Alcoholism Support Group

I remember that feeling Scott. I used to get angry easily, but it wasn't until I looked beneath the anger did I find why I acted that way. My anger hid a lot of fear, one was a fear of losing control. I needed to be in control of my life, pretty much since I was a teen. No-one else was being responsible for me, so I became a power unto myself. Whenever that control was threatened, I'd explode.

Okay, what helped? I went to rehab and had group therapy. We talked a lot about anger there, and I also did cognitive awareness where I looked at situations and patterns of behaviour. And the 12 step program of AA which was an amazing journey of self discovery.

You should get some good feedback on your query Mardi, we've all felt as you do now. I'd encourage you to seek out AA, try to keep life simple for a while. Cutback if needed so you don't feel overwhelmed. I couldn't think past dressing myself in the mornings so I put a lot on hold in my first 6 months. If I was going to make it to long term sobriety, I had to put in the work in the short term and make my sobriety Priority One.

I also discovered exercise and alternative activities helped take my mind off my old habits. Keeping focussed on positive lifestyle choices magnifies the good yeah. Hey congrats on 4 days. I know it dosn't seem like it at the moment, but it will get better. Keep persevering. :}

Hi Scott. I've felt that way alot too. I've found that those feelings are coming from the things that I'm thinking and believing. So I look at my thoughts and try to change any negative thoughts to ones that feel better.

Reading alot of spiritual type books has helped me also, like being in balance, the power of now, the secret, emotional awareness and such. Trying to reconnect with my spirit and learn to love myself more, take better care of myself. And try and be patient, trust in my higher power, reach out for help like you're doing.

Talk about it. Journal, exercise. I don't know. I'm sorry. That's just me. I see a councelor, go to aa meetings. I take antidepressant effexor. 300mg every morning and it has helped me to a degree but the rest is up to me I think. hugs

well at least now you know there's not a sufficient answer to alcoholism for you in zoloft, and assembling all the knowledge about how we can stay sober for the rest of our lives is important.

if you have had the chance to observe others, perhaps the monthly crowd at your nearest alcoholism treatment centre, or the fringe members of any recovery program, or the stream of repeat patients keeping the therapist in business, you may feel disheartened.

suggest a more positive experience might be inserting yourself among the crowd that is staying sober longterm, alcoholics who have found a way to make it beyond that oft referenced early sobriety 5 year mark.

getting to know them will show you this condition can be survived well, and watching what they do to maintain their sober lives might benefit your situation.

I did what most newcomers and slippers do for over 6yrs, and got the usual results. doing what I suggested to you has worked well for a very long time.

the people I hooked up with back then are either still sober, or died sober.

find ones like that near you, and try the monkey see-monkey do approach.

In my experience its called the spiritual malady. Alcohol was just a symptom of how I felt so take the alcohol away and I'm left feeling exactly how I felt before I started drinking. The reason I drank wasn't because I liked making tool of myself it was because I felt so crap when I wasn't drinking. I had to do the 12 steps of AA.

I too understand and know what you are going through. I am on my 18th day for the umpteenth time. This time seems very different than the others. I gave up completely, got on my knees and asked my HP to help me because I couldn't do it alone. Now I am one of the FIRST people NOT to want to do such a thing, but I was desperate. I was so tired of the cycle, of failing. But that alone doesn't work. I must also do my part. My sobriety is my #1 priority. Everything else is second. So if I am sober still at the end of the day it is a Great Day, even if nothing else got done. Also taking one day at a time and trying to not only say, but LIVE the Serenity Prayer:

Accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Plus, going to AA meetings, talking daily to my sponsor, reaching out here and taking physical care of myself. I went to my Physc. Dr. and got my meds changed....that too helped.

By the way, CONGRATS on the 4th day.....keep it up....it is worth it! I am SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!

Congrats, Scott.

Give yourself some time.

Best of luck!

1. admitted they had a problem with alcohol
2. became willing to believe in a Power greater than themself
3. became willing to go to any lengths to stay sober
4. made a searching and fearless moral inventory.

Personally i went to a lot of meeting , talked a lot about it . And just did not drink in between . I became even more openly irritated after i got sober . but through the fellowship of others and loving kindness I've gotten through many difficult situations ..... Step work- with a sponsor,meetings, service to others and becoming a active participant in my life and so many others. Has opened the path for a new life well worth living free of Alcohol and Drugs....It has worked for me for well over 23yrs no matter what I've encountered, A Day at a time .
Billy

I had generalized anxiety d/o with panic attacks when I sobered up. I refused to take benzos for it. Nevertheless, I went to AA meetings. Just sat in the back for quite a while. Eventually got a sponsor who guided me through the Steps. Couldn't even say "spiritual" when I got here. I did know about all negative emotions however. Just keep your seat belt buckled. Just for jokes and grins, maybe you could ask God, Buddha, Fred or any other spiritual entity you might be able to relate to, to help you on your journey. This spirit heard my plea of desperation and answered it. Who knows, maybe it could work for you?

Please, listen to the wisdom of the oldtimers like cabledude & okiyoe. Don't know what lies ahead for you friend. I do know that if you want to stay sober, you will. It really is that simple. Best wishes, as you find your way.

Try to become aware of the depression and anger, then move your attention to that part of you which is observing the depression or anger.

Become that part which can be aware of the difficult emotions. Practice staying in this awareness mode for as long as possible until you can naturally just observe the depression and anger.

You should begin to feel some lessening immediately after practicing this.

If you do start to feel some detachment from the feelings, realise that that part of you which is the difficult emotions is the ego and begin to give that part less of your attention. Give these feelings less importance.