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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Gr8ful 02/02/2012

was I prepared to go to, to get sober.

This was a question my sponsor asked me when I started to do the steps, what lengths G8 are you prepared to go to to get sober.

At the time we were walking through the city and I replied 'I would do anything'

At that point my sponsor asked me in the middle of the city in front of all these people are you prepared to get on your knees here and now and ask for your HP's help and to hand your life over??

What lengths are you prepared to go to, to get sober.

G8

stickywick 02/02/2012

That seems unnecessary and frankly, if I was out there drinking, and saw someone doing that, and found they were in AA before I'd gone into my first meeting, I'd never have walked through the doors!
I'm glad it worked, for you, but where does it ask us to do that in any of the literature or anywhere in the steps?
I know alott of people don't go to AA because of fears, or fear that AA will be cult like, or super embarrasing, etc. etc.
Sometimes I think we dramatize things so much as to make them scary. like step 4. Its not scary. Its your own stuff after all:)
I didnt need more drama or public humiliation. I was desperate and I would have done anything my sponsor asked me to do. Thankfully my sponsor is a big book gal. She required that I do the steps the way the book outlined them, to the best of my ability. So I did!

Just my experience.

deleted_user 02/03/2012

I would do anything that was correct and reasonable. I don't think I would do "anything" that was outlandish and really nothing to do with staying sober imo.

If I knew I had to do something though-I would know it because it would most likely be the last thing I wanted to do.

deleted_user 02/03/2012

I have done what it takes, and so far those were simply mature, self-preserving, common sense things.

Even if I didn't need to get sober, getting sober would have been a good idea. Four months today (oh, did I mention that in another thread?)

deleted_user 02/03/2012

I know where you are coming from G8. I was asked the same question and i said I WANT to be prepared to go to any lengths but until I come across one that I don't want to do, how can I say. Each time I came across something that I knew I had to do in order to stay sober, I did. I didn't do it lightly, it felt like almost every fibre of my being was screaming 'no, not this' but there was enough of me to do it.

It is still that way for me today. Do I want to go and make amends if i have behaved badly or been indiscreet etc? no, I don't but I know that these things left undone will lead me right back to alcohol and death. I hate having to humble myself and yet I do it because i made a deal with God in Step 3 and so far he has not reneged on his side of the covenant so I don't renege on mine. Most of the time I do what I need to dobecause I love being utterly free and I love the closeness to God that living this life gives me!

deleted_user 02/03/2012

Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to A.A. and there we discover the fatal nature of our situation. Then, and only then, do we become open-minded to conviction and as willing to listen as the dying can be. We stand ready to do anything that will lift the merciless obsession from us.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 24

Love this. And yes, I was desperate enough to do all the things I refused to do in the past. This was life or death for me and I totally get where you're coming from.

stickywick 02/03/2012

Serenity great post. I feel like that. This morning I when my son and I were finishing up swim class I looked down and saw his wet swim diaper in the cubby. The old me, and I hate to admit this, would have just left it there and gone on with my day. I stopped, and picked it up and threw it out. Baby steps, but, still doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Today I'm willing to do the right thing even when no one is watching, keeping score, or ever will know. Because I know that its all these little 'right things" that help me do the next right bigger thing, and that will keep me sober.

deleted_user 02/03/2012

I was certainly willing to TRY anything including AA. My sponsor also suggested praying. I tried it and it didn't help. I know/knew how to pray but it is very empty to me as I do not believe in most people's god, and feel as though I'm praying in a vacume.

I "pray" in others ways by meditating. walking, singing and perhaps even in my sleep. The key for me is an openess and willingness to TRY...some things just work better than others for me.

Taradactyl 02/03/2012

The "lengths" became clear only wen I made sobriety my top priority. Everything else took a back seat.

My most difficult "length" was my divorce, but I knew that if I did not end my marriage, I would end up dead trying to cope with it. I am going to struggle with the guilt and remorse, but I won't have to take a drink over it.

deleted_user 02/03/2012