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.

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gjm 03/30/2013

Normally I would post a question like this in "aafriends" but wanted to get a more of a cross section of input whatever way you choose to stay sober.

I found recovery through the AA 12 step program and was at a meeting the other day. The topic was what are you grateful for and a few shared that they are grateful for being alcoholic. When it came time for me to share I mentioned I'm defiantly NOT grateful that I have the illness because of what it did to myself and others around me from family, relationships, and so on. With my history the constant craving and obsession that came along with it for many years when I crossed that line into alcoholism. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy so to speak. I was either doing some type of mind altering substance or thinking about it 24/7 for many years.

As I went on to share one of the main things I am grateful for is finding the acceptance to deal with it by taking a little direction and finding a HP to help me guide through the process that there was a way to get out of the dilemma I was in.

After the meeting a few people came up to me and thanked me for sharing what I did because it bothered them and couldn't understand why someone would be grateful to have such a devastating illness and everything that came alone with it.

So what's your take on the subject?

m8bear 03/31/2013

You know g, I would love to be a social drinker yet I am not wired that way. I am an alcoholic through and through.

As others have said, I am grateful for what was on option when I walked into the rooms of AA and for my 'how' of putting the action in.

Last night was one of those lovely nights out that would have been so different if alcohol had been involved.

So grateful for recovery. So grateful that there is a solution to this disease. So grateful to my HP and for all those who helped me, and still do, stay spiritually well every day :)

Grateful for sobriety?? You bet ya :) x

BrooklynnMB 03/31/2013

I'm grateful that I realized I had a problem and decided to quit drinking. I haven't diagnosed myself as an alcoholic or not but it doesn't really matter, like I said, I'm just grateful to be sober.

deleted_user 03/31/2013

Life is good and I'm grateful to be a recovering alcoholic. Like so many others, I'd never have been given so many gifts without the grace of God, AA and recovery. I am a composite of my experiences and am at peace with myself today. Alcoholic and all. That is the greatest gift of all for this drunk...

Hugs,
Dennis

laura96 03/31/2013

So many great replies! I'm grateful for my recovery. Many times I've looked at the non-alcoholics around me and thought it's too bad you're not sick enough to be in AA so you could work the steps, too. This program is by far the hardest but the best thing I've ever done for myself.
I understand people who say they're grateful to be alcoholic. For me it's not just because it led me into AA, but because it puts me into a unique position where I can help others who suffer from this disease. It's truly a blessing to watch people grow happier and more confident every day as they continue to stay sober.

gjm 03/31/2013

A lot of great answers and the key was to see what your OWN personal experience is.

#5 @ Rick, I'm pretty certain this comes from people that found recovery at the lowest point like myself.

The best way to explain it is people decided to get help at different levels. Say your on a elevator and there is 4 floors. Some get off on the top floor knowing they have a problem and deal with it in a timely matter. 3 a little more beat up and so one.

Like myself I had to hit the basement before the pain hurt so bad before they did something about it. Goes to the the people that say they are grateful to have the illness it always seems to be the ones at near death that feels this way.

At the end of the day it goes back to acceptance and wiliness to take action and doing things that are uncomfortable to find some type of Peace of Mind.

laura96 03/31/2013

One last thing...I'm grateful that I'm an alcoholic because it points squarely at what my problem was. Before that, I was afraid it was something much worse, that I was really crazy and that there wasn't anything I could do about it. I guess that's the long way of saying I'm grateful I am ONLY an alcoholic, and today I have a solution to keep that problem in remission.

deleted_user 03/31/2013

I have come to see that every experience in my life has shaped the person I am and in that way, I am grateful.

heldback 04/01/2013

I can understand how the other people in your group could say they were grateful for being an alcoholic. I am. I know it sounds funny. But truth be told, I WOULD NOT BE THE PERSON I AM RIGHT NOW, had I not been that alcoholic then. I know I hurt alot of people and did alot of things I really shouldn't have. But I am grateful for the experiences. I am grateful for the lessons. I am grateful because now I can be a Councillor and utilize my downfalls, embarrassments and prove to others that they can make it out too. Yes I am grateful I went through what I did. It made me strong, knowledgeable and thankful for life. I chose to drink, I chose to continue to drink and now I choose to be thankful that I made it to the "sober" side. You have to be grateful that we are all given opportunities and choices. Be grateful of your choices. Even if they were wrong it brought you to where you are and where you are headed. :)

donttread 04/01/2013

Sometimes yes, because I would never have learned this fantastic program for living without my alcoholism and AA.
But at times no because of the damnedable addictive personality that goes with my alcoholism.
But I always understand that left to my own devices without this program I'd be dead.

deleted_user 04/01/2013

Nope. Not in a million years. F nope.

asthmasucks 04/01/2013

i am NOT grateful for alcoholism , i am grateful today im sober and i pray i can maintain it. this disease ruined my fathers life , ruined my relationships and destroyed my family. i hate it!!!!!!!!!1

drafter 04/02/2013

I am. It took the break down to rebuild and get where I'm at. Granted, I don't know where I would be otherwise if I were not an alcoholic. The contrast between my old life and new life is incredible and I needed that. I had to be humbled and beaten. I needed that too.

deleted_user 04/04/2013

All of the posts are amazing. I have to admit I am very sad thinking what alcoholism did to my father even though he was sober for 23 years before he passed away. The years before were torture - we never knew how he would be when we called or went to visit.

My ex-H became an alcoholic at an early age and it destroyed our marriage and our two sons went through hell because of his erratic behavior over the years. Neither of my sons drinks - I think they fear it as I always have because of being around my father.

I have seen people through the years who drink at all hours. It is so painful to watch and not be able to help them.

CoogeeMum 04/04/2013

I loved all the posts too Coreen. Grateful to be alive today.

bcp65 04/05/2013

Hi,lm on my first week without all ohol,red wine mostly, its so hard, LM goi b to go to as with my neigh our on no day, l can't do this alone,LM going for dinner with my friend, should be okay, l really like my wine, of tonightcan't wait for aa ,l need. The help,l didn't think l was bad at 2 bottles almost every night, but heartburn kept happening,wish me Luck l want to be healthy free from my addiction!! Thanks for Liste I g!

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