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 just started this on this site about a week or so ago and it has done wonders for me. Its like I just woke up one morning and said, "I'm done" and decided to get more info and suddenly came upon this place.
I have been to AA before but it did nothing for me. I went to an AA held on my college campus for a while but none of the people were like me. None were college students and most looked like they didn't have jobs. Also, I am not a religious person and all the references are just not relevent to me.
I am not saying that I am better than them, but I just couldn't relate. I know I have alcohol issues but AA made me feel horrible. I would rather my life be filled with crazy alcholic nights than to constantly think about how I have an alcohol problem everyday.
For me it is better to look foward than to think about how alcohol has caused a bunch of setbacks. Are there other programs besides AA?
By the way, I am not knocking AA in general, I am just saying it is not for me. I would just leave and feel weird. It may be the inner city environment I live in, who knows.
I have found much more success coming on here. You can come when you want and I feel the people are more like me. I think I just need someone to talk to when I don't drink. I have drank so much in the past that it just became a normal part of the day. Coming on here makes me realize it is not. I don't want all the rituals and such, I just want some people who relate.
I just feel like if I don't go to AA it is some sort of crime in the alcoholism world.
I have been to AA before but it did nothing for me. I went to an AA held on my college campus for a while but none of the people were like me. None were college students and most looked like they didn't have jobs. Also, I am not a religious person and all the references are just not relevent to me.
I am not saying that I am better than them, but I just couldn't relate. I know I have alcohol issues but AA made me feel horrible. I would rather my life be filled with crazy alcholic nights than to constantly think about how I have an alcohol problem everyday.
For me it is better to look foward than to think about how alcohol has caused a bunch of setbacks. Are there other programs besides AA?
By the way, I am not knocking AA in general, I am just saying it is not for me. I would just leave and feel weird. It may be the inner city environment I live in, who knows.
I have found much more success coming on here. You can come when you want and I feel the people are more like me. I think I just need someone to talk to when I don't drink. I have drank so much in the past that it just became a normal part of the day. Coming on here makes me realize it is not. I don't want all the rituals and such, I just want some people who relate.
I just feel like if I don't go to AA it is some sort of crime in the alcoholism world.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
its just lots of people have been helped by AA.
it has a proven track record.
Good Luck to you in your sobriety
AA is NOT the only answer for drinking problems..There are many alternatives to it and u have found some support here while you choose your path.
I personally have been a member of AA since i started my recovery from this disease and it has been a blessing for me.
My brother uses his church and their fellowship..
and then we have those that sober up in Jails/ Institutions and cemetaries...
if the meeting at the University was filled with people that you didn't "relate to"...maybe try it one more time and try to "identify" with the ideas . attitudes and emotions u find there.
I was just out of college 4 yrs wehn i came to AA and I didn't relate either.. until i was desperate "enough" for the hlp that AA has freely given me and our family..
God bless
botbotcoco
http://www.londonppbbs.com/ourprimarypurposechatroom.html
I think AA can be good for alcoholics who are not good at being in touch with themselves or their feelings. Maybe they were that way when they started drinking, or maybe they ended up that way along the way, but realizing one is an alcoholic and admitting it requires a lot of personal introspection. Sometimes it takes reaching the bottom of the line in life that brings on this introspection, and the brain fog created by alcohol leaves a hole, making it difficult for some to know how to start the recovery process. This is where AA is a brilliant solution.
For others who don't relate to the methods provided by AA (formulated through years of work in the field, trial and error, and support), ask yourself these questions:
What kind of support system do I currently have and can I corral the people I need in my life to help me through difficult situations?
Have I detoxified my body and seen a doctor to assess any liver damage?
Where does the desire to stop drinking come from within me? Am I ready to say no to alcohol on a daily basis for the rest of my life?
You can also use AA on an "as needed" basis until you become more familiar with the program. They will tell you in the beginning that you can "take what you like and leave the rest". So, there's no pressure.
Do use the tools they offer which resonate with your own beliefs.
Best of luck to you. Stay in the moment and you can realize your dreams.
"When a drunk shows up among us and says that he doesn't like the AA principles, people, or service management, when he declares that he can do better elsewhere ---- we are not worried. We simply say, "Maybe your case really is different. Why don't you try something else?"
To those who wish to secede from AA altogether, we extend a cheerful invitation to do just that. If they can do better by other means, we are glad. If after a trial they cannot do better, we know they face a choice: They can go mad or die or they can return to AA. The decision is wholly theirs. (As a matter of fact, most of them do come back).
this is a quote from Bill Wilson from the book Twelve Concepts (pg 72-73).
I hope this answers your question.
In a way this site is a little like AA, we share our experiences and we try to help each other.
Where do I sit on the fence, well my door is wide open, some AA,this site, some other therapies and a network of good friends, some very AA some not.
I believe all are good, but festering alone at home is not.
These are of course just my feelings
Trickey
I will definitely utilize AA in the future if my methods do not work. Is there non-religious AA, that is one of my biggest quirks with it. I am not christian and don't think I need to be to fix my problems.
I liked trikeys approach of using all the resources as I think that is the way I work. Happy2, I think that people should definitely come back if other methods do not work.
My issue is that in the past, I left AA and I felt strange. I asked myself will I have to be all broken and talking about how shitty alcohol is for my whole life. It just kinda makes me wanna drink.
The reason I stay in right now trickey is because I am remembering who I used to be and what I used to do when these problems didn't exist.
This is probably going to upset people, but I think it is possible that it may not be a disease for some but more of a bad lifestyle choice, like choosing to watch tv to much.
I will be very okay with giving aa a second chance though if I find out that that is not the case