Hello everyone.

toomuchpartying · Newbie

Hello everyone.

Quetzal · MIP Old Timer

Hi,

Welcome to MIP. It's a great place to be with lots of helpful people. It adds so much to my sobriety. I go to AA meetings several times each week and that is the only way that I can keep sober. Also, it's good to remind myself that I am choosing not to drink just for today.

I am wondering if you could contact AA and NA in your area. There will be 'phone numbers in your local 'phone book. There's always somebody to talk to and to listen to you.

Perhaps, you could have a chat with your GP, too. I am lucky and have an understanding GP.

Whatever you decide, please keep coming back here and reading and posting as much as you want/need.

Take care,

Carol

toomuchpartying · Newbie

Thanks for a wellcome, Carol. It's hard to addmitt your problem, this is a first time I openelly said that. Little nerves... How long have u been sober?, if u don't mind me asking... And what was your thing? Again, If I'm being too curious pls let me know. I have a problem with alcohol +coke. Here, I said it. I was going to write" I think I have", but I cant lie to myself anymore. ...What used to be fun is a problem now.

Sick of being sick · MIP Old Timer

Hi, I'm Dan, an alcoholic living in North Dakota. Carol said it. All of us regulars here have been to AA and/or NA meetings as part of our personal program to get (and stay) sober.

If you haven't already checked this link, it can give you quite a bit of helpful information. http://www.aa.org/?Media=PlayFlash

Hope you find your way. Keep coming back here. There are lots of helpful folks from all around the world to offer support on our board.

toomuchpartying · Newbie

Thanks man. I will check the link. What do you do to stay off the subtance(s)?

-- Edited by toomuchpartying at 06:42, 2007-01-25

tina · Senior Member

Welcome to the board

Do hope that whatever you decide that you stick around, alot great people here and information.

Tina

Quetzal · MIP Old Timer

Hi TooMuch,

I found it hard to admit that I had a problem, but in the end I found it even harder to try to pretend that I didn't have a problem. When I had really admitted it and gone to an AA meeting the feeling of relief was really great. I was with people who understood where I was coming from and what life was like for me. For the first time in a very long time I felt as if I belonged somewhere.

My problem was/is alcohol. I was fortunate that I never really tried drugs. I have been in AA for nearly fifteen months and I can't believe the difference in my life already. I'm getting my self-respect and pride back. Friends and family are now learning to trust me and they respect all that I am doing. I have a lot of support from my AA friends and my non-AA friends. I am very fortunate.

When I first stopped drinking I tried to keep myself as busy as possible. I cleaned the house from top to bottom; I started cooking new things; I got new hobbies/interests; I went for long, peaceful walks; I had as much contact with other recovering alcoholics as possible. And, I kept well away from any situation or place were I could be tempted. It all helped me in the early days.

I do hope that you'll stick around here and keep posting. Admitting that I had a problem was hard, but I just wish that I had done it a long time ago. Life really does get better beyond your wildest dreams.

Please take care,

Carol

Phil · MIP Old Timer

Howdy

What do you do to stay off the subtance(s)?

They told this sick boy to...

"Dont drink (Just for today)...Dont think...and attend meetings"

"Dont Think" was the hardest part...and some days? Still is...:)

Welcome to MIP..

Laura · Senior Member

Hi,

I just posted my introduction today as well. I also feel nervous talking about this for the first time. I liked Carol's suggestion to keep busy and Phil's quote to not think--I think to combine the two might be a strategy for me to try tomorrow. Keep busy and while busy at a task, try not to think about drinking. Is that what you meant, Phil?

Take care,

Laura

toomuchpartying · Newbie

Thank you all for support and sharing knowledge.

It is going to be hard to give up lifestyle... It's so easy to party and pretend that u have control. Denial - that's the name, right?

I called local AA ,got the meeting schedules. Now I have to actually go to one. Will go this weekend.

Question: Do I have to speak on my first meeting, or can I just listen?

Thank You all again.

Quetzal · MIP Old Timer

Hi TooMuch,

Well done on calling your local AA and getting details of meetings. I hope that you have a wonderful meeting. You will be made so very welcome.

Please don't worry about having to speak at a meeting. In AA, you don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. At a lot of the meetings I go to, I just sit and listen. As long as I take away some thought or comment from the meeting that will help to keep me sober, that's fine.

As for denial, I was in denial for a long time. It was great relief not to have to pretend and lie all of the time. We have all been there.

Please let us know how it goes for you, won't you?

Take care,

Carol

david b · Member

hi good to see you, its a big step seeing ourselfs as others see us , when i drank i thought I was invisable that no one saw me rolling up the road , or falling and trying to stop going into the alcoholic run head down and the run trying not to fall but getting faster till the inevitable happened, down i would go, worse still trying to get the feet under you again to get up, the debt the shame the waking at 2 in the morning after having enough to drink that should keep anyone else out for a week, the eyes would open and the brain woud start and no matter what I couldnt shut it down, the fears would start , is the wife still with me , what the hell happened last night , the mind a jumble of thoughts but not joining up to make a full night, going to the mirror and the puffed up face , maybe this time no cuts or black eye, or maybe not, today by not taking that first drink and going to meetings, doing what is suggested in aa I will not wake to night with the hell of alcohal, and if I do wake my mind is at peace, this took a bit of time in aa but each day i got that little bit better each meeting more friends that liked me for me not for what i could get them , please give us a chance i have a world I never thought could be possible, that world could be yours ( if you want it) god bless and just take it a day at a time , david