being young and in AA

phantom · Member

being young and in AA

MDC · Senior Member

You are going to have more "feeling" than you can count. The advantage of learning about yourself at an earlier age is that you have many more years to enjoy your life. I wish I had sobered up in my early 20's, or better yet not started. I'm 39 and trying to get sober. You will have a so much more time to enjoy your sobriety!

If being an alcoholic makes you feel like a failure, the being sober will make you feel like a success, right??

Phil · MIP Old Timer

Dont know how old you are my friend...but I knew I had a problem with it at the age of 16..didnt do much about it till the age of 37..didnt wish to give it up..

Failure...? nope...Addictions happen..don't blame yourself..

If you're not happy with something in your life? You have a choice..to change it..

You are not alone..AA can help you...one day at a time..

phantom · Member

I just turned 21 last wendesday LOL. I appreciate it. I'm going to my first meeting tonight

joelo · Senior Member

Best of luck, Phantom!

phantom · Member

thank you Joelo

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Hey Phantom, good decision going to a meeting. 21 is not that young. I went to my first meeting at age 15, and I knew that I was an alcoholic then. That was awhile ago, President Nixon hadn't been impeached yet lol. There are young people's AA meetings, if you live in a metro area. Also check out ICYPA here
http://www.icypaa.org/ Have fun at your first meeting

Dean

phantom · Member

thanks for that Dean, it sounds awesome. I may need to make the trip up there to attend it.

Doll · MIP Old Timer

I knew I had a problem at 14! Waited and struggled and it only continued to get worse and progess.

Finally made it to AA 24 yrs later. What a wasted 24 yrs.

Hindsight is 20/20......

Glad to hear you're going to a meeting. What have ya got to lose?

Keep us informed, we care.

(((hug)))

-- Edited by Doll on Wednesday 10th of June 2009 02:12:29 PM

phantom · Member

thanks Doll. I surely do appreciate all the support.

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

Aloha Phantom...I'm glad you are here and making the attempt...Yay!! Don't let
any feeling or thought get in the way of sobriety. My step son is 37 years old
and just celebrated 20 years of being clean and sober in May. It blew my mind
to watch that come about. He had one moment of clarity and it stopped him
from going out to use with a friend the first night and he has never used since.
He was 17. He followed some of the suggestions that have been made to you
by the members of time on this board and it saved his life. I get all emotional
when I review that miracle. Some really do get it sooner than later. Become
one of them. The is no law that says you have to drink or use.

Happy "bellybutton" birthday...hope to say the same this time next year for your
sobriety.

(((((hugs))))) smile

-- Edited by Jerry F on Wednesday 10th of June 2009 03:03:18 PM

phantom · Member

thank you very much

:)

Dave Harm · Senior Member

I knew after my first drink (age 13) that I had found something that I loved more then life itself. And like so many others I wish I could have stopped then. But nope... everyone else was wrong I would figure a way to control it...

That never did materialize though. My first attempt at sobriety was at 28, which lasted for five and a half years. Then I was so full with self-pity because I was missing out on all the fun, so I decided to try and outsmart alcohol again and failed miserably. Walk through the doors again at age 36 and have been sober since - thankfully.

I think to myself today that still was a young age to quit, but man I wish I quit sooner.

And on another note, I sponsor an 18 year old who just celebrated their 2 year anniversary. So you're never to young...

Best wishes,
Dave

Sobrietyspell · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to MIP, Corey. You sound like you've got a great attitude for it & your disease will love to latch onto your age & be talking to you all about it, hoping to take you out again but you don't sound like you're taking it. You're judging by your experience & looking at the facts. That's wise, sensible & to be commended. Some of us were so intent to get away with it for as long as we possibly could that it took us to some horribly dark places we could have avoided sooner but, some of us are luckier & manage to get out sooner.

I stopped at 29 & my head would still wish I'd been able to get away with it for longer but it was killing me emotionally, mentally & spiritually. Whenever my head started talking to me about my age I would & do remind myself that ultimately I don't know how long I have to live. I could be someone who dies at 35 & what sort of quality of life would I have if I didn't bother to stay sober? It is worth staying sober today, just for today for any alcoholic at any age. We only get one day. Here. Right now. I'm glad to still even be alive to get sober. I could have died a drunk & never known anything diferent.

I'm a Miracle in Progress too :) Good luck with your Sobriety! It Is The Way To Go! Godbless, Danielle x

phantom · Member

Godbless to you too Danielle. I actually went to my first meeting tonight,and it was great

eastcoastscott · Senior Member

Hi Corey,

I don't see age as an obstacle but rather an opportunity. Imagine all the years of hardship you can save yourself by getting str8/sober now. I see as young as 14 coming into my homegroup meetings. I'm not saddened by this, I commend them on the maturity it takes to admit they have a problem. You will also be hugely helpful to other young men and women who attend the meetings, a sense of hope and encouragement when they see and hear you. Go for it dude!

Rob84 · MIP Old Timer

Hi Corey,

I got sober in the rooms of AA at 24 and am now sober over 24 years.

One thing that I heard early on that I remember to this day is: "There is no shame in realizing you have a problem, the only shame would be doing nothing about it".

I thought my life had ended and it had just begun, I started enjoying and doing the things I thought about doing when I was high and drunk!

I have had a wonderful life in soberiety and AA.

keep coming back, God has a plan for you!

kkotz401 · Senior Member

Following the 12 steps has worked wonders for me. It has helped to stay calm and solve problems that I have. Being sober has really helped me out. I have gained clarity and become more productive. Being an alchoholic is is nothing to be ashamed of. Stick with the program and things will get better.

Simple · Senior Member

I came to my first meeting at 16 and got sober at 17. You are NOT alone. There's nothing wrong with coming to meetings to hear what people say and see if you are an alcoholic. I did it for a while and there is nothing better to make you realize what your problem is, and that there is a solution for it.