I knew from then on that I had to fix this problem."

"Overcome your struggle," Bynie corrects her gently.

"Right. Right, yeah," Hail says with a nod. "Overcome my struggle."

"And how's that been going for you?" Bynie asks her, giving her the same look of pity she gave you.

Hail shrugs, "These meetings have been helpful. You know; meeting like-minded people. People who understand. Because the people who don't understand are the worst."

A few others voice their agreement, a short hubbub falling over the circle.

"They don't know what it's like to be overtaken by a feeling that's so... so all-consuming," Hail continues, her eyes lighting up as the group gives her validation through nods and 'so true's.

Once the group has settled again, Bynie's eyes once again fall onto you. "So, Y/N. Do you feel like opening up yet?"

Hail's right. This is a group of like-minded people, who have likely done things just as bad and maybe even worse than you. "Uh. Yeah, sure."