You remind me Of a Young Boiler maker that was here for a couple of years Got the Groove....Mental Energy galore...he alwayys had point -counter point attitude....I hear you I really Dooo

Billy

I'm glad that this is working for you, OP. I really am.

I tried this using other methods and they failed. I sense that you are a bit anti-AA and it is not up to me to defend it other than to say, it works for me.

I wish you peace.

Okijoe,

you calling me neurotic for using a stat about quitting without a program?

I resemble that remark.

Never said anything anti AA.

Just wanted to clear that up.

Me too exj Me too... resemble ! The eyes of Laura Mars nooooooooooooooo not that bad..hehe

LOL Okie I love that. Soap box for Soap:)

The only statistic that really matters is the statistic of 1 (I stole that from someone else here). AA helps a percentage of the people who walk in its doors. Other support groups help a fraction of those who walk in theirs. Spontaneous remission occurs. Various types of counseling helps another slice of drinkers. Some do various combinations. It would seem that no one method is superior to another on a macro level. They all appear to have the same success rate and each has their strong points and weak ones too. I have a tendency to universalize my experience, though. It is up to the individual to find their path amongst various options...

"Spontaneous remission" is a horrible term, fortunately one that is not widely used. That sounds like TA DA! I woke up one day and miraculously no longer drank. Bull. No matter how you get there, getting sober is a lot of work. Let's not minimize that.

I agree the term "spontaneous remission" is a bit misleading. It describes people that get up one morning, resolve not to drink for various reasons, and move on with their lives. While it appears at first blush to be easy maintain it is not, like all methods one uses.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10976668

I agree

Fuzzy,
No matter whether we accept support and encouragement from others, we are still doing it alone. In the end, no matter where that help comes from, it all boils down to taking responsibility for our own behaviors.

Fuzzy

I usually find your comments rather flippant, however, I find this a good thread.

I totally take responsibility for my own actions. This is not how I started my sobriety. I started drinking at 13 and took my last drink at 40. I missed out on a lot of my emotional maturity. I had to learn to live life on life's terms and I could not do it alone. I am glad that you have a support system. I know I had to find mine. I have used AA, NA, ACA, rehab, pain management, and therapy. My family and my friends support my sobriety.

It takes what it takes to get sober and there are many routes to sobriety. I support whatever avenue a person uses. To steal someone else's (Zachary to be exact) comment, 'the only statistic that really matters is the statistic of 1." I encourage people to keep searching and trying to find what works for them.

I read that psychology today article and would be interested to learn how long they followed those who quit on their own because most will relapse at some point, according to a former counseler I had.

Not saying it's right or it's wrong but....Just sayin.....

Bob, you seem to discount non AA an awful lot.

Plenty of people in AA relapse.

Just sayin

Personally, I think MOST alcoholics will drink again, no matter what program one is working. It's just the name of the game. Because we are human and prone to all human mistakes, for lack of a better word. Just keep on, keep on. That's what we all do.