Find a local A.A. meeting by a Google search. They will show all the options near and far. Get your butt there...no more excuses. Feel free to stay in touch with me.

Anxiety is the flavor of many of us. I was so neglectful of my emotional health that the whole time I was drinking (a good decade) I never acknowledged my issues. Without understanding that, I generated a mountain of anxiety. Because I wasn’t able to be honest with myself. The longer my ‘dark’ time is behind me the more aware of life I become. It’s better though to simply face it and deal with arising problems with a clear mind. As scary as reality can be, (when we see it that way:) please know that the alcohol makes it into a monster. It’s NOT helping. Just avoiding things temporarily but not really because in the back of our minds we know something is wrong. So it’s not an escape but more like self torture lol. At least that’s how I see it now. I gave myself the gift of allowing myself to heal. Started with abstinence then began walking every day. Stopped watching tv and began reading about spiritual and emotional health. Eat healthier and drink more water. Changing takes time but it feels good every day I take care of myself. It’s my ‘hobby ‘. Stop drinking and discover how complex but fulfilling sobriety is. I had no clue how rewarding it is until I committed myself to change.

I think in today's world, there is far more stress in families then there was when I was a kid. Stress is a trigger to those who do not have a support network of friends and family.

AA is a great place to find that support. You can get a sponsor who will guide you through the steps and you can learn how to live a happy sober lifestyle. Then you can come back here and share what you have learned with others...., so keep in touch!

God Bless

Welcome. As was said. Go to AA over and over again

You took a big step in admitting you have a problem and this is a bigger achievement than you might realize! When I had the same epiphany years ago, I tried stopping on my own, but relapsed every time. I realized later that for me, mere abstinence wasn’t sustainable without repairing the root cause of my addiction to alcohol. This recovery work allowed me to “recover” my true self and begin living a life without the need for chemicals to survive the highs and lows of life.

AA and Refuge Recovery are both step programs that provide a path and community of support to break addictions and a recovery plan to stay sober. We are all a bit nervous when we attend our first meeting, but you’ll probably discover within a few minutes why you need to be there.

Wishing you the best and please stay in touch!

Hi, original poster here. I just got back from the clinic with the 8 year old. The doctor says the bump doesn't look serious. Of course, now I am convinced it is melanoma. It is red and growing. It will take months to see a pediatric dermatologist. It took 7 months to get into the eating disorder program for my other daughter. I didn't mention it, but I am also dealing with the following in my family right now: dialysis, lymphoma, severe arthritis, and threats of suicide- all from 4 different family members. A lady of my aqaintance committed suicide after battling an eating disorder for many years around Christmas. I really, really need a drink right now. The AA office opens in 53 minutes. I have the number ready. I am crying, but I am going to go out and putz around a bookstore, then come home and call. Drinking will not make anything better. I am considering taking 8 year old to the emergency and asking them to take it off there. I need help now. I can't do much more by myself.

Meeting starts in 25 minutes. Leaving the house now.

Let us know how it went. Many people read these posts but don't respond so you could potentially be helping someone else who is looking for help and doesn't know where to turn.

Good luck and God Bless

Well, I went from never wanting another drink again on Sunday to being swamped by a tidal wave of desire for a drink today. It has never roared back like that before. At the meeting I was a blubbering, sobbing, emotional mess. I've embarrassed myself so many times before, at least I was doing something constructive and good by being there instead of something stupid and destructive. And anyway, nobody seemed to mind. There were people there from their 20s and up to senior citizens - men and women. Most were friendly and encouraged me to come back. But the important thing was that I walked out without feeling overwhelmed with the need for a drink at that moment. That was my goal today. When I called the main office in my city, they put me in touch with a lady to call in my neighbourhood. I am going back to the meeting on Friday . If I cannot contain myself until then, I am going to call her. That is my plan. I just cannot drink anymore.

Excellent. When you start seeing more smiling faces and hearing laughter at meetings you will feel comfortable being in As.

Kudos to you for going.

Amazing effort!! When I told myself 19 months ago that not a single drop of alcohol would pass my lips again, something in my mind changed. I felt relief. Haven’t wanted a drink since. It was time to stop and,thankfully, I accepted that. Drink plenty of water. You’ve got this !!

Try not to be so hard on yourself. This is how you heal! Let those feelings flow! The worst thing you can do is keep them inside..

Nobody judges you at those meetings because they have all been in your shoes, so they tend to look upon you with compassion and empathy, not judgement. Most people leave their egos at the door when they arrive at AA meetings..

You did great! You triggered some things inside you that need attention.... that need to be healed....You just need to forgive yourself. That's all you need to do. No judgment.....Let the past die. It is no longer a part of your reality. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.!

Congratulations! There are many people who are extremely proud of you!
You opened your door a crack, and now your Higher Power will open it the rest of the way for you!

God Bless

You are strong! Continue to make your health a priority. you deserve it.