Hello Runnergirl!

I had seven years of sobriety and had quit going to meetings after 2 years of sobriety. I ended up drinking again and didn't make it back for 4 1/2 years.

This time, though I fought AA all the way at first, AA has been a wonderful place to stay sober. It works for me.

I feel your steps should be done with a sponsor. You really need to be able to discuss the steps with someone who has already worked them. Another persons perspective helps you to understand the steps better and will hopefully be able to answer any questions you may have.

Its a matter of choice. If you want what we have......do what we do

Runner, read Greg's post 100 times. That post is the best advice anyone can give you. Good luck to you, and it's nice to see you here.

Augusta

What we do to get and stay sober varies from person to person. I quit without using a program. Most here use AA, but some others use SMART Recovery or other methods.

So you don't really have to go to AA meetings. But if you aren't sure about quitting, not sure about what to do next, AA is as good a place to start as any. It might give you some clarity about what you're facing and what it takes to quit. Plus, in my limited experience (I attended one meeting but have relatives and friends in AA) I think you will find the people you meet there to be very supportive.

Glad you found DS -- hope you find the support you are looking for.

AA has a better success rate than NOT going to AA. I did go to AA and I'm glad I did - I would be dead by now if I hadn't gone.

I'm now working on 18 years of sobriety. If I make it until July, that's what I'll be celebrating -- but I'm just going to take it one day at a time. That's all ANY of us has. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow.

When I first started, one day at a time was too much for me -- so I did it ONE MINUTE at a time. I figured I could go one minute without a drink. It was easier for me that way.

You don't have to get a sponsor the minute you walk in the door. Wait until you know the people -- then find someone you know that you can TRUST with your very life. It might take a few months before you know. Or you might know in a couple of weeks - but it has to be someone with long-term sobriety -- not a newcomer.

Best of luck. And God bless. Hugs, Lee

Hello Runnergirl,

It all depends on how far advanced you are with your drinking. If you have not developed the mental obsession and physical craving for alcohol (crossed the line) you may be able to handle it on your own. However, regardless of whether you are an alcoholic or not, if drinking is causing you trouble I would suggest going to AA. If you are in fact an alcoholic, the chances of succeeding on your own are slim.

Like Tracy I fought against the idea of having anything to do with AA and indeed I had a pretty low opinion of the fellowship. That is called contempt prior to investigation as I actually knew nothing about AA. I realise now that the dislike that I had for AA may well have been because I disliked myself. Without any doubt, going to that first meeting was one of the best things that I ever did.

What you will find after a while if you go to meetings is that you will go because you want to and not because you have to. The sponsor and Steps come a little later but the starting point is to go to a meeting. You cant really do steps on your own as it takes the help of someone who has been there already and who knows the way. Why not go to a few meetings and give it a try?

I saw what you wrote about what steps should I take now as how do I stop drinking....is that correct? if so just put the plug in the jug...don't drink today...it does not take an AA meeting to stop...it takes AA for me because I became teachable...I didn;t catch alcoholism I developed a bad habit of drinking too much...when I got to AA I already knew I had alcoholism....I had been to meeting two or three times in about ten years before I decided I wanted to stop drinking for support I reached into what I knew was used for support which to me I had known that AA was for support...so I grabbed a guy who pulled me in after I spilled my guts to him that I wanted to stop drinking, had stopped drugs abuse long before and I knew I would succeed but didn't know what to do...he leading the way told me the thursday night meeting was right next door to my apt. in that church at 8pm...I went knowing I was going to drink the next day on my planned fishing trip...they said keep coming back...this was first place anyone wanted me to come back to....so I did and I did stay sober from that time to today...about 15 1/2 yrs later....but drinking is optional...I could choose to drink...do not get in my way if I choose to...because you cannot stop me...hug me but don't take the time to go to the bar with me because I will embarrass you too....some say they will buy me my first drink...I am not ready for that money in my life today....hugs bill

oh It is because I have the plug in the jug......

Yes, get to an AA meeting, a tried and true way of getting sober and staying sober. Sometimes when we are drinking or using, it feels like the"easier softer way", ie, blot out the pain of living with the substance. Unfortunately it doesn't resolve any problems, just makes them worse and our lives get progressively worse.

On the other hand, in my view and that of many others, the "easier softer way" is to face the problem head on, with support of people who have done it before and thus stayed alive and able to rebuild their lives, and of course to then hand it down to the next person who is seeking sobriety.

I'm not saying the process of getting sober and in the earlier times is easy, but in the long term, a life without booze and with the 12 Steps and the Fellowship of AA is infinitely better, with a set of tools you can use for the rest of your life.