I agree with you there Nicky, sometimes I "get sick of the sound of my own voice", so I shut up for a while and hope someone else will come forward and contribute or pose a questions.

It seems a pity that we have this fantastic new medium for fellowship, learning and growth but it is not being utilised to its full potential. I think one of the best potential assets of having this is we are so anonymous here - it is the ideal place to explore those questions you have that you can never bring yourself ask face to face,

It is all worth it though when we see such great examples of people using this site to at least gather the courage and determination to get to their first meeting!

You may not think that your insight or experiences are not being utilized to it's full potential, but maybe there are other people like myself. I am on DS on a daily basis. At this point in time, I don't feel that I can say much or give much advice due to my current situation. I do however, find strength and comfort in your words (readings).
As each day passes, I find myself discovering the tools for recovery. I really believe that it is a mind set. You have to want it and need it completely to end the disease within yourself, but the first step is realizing that you have the disease. By reading the discussions, for me it's a realization - ME REALIZING I AM AN ALCOHOLIC.
I don't have the symptoms such as blacking out, passing out on the couch, or withdrawals. I do drink whenever I have down time, and I can drink a 12 pack by myself-easy. I love champagne, if you gave me a bottle - I would drink it to myself (if I didn't have someone to share it with). I started doing this because it is not cheap, and it would be flat the next day. So I know before I develop the symptoms that many others have, I need to take control.
Anyhow, I find helpful tools, strenghth, and courage within your postings. Thank you for this.

Thsnk you for your comments, ehecox, it is easy for me to forget that when I started attended AA I didn't share openly for over six months!

nice response from ehecox.. i was like that too.

another reason for the drop in discussions could b all the pent up cabin fever and people are outside more and are enjpying the outdooors instead.

Well that is probably true and I certainly bolt out of doors on the sunny days we have had. However, what keeps our green and pleasant land green is rain...a lot of it and I think we have had enough of it this past month or so. I think our weekend should be moved to Monday and Tuesday - those days have consistently been lovely every week - when we are back in the office!

Thanks for your response ehecox, I am glad that you are getting something from the group.

I agree with you too Gailly, I tend to try and post to keep some activity happening on the board but too get sick of the sound of my own voice and think people must think I am a real opinionated loud mouth (or the typing equivalent!). No confirmations of this please - i am still bad at having my character defects pointed out to me!! - lol.

If I am honest (which people on here will know I am) I think sometimes people are scared that they will get too judged by the posting. Words are so permanent on a screen aren't they? There is no feeling, no emotion, no facial expressions behind them. I think you can see this happen on postings (and I too have had my sensitive moments) and I think that puts alot of people off posting - for fear of being critised.

I joined this website today. I was hoping to get some feedback from some other alcoholics and adicts, sigh......... I am the chair person of my group this month. This group has other nurses,doctors,pharmicists,dentists,etc. Was wondering if anyone had some good topics I could use for this meeting with these professionals. You know,something you always wanted to ask your doctor, but was afraid to....... thanks, Betsy

Fair point kb, was only messaging someone this morning about how easy it is to misinterpret the sense of what people are saying when we dont have any body language, tone of voice etc to use as a guide.

I guess, like you, I am pretty honest and direct and that is the way that I post. I also take the message of recovery seriously so I will tend to be quite straight with people about it. I do try to make sure that I always stress that I am posting my opinion/experience only, when that is the case, but it is always worth keeping in mind how things might come across to others.

Thanks for the feedback.

Hi BBarry60 - welcome to the group. Good to have you here.

Are you looking for suggestions of topics for you to give information about alcoholism and recovery to the doctors, nurses etc or for topics that you can get information from them about?

hi everyone, i also have just joined today.

another thought about the lack of discussion could even be that some people may have been told all their lives that they can do everything on their own, that's atleast what i was told. some people may also feel as though they will be judged and feel that they have been judged enough. then there is always the fear of something new.

Welcome to the group sadlily. I also had that thing about doing things on my own and never asking for help or exposing my weaknesses to others. It has got better in recovery.

Thank you for your welcome nicky! yES I AM LOOKING FOR TOPICS FOR THE PROFESSIONALS on alcholism and addiction. I'm tired of talking about the same old things. ie fear,anliety,anger,etc. I want some related topic to deflate their doctor egos!!!!! thanks, Betsy

Nicky, Gailly, you guys are really awesome, I read your guys post every time. And most of the time get something from it!! Spring has arrived and we have gotten swamped with work, so I (personally) haven't been around as much. You guys are great, please keep it up.

I agree that it took me months to talk in meetings and I still have struggles with it, like am I going to mess up my words or is someone going to judge you. I have met alot of people that they think they have sobriety and they look down on you, because your not them, well I don't deal with those people. I am now just understanding my recovery and I get alot from all of you on here. I always remember that we are all in here for the same reasons.