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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Timely reminder this is for life

rivalino
rivalino
I spoke with a lady yesterday who was puzzled and distressed as to how and why she had picked up alcohol after 25 years of sobriety
We chatted for a while about how she had got sober all those years ago by going to AA .Turns out she had drifted away from AA after a couple of years but remained sober enjoying as she put it a happy sober life
She must have done ok financially as she relapsed flying business class to australia free champagne etc. As she put it the champagne came out and i just thought "oh well 3000 ticket why not "I said there must have been many such situations in the last 25 years and how it brought to mind the story in the book of Alcoholics anonymous of the man who remained sober for 25 years then retired and thought it would be ok to drink after a long and succssful business career Those of us in AA know the outcome of that experiment hopefully this lady is going to get her sobriety back I sugested certain things which for those of us in AA seem allmost automatic I know and respect there are many on here who have found and maintain there sobriety with a variety of programmes one day at a time but it is for life
Just a timely reminder at this or any time of the year
PJ54
PJ54
Hello rivalino,

Thanks for the reminder and I would agree completely with what you have stated.

One regret that I have is that I did not write down just how bad it was in the months and years before I was forced to stop drinking. I tend to forget and look back with rose-coloured glasses, thinking that maybe it wasnt too bad after all. This is where meetings are so important as they remind me of the reality of my drinking days and how those things that had not happened to me as the result of drinking are still there waiting those yets that people talk about.

This is where the Steps are so important and why Steps 10, 11 and 12 are a daily requirement. Once a person develops alcoholic addiction there is never a chance that he or she can go back to being a normal drinker. Alcohol is a subtle foe and also a patient one that will wait many years for us to think that the problem has been cured.

The solution is simple and it comes down to maintaining that fit spiritual condition, whether that is through the Steps or by whatever other method that has worked for you.
stickywick
stickywick
Wow thanks for that reminder. I was on that flight, but not sober, last year. Drank both going and coming back. I rationalized it. I took my first sober flight a few weeks into sobriety, and many since, and it's hard for me. We have to relearn to cope with life sober. A day at a time.
Thanks for the reminder to stay vigelent.
firespinner
firespinner
i think that is a really good reminder. But i think its a huge huge thing to accept deep down. when i first put the drink down i resented the fact that i was 23 and an alcoholic i thought shit ive got to be sober for a very long time - i dunno if i want that or can handle that. so i try to think of it now that my drinking life was no life at all no memories and just total despair. Today i'm grateful i can remember things. we really only have a day at a time, im always the most spiritually well living in the moment.
LindaJean
LindaJean
Thank you very much for the post. I have been sober for years and have also drifted away from meetings. I can feel the gratitude for being sober - waning......not good.

I really needed to read this. Very timely.

Thanks again.
billwfriend
billwfriend
linda your conscience calling....you need to get your ass back into meetings!! ASAP hugs your conscience!
LindaJean
LindaJean
:) thanks my friend - you are absolutely right!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just checked this out because I have stopped going to meetings. I have 10 1/2 years sobriety. I have not gone to meetings because of health issues that have also affected my work. I am in great pain every day.I hardly get out all anymore. So, I logged on here. I miss my AA meetings. Going out in the cold brings on muscle spasms so I will come back this forum.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had almost 20 years and picked up a drink. And, yes, I had stopped going to meetings. My attitude sucked for a long time before I stopped the meetings, though. And the biggest lie was "I can always go back to AA if it gets too bad."

The meetings are as important to me as the 12 steps. There's a lot of wisdom in the rooms and I don't wanna miss out on that. I'm grateful for the oldtimers who stick around and still go to meetings to help the newcomer. AA needs them.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just want to add that this is life or death and don't ever say "that won't happen to me." I said that, too.
gjm
gjm
Was just talking about this yesterday. with a guy that had 25 yrs and on this way to jail for 6 months. Him like others find there solution in the rooms and for whatever reason there are "many' but the bottom line that is said if they make it back there is one common denominator they quit going to meetings. I admit I don't go to as many as I did but don't care what's going on in my life always make 2 a week just for this reason.

The solution is a full circle deal.
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