Relapsed Again!!

Ken81 · Newbie

Relapsed Again!!

Reffner · Senior Member

Well, for me I know that if I quit going to meetings it won't be long until I'm drinking again. I'm lucky I have a sponsor that keeps me motivated to keep going to meetings. I also know that If I don't pick up the phone when I need help I'm putting myself in a bad situation. Do you have a sponsor? Do you make the phone calls? I hate to say it, but it sounds like you haven't had enough pain yet. I was SOOOO tired of hurting myself and all those around me that I just had to quit. I guess I finally found my bottom. I can't believe how much I love life now, and how good I feel. I owe it all to my Higher Power, who I surrender to and ask to take my will everyday! I'll say a prayer for you.

Brian

jonijoni1 · MIP Old Timer

Hi Ken, and welcome to MIP!!

I can only speak from my own experience, as I bounced in and out of the rooms for many years. And I know it is a terrible spot to be in.

You said,
"I know I need to maintain my meetings and book work."

I think you gave yourself the answer right there. Meetings alone will not KEEP us sober, and we need to work the Steps. Do you have a sponsor? Is he the kind who will insist that you spend time with him vigilantly working the steps? I know for us who are "hard nuts to crack", strong sponsorship is really important. I needed someone I could call at 3am if neccesary. The only way to stay sober is to really want it, and to be willing to do anything for it, asking for help any time of the day or night, doing all the work necessary.

Glad you are here, please let us know about you, and keep us posted on your progress. I hope we can help you in some small way.

Joni

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to the board and welcome back to the program Ken.

So admittedly you are a chronic relapser Ken. With that said, do you still think that there are aspects of the program that you don't need to follow? Which of these have you been reluctant to incorporate into your
program? Have you read the book "Staying Sober a guide to Relapse prevention" by Terrance Gorski?

For me (and I'll bet for you too) the biggest part of the program that I left on the table was engaging the fellowship. What does that mean? It means replacing your current friends with people that are successfully recovering. It means doing as many things in your life that you can in the company of recovering people, including living with them. I highly recommend that you rent a room share a house, move in a halfway house, whatever you can do to surround yourself with sober people. I did this for the first 3 years and I don't know if I'd be here now if I hadn't.

-- Edited by StPeteDean on Saturday 1st of August 2009 04:16:26 PM

Sobrietyspell · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to MIP, Ken. Read the Literature. Get a Good Sponsor. Work the Steps. This will help you stay Sober 1Day@aTime until it feels more automatic. You do your best & God will do the rest ;) Keep coming back, Danielle x

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

Aloha Ken...glad you made it back. On top of all these things that the others have
given here I'd like to add that what has helped me was to live the program just one
day at a time and not project forward or go play in the sandbox of yesterday. I was
born in the disease of alcoholism so the "it won't happen to me syndrome had
totally been burned out of me by the time I found my chair." There were no more
questions for me. I had dumbed myself so far down and humility began to teach
me more than anything else.   I do know that one of the things that concerns me
at all times is "apathy for any reason".   Apathy sucks at my reasons and need to
be sober and sane...that is when and where more meetings and more fellowship
come into play. I have not replaced my last sponsor who passed away sober with
another serious member.  I thought I had made the replacement and the connection
wasn't meaningful enough for me to keep reaching out. Things and people change.
We work this program to the degree that we want to stay sober. The alternative
can result in being drunk again.

All of the suggestions if followed upon instead of drinking will result in long term
sobriety. Can you see yourself being sober for longer than 6 months 1 day?

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

leejosepho · Newbie

"... there is One who has all power - that one is God. May you find Him now!
"Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon." ("Alcoholics Anonymous", the book, page 59)

In my own experience, our willingness to completely abandon our wills and our lives unto God's care and direction is dependent upon this:

"Being convinced ...
"(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.
"(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism." (page 60)

If you wish, I will gladly try to help you come to terms with all of that.

-- Edited by leejosepho on Sunday 2nd of August 2009 02:45:13 PM

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

^^^^^^^ does anyone have any idea why leejosepho the above poster, deleted his own account?

kkotz401 · Senior Member

Sorry things aren't going so well. I have found this board to be a great source of support. Find a sponser to help you with bookwork. I am sure that will keep you motivated.

Doll · MIP Old Timer

There are only TWO meetings that I attend. The one's that I want to and the one's that I don't! Therefore, no chance of 'fadeing away'!

Tipsy McStagger · Senior Member

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and climb back in that saddle buddy.

I've tried and failed more times that I can count, but I know that I'll have only truly lost the battle when it kills me or when I give up trying to stop.

Peace out brother.