Wow - a chat with my sponsor last night has helped me to see how much progress I have made in turning my life around with AA.
I'm 19 months sober now - yesterday I found an old notebook which recorded how many units i was drinking in my 'controlled drinking' phase just before joining AA.
Two bottles of wine each evening - controlled - I think not!! I now understand I am powerless over alcohol - and if I do think about having a drink it's not just one small glass of wine.
I'm now off my anti-depressants after 19 years and living life - 'naked' of any 'crutches'. Not always easy but most definitely 'real' and best of all i'm sober right now at 10p.m. when I was drinking that would not have been an option.
This was so me, I white knuckled quite a few occassions and have too totted up the units, my god, it was phenomenal, I had a fitness assessment today and without any change in my diet, just ceasing the booze, I am under 140 pounds, I was over 152 and am only 5 ft tall. It also made me more depressed and unable to deal with life, I have a few battles going on at the moment but they are issues I should have addressed ages ago, thank you for such an insightful post,
You made me chuckle, taking an inventory of controlled drinking.....I cannot recall ever doing that one.....way too busy drinking
And Wow, 19 months, fantastic Progress. so good to see you feeling so good, and I agree whole heartedly, Recovery from the wine, whatever alcohol was your choice, and getting that plug firmly in the JUG, so so Awesome.
Ali, Thank you for the post and the reminder. I to am grateful for my sponsor, HP & AA. My sponsor reminds me of my progress especially when I'm feeling down. Sometimes we can't see the apple on our own head. He says thinks like: is it better than yesterday? a month ago or when you use to drink? All good reminders.
Loving the replies - just home from an evening out with a new found AA friend and reading my post back bought a tear to my eye, great to know you guys -
Keep coming back, Ali. I hope you'll continue to share in your experience, strength & hope here. MIP helps me stay sober 1Day@aTime too. What a fellowship indeed! God blesses us in unity. Recovery Love, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!