I don't myself, because I found the causes and conditions in my 4th step and worked on it and changed them. Mine was like on page 65 of the book FEAR AND SELF ESTEEM. Damn it fells go to let that go. Why don't you give it shot and let people in or just vent a bit Sure we are here to help other people but we also have to take care of are selves.

Well you know that I do have a rant and share with my friends through my journal Nicky. I will be honest, I live alone (but thanks to a very special lady from AA now realise I am not 'lonely') and find that 'typing it' offloads things, especially before bedtime. It is great that people give me good advice as to what is going on (sometimes I dont always like it but that to me is invariably the best advice) and I like the fact I get new ideas on how to deal with things.

Also, day by day, I am finding I do have the odd thing to say to a newcomer or to a listing. I think, for my recovery, I need the fellowship and all the people in it (AA and DS included) I believe this has saved me / kept me in the day and given me strength when I would not have had it alone to stay sober.

Hope that makes sense. I love to read what is going on with my 'friends' so, as G says, stick your little toe in the water, you may just be surprised at what you get back from us all :)

Lastly Nicky: Keep coming back, it works if you work it, so work it you're worth it (I still smile due to DS and the 'hair flicking' when I say this at the end of every meeting haha).

the reason for sharing, is that although in may help you to share. Your experience m strength and hope may help another alcoholic.. It is suggested we share in a general way: what it was like , what happened and what it's like now.( It ) being our lives of course

If all you have is experience, share your experience.
When you get strength & hope, share that as well.

Drunk-a-logs are OK for the first few months of recovery but at some point you need to move on. If not, you will be stuck in dry-drunk mode.

As I read your Discussion Topic of "Sharing My Own Situation", I see a bit of myself. I have not shared openly about my current situations as much as I have shared my experience, strength and hope in recovery. And I don't think you were inferring to your 'drunk-a-log... And I do struggle with knowing how much to reveal while writing here.

I am certain that the "swimming approach" is what will tell you how or what to share: Share a little, see what happens and test the water!

I had a lot of trouble with depression in my recovery because I am one of the very many people who found out that I been self-medicating with alcohol and drugs and when the gift of sobriety came, I fell into the un-medicated basement. While the program of AA gave me the structure to develop A REAL LIFE, my struggle for balance began. And wow, what a struggle - but I did it "out-loud" and I got a lot of help, and believe me it was hard. I was hospitalized many times and I wanted to give up and evaporate away but Honesty, Open mindedness and Willingness, learned from my AA friends, worked. And I still have a lot of chaos in my life, but people tell me that I have a peaceful and calming presence.

I look forward to reading more about you and I hope to learn from your example. Besides having a lot to give, I have a lot to learn.

DnSage, thanks for your reply, think you get where I was coming from. You put well exactly what i meant , in that I share a lot of experience strength and hope but not always a lot about my current situation.

Your advice about testing the water is good.

Bolean, agree 100% - I am not a fan of the drunk-a-log and would never share one, either on here or in a meeting. I was referring more to the sharing of how I apply spriritual principles in my life today and that requiring me to reveal more about my life today than has usually natural for me.

As I progress in recovery and things change, I have to look at whether things are in the right balance and I guess that is what I am doing here now.

I guess what I am sharing is that even after 6 years sober I stll have things to think about, changes to make, inventories to take and I can always be looking at my life to see if I am doing things in the best way I can for me and others.

Thanks for all the replies - great feedback.

3 great words Nicky-- RECOVERY, CHANGE, AND BALANCE.
Its a process.
Its what it all about.

I used to have a hard time when I first got into meetings and sharing because my story involves alot of domestic violence, but it is my story and everyone has their own individual story which makes it their own. With that is good, you never know who is n the room and you will share something that they may needed to hear. It is good to share. We do not judge here, we all have one thing in common.....that is to STAY SOBER.
Take care

i use to struggle with that, i never wanted people to judge me come to find out they did anyway and i wasnt getting better. yes it looked good on the outside however i was a mess on the inside. now i dont hold anything back and some think im to forward and to open, that some things arent for all ears, i no longer care what others will think about what i say as far as my story goes, because im here to save my ass so i will one day be able to help others. i learned carrying around the crap inside of me was dangerous, and also when i focus on others and their problems it allows me to not have to look at mine, however mine are still there. also others may be able to use what i have to say and that is what this program is all about. being honest about it all is the only way for me now. i get negative feed back sometimes, however that also helps me, even though i dont care for it. maybe something your struggling with some one else is to and if you dont share it how can you be helping your self or others