Saying the serenity prayer to regain sanity finding favorite reads in the big book telling the committee to shut up and then play my favorite music real loud call my sponsor or AA friend someone who has more sober time than me vacuum the heck out of the carpet paint something
after white knuckling for a long while, what worked? (and still works) Believing step 1, both parts of it, every day Home Group Sponsor Steps - all of them, to the best of my ability Service Listening - you got two ears and one mouth for a reason, use them proportionately Being honest Believing stuff like there are no good reasons to take a drink, just lot's of excuses learning - to talk to people when times are good so it's easier to talk when times are bad that this too shall pass that this is an illness that it's my responsibility whether or not I take the first drink, because I know after that I am irresponsible trust and Faith in my own, personal higher power. trust in my sponsor learning to keep my mouth shut learning not to gossip knowing that anger is an emotion and I don't have to turn into the Incredible Hulk when i feel angry facing up to the wreckage of my past, learning that my amends may be rejected but making those amends to the best of my ability anyway and learning from, not living in, my past. knowing that sometimes I don't know what I'm feeling so I better ask someone to help me. (Bugger, the only emotion I can identify first time every time is anger, then I have to figure out exactly what I'm fearing to feel this anger)
-- Edited by bikerbill on Monday 11th of January 2010 01:42:22 PM
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
Finally, finally coming to the stark realization that booze was gonna kill me. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Im one drink away from death.
Until this time I could not stay sober.
Willingness was and still is the secret/key for me. I must be willing to do anything to stay sober. Honesty comes later ....
Again, this is a great post and I can relate to all the replies.
I'm windy so a quick story: During much of the year that I went to AA and drank, I would write on a calendar the days that I got high or drunk (H for high and D for drunk, yes, I really did that). I would also write a brief description of the day. Mostly it was "hung out with Connie, H" or "fought with mom" or even "went to a meeting, DH." Well, I still have the calendar and on the day I got sober it simply says "read big book, felt better". It still gives me chills to this day.
What worked? Thoroughly admitting alcohol had me whipped, going to a meeting and coming here and being surrounded by love and support, being told I didn't have to ever drink again and I didn't have to do it alone, and a rigid schedule of meetings, calling sponsor daily, and embracing the fellowship. Steps are keeping me sober...step 1 was critical to starting out of course.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Doing it someone else's way! Sponsor, 12 steps, studying the Big Book, sponsoring, meetings, chairing meetings, my personal relationship with God...etc
