Just wanted to let you all know how much this forum is helping me. Yup, thirty years of being controled, dominated and bitch slapped by a meer liquid. Spent most of the last 30 years planning my entire life around my addiction to alcohol. I am probably one of the most functional drunks you will ever find, I never missed work or had a DUI and from outward appearences am a model citizen. I'm 51 now and really started abusing alcohol regularly when I was about 21. Its not that I didn't know what it was all about. My father was a hopeless alcoholic and alcohol had ravaged a good portion of my family. Did it anyway, I let it get control of me.
For the last 2 years I cannot recall ONE day that I didn't drink. I don't mean that some days I just had a glass of wine with dinner, I drink to get drunk and my capacity for booze has become enormous. For the last 2 years I have gotten drunk to one level or other every day.
Now.....
Will be almost a week without a drink tomorrow. I know its not a big Woo-Hoo to some of you who have been sober many months or years but to me its huge. Reading the posts on this forum are giving me confidence and I realize that its a daily struggle that will never go away for me. But its a whole new world to me and I think it will be a great one. I'll be keeping in touch.
Happy New Year everyone and lets have a great (and hopefully sober...) 2006
I have found out where and when AA meetings are in my area. I am planning on attending soon. My thinking is that I would like to get a month of sobriety under my belt before going to my first one. I'm feeling real good about this and don't want to rock the boat at this time. Is this rationalization? I don't know but I'm open to any suggestions.
Hi Aqualung, I'm Dan and I'm an alcoholic. Been working on it for the past 30+ year, much like yourself. Welcome to our online group.
If you can make a month on your own without drinking, more power to you. If, on the other hand, you trip over a big rock before you make the month, don't stop coming to this site, and, most definately, don't give up!
Also, if you do stumble, don't wait another minute after you get get back up and dust yourself off to get to a meeting.
Thanks Dan, I hope I don't come across as thinking I'm some kind of superman that can do this without any help. I know I will need the help and support that meetings give. I may not wait as long as 30 days but reading posts about meetings I'd like to find a "good" meeting and not have an unsettling experience that may get me off track. I think I'd be a little too hyper-sensitive right now (more rationalizing??)
hey, A lung! glad u let us know you are here. And that makes me think that maybe there are some other flies on the wall who are benefitting even tho not posting. That makes me feel glad. We are sharing our experience, strength and hope from this program with y'all.
Hey, 5 days sober after all that? That is great! If you find that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms don't hesitate to go to a doctor, please, as some people need help to detox. The good part about finding a good meeting early is that a lot of the people there have experienced what you are experiencing now, understand, and can help you through it. If you are getting through it okay without the extra help, then that is great, but get connected as soon as possible, k?
A great way to start off a new year!
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
Welcome Aqualung (Tull fan?). Almost a week is a WOO HOO and a too!
This is a One day at the time program, I have 5 months total, but If you got up before I did this morning, then you have more time in sobriety than I do today. Don't put too much thought into the number of days, that alone can be overwhelming. Just do it today, and repeat and repeat. Ask for the gift of sobriety each and every morning and it will be given.
Keep coming, keep posting. Hope you'll check out a meeting soon......You'll be amazed.
Hugs to ya.
Doll
-- Edited by Doll at 10:09, 2006-01-01
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
5 days IS a Big deal, Most of us started out with a KneeKnocking fear, when we began in A. A.
I ditto, the above, I believe you will be amazed. You can go to the Book section of this site, and find The Book of Alcoholics Anynomous if you want, and read some of the first 164 pages, and I think you will see the resemblances. Most or all of us can idenity with the progression on the disease of Alcoholism.
Great that you checked us out, and hope to see you again soon, here with us.
A Big Hug,
Toni
P.S. Just want to add, that the amount of time in this program does not matter, the record
is 24 hours, so if you meet someone with some years of Sobiety, they only did on a 24
Hey Aqualung, Welcome to the board...five days is a miracle for an alcoholic, sometimes one minute is.The newcomer is the most important person on this board or in AA. By the grace of my HigherPower, who I call God, I pray I will be sober just for today, and tonight I will thank Him, if that is accomplished.That's how it works for me.Please keep posting...
Welcome to this place. It is a safe place to share and find the common thread that we have. You are on a journey that will provide a way to overcome the thinking that leads to excessive drinking. It is said that we have a thinking problem, not a drinking problem...
You are new to this AA thing. So today, just take it easy. There is no rush to learn all about the program. The First Step begins with "We". It is a we Program. You are not alone. Through the support and love of other As, you can find the life that you have always dreamed could be possible. It is a magical way.
First a willingness then a desire to change a life...Yours. This will happen. It is promised. The Big Book is the recipe with suggested ways. The meetings will help with stories that we relate to. A sponsor will help you through the doubts and confusion as you recover. But most of all you will find a new happiness. It works. It really, really works. One day at a time we can be released from the bondage of compulsive thinking.
You are loved more than you can know. Keep coming back. Stick around for the MIRACLE...JV.
Good morning all and thanks eveyone for your kind thoughts. Ever hear the Rodney Dangerfield line " I don't go to bed.... I pass out. I don't wake up... I come to"?? Well this morning I woke up! Was reading the online version of the "Big Book" last night and will get a paper copy ASAP. May even do a meeting this week. Will keep posting to let you know of my progress or lack there of. Have an engagement today in an organization I'm involved in and guess where its at? A BREWPUB! I'm really not worried about being tempted though, still feeling real strong at this point. Diet Coke is my new best friend!!
"The only requirment is a desire to stop Drinking" I'll be thinking of you, and pray you will be able to keep that Diet Coke Commitment. There is another saying in this Program, that we need to stay away from slippery places.
Come back and let us know how the day went for you, We all HERE for you, no matter what.
too!