I was at a speaker meeting recently, and the speaker had less than a year sobriety after having previously had decades. Once again, I am grateful to hear that story so I don't have to go find out for myself that, even after a period of sobriety, I'm still an alcoholic through and through. His story was a familiar one... cutting back on meetings gradually until he stopped all together; substituting church for AA, etc. Hey, I'm diabetic... if my church told me to stop taking my medication for diabetes, I think I'd find another church. Or at the very least cheerfully ignore them. AA is my Rx for alcoholism. It works well on me - it has achieved miraculous results.
Therefore it's always amusing when someone says, "You haven't had a drink in HOW long? Well you can't be an alcoholic then!" "You don't need those meetings anymore..."
Yeah, I do need those meetings. Fortunately, in addition to needing "those meetings", I also love those meetings. I guess I was born to do AA. There's nothing in my life - no job, no relationship, no church, nothing - that I have felt the desire to stay with for so long.
Since becoming a sober member of AA, my life has improved, but not drinking is only half of it. Certainly my physical, mental, and spiritual health has improved in the absence of my daily dosage of alcohol. But it's the life - the fellowship, and the new outlook on life that really make life worth living, without alcohol. I knew how to stop drinking; what AA taught me is how to live sober.
I think many of us place conditions on sobriety - well I'll try it, and see if I get the wife back, get the kids back, get the job back, get the house back, get the car back, get out of jail.... and if it doesn't meet my expectations, then conclude AA doesn't work, sobriety isn't the answer. But if I approach it with no expecations -- and I think we have to define our "bottom" as that place where we let go of all expectations -- and just put one foot in front of the other, miracles happen. Not the ones I thought I wanted, not on my timetable... better than that.
Life today is better than I could ever have imagined. I do wish I could give more details, but - this is a public forum and I do wish to remain anonymous. So you'll just have to take my word for it. It gets better if you keep coming back.... and when you look back, you learn that "it" means "everything".
"this is a public forum and I do wish to remain anonymous."
this always makes me chuckle. I was the last to know that I was an alcoholic. Today I'm proud to be clean and sober, hell in CA I heard it's downright trendy.
"this is a public forum and I do wish to remain anonymous."
this always makes me chuckle. I was the last to know that I was an alcoholic. Today I'm proud to be clean and sober, hell in CA I heard it's downright trendy.
We do have a tradition of anonymity. It's for the benefit of both the group and the individual. Not interested in trendy. My family, friends, and co-workers know I'm an alcoholic.
Hi barisax, Havent met you...Im Lani, welcome.......So are you famous!!!! Im betting your the guy that plays the cool sax music with the curly dark hair! (cant think of his name) OHHHHHH, Kenny G?! That would fit!!! Honestly, just teasing....I love what you had to share! Life sounds good for you and I truly believe it is something we all can have if we really want it! My life is great today! I cant say it was ever super bad, but I can now see the promises coming true in my life and its better than ever!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!! Lani
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
"this is a public forum and I do wish to remain anonymous."
this always makes me chuckle. I was the last to know that I was an alcoholic. Today I'm proud to be clean and sober, hell in CA I heard it's downright trendy.
We do have a tradition of anonymity. It's for the benefit of both the group and the individual. Not interested in trendy. My family, friends, and co-workers know I'm an alcoholic.
Barisax
you're awefully sensitive for an anonymous guy lol. I was just making a general statement that had more to do with myself, not poking fun at anyone in particular. so let me get this straight, it's ok to forget who we are as long as we don't forget where we came from. got it
Havent met you...Im Lani, welcome.......So are you famous!!!! Im betting your the guy that plays the cool sax music with the curly dark hair! (cant think of his name) OHHHHHH, Kenny G?! That would fit!!!
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Hiya, Barisax. Just a quick Hi! to introduce myself.. I read alot of your previous posts & love your shares. Thanks for being here. Have a happy sober day. So good to know you, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Sorry I haven't posted here for a while. In my real life, AA is my priority and I go to f2f meetings regularly including a home group. I am also a member of Alanon and I don't get to near as many f2f meetings so when I go online to MIP, I tend to go the other way and get more involved in Alanon. I am still learning more every day about how alcoholism affects lives of the alcoholic and those around him.
Don't I KNOW it, how much this is a family disease.
My non-alcoholic husband and I had a big blow-out last night, and he later identified that it was caused by some great fears he has reguarding MY disease. I explained to him that when the alcoholic is in his/her disease, it makes EVERYONE around them sick, on some level.
My aunt who is real active in AlAnon, is helping him along and has given him some AlAnon books for daily reading. Things are coming along, and I always have to remember that each person in this household needs patinece, love and tolerance shown to them, because we are all in this together.
Joni
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~~"It's hard to be hateful when you're grateful."~~
Life today is better than I could ever have imagined.
(this is a definate one for me today.........my DOS is 12/28/84 & each year after my 18th year has been more & more exciting to see what God has in store for me)
There was a point in my recovery that my worst days was in recovery but the old timers kept telling me not to give up and one day I would be amazed at where I was and be totally grateful to a God of my understanding for being in my life.
I finally figured out what my primary purpose in life was to be........pg 77, BB.
