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.
If we put the same effort into getting and staying sober as we do to many other things in our lives, sobriety would not be "so difficult".
I remember a job I took by choice 5 years ago full well knowing what it entailed. It required that I work non-stop 14-18 hours per day for a year and face my biggest fears. It was absolutely the most painful and grueling thing I have ever had to do.
It's hard to get off my ass and go to meetings some days. I would often rather just rest and relax and have fun.
I am driven to succeed at both my career and sobriety.
With my job I was held accountable by the fear of impending consequences (failure, loss of income, loss of pride) that far outweighed instant gratification (rest, relaxation, and recreation).
With sobriety, I am held accountable by the fear of impending consequences (sickness, death, and unmanageability) that outweigh the need for instant gratification (rest, relaxation, and recreation).
Why is it so hard to GET and why is it so "hard" to do the work?
I believe it is because we seek to understand something that we cannot. If we wait to understand it, we won't get it. Those who are fortunate enough to survive and come back from a "rock bottom" KNOW the impending consequences of their continuing to drink, and that fear outweighs the need for the instant gratification. Those without a rock bottom have to come to terms with the fact that they aren't going to "get" anything without a lot of hard work.
I am just starting to get it.
I remember a job I took by choice 5 years ago full well knowing what it entailed. It required that I work non-stop 14-18 hours per day for a year and face my biggest fears. It was absolutely the most painful and grueling thing I have ever had to do.
It's hard to get off my ass and go to meetings some days. I would often rather just rest and relax and have fun.
I am driven to succeed at both my career and sobriety.
With my job I was held accountable by the fear of impending consequences (failure, loss of income, loss of pride) that far outweighed instant gratification (rest, relaxation, and recreation).
With sobriety, I am held accountable by the fear of impending consequences (sickness, death, and unmanageability) that outweigh the need for instant gratification (rest, relaxation, and recreation).
Why is it so hard to GET and why is it so "hard" to do the work?
I believe it is because we seek to understand something that we cannot. If we wait to understand it, we won't get it. Those who are fortunate enough to survive and come back from a "rock bottom" KNOW the impending consequences of their continuing to drink, and that fear outweighs the need for the instant gratification. Those without a rock bottom have to come to terms with the fact that they aren't going to "get" anything without a lot of hard work.
I am just starting to get it.
I will say one thing about MY group of sober sisters. More than 50% are still there every sat AM since I started going a year ago. many with more than double digit sober years...for me proof enough that AA can work over a longer period of time than 6 months..fwiw..
Creed's song "what's this life for" haunted me.
After complete surrender to my demonic brain I have a moment by moment chance of serenity.
To exhausted to try to figure things out.
The more I stay around the more I believe in grace.
Hang in there.
Peace!
HTL, it's not easy, it does take a lot of hard work and practice to change what we'd been conditioned with for so long, but it's well worth the effort. It truly does keep getting better.