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.
Dear Friends,
On January 6, 2021, I celebrated one year without a drink of alcohol. Its been a tough year for everyone, everywhere. My first year of sobriety included house arrest for 3 months and the rest of the year in our county DUI Treatment Court program which I'm due to graduate at the end of this month. Thankfully back in the summer another alcoholic with good recovery asked me to go on a road trip with him to a meeting where he was telling his story. We both are from that town, with me not having been back in about 40 years. The town is about 2 hours away so we had plenty of time to talk on the way there and home that night and after the evening I had a new AA sponsor. I had to start the steps over again and I've been bogged down in my 9th step work for several weeks but I do believe that a small change has started in me, and none too soon. I'll be 59 in July and have been in and out of AA for about 30 years with 42 years of my life as a street gutter alcoholic. It's funny sometimes how I struggle with letting go and surrendoring and practicing patience...with my sponsor having me pray for God's will and God's direction in my life. The funny part comes in because I keep on trying to impress upon my 20 year younger sponsor that at my age I don't have as much time as him to wait until God feels I'm ready for whatever is next. So, here in am in North Central PA - living with / taking care of my aging parents where it's cold and not living on the beach. "Thy will not mine be done" I guess! Happy New Year Everyone
1 year is a BIG deal, proud of you. I too was a gutter drunk, on the street most of my life. I am also about your age.
I was a wrecking ball in people's lives, making amends seemed so overwhelming because I caused a lot of wreckage. When I decided to get sober, ...again, I didn't have many people left who would talk to me or wanted to help me.
I had been sober for almost six years in the past and people of AA treated me like I might be contagious in the beginning. I struggled with life but by some miracle, not with cravings. I moved back to where I went back out drinking and had done the most damage with my drinking and started making amends.
For me, making amends was not something that could be accomplished by simply making a list of people I had harmed, I was a black out drinker, didn't remember a lot of the damage I had done. I made amends as the opportunities presented themselves. I paid all the little debts, and the big ones too, mostly I became willing to accept accountability for my behavior and apologize as needed.
There are some people out there with whom I may never have credibility even if I am sober for a hundred years, I accept that also.
As the days and years piled up, however, most people came around to see that I am truly not the creature I was. I am 13 years and change free of drinking, went back to school in my fifties, I have lived in the same house for the last ten years and have a good reputation in my home town these days.
Miracles happen in the rooms of AA, hang in until your miracle happens.
As for God, he's in those rooms too. If the concept of God is off putting, think of it as an acronym, "Good Orderly Direction" or my fave, "Group Of Drunks"
You are not alone, and I am here if you would like to talk.
I think you are right where you need to be right now. Changing is slow from some perspective and yet looking back can be amazing at the progress. Like planting grass....
Wish you a continuing sober life