New...It's so obvious...but

IsItPossible · Newbie

New...It's so obvious...but

turninggrey · MIP Old Timer

Hey Isitpossible,
Welcome aboard! Thanks for taking the big step in the right direction. Sit back, take a deep breath, and get the good news: you are not alone! Nothing you have done in the past is new under the sun. Here on this board, many of us have been in many of your situations. That should make you feel better because there is a way out! Try reading a few chapters of this:
http://anonpress.org/bb/
Its called the "Big Book" and it was written back in the 1930's. You will be amazed to find that alcoholism was the same then as now--OK, minus the cell phones. That book explains "How it works". Its an easy chapter and it may give you some hope reading it that there is a plan and a program that has been working for 70+ years!
You can try here to find a meeting close to you:
http://www.aa.org/lang/en/meeting_finder.cfm?origpage=29

The best thing to do is find and go to a meeting. Sit in the back until you are comfortable (you know, get the lay of the land so to speak) and then introduce yourself to someone and tell them you are new. Some places actually have newcomers meetings. I am sure you will get more on this from others but good luck and come back and ask any questions you want!
Tom

Sobrietyspell · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to MIP, IIP. It is possible to live a happy, fruitful sober life. I have one today & the only thing I want for is an upgrade in gratitude when I might forget how good it is today in comparison to how it was when I was drinking. I've a great forgetter. It's the nature of the illness called denial. Feeling like a drink would do me any favours is a complete lie & illusion I know today so I continue to live this sober life & appreciate all the gifts that come as I am no longer ruining my soul or my character & not risking my life & limb to something I have no control over. MIP is a great place to start. I'm glad you have identification already though I am sorry for your losses. The illness is progressive tho thankfully recovery is progressive too. I hope you will stay close by here & learn more about this disease. There is a wonderful life after alcohol. The fellowship of AA will help you to find, build & nurture it. Keep coming back, Danielle x

debbi · Member

if im outa line here...feel free to correct me.....
ive found over time....for me at least....it got easier....my daily habits and routines changed....life revolved around getting to that bar or making sure there was enough at home so i wouldnt run out that night.....that was my social life.

one thing i do know...once god got my number.....each time the lessons came around to teach me humility and life isnt all about me.....the 2X4 that hit me got bigger and hit harder....im still learning the lessons......life is alot better now than it was......hope this helps

ljc · MIP Old Timer

Of course at the time when I was drinking I didnt realizet that God was sending me all these subtle little hints that it was in fact time for me to stop drinking. The jails, the police in my life, the court systems, the car wrecks, the broken bones from falling down drunk, the fights with hubby and family members and plain old shame that I felt on a regular basis.

Yes - it is possible to stop drinking. What are You willing to do ???

Bob K · Senior Member

Like you when I began my life saving journey into AA I was shocked to hear others telling my life story, for I was special and unique no one could have the bad life I had. Once I learned I was no longer alone I started working the steps with a sponsor who also got me involved in service work. Now I no longer have to "work" the steps because it has become a way of life. I keep a conscious contact with God. To quote my sponsor " Give this a shot what have you got to lose nothing you've tried up to now on your own has worked."

IsItPossible · Newbie

Thanks to all...The good news is that after that one drink last night, I decided enough is enough. I threw out the entirety of alcohol tht was in my house and decided I would wake up to a new way of life. I "attended" an on-line AA meeting for an hour this morning and shared. I'm meeting up with someone later who doesn't drink...something I never do...We shall see...Thanks for the words of advice.

msujmccorm · Member

I attended my first real meeting 3 weeks ago tomorrow. When I sat and listened it sounded like all these people had read my life story. I expected to be miserable but these people were laughing and having a good time. I have been back about 25 times in the last 3 weeks. It's not easy but it is getting better.... Everyday!

Please try a meeting just to see if it might be for you. If you need to vent do it here, we all will listen.

pinkchip · MIP Old Timer

Yes, my story includes recking my car and not getting caught. Prior to that, there was so much misery that the car wreck was the last straw in cutting through my denial that I had a serious alcohol problem. My life is not changing so much as my ability to deal with life is changing as a result of the program. I consider myself lucky in that I have meetings and people involved in my life that care about me, care about my sobriety, and that I see regularly (a fellowship). I never had anything like that in my life. I had distanced myself from the world. I would go out to bars, but I was still totally alone in a room full of people. Most of my drinking eventually led to being in the house and getting hammered and tripping around hurting myself and passing out towards the end. It was when I tried to take my drinking back out in public, that I got a rude awakening that my alcoholism had progress FAR beyond all the people that go to bars just to socialize and relax. I personally get a lot of needs met throught meetings. I have a support system now full of sober people who are responsible and I am so grateful for that. The sober people span the age range and there is so much to be gained from the strength and support others offer me in AA. So yes, it can be done. If you are sick enough of the old ways of living and what alcohol has done to you. You are ready for change. That's my story and I'm sticking to it :) Also, we are here to answer questions, encourage you, and share what it's been like for us. You are not alone AT ALL. I hope to hear that you start going to in person meetings and find a wonderful female sponsor. You can do this!

Mark

mikef · MIP Old Timer

Welcome isitpossible!
Yes we say when the pain outweighs the pleasure you may become ready!Projection of "things we may not be able to do anymore really take us off our focus! You know "now what will I do?.I cant party anymore,What about Summer picnics?,concerts,all my friends party etc. I cna never drink again?.We are people that have an allergy to the drug.It is our reaction to the drug that makes us addicts,not how much we use.we say,one is too many and a thousand is never enough for us!!...When you "totally surrender" and realize you are powerless and your life is defintely unmanageable you can begin"a new way to live"Sponsorship,being around people not using,"working" a program are all beginning areas and then it can be "one day at a time for you,start by maybe days ,hours or minutes.Keep coming back and let us know how its going,there are no BIG I'S or LITTLE U'S here.,we are all people who suffer from a disease know as addiction from which there is no known cure,but it can be arrested and recovery is then possible.. peace smile

Just Toni · MIP Old Timer

Hi There Dear,

Absolutely loved your sign in name, and the answer is YES, if you will go to and read what Tom just gave you, the website, and happy to hear that you are meeting with someone that is in the AA Program, right?

Prayers going up for you,

Every single word of what you wrote, I had been there, in prepetual hell, that is how I recall that time.

Sending a big Hug and Prayer up for you,
and a Giant Welcome to MIP!!!!
Please stay, no matter what, the only requirment is a "desire to quit", please do remember that one.

One of your new friends here, Toni

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

"there's not enough in that bottle to get me buzzed..."

When I stopped I kept buying that kind of booze also. Grateful that you found the
buzzless kind. Good to have you here with us working at staying sober one more
day. I spent Christmas breakfast with 50+ recovering alcoholics who were the best
of family...eating, talking, continuing loving relationships and all celebrating HP's gift
of sobriety. There wasn't an ounce of booze within miles of the place and we were
all buzzed spiritually. I hope you will someday experience that yourself. It is possible
in this program. Let us help. smile

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

welcome IIP, you're in the right place.

Dean

Aquaman · MIP Old Timer

IsItPossible?
Yes, it is possible to be a happy, sober person.
You alone can do it...but you can't do it alone. That's why AA is here for you.

Welcome,
Rob

carlasober · Senior Member

Welcome, Keep Coming Back!