I only got better when i got up on my toes like a prize fighter and started leaning into life. I never got sober sitting on my heels... I would always get knocked out. This ism thing is centered in the mind. I found that by going to meetings and learning about why and how and what i was drinking at , did I for the first time have a chance to get sober. My first meeting was on june 9, 2012. I found hope for the first time! You can too! There is a solution and its just getting into the ring and leaning into those punches!

Besides i had a huge void that i needed to fill when I quit drinking. I have made friends that I would walk thru fire for. Sure there are some kooks but all in all its to get a better life.

Sober is good

Cmon!

1is2many

Hello Changingpb,

That is great news and a brave step to take. Now, try to make the most of what AA has to offer and you will be on your way.

It was suggested to me that I should arrive early at the meetings and leave late. This allowed time to talk to other people, ask questions, get telephone numbers, check out the venue etc.

From the start, I looked at what I could contribute (which was not a lot at the time) rather than what I could take from the meetings. I ended up getting a lot more out of it than I ever put in.

A couple of things that I remember from the first meeting: You need never drink again and Try to keep an open mind. I certainly needed an open mind because there were so many things I thought I could improve, which is funny coming from someone who could not stay sober for one day LOL. I have not taken a drink since that night.

I went to meetings for six nights per week for the first three months. In that way, I got to experience different types of meetings and meet a lot of new people. There is an important social aspect to AA meetings.

I often heard the words: Dont lift that first drink and Keep coming back. Up until today, it has worked. Tomorrow is another day. May God be with you.

I think that's a very brave move on your part! Good for you for opening up to your friend:)
If AA works for you then by all means use that provision to keep you sober. Just don't feel bad if you can't make it to 6 meetings a week. I know people that go way less than that and they still manage to maintain sobriety. Remember, it's all in what is going to keep YOU sober.
HUGS!

I can only make two meetings a week with my schedule. but they are all local people who im sure know already. and im with it. ive been struggling so hard that I just decided to use every resource I can. im don't being stubborn and pig headed and embarrassed. im going to go! and ill still be on here:)

For me, it saved my life and continues to do so. For me, It's the best investment of time and $2 that I can make in myself. Everyone you meet there is dealing with same demon or demons, and they too had to get over that original uneasiness about going to a meeting. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are in a room of people that want to help and suffer the same as you and most importantly, really UNDERSTAND what you are going thru. My wife as awesome as she is, is not an alcoholic and while she supports me 100% in going to meetings, she can't help me in a way a room of fellow alcoholics can. She also has no idea about how progressive and cunning this disease is and that it is a stone cold killer. I had a fairly high bottom and I don't want a lower one. Going to AA keeps it real fresh for me and has helped me tremendously.

Good for you. I found the meetings quite helpful in the first few months of my sobriety and discovered a group that made me feel right at home. Keep us posted how it goes tonight!

What I was told by others who were at the first meeting I attended was to just sit and listen for awhile. Eventually, you will get a sponser who will guide you through the steps and you will be amazed where that takes you! I never though recovery could be so good!

God Bless!

Congrats on having the guts to go now! Woot woot

Great job! I'm glad you brought a friend.

It was an awesome experience. I knew many people there but felt no judgement. The topic was not letting others moods affect our behavior. Ill be going again :) Feels good to be sober and have support both in the community I live and online in DS:)

Oh hey how'd it go??

I found this issue is centered in my mind. I just get so much healing and hope from the rooms. Oh and must say seeing the guy sweating out his first day makes me not miss that sh one iota. I found that I would always go back to booze until I started working a program. Keep us posted
1is2many

Thanks for the update. Congrats! So glad you found that AA group a supportive community in your recovery!

Brilliant. Good on you.