meeting

matisa · Veteran Member

meeting

matisa · Veteran Member

One more question, is there anyone out there who is a sponcer who would be willing to be my online sponcer, My friend doesn't belive in online sponcer's so he can't be my sponcer becasue he lives very far away from me.

Can anyone direct me in the place to get an online sponcer ????

Thanks!

Godbless!

matisa

wantneeda · MIP Old Timer

hi Matisa..welcome!!!

i have this overwhelming urge to ask...to what great length would you go to get a drink??

and to what length are you willing to go to live??

that is the key to sobriety...willingness

Sorry i can't direct you to online sponsorship...but if you go to a face to face meeting you will find people who have been in your shoes...they'll welcome you with open arms...they will show you the way...teach you the program,,and share their experience, strength and hope!!

Honestly there is no comparison...not in my experience anyways.

AA has saved my life.

And keep coming back here Matisa, share where you're at at the moment..scared , happy, mad or glad, we're here to listen

ask questions,,rant , rave....:)

So glad to hear you have a Big Book

I;'m off to read mine right now:)

\\// Wendy

matisa · Veteran Member

Wendi, I honestly don't know the answer to that question, If I want it I can always get it, but I don't want it...

My biggest fear is due to the fact that I have no copeing skills, when things happen I will do one of of a few things,,,,,

Cut, drink, or find someone to talk to,, but thats not always an option cuz, I trust hardly NO ONE.

I did something stupid a few days ago though , was feeling bad so I drank a whole bottle of lemon exstract the kind with 82 perect alchola,, (can't spell)

Now how stupid is that,,,

I am Learning disabled,,, with multiple learning disabilities.. Things are tough for me.

Godbless!

matisa

matisa · Veteran Member

PS. although it only left me with about a 15 minute buzz, It was the best 15 minutes I have had in a long time...

The place I live , the meetings are few and far between it makes it very hard to get to a meeting...

and wendi, Im not saying I know for sure I am an Alcoholic, I don't know that for sure, but I was Diagnosed by a doctor with haveing an alcohol problem before that is why my friend wanted me to get to a meeting,,, And because I am very much a loner in this world, I basically have no one. I also have social axiety disorder, which makes it even harder...

thank you!

matisa

Nic · Senior Member

Hi Matisa,

You have come to the right place...if you can't find an on-line sponsor here, then it's unlikely you will find one anywhere. Having said that though, I need to point out a couple of things...

Sponsorship takes a lot of effort, in both directions. So, it won't just be you putting in the effort. We learn about this as we go.

Before getting a sponsor, you need to know why you want one and what you need help with. AA sponsors with help you stay sober, and share their experience strength and hope with you, in such a way that the trail is blazed...you need only follow that trail, step by step. Though I would be the first to call my sponsor a miracle worker looking back, I realise today that we have to step into our own miracles. Sponsors will guide and light the way, but they can't fix the unwilling.

It is important on several levels, that you work out whether you are an alcoholic. If you believe you are, then you will need help. If there is the slightest possibility in your mind that you aren't an alkie - then a sponsor will be about as useful to you as that bottle of lemon extract was.

...The quick boot will leave the sponsor feeling drained while you dance off tripping over your feet...I hope you understand what I'm getting at there...)

I can say that learning disorders and social phobias don't make us drink. Nor do people, places or things...but I understand sometimes it's easy to think they do. Finding a sponsor who understands these additional things need to be considered, is important. Voicing them early was a good move.

I also understand how difficult it can be to get to meetings. Meetings are an important part of recovery though... they do not have to be formalised ones that meet regularly at some special room, but eventually you may find you really want this contact. I encourage you to ring your local AA number and explain that you need a visit from some members. Some AA's will visit, share their stories and extend a hand to you. That is the basis of AA...a foundation that can sometimes be forgotten in these times of timetables and attempts at structure. We AA's never fit real well into timetables...we never have, and it takes a while for us to learn how to, and maybe that is one of the reasons why when any AA reaches out a hand, we will be there.

It is important that you connect on a face to face basis with another alkie. Together, we help each other face ourselves. The important bits are not so clear at first, but they become clearer. Anyone can get sober for a day on their own...but we can't STAY sober on our own. We need each other, in many different ways.

This site, and any online support will offer you all it can - but it, like all things, is limited by what it is and just how much it can offer. To give yourself the best shot at sobriety, you will need every possible form of support available. These supports are many: The big book, and various literature...other AA's...sponsors...videos....music...taped meetings...contact with various other groups...

...services ...public information...family....friends...activities...outings...workshops...

conventions...distractions...directions...company...a sounding board....explanations...understanding. This site can provide bits of those things, but not all.

If you want to stay sober - take it all. It's there, it's available... It's yours if you want it. Just ring AA and connect. Your sponsor is very likely waiting for someone just like you.

All the best,

Nic

cheri · Senior Member

Hi Matisa,

You say you don't know for sure if you are an alcoholic...this is what I normally tell people who first come in and aren't sure...

Read the Drs. opinion and the first 3 chapters of the big book with these 2 questions in mind...

1) Are they talking about me?

2) Is it possible I am an alcoholic?

Read these sections of the big book again and again until you have your answer.

Nic posted my thoughts exactly on sponsorship, so I won't repeat them.

This site has been my lifeline to AA when I wasn't able to get to a meeting, but I still need the face to face contact and love that I get when I go to a meeting. Don't sell yourself short...you deserve all that too.

Love, cheri

matisa · Veteran Member

social anxiety the effects are alot like drinking, in social situations a person can get litterly sick, Often times I get the shakes, my brain get's messed up, and I feel like everyone must be stareing at me, I have to get out of there fast or I will have an anxiety attack. Which is a very imbaraceing situation.

I have a language based Learning disability so communication is also difficult for me. I can write better then I can communicate verbally. both of these leed to a very lonly life, which can lead to drinking.

These problems does not make me an unwilling person to be helped. These are problems that need accomodations in order so that I can be helped. That is why I thought Online help would be better for me...

Thank you!

matisa