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.
From the BB... "If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it -- then you are ready to take certain steps."
I may be an exception to the rule, but this scared the crap out of me, and, albeit indirectly, influenced me to pick back up.
Admittedly, the reality for me was that I wasn't willing to go to much of any length at all. Now I am meditating on the concept of "willingness" daily. I am striving to BE willing, if that makes sense.
My present "any length" is....
Sobriety MUST be my number one priority. I am forcefully but slowly bringing my recovery to the forefront of my mind. I am basically living, breathing, and sleeping my program to the best of my ability. I am trying to act the part of a recovered alcoholic - I am trying to be a better person despite myself.
What was the "any length" that you had to go to for sobriety?
Or is it really more about the "willing to"?
I may be an exception to the rule, but this scared the crap out of me, and, albeit indirectly, influenced me to pick back up.
Admittedly, the reality for me was that I wasn't willing to go to much of any length at all. Now I am meditating on the concept of "willingness" daily. I am striving to BE willing, if that makes sense.
My present "any length" is....
Sobriety MUST be my number one priority. I am forcefully but slowly bringing my recovery to the forefront of my mind. I am basically living, breathing, and sleeping my program to the best of my ability. I am trying to act the part of a recovered alcoholic - I am trying to be a better person despite myself.
What was the "any length" that you had to go to for sobriety?
Or is it really more about the "willing to"?
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Alcoholism/forum/9337502-action
My any lengths has really been not to have anything (thing, person, belief, idea, delusion etc) that I will hold onto at the expense of sobriety, if that makes sense. Also that I am willing to fully know myself and there is no areas of myself that I am not willing to look at and explore honestly.
Strangely going to any lengths was as much about not doing things - not holding on to old ideas, not believing I was in control, letting go - as it was about doing things.
Wow this is quite hard to explain, I know how it is for me but difficult to put into words!
I am willing to do whatever it takes to stay sober. I remember what it was like and the alternatives...
I think for me a big part of the hesitation was wondering how I could still have fun with my friends who all drink & party. None of my friends EVER got together without drinking. Not even once.
Hell! I was trashed for my father's funeral and even did some coke in the car driving from the funeral home to the cemetery!!!
I wondered if I could enjoy Christmas or even a random, hot Saturday afternoon in July at my best friends pool while all the girls will be having cocktails.
I wondered what in God's name would I DO after work if I didn't drink.
I wondered how I could possibly function without drinking.Hell, I wondered how I could even watch my favorite tv shows without being drunk.
I had hardly gone anywhere or done anything that didn't involve me being significantly intoxicated and it was the fear of the unknown that scared me ya know?
That, I think was a big part of "willing to go to any lengths" meaning I was willing to step outside the norm, the comfort, the daily routine that was my LIFE and see what was out there.....
It really kinda was a "leap of faith" and I haven't regretted it once. Everything that I was afraid of, ended up being so much better.
It is amazing to function like a "normal" member of society! lol! :)
I don't think I've quite murdered the old Shelly because as I saw last week, she can creep back in if I let her....Oh God! Now I sound like Sybil! lol! nevermind...hee hee.. :)
After I came clean, my best friend said she was really starting to wonder why I was always leaving early and thought I might be getting depressed. I think that's what they mean by being a "progressive" illness.....gets worse, never better!
i choose marriage.......the ultimate gift.........i ignored the obvious red flags............my bad..............i was a stepping stone. never again.
7 years of sobriety tossed.............i take full responsibility for my cowardliness in dealing with the situation...............i returned to the arms of an "old friend" and avoided harm to others.
the wrong path could have resulted in pen pal lew :)
Today it means continuing that internal housekeeping and being of service to not just alcoholics, but to the wider community. The big fellowship of life. Any lengths means to do whatever is absolutely necessary to stay sober.