Alcoholism Support Group

Goals, and achieving them

Nice to see you leaned on another alcoholic its what its all about.

To answer your question I could write a chapter but will keep it simple.

Full circle deal for this alcoholic, living the steps to the best of my ability , meetings, try to give away that was so freely given to me and this one is very important stay CONNECTED with people like myself

Good post... what helps me today is reaching out to others in happy moments and sad moments... I was on tons of pills to kill the pain not to long ago... so i agree to what your saying about no program while taking pills and classes.... now that I am off (just my story) all meds and booze I am able to reach out to others and sometimes i don't make sence cause there is so much to get out of my head all these feelings but it seems to be working so far... so hanging on to that.. and praying like there is no tomorrow and living for today... My new sobriety date is June 13th, took 2 years to completly surrender ... and reach out (truly reach out ) its not the easiest thing to do... however it is softer ... i could go on and on bottom line i am greatfull to be here today, Greatfull to have the fellowship of AA in my life

I'm so sorry that you're hurting & so glad that you picked up that dang phone.

It is sad that I'm almost afraid to say what is working for me because I might be jumped on but screw it, I'm not going to preempt what I'm about to say with a disclaimer...

Having a sponsor to take me through the steps is saving my ass & all of my relationships. I've never been almost 4 1/2 months sober before & I know without a doubt that it is because I decided to do the AA route & get a sponsor.

Vodka will always be there, how I react when I drink vodka will always be the same, it's ME that needs to change...and I need help to do that.

I'm so happy to hear that you're still on your way to a 19th celebration, I hope you feel better. :)

working through the steps with a sponosr to the best i can , being thoroughly honest no matter how hard it is... honesyt for me is very important.... staying around people who care and understand...

like someone said .. alcohol will always b there and will always b the same but its ME who has to change ... have to change everything...


hope you are ok... and sorry you are hurting..well done for pickin up the phone :)

Always do three things: 1) Trust God, 2) Clean House, 3) Work with others. Always remember also that no matter what: DO NOT DRINK! A drink solves nothing and causes more problems than what you drank over. In the words of a brother of mine who died at age 49 with 19 years sobriety from emphysema: Give me one good REASON to drink and I will join you. I have millions and millions of excuses to drink at any given time but I have yet come to find a good reason.

A sponsor once told me that if I find myself wanting to drink and I am by myself, at night, without a chance of a meeting and cannot call anyone, open the Big Book and start reading. Does not really matter where you start but start somewhere between page xxv and page 164. Read until your answer appears or the urge to drink leaves you. As soon as you can though, call someone (like your sponsor or spiritual adviser) and talk to them. Always worked for me and I have 9886 days of sobriety.

Sorry to hear you are in pain. I also love my friends and fellow alkies in fellowship and that is one of the joys in my life, the spiritual sisters and brothers I have in my home group, particularly - and my sponsor, last but far from least.

Above all this, and in answer to your question, what works best for me is seeking the will of God and the courage He gives me to carry that out. Without Him I am nothing but dead or dying.

The steps, the fellowship, my sponsor etc are all great for me but they are all a means to an end. That end is a power greater than myself that can solve my problem. That is ultimately what I place reliance on. Other people support me and walk with me on my journey and point me towards the spiritual path but I have to walk it and keep the connection with the power.

A powerful thing for me is helping others. When my "self" is out of the way and I am not operating based on "self " will, that is when the connection with a power greater than my "self" is most felt.

A lot of good stuff here. One thing I would like to point out to a newcomer that is seeking a solution to there problem. This is a prime example why its important to be connected to people in your area face to face. This site can be a tool but in my opinion if this is the only tool your using and a dilemma like winged comes along and no one is around, what would be your next option.

Just something to think about.

I agree face to face is VERY important.