I am new here to this board. I have been in Al Anon for a little over a year. What a year its been, never imagined when I entered the rooms of Al Anon would I be saying I was an alcoholic a year later. But, when I honestly worked the steps I could no longer deny my own issue.
So I am a little scared and trying to take it one day at a time.
But I read something in the first chapter of 12 Steps and 12 Traditions which said something like this, if the alcoholic hasnt truly hit bottom and suffered greatly, chances are he wont get sober yet. Well, you could say I have a high bottom, I never lost my car, job, kids, house, never been to jail, never had a dui, never blacked out, etc. but I lost myself when I drank. So, when I read this I thought is this telling me I havent suffered enough and I dont belong in AA.
Welcome, G. Joni said it--you don't have to lose everything for your bottom to be your bottom. We pray for people that come to the doors before they get that far down. I had to lose everything there was to lose, before I finally decided to stay. Everything. Some of us hit our bottoms and then continue to dig to prove it to ourselves, I guess. I'm glad you're hear now--our HPs get us where we need to be when we need to be there, so have faith in that. Everything is on time, on schedule (thank you, Theo). Stick around, and glad you're here. Wren
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i found god in myself/and I loved her/i loved her fiercely--Ntozake Shange
Welcome! I don't believe you have to lose EVERYTHING. I hope not. I also haven't but know that those yets are there for me if I choose not to work this program and stay sober. I have lost my self respect, dignity, and truly lost the life I had before alcohol took over.....I hope that's enough for me.....and you. Good to see you here!
I agree about the elavator, you can get off at a floor, where you have not lost everything, I think the bottom is more of an inside job thing, if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired of what happens when you drink, and are motivated to do anything to quit drinking, then there is no reason why you cannot apply the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to your life, and up and out of the Disease of Alcoholism.
That bottom that you read about does not have to translate into a literal gutter, it is how you feel on the inside, my take. and i wish you the best as you start this Journey,
There are many definitions of "bottom"....it's purely individual. Your bottom is your own and thank your HP that your disease of Alcoholism didn't progress to the point that it has many hours. Does this make you any less an Alcoholic or a deserving member of AA? No way! You have the desire to stop drinking...so WELCOME to AA, my friend!
