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 am 52 yrs old at about 20 I went to AA stayed about 10 minutes walked out. 1 month ago tried it again I am 2weeks sober for 1st time in many years. I think It is great and look forwards to each meeting I feel at home with people that understand me and have been in my shoes.
If I didn't want sobriety more than anything else I would not stay sober. I couldn't do it alone although I tried and tried for years to do just that.
I needed a spiritual path to help me change to be the person I was meant to be without the "ism" of alcoholism. I needed God and guidance through other people's experience of long term sobriety.
Now I am long term sober too and have not needed or wanted a drink for years. I did not think that would be possible for me when I first became a member of AA but I saw evidence all around me that it was.
I still love going to meetings, I like to be a part of it all and have made some wonderful friendships over time. I also like to be there for newcomers, as others were for me.
Congrats on 2 weeks hope you find many more
P
Of course you need to address what you term the ism. Here's a short take on addiction I had with someone last night and then I'll finish with my thoughts on "programs"
Is addiction real? Absolutely but it's a dependency not a disease.
Well aside from the "physical" part which is real particularly for say heroin but that doesn't change the fact that you can still decide that you are done with it if you are willing to put up with the pain of withdrawal. From the mental aspect I would say that it is a response to some form of internal unease, discomfort, pain/suffering, however you want to phrase it. It certainly isn't a disease. As you have noted, we have two minds and the instinctual one wants to protect us and keep us from hurting. So drink/drug and it goes away. Of course that solution is exceedingly fleeting and once you come down, whatever was bugging you isn't gone, so the vicious cycle begins again. The key is of course to unraveling the mystery to whatever the Hell it is that is setting your basic survivial/pain avoidance gear into action. It could be anxiety, stress, depression, faulty expectations of reality, etc.... A bunch of different causes but at the end of the day, if I had to sum it up in one word, I'd say it's a "Response".
So, in answer to your question donttread, you have to uncover and address whatever it is that is causing you to rely on alcohol/drugs just to cope with everyday living. I, however, don't think that the proper answer is a program that requires lifetime recovery, surrender, and dogmatic belief.
You need education that will empower and educate people as to how to address these various causes. AA isn't equipped to do that. Writing down a 4th step sin list and confessing it to your sponsor is a pretty poor methodology in the 21st century when we've learned so much more about these kinds of conditions and how to overcome them.
Dontread asked you how you dealt with the ism, he did not ask for your opinion of AA or programmes.
Thanks for starting a new discussion, Zach. If I have time later today, I will add to it.
Two weeks feels amazing doesn't it? I still remember what that felt like, but I also was still a bit scared that I wouldn't be able to stay sober.
I love sobriety and I am no longer bothered by any thoughts of drinking - it has been that way for a long time now. That for me is true freedom.
I heard someone say that I never had to drink again, and I believed them. Still do. I know today that its the first drink that I have to avoid. I honestly used to think it was somewhere between 3 and 5 that was the problem.
I know that if I do the next right thing, I'll be a OK.
You will too.