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Pdinkle


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Me...a complete newbie
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Hi,
I have seen several posts of people introducing themselves so I felt I should follow in kind. I'm Debra and I'm an alcoholic. (one of the hardest things I ever had to say in my life) I'm 38 and I live in Southern CA. I started drinking when I was 16 But I started having a problem with drinking (or not drinking to be more accurate) about 12 years ago. I am currently 4 days sober today. I know that is not a long time but to me it feels like an eternity. I knew it was going to be difficult but didn't expect to be consumed with the thought of drinking almost every waking moment. 

I attended my 1st AA meeting on 9/12/07 after a major bender the previous night. I was completely terrified and had no idea of what to expect. I was very relieved to find that the people there were so incredibly warm and accepting. I am also going to be attending another meeting tonight after I get off work and plan to go as often as I can. I am so glad that this board is here for times when I can't get to a meeting.

I am currently reading the Big Book (which was bought for me by one of the wonderful people I met at my 1st meeting) and am making a point to read 1 chapter every night before I go to sleep. I really am not sure how this all works yet, I know I will learn in time, what I do know is that I don't want to drink anymore. I don't want to be that person anymore. I have a beautiful daughter who needs her mother and I want to be there for her as she grows up. I have too many times in the past put off playing with her or taking her to the park or somewhere else fun because I had been drinking and couldn't risk driving or was too buzzed to be bothered. She deserves so much better than that.
 
Since I am a newbie, not only to this site but to my recovery I welcome all the help and suggestions anyone has to offer. I know this will be a long, difficult struggle but I am taking the advice of a fellow AA member...I choose not to drink today. Tomorrow I will have to decide to make that choice again.

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What I do today is important...because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. ~Unknown
Quetzal


MIP Old Timer

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Hi Debra,

Welcome to MIP. It's a super place to be and it adds so much my sobriety. I'm Carol, an alcoholic in UK.

Well done on four days sober! That's great. Keep up the good work. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

I first knew I had a problem when I couldn't stop drinking. Even on the odd occasion when I didn't drink, all I was doing was thinking about it all of the time. I finally stopped trying to fight it on my own and went to AA for help.

It is the best thing that I have ever done for myself and for those who love me. It isn't easy in the beginning, but it really does get better. For this alcoholic, the alternative was death. Now, I have a wonderful life filled with terrific friends that I have made in AA. And, I have my self-respect back which is so important.

I make time each day to pop here and read and post as much as I want. I read some AA literature every day and have contact with another recovering alcoholic. I get to as many meetings as I can and I always listen for the similarities in what people say and not the differences. I got a sponsor as soon as I could and started working the steps. Without AA and the wonderful program of recovery, I couldn't stay sober.

I bought myself a copy of 12x12 and also Living Sober. Living Sober was such a great help to me in the early days. A slightly cut-down version can be found on-line at:-

http://www.aabangalore.com/suggested/livingsober.html

Another good website, for me, is one with speaker tapes. It's like listening to a share when I can't get to a meeting. It's at:-

http://www.xa-speakers.org/pafiledb.php?action=category&id=13

Please keep posting and letting us know how it goes for you, 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
wantneeda


MIP Old Timer

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Welcome Debra!!!

you have come across a wonderful place of people who share their experience strength and hope, keep posting i look forward to seeing you around

giving up booze has been one of the hardest things i have ever done, learning about me without it and living life on lifes terms with out it is even harder, but well worth it believe me. !!

you are worth it!!

Wendy

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No step is taken without a decision
Wren


MIP Old Timer

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Welcome to MIP, Debra. This is a wonderful place to share our experiences, strength and hope. Carol has guided you to some more great sites. Quiet this weekend, but things will pick up soon. Keep reading back posts, in the archives, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Keep coming back, post when you're feeling sketchy, and hit those meetings, get phone numbers so yu can call someone local when you need quick help. Looking forward to seeing more of you, Chris

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"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
Doll


MIP Old Timer

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I'm glad you're here. Please keep coming......Jen

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
  It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Phil


MIP Old Timer

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Welcome to MIP, and a new way of living...

Hang Tough!!

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Live each day as if it were your last...because tomorrow? It might be.
miller2


Senior Member

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Welcome aboard, and to a whole new life.
Glad to hear your attending meetings and reading the big book.
Let us know how it's going.

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My warranty on tomorrow has run out. My guarantee on the past is void.
Nothing is going my way...  and I like it like that.
Pdinkle


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Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is nice to have a place that I can come to where I can get my feelings out when I can't get to a meeting. I will certainly be coming back as often as I can get on.

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What I do today is important...because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. ~Unknown
StPeteDean


MIP Old Timer

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Welcome Debra,

you've got a great attitude for sobriety, get to as many meetings as you can and get a sponsor asap. There's a great club on PCH in Hermosa Beach called the "south bay alano club" that I go to when visiting that area.

Dean

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 Gratitude = Happiness!





Pdinkle


Member

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When I look at this string in the list it shows that Pam P made the last post but I am unable to see it. I am kinda new to this so am I missing something that allows me to view more messages? Maybe a"next" link or something like that?

Deb

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What I do today is important...because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. ~Unknown
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