Hi everybody....my name is Chris and I'm an alcoholic. I've been aware of my problem drinking for quite some time now, but I was always too stubborn to think that I could beat it on my own. This past weekend I realized that when it comes to alcohol I am powerless. It has ruined so many opportunities and relationships for me. I am attending my first meeting tonight and I hope I can overcome this addiction so that I can be a better husband, son and brother. Thanks to everyone who reads this.
Welcome Chris. Let us know how the meeting went for you! Im sure you will be quite surprised at how you are welcomed! We are all in this together and Im proud to say that because of this program, I AM a better mom, wife, daughter and friend! Best of luck!!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Welcome to MIP, Chris. Those wonderful words will help you to start to get well. Alcoholic & Powerless :) Those are honourable intentions for sobriety too though I hope you know you are so worth it simply for yourself. Going to AA & posting here has helped me to stay Sober 1Day@aTime for the last 2yrs & my life has improved as I have. AA has a Program of Recovery to help us get well. We get ourselves a Sponsor to help us on our Journey through the Steps like they have been helped & you may one day be able to help someone else too. We take care of ourselves first & we learn how to live life on life's terms with emotional balance depending instead on our Higher Power (of your own understanding) & grow a life beyond our wildest dreams.
Sounds like alot of stuff to take in when we're a Newcomer but it gets easier as we go & we do this together. There is a great life on offer here & Sobriety is a fantastic place to be. No more waking with shame, guilt & remorse. If there is one thing you need to know & be sure of right now (& everyone here & in meetings will vouch for by their own experience) is that if you are alcoholic, like I am alcoholic, 1 drink is too many & a 1000 never enough. I attend meetings & learned that alcoholism is progressive & all of the things that hadn't happened to me 'yet', given my powerlessness, would eventually lead to becoming 'agains'. I had a relatively high rock bottom & I'm glad it didn't have to get any worse than it did. It was bad enough for me. I hope you get what you need as you need it. Coming here is a great start too. I wish you all my best. I hope you'll share with us how your first meetings have been :) Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Thank you so much everybody for your encouragement...I went to the meeting last night and felt so welcomed. I don't really know how to describe it but hearing everybody share their tales made me feel stronger, just knowing that there are others going through the same things as me. Despite the great feelings last night, it was hard for me to get up this morning, probably because I'm still beating myself up over all the people I've hurt and all the wrong things I've done because of my drinking. I'll definitely be back here though to keep you guys updated on my progress. This week they were asking if anyone wanted a temporary sponsor but it being my first time I didn't really know what to do but next week I'm going to ask some questions about getting a sponsor and the steps. Thank you all so much.
Well Done in your courage, Chris :) Those are the feelings I came away from my meetings with & the more I went the better it got. Early recovery is a very confusing yet exciting time. It's a time in your life that is so vibrant like a new coming alive & waking up to face who you really are & who you're meant to be. Don't let your hurt feelings around hurting others get you down too much. We don't get anywhere beating ourselves with a big stick but it is important that you become willing to fully acknowledge what you have been & are responsible for in your life. Don't become downhearted about it though.
Feel courageous to choose a male member you trust who has the kind of sobriety you would like & ask him if he'll give you his number. If he's working the Steps & doesn't have too many Sponsees already! he'll most welcome the opportunity to help you cuz helping you will help him. You can then share with him in one to one all of these things that are bothering you. He will understand having been where you are & may share his experiences with you too. The beauty of these Steps is that in due course they will help you to clear the wreckage of your past, your conscience & your inner connection. It's this that gives us Serenity & a life beyond our wildest though it takes time & one babystep in front of the other.
Get yourself the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous & read it often. It has many chapters & personal stories to help you understand the nature of Alcoholism & the Solutions that help us to deal with our disease 1Day@aTime. A whole new world of insight & understanding is ahead of you, Chris & I'm glad you're with us. I certainly could not do this alone & today I am glad I don't have to. Keep coming back, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
