aa friends Community Group
Welcome. If you come to visit for the first time and have some questions feel free to ask. PM someone if you like but don't stay a stranger. We were all in the pit. We know a way out. No condemnation and no hammers. Just ask and prepare to make a load of friends.
Yesterday at our sober sisters meeting there was considerable discussion on and about relapse. Webb a member of daily reprieve who had just picked up his 9 month chip then proceeded to go out and drink himself to death in a 2 day period (he was 52). This shocked and stunned several women and a couple of women spoke about a recent relapse and another talked about suicide.
Kathi an addict then asked the group "why" people relapsed because she felt if we knew "why" then perhaps it could be prevented. The general protocol is not to ask open questions of the group and to refrain from "cross talk" but no one pointed it out...being a polite group. One "slipper" did say there is no one reason, different as there are different people...blah blah.
Usually this group is pretty awesome with experienced sober sisters sharing very positive ESH. I just felt depressed. Another newby was in tears, fearful of losing the comradely support we all have shared. My feeling which I didn't or could't really express was that I have no control or power over anyone's sobriety...including my own. I can neither fear a relapse nor anticipate a relapse because I have no power over my alcoholism. I have given up trying to "control" my drinking or behavior. I am open and seeking new paths and ways of coping with life and have been very fortunate to be released from the obsession and hope that as long as I continue to be open and work my personal program I will stay sober. I also decided I need to go to some different meetings :D
Kathi an addict then asked the group "why" people relapsed because she felt if we knew "why" then perhaps it could be prevented. The general protocol is not to ask open questions of the group and to refrain from "cross talk" but no one pointed it out...being a polite group. One "slipper" did say there is no one reason, different as there are different people...blah blah.
Usually this group is pretty awesome with experienced sober sisters sharing very positive ESH. I just felt depressed. Another newby was in tears, fearful of losing the comradely support we all have shared. My feeling which I didn't or could't really express was that I have no control or power over anyone's sobriety...including my own. I can neither fear a relapse nor anticipate a relapse because I have no power over my alcoholism. I have given up trying to "control" my drinking or behavior. I am open and seeking new paths and ways of coping with life and have been very fortunate to be released from the obsession and hope that as long as I continue to be open and work my personal program I will stay sober. I also decided I need to go to some different meetings :D
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
Also, allow yourself to grieve the loss of your friend Webb, I just lost a sobriety mate recently and the fact is that we learn to love each other in AA and when someone loses the Good Fight it hurts.
It is tragic to see someone die of alcoholism. It is sometimes hard to concede our powerlessness over someone who is struggling. I see my responsibility as carrying the best message of hope and recovery I can in the hope that it does make a difference to someone else.