Worried about upcoming routine event and how to stay on track. The usual events result in drinking, one two three etc. What is a good prayer or reading to help to prevent the drinking along with the routine event. (the event is hard to get out of, and really should be able to not drink, but you know...)
Some things that work for me (I am often around alcohol for work-related events):
1. Prayer throughout each day: "God, please keep me sober" or "God, please help me" (the simplest prayers are sometimes the best) 2. Go to a face to face meeting EVERY DAY 3. Get a sponsor or temporary sponsor NOW (if you don't have one) 4. Call your sponsor every day to check in 5. Call your sponsor before leaving for the event 6. If you get uncomfortable during the event, excuse yourself, if only for a short while, and call your sponsor or another AA member. 7. Call your sponsor when you leave the event to check in. (and, it's okay if you leave the event entirely early: you can just say: "I'm not feeling well")
Most of all, try to focus on TODAY. All any of us get is a daily reprieve from drinking, contingent on our spiritual maintenance. It will get better and easier each day.
I like this one: ) "and, it's okay if you leave the event entirely early: you can just say: "I'm not feeling well" Because just thinking about it is making me feel a little ill, seriously.
I am still reading the Big Book, which I find good reinforcement. and prayer has been a good friend of mine for some time....
I haven't been to a meeting and have no sponsor yet. I did look it up and found out some convenient places I could though.
I haven't been to a meeting and have no sponsor yet. I did look it up and found out some convenient places I could though.
Great step Dakota!! I so proud of you. (((hugs))) That really gives me hope that you may even go to one of them. Wow!! You have really made my day!!! (((hugs)))
It really is just one day at a time. I know where the meetings are/ when I will need to go, I don't know. I don't need any pressure now. Too much has been going on so I have to really just try to take it easy...
Your post made me reflect back on going to my very first AA meeting in 1986. I had so many thoughts: "what's going to happen there?" "what if I don't know anyone there--I'll feel so lonely?" "What if I DO know someone there--they'll know I have a problem?" "Will I have to go for the rest of my life?" "I'm not that bad; I haven't hit skid row yet." "I'm very intelligent; I know I can stop on my own." And on and on. The one word that sums up all of these questions and thoughts: FEAR.
But, you know what happened after I took the plunge and started going to AA meetings anyway? I found a whole new way of life, freedom from fear, freedom from boredom, freedom from loneliness, just a general sense of well being. And, you know what? Except on very rare occasions now, I still have that sense of well being and peace.
One thing that I am certain of: God makes no mistakes. You found this board for a reason, and you took the significant step of introducing yourself to us. How about taking that next step and going to that first AA meeting? All of us will be right there with you in spirit; you have nothing to fear.
This is a very good mode of support for me right at this time. Yes, I do believe there is a reason to be writing and exchanging ideas at this time as well.
Choice has a lot to do with it. But larger than life is the Spiritual need for support. Can't say how much prayer has been becoming more important over say the past 2 and 3 years of this life. : ) Obviously, we need more than just prayer!
Thanks so very very much , for this site, for this ability to share and for all of this understanding those who are participating in this site show. It means probably more than any of us really know.
I agree dakota, it is fantastic to be able to access this website when I feel terrible, because it is another resource which helps me remember that I am an alcoholic and can't drink.
Alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful ......or to be more precise, my brain, the brain of a person addicted to alcohol, is cunning, baffling and powerful, and there is a part of my brain which wants me to drink, which is determined to take extreme risks, and to indulge in self destructive behaviour, and if I don't work very hard, that part of my brain, which has had control of me for such a long time, will take control again.
All of the things which made me drink are still there, and if I don't work on them constantly, especially now, in early sobriety, I know that I will drink again, it is just a matter of when.
Thank you for being here, to help me to identify with you, and to therefore look more closely at myself.
Paul
ps: it's 4:08pm, got a meeting to go to at 8pm....yay! I know the people there, they know I've been drinking, but I also know that they welcome me with open arms, despite the part of me that says 'they must despise me, I am weak, and worthless and not as good as them".
It is good to know that, but my brain keeps giving me those messages of negativity, so it is through things like this website and by talking to people, that i can try to learn that people do care for me, they love me, and they want me to get better. Some may have resentments about the fact that I drank, but that is their problem, not mine, and most are very accepting.
