Hello, I've been coming to this forum for a little less than two weeks. I wrote my first post a little over a week ago and have appreciated reading and responding since. It's been just about four days since I last had a drink. I know I still need to go to meetings. I'm still so scared. For the first time, I shared my thoughts about my drinking with a very close friend. I told her I had a drinking problem. I told her I'm an alcoholic. It was so hard to do. She offered to come with me to a meeting. Wow! How many people would be willing to do that? I didn't share with her my situation to weigh her down with my "issues." I told her I needed to say all of this out loud and she was the only person in my life that came to mind with whom I could speak openly about it without judgement. I knew she wouldn't get emotional or freak out. She knew already that I didn't like how much I drank, but that is only because I mentioned to her in the past a desire to cut back. I really keep to myself so few people really know my situation. I'm not a changed person. I can only take it one day at a time and sometimes one hour at a time. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. Thank you AA message board group. This place has been so helpful, but I know I have long road to travel. -Laura
Thanks for the update. It's good to know that you haven't had a drink for four days. Well done! That is great.
I'm so glad that you could share your thoughts with a close friend. When I first stopped drinking I felt that I couldn't tell any of my friends. Now, most of them know and I'm comfortable with that.
Baby steps is the way that we all start off. For this alcoholic it was the only way that I could see myself moving forward. It really is one day at a time. I do hope that you will be able to get to a meeting soon. They really do help me, especially when I can easily identify with what is being said. It's a great help to know that I'm not on my own with this problem.
Please keep coming back, won't you?
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Congrats on 4 days Laura.....that's how it begins........think about it this way, in AA meetings no one will 'judge' you, after all we're all there for the same reason
You keep doing what you're doing and keep up those baby steps.
You're doing great!
((((((hugs)))))
Jen
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
I just sat in the back my first few meetings, like a lot of people do. I think it is good that way, kind of being a fly on the wall, listening and learning. I got the literature to read at home. Then, after a couple ofmonths there was a share on something or other, and I took a turn sharing. Now, that spot by the door goes to other newbies, as I chair a meeting.
love in recovery,
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
Hurray for 4 days!!! My first four were anything BUT easy, so you should feel a sense of accomplishment, as well as of beginning.
Regarding the meetings: trust me, your mind will be conjuring up something way worse than any meeting ever truly is. They are comprised of folks like us (yes - there really are some!) who simply want to not drink today. There is no judgement, no finger pointing, simply a true desire to help and to be helped. Its really NOT a scary or shameful, or even sad place. Sober drunks actually tend to be a rather upbeat lot!
If you try one meeting and its less than great, try that same meeting on another day - a different grouping of people might be there and they will likely be in different moods on another day. If you live in an area with lots of meetings, try out several to see if you can find a group that makes you more comfortable than the others. It took awhile for me to find what was to become my home group. However, I still go to other groups' meetings because, being different, they have a lot to offer.
There are also online meetings seven days a week (PM me if you have questions). While these do not replace face to face time, they can be better than nothing or help to familiarize the newcomer with what AA is all about.
Anyway, I sincerely wish you very good fortune on your sobriety journey. Its life saving and its a miracle!
AND, believe it or not, sobriety, it turns out, is FUN!
Well in Laura x I love meetings. They're an artform & so honest. Everyone's at different stages & changing all the time. That's the beauty & the reassurance of it. It's not a competition or a race though we still may put pressures on ourselves. People say whatever they want/feel & practice their courage. It's a place to be heard, held & not judged. People have an understanding or are coming to know personal responsibility so whatever is brought to the table is only to be shared & people's responses are their own responsibility. We come to learn that & there's freedom in that. I've been practicing shares of what I'm learning in recovery & things I've been scared of & now I feel I may be able to speak of why I'm actually there, where I've been & how/why I'm alcoholic. I want to get as honest as possible with myself so that I can live on & learn knowing that I can trust the fellowship to accept & love me as I am, not how I 'wish' them to see me. This is one of the scariest things for me to do but I'm not too afraid of pain any more. A.A. is teaching me the tools to deal with this & myself (hence not needing the drink on a daily basis). This is how it's hopefully going to work for me. Wish me luck!! You'll eventually find your own voice in meetings & getting there in the first place is a big step. I can tell in your heart you already want to get well & move away from the drink. Have courage, Laura. It's only fear. There's love waiting in its place. Good luck... Share with you soon Danielle xxx
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Just wanted to say your doing well, I know for me it took me an awful long time to share with anyone. And the 4 days is well doing great. Just want u to know that the meetings aren't all bad and that I've learned to feel comfortable with myself, asking my Higher power for guidance. We're all with you and hope that you well continue to keep posting. I'm thinkin of you and well thoughts and prayers are with ya.
