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.

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Starting over again...

Sly
Sly

I had almost 8 years of sobriety when I relapsed 9 years ago. I became disabled at age 39 from a childhood birth defect. I had surgery to correct it, but it was a big trauma for me. My wife left and my oldest brother died all in a weeks time. I still have a hard time with not being able to work. I have managed to quit several times since, I have managed to stop anywhere from years to months to days, but haven't been successful maintaining it. I'm starting over again today after 1 week of being sober and relapsing again. I have major depression, when I'm depressed I go  to my fix it all elexir (alcohol). I have been struggling with staying quit for years now. Just when I think I've got it beat, something happens and there I go again. I crave for hours, they say the cravings will peak and then fade away. I've waited it out for 9 hours and still ended up drinking. I have to do something or it is going to kill me! I'm so dissapointed with myself I have become severely depressed again. I live alone, my friends have their own lives and I am very lonely. I struggle with motivation to do anything and accomplish nothing. I'm lonely and don't want another relationship. Relationships always end bad for me, I'm 49 and I give up! I have to do something different. I don't like AA meetings, but at this point it is about my only alternative if I want to stay stopped. I'm tired of feeling like crap and hung over all of the time! I need to find a meeting where everybody isn't court ordered, I need to find a group that is serious about staying sober. The people that are there only to fulfill their probation requirements and have their slips signed annoy me. Ted

AdelynRene
AdelynRene
Don't let your annoyance of others stop you from finding the help for yourself. I admit, I do bite my tongue sometimes at meetings (I work in a building with a bar, and see the ones who are drinking). But you are there for yourself, and getting sober is a selfishness you are allowed to give yourself. If you are willing, find a sponsor. They can help you get to new meetings, and have an ear when you are struggling.
Melody100
Melody100
Look for AA Step meetings or Big Book meetings, you are more likely to find someone who has been through the programme of recovery to help you by sharing their experience of the work required. Someone to help you on a one to one basis. Message me if you want more info.
pietro84
pietro84
I am glad you are here and so transparent about your issues. Regardless of your past successes and disappointments, there is a clear desire to change and that is great. This time can be different. You have a long life ahead of you and it can be better than where you’ve been recently.

I started my sobriety journey in Cincinnati, where I lived at the time, by spending a lot of time meeting at 405 Oak Street which is the city’s AA house. The psychic energy at that place was pretty potent. Nothing but meetings happen there. The people who attended this meetings were mostly there for all the right reasons. Not all meetings are like that.

AA is not for everyone, and it never claims to be “the solution”. It is one tool in a toolbox that needs to have a lot of other tools. AA is a tool that works for many, but I think for many that is less about the 12 steps and more about the face-to-face people dimensions. If the people in AA meetings offer sincere pain, regret, joy, hope, etc... it can be powerful.

Congratulations on your sincerity.

May the force be with you
1is2many
1is2many
Booze was my filter for life. I was too sensitive and things got under my skin easily and I would want to run and hide in a bottle. The change for me was when I decided to GET sober and not just Quit booze. Action and something to fill the hole that was booze. I found some new friends in AA and we help each other. This disease wants me to isolate and drink and die. I fight back by going out and getting sober. It takes a commitment and I had never ever made a commitment before. But I just decided to ask for some help and now I got out of the hole and can rach back and help someone else. That’s getting sober. Action and not just quitting , because I quit a million times. A day a week. Hell once for 2 years. But I didn’t have a replacement and always went to my default. Not today
1is2many
Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
There were some meetings, on some days where I had to remind myself that I wasn't there for anyone else's ego, I was there for myself, however, the meetings I seemed to get the most out of, were the beginner's meetings and since pietro84 mentioned it, I thought I'd talk about my experience with it.

There was this one meeting at a local hospital that was in a separate building but part of the hospital complex. It was the first meeting I ever went to so it became my home group. I also celebrated my one year anniversary there.
Whenever I went to this meeting, I could feel something present that I could not explain. All I knew was that it was a good feeling. I always had a good day and a good week whenever I went to this meeting.

The hospital closed down and they tried to move our meetings but were unsuccessful. Many people, mostly newly sober, attend this meeting along with a few older folks with the wisdom of the ages. Many miracles happened at this meeting. There was alot of emotional healing taking place as well.

There are some people, My newest sponsor included, who knows nothing about the 12 steps, yet he goes to this particular meeting to get his fix on the spiritual electricity that is present there.

Years later, the hospital was sold and again, they tried to kick us out of our meeting room but were unsuccessful! I think I just talked myself into going to a meeting.

God Bless
Kevin105
Kevin105
Keeping looking Ted. I went to five or six different meetings before I found one that I could really connect with. Yes, there are some court-ordered attendees at every meeting, some even sleep through it. But they are far outnumbered by those who treasure the access to a cure for our addiction. Until I began my step work, I didn't realize my pride and ego were my biggest downfall. Going to meetings keep me humble, aware of my addiction, able to help others just crawling out of the pit, and so thankful for my new life of 14 months without alcohol!
Sly
Sly
Thank you for the replies! I got alot from your comments. Pride and ego are problems for me too! I'm also thin skinned and run and hide in the bottle. I'm kind of shy and quiet, but I will deal with that as I go. I will be finding a meeting soon and trying several different ones too. Thanks everyone! Ted
jeffneedshelp
jeffneedshelp
I agree with a lot of what was said here. You don’t like AA, but where else might you find someone with a story that could mirror yours? Long time sobriety, trauma, a relapse, and a struggle.

The place you typically don’t want to search in life could hold the answers to a renewed success.

Welcome back.
pietro84
pietro84
Pride and ego are about as universal as our fight-or-flight instincts.
1is2many
1is2many
Alcohol is a drug. It is also a depressant. I remember the feeling like yesterday that feeling of ease and comfort. That burn.. the ahhhh... well it finally stopped working and I had to drink more and more until I was drinking huge amounts. Finally I decided to ge5 help.

The real amazing thing happened after I let my body normalize. Without the alcohol my depression and anxiety went away.

Get busy living, find another alcoholic and talk out these issues and stop taking the depressant
1-2
Sly
Sly
I'm on day 3, still not great physically. I have to keep my eyes on the prize. Life! This s*** is going to kill me if I don't remain stopped!
seaQ
seaQ
I'm always reminding myself that alcohol is a depressant, and more depression is the last thing I need. Keep checking in with us Sly. I'm on day 38 and I have every confidence and belief that this time I will not relapse. A little progress each day will add up to positive results.
Good Luck!
SeaQ
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