So I could have written this a few times.
I went to AA on March 28th. My life has changed in SO many ways, all positive, since that night. I havent had a drink since march 27th.
Before that I was drinking almost nightly.
No real consequences. Great career, friends, home, family, health, etc. No DUI's, no divorces, no violence against me or from me. But I was miserable and I couldnt control my drinking. I couldnt have one drink. No such thing existed or exists for me.
Once I went to an AA meeting I immediately heard hope. I heard people who were just like me in this way, despite being so different in others. I related to them.
I'd strongly suggest AA or other support. Doing it alone, for me, lasted a few years, a few months, but always felt like white knuckling it alone.

Thanks Sticky!
How did you do it? How did you do on March 29th? 30th? Etc? Did you go to meetings often? What do you do about cravings between meetings? Who was your support? Did you do it on your own? There are so many questions.

The old saying "Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can do today."
---Thomas Jefferson

Hi, I would go to meeting's. Listen closely for the similarities not the differences.Introduce yourself as AAers are very accommodating people :) Here's a link of pamphlets and literature to check out. I owe my life to the "Just go and find out" Motto:)
Billy
http://www.aa.org/catalog.cfm?origpage=189&product=33

Many Thanks to Jonny, Thom Jefferson, and Okiy.
Meeting tomorrow with EYES WIDE OPEN!!

STAY TUNED!

AA has been the only thing that has consistently worked for me as well, just as the others mentioned. Go the meeting(s) with an open mind and remember that not all meetings are created equal and if you don't like one...try another..and so on. Good luck!

On the 28th, I went to another meeting. I've gone to one or two a day unless I've been literally in the air/ traveling or otherwise stuck.
I couldnt go to one yesterday, for example, and it was tough.
People from AA called me starting on day 3, after my 2nd meeting, and they still call me now! I got a sponsor almost immediately, a temp sponsor, who called me daily and reminded ME to stay sober, to not pick up that first drink, to call others, etc. Changing my behaviour helped me change the behaviour of drinking.
When I had a craving that was really strong, and its happened, I called everyone I knew till I got someone on the phone. My sponsor talked me off a cliff a few times, so did other friends from AA.
My support is my HP, I found my way back to my HP through AA, through my AA friends, my sponsor, the big book, etc.
I didnt do it on my own for the first time EVER I had trusted friends and my HP. Step one starts with "WE" and the entire program so far has been based in "WE."

GOOD luck. You can do this.

I was told first by my counselor in rehab than by my first sponsor. Show up when you're supposed to, Keep my F...ing mouth shut, pay attention to what is being said and take what I hear as something I MUST do and not something I should do.

By keeping my mouth shut I was to concentrate on the message and not in my head wondering what I should say.

not in dire straits - is that what you are waiting for?

Do you want to stop or just gathering ways that people did stop?

peace

I have gone to AA and can't stand it. I tried a christian group. I do ok for some time and seem to relaps. I guess I just don't get it.
Dusty

You sound like me 2 years ago.

I could tell you about all my attempts at getting sober, but bottom line was that I needed AA and I needed to get involved with other people who lived recovery. It took me a long time. I never lost a job or had any legal trouble, but that was more luck than anything. I finally went to a 60 day treatment program - after swearing only 3 weeks prior that I wouldn't go to inpatient because I had work commitments. Rehab allowed me the distraction free time to focus on AA's program as well as get some beneficial 1 on 1 and group therapy.

AA and rehab were the lengths I needed to go to. I watched others stay sober on their own, but I could not pull it off. I wish I hadn't wasted 2 years trying it my way.

Keep coming back here and get to know some people you can relate to. You will get some good guidance.

Good luck.

http://www.examiner.com/addictions-in-lafayette-la/aa-meeting-secrets

This is what happens in an AA meeting. Call ur AA hotline. Find out a 0700 am meeting in your town and attend. Attend a meeting for lunch and after work. At every meeting they ask, "Who can sponsor?" Pick out a sponsor for you right away. Alcoholics can help other alcoholics.