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Post Info TOPIC: Day one?
Gossy75


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Day one?
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Today like so many other days over the last few years I start out the day full of hope that I'll get through it without having a drink. Unfortunately on almost every one of those occasions I have failed. Slowly but surely during the course of each day my mind starts to talk itself around and once 5pm-6pm comes around I'm back on it. I feel like if I could just get a month or so (ha, easier said than done!) under my belt then I may be a chance of living sober because I understand that I will never be able to control my drinking, it's all or nothing For me. My simple question is, how the hell do you get through that first month? It just seems an almost insurmountable task, scary and impossible.



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Stepchild


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Welcome to the site....Does this ring a bell?

Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.

We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.

We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals - usually brief - were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.

Chapter 3....More about alcoholism.

I couldn't help but read that and say....That's me. Countless vain attempts.

How did I get through the first 30 days...Same way I got through the 30 after that....I had to do something different. For me that was....A couple meetings a day...Studying the book....Finding a sponsor to guide me on this journey...And hanging around with people that had solved this problem. When I realised I couldn't beat this....I quit trying too. Followed somebody elses lead for a change. 3 years later living happily without alcohol....I'm glad I did it.



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Wren


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Gosh, Gossy, we've all been through that one, and it really does seem insurmountable. The good news is, stringing those hours together, one at a time, come hell or high water, finally pays off. I didn't think I'd make it. I really believed I was one of those that no matter what, I'd never be 'constitutionally capable" of staying sober. I'd even resigned myself to dying drunk.

It doesn't matter what it was, I found I just needed to believe in something greater than myself to curl into when those rough hours came around. I did a lot of curling. I made sure, once I could see the pattern of my most vulnerable times, to be around others in the program or in a meeting during the rough times. They all understood. I can't count the hours I played cribbage, found myself a sponsor, and worked those steps like my life depended on it. Because it did.

Hang in there. Spend those rough hours here if there isn't a meeting or others available each time you need it. Read over posts, talk to folks on the board here. There's a lot of good sobriety on this forum. Hang in there. It really (really) does work.

Chris

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mikef


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Welcome to MIP!!  

Answer  Truly One Day at a time.................Want it more than anything and be willing to do whatever it takes...Believe me,there is probably very few here that can't identify with your feelings...WE always suggest making meetings,but most importantly,Work and apply the PROGRAM in all areas of your life,,our Solution the STEPS....(PG 59 3RD Alcoholics Anonymous,a suggested program of recovery)Think What are you going to do different this time?  WE are here for each other ,hope to hear more from you....Heres a link to the website where you can find out some information,where to find a meeting and information on what goes on in the Fellowship...........

Alcoholics Anonymous

www.aa.org/
 
Alcoholics Anonymous     Peace and Serenity!
 


-- Edited by mikef on Monday 7th of July 2014 10:54:13 PM

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Hello its me


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Yes, I do think the first month is the worst. My recommendation is to jump into "the middle of the boat" and surround yourself with program. Go to multiple meetings a day, whatever you have to do to keep yourself away from liquor and in an environment of positive influence. Get a sponsor, now. I think the sooner you can find a connection with a higher power, the easier things will be (after all, lack of power is our dilemma). This requires willingness and an open mind.

You can do it. But don't let the disease isolate you and get you alone. A minute at a time, an hour at a time, a day at a time. Stick close to the program. You don't have to be this immersed forever, just until you get past the physical addiction, and start working the steps to be relieved of the mental obsession. Then you'll find a happy and comfortable way to live without alcohol.


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Zoomtopz


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G'day Danny . I'm Aussie too . Mate you  Do It . ONE DAY at a Time .

If that is too much break it down to an hour , or 5 minutes . If you are like me .

Right Bloody Now . Yeah Mate , if that works for You . Use it . Danny , you may Have to

use a "Higher Power" as well . Consider this . Something has got you to this Forum .

Something is indicating to you . "YOU NEED to STOP Drinking" . Whatever that - Power ,

Energy , Creator , God etc Use it Mate . It may be th Only chance you have .

I am N/Coast NSW .

All the best Danny . You too , like the Rest of us Can Walk the path of a Happy destiny .

One Day at a Time Danny .

Go for it mate . You are Worth it.

 



-- Edited by Zoomtopz on Tuesday 8th of July 2014 04:19:45 PM

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Rick.

@ 37 I was too young & good looking to be an alkie.

still too young , still got th good looks. still n alkie.
Mike D


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Welcome to MIP!  Glad you're here with us.  You've already gotten some good responses, but I'll just put in my 2 cents worth.  For me, the only thing to do was to start out by going into the hospital for detox.  When they released me from the hospital, they assured me that I had no chance at staying sober without going to A.A.  So, I went to my first A.A. meeting that very night...and a meeting every night after that.  Attending meetings got me into the 12 Steps, which gave me real recovery from my disease of alcoholism.  That was 26 years ago.  It worked then, and it's still working today....because I'm still working it.

We're here for you all the way.  Keep in touch.

Blessings, Mike D.



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Gossy75


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Hi to all above and thank you for the responses. I kept an eye on this thread reading the responses yesterday, and also started reading through the "big book" found through the link you provided above mikef (thanks!) Pleased to be able to say I got through the day sober so who knows, maybe yesterday was my day one :) . Certainly feeling pretty good about things this morning. So One day at a time it is.........here goes day two

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davep12and12


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Yup, now you're getting it. Your job today is not to 'stay sober for thirty days'. Your job today is only to stay sober TODAY. Just get past those 5PM urges, and take advantage of every bit of help that is available to do that, here on this site, in the AA meetings, wherever you can get it. Do NOT try to do it alone, on nothing but self-will.

If this helps you with those 5PM thoughts - remember that just because your head tells you to do something doesn't mean you have to do it. Those '5PM thoughts' are just your alcoholism, trying to mess with you. That's just what it does. When it does that today, tell it "Hey, shut up. I don't have time for that BS. I'm going to a meeting".

Today, because of what you did yesterday, you can say "I stayed SOBER yesterday". Just do all of that stuff again today, and tomorrow you can say it again, about today.

Post back here again tomorrow and tell us how today went, OK?

 



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Stepchild


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Congrats to you Gossy on day one. Just don't pick up that first drink today..No matter what. And you'll be alright. That book is a textbook that shows exactly how the founders of this program recovered...It should be read as such. I prefer studied....That's what I did.

I have one question for you...

What are the the chances that you can attend a meeting today to meet some people that would like nothing more than to see you make it through this first month?...And would be willing to help you do it.



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Mike D


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One day of sobriety!  Congratulations!

Blessings, Mike D.



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Enigma


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If you manage to stay sober 1 day you don't ever have to drink again. Good Job!!!

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IamDarryl


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You can do this! Its never gonna be easy but it surely be worth it. Many of us got sober, you can get sober too. Make a plan and whenever you feel quitting always remind yourself why you started.

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Gossy75


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I just wanted to re-post to this entry because although I didn't stay sober after that first post I'm happy to say that yesterday marked not one but two months of me being sober. I haven't had a drink since the 23rd of November last year. I have only managed to do this thanks to attendance at meetings and, I believe, by the grace of God. Thank-you sincerely for the responses above. I have a long way to go but I haven't felt this positive in about 15 years.

AA has changed my life, I feel so fortunate to have found this fellowship.

Onwards and upwards........😄

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Pythonpappy


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Thank you so much for posting your current status Gossy ... it's very encouraging ...

It took me a while to surrender to the realization that if I were to live, I had to make some changes ... does my heart good to see you're on your way to getting well ... keep us up to date and use us as a 'sounding board' whenever you wish ... we have tons of sobriety here ...



Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy



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peecee


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Congrats! Keep working!

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2granddaughters


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Gossy75 wrote:

I just wanted to re-post to this entry because although I didn't stay sober after that first post I'm happy to say that yesterday marked not one but two months of me being sober. I haven't had a drink since the 23rd of November last year. I have only managed to do this thanks to attendance at meetings and, I believe, by the grace of God. Thank-you sincerely for the responses above. I have a long way to go but I haven't felt this positive in about 15 years.

AA has changed my life, I feel so fortunate to have found this fellowship.

Onwards and upwards........😄

 

I believe you are correct.

Keep coming and don't quit. It keeps getting better !!

 

Bob



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Jerry F


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You stuck with it D...Awesome..that is how it happens along with the fellowship, meetings, literature and most of all a Higher Power you trust and use.  Thanks for brining it here.   wink



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