Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
I haven't been on here much and am thinking I do an awful lot more posting when I feel like shit than when I feel okay. So wanted to share where I'm at which is a good place :)
I am 21 days sober again. I really effed up after almost 18 mos sober and made some weak decisions. I feel very lucky that I bounced back quickly and did a lot of right stuff to get back on track right away.
"What are you doing differently" is always the question... I am making a choice to be in the solution. I volunteered for a service position in a mtg. I am focusing on being kind and respectful to everyone in my life and setting aside my selfish anger and fears as best I can. I am not resisting the solution. I am approaching people who seem to need support and help. I am focusing on giving instead of getting. I joined an aa step workshop without feeling as though it was just expected of me. I am making amends and being honest and trying to eliminate all the bs that seems to flow so freely from my mouth all the time. I am trying to be self aware and always checking my motives before I act or speak. I am reading more recovery stuff and listening to other peoples stories online. I have an open mind again. I am getting better about praying. I am trying my best to take care of my responsibilities and I am focused on progress even if just little by little.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I finally accepted some professional and medical outside help for my anxiety and depression. I am still hoping the anti-depressant is temporary but I have to admit it is a lifesaver right now. I finally feel like I can do this deal. I truly believe if I'd had an open mind and got some help sooner, I wouldn't have fallen apart and relapsed. I should have checked myself in somewhere instead of taking the Ativan. The anxiety wouldn't have killed me but a drink might have. After the first week on my antidepressant, the anxiety was not so bad. I feel like I can function again and can put the necessary effort into my recovery to actually get well and maybe stay well.
Thanks for listening.
Xo Anna
I am 21 days sober again. I really effed up after almost 18 mos sober and made some weak decisions. I feel very lucky that I bounced back quickly and did a lot of right stuff to get back on track right away.
"What are you doing differently" is always the question... I am making a choice to be in the solution. I volunteered for a service position in a mtg. I am focusing on being kind and respectful to everyone in my life and setting aside my selfish anger and fears as best I can. I am not resisting the solution. I am approaching people who seem to need support and help. I am focusing on giving instead of getting. I joined an aa step workshop without feeling as though it was just expected of me. I am making amends and being honest and trying to eliminate all the bs that seems to flow so freely from my mouth all the time. I am trying to be self aware and always checking my motives before I act or speak. I am reading more recovery stuff and listening to other peoples stories online. I have an open mind again. I am getting better about praying. I am trying my best to take care of my responsibilities and I am focused on progress even if just little by little.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I finally accepted some professional and medical outside help for my anxiety and depression. I am still hoping the anti-depressant is temporary but I have to admit it is a lifesaver right now. I finally feel like I can do this deal. I truly believe if I'd had an open mind and got some help sooner, I wouldn't have fallen apart and relapsed. I should have checked myself in somewhere instead of taking the Ativan. The anxiety wouldn't have killed me but a drink might have. After the first week on my antidepressant, the anxiety was not so bad. I feel like I can function again and can put the necessary effort into my recovery to actually get well and maybe stay well.
Thanks for listening.
Xo Anna
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Dick Van Dyke’s path to sobriety was a turning point in his life and career. Here’s what happened:How He Got SoberStruggles and Realization: Van Dyke began drinking as a teenager, largely to cope with shyness and social anxiety. Alcohol made him feel more comfortable in social settings, but over time, his drinking spiraled out of control. By his mid-40s, he recognized that he had an addictive...
You have described everything someone needs to do in recovery and be successful. I couldn't have written it any better, and you have encapsulated so much of what the AA program offers an requires. And the great thing is that at 21 days, you show what is possible in such a short time. And the key to this all is being open-minded. We are past the "contempt prior to investigation" mode that we all used by default and are on a transformational path.
Well said - this made me smile.
And Congratulations on 21 days! I am sure you will have many many more!
Hugs,
Koyu
/smile
You have shown that anybody can get sober if they want it bad enough and are prepared to do the work. By the same token, anyone who is not prepared to make the necessary changes will continue to struggle. I love it when people start to see the road to happiness and progress and you are now on that path. Keep doing what youre doing but dont expect everything to be fixed right away. There is nothing wrong with availing of professional and medical help for anxiety or with taking whatever medications those people prescribe. If anyone at the AA meetings tells you otherwise you now have The wisdom to know the difference.
Loved your post.
I love others recovery stories. I listed to XA speakers almost daily and have for the past almost 18 months. That and meetings in particular help remind me of who I am.
I'm glad you are getting outside help. Me too:)
Hang in and post often.
XO
I do know where ya been, so I know you are in AA and I do think you made it through your first round with the steps.
Therefore the awareness is there.
Sooooo, when they say AA has permanently ruined any remote chance of partying normal again, yer stuck my friend,,,LOL.
You know what's up, sounds like your attitude seems a bit different, ya sound good.
Any thing that comes outta my mouth or any action has to be put through a check-list. Things do get better in that area, ya start trusting your motives are clean, self-centerLess.
Keep at it, ya non-unicorn. LMFAO.
A real wise old man once told me; Son, if ya want a serene life, just be kind to everybody, treat peeps like you want to be treated.
Rambling, so I will stop.
nice to type ya!
It's strange to feel so good.
For the record I am not taking the anxiety meds anymore. They are what led me right back to a drink. I was desperate for relief and took the easy way out. The anti-depressant is great and I will stay on it for awhile I think. It is actually helping me feel some emotions that I guess I was stuffing pretty hard. I am also seeing a therapist who I like so far and plan to stick with that for at least 6 mos.
Hey FrankieFly dude... The party was over a LONG time ago for me. Hard to explain why I keep effing up because I haven't ENJOYED a drink in probably 4-5 yrs.
I am on track for now anyway.
Xo
Let your relapse propel you forward! I know that mine did, or has helped me a lot because it scared me a lot too. And that is what I keep close to me!
Our date of soberity really is not what is important, you have a lot of knowledge....not that it's what keeps us sober but you know what you need to do!
Be careful with the too happy thing though too...I actually relapsed right after I got on my anti depressent. There were other things going on too, but I got to think I had this and I was okay now...
but when I came back I stayed on them and they did help me a lot to think more clearly and to get a better foundation under me. Sound like you doing the same thing.
You sound like you are on a really good path!! Happy for you! ANd happy that you are back!! Always like reading your posts and hearing from you!