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Post Info TOPIC: Newbie Help
typ0


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Newbie Help
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I have been an alcoholic since before I had my first beer at 14.  I am 42 now and have just realized I am an alcoholic after years of denial.  I have gone through periods of heavy drinking and drug use sometimes quitting one or the other but not both at once.  I have given up the drugs about seven months ago and been sober since fathers day with one relapse.  I'm committed to going through the program and was wondering if anyone could offer advice of things to do to aid recovery while I'm spinning my wheels on the computer.  My wife and kids have moved on and I need to get healthy if that is possible.

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Lexie


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Hi, typ0,

Working the steps with a sponsor is probably the most valuable thing you could do with your time. Are you asking what other recovery resources there are online? I'm not sure what you mean when you say, "while I'm spinning my wheels on the computer."

There's another recovery forum I like that has some good stuff to read, here.

And, of course, this is a very warm and friendly group we have here.  I'm sure the rest of the gang will be along to greet you shortly.

Welcome!


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Lexie
    ~ one breath at a time
Jerry F


MIP Old Timer

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Aloha Keith...you will get healthy and healthier if you sit down, listen with an open
and follow thru on the suggestions you hear.  That is how millions of other alcoholics
have done it and passed it on and what we do is pass on.  There are no new inventions
to recovery although there are lots of people who think they have invented such.
The hotline number for AA in your district is in the white pages of your local telephone
book...look it up and call it.  If you don't get a live voice right away you should get a
recording that tells you where the open meetings are in your area and the times.
write those down and then go to the first available one you can get to.   Sit down,
all the way down in that meeting and listen and learn.  Announce yourself so that
those willing to and able to help newcomers will come to your aid and success and
then listen to how they did it.  Get a big book...8 bucks of life and soul and spirit
saving experiences and help.  Get other literature and read it all.   When they
announce that there are people in the room who are willing to sponsor look at the
hands and the faces attached to the hands and go interview one or more of them.
Ask them...."Tell me honestly about your recovery experiences" and after you listen
ask one of them, "will you help me?".  If they say yes you will be standing with your
teacher, mentor, guide.  If they say "no" go to the next one and then the next until
you find someone willing to help you save your life.  You will experience a new
relationship without surprises.  The man helping you will know what your shoes feel
like and where your trail led to and you will start to nod when he tells you what he
did and how it came out.  Listen to how he changed his life and then practice what
he suggest along with what you here inside of the rooms of AA. 

Welcome to MIP...the recovery at this site is powerful so you want to keep coming
back here also...share what is working for you so that newcomers will have the same
chance you now have.    smile

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typ0


Veteran Member

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Posts: 35
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Lexie wrote:

Hi, typ0,

Working the steps with a sponsor is probably the most valuable thing you could do with your time. Are you asking what other recovery resources there are online? I'm not sure what you mean when you say, "while I'm spinning my wheels on the computer."

There's another recovery forum I like that has some good stuff to read, here.

And, of course, this is a very warm and friendly group we have here.  I'm sure the rest of the gang will be along to greet you shortly.

Welcome!



Thank you.  I just get bored late at night if I'm not tired and that is spinning my wheels.  I'm listening to some speakers and will check out the other site you suggested.



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typ0


Veteran Member

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Posts: 35
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Thank you,

I found the big book online and am reading it.I have been to some meetings and they are very enligtening.  Did get a phone number offered today and I will call him I really identified with the story he told.  I would love to get a sponsor this week.  I'm very humbled in the last week that I am an alcoholic and have been one for so many years.  This disease is absolutely crazy as one of the symptoms is denial.  While things seem tough right now I have had some huge positive things happen to me in the recent past so I guess it's all a trade off.

Jerry F wrote:



Aloha Keith...you will get healthy and healthier if you sit down, listen with an open
and follow thru on the suggestions you hear.  That is how millions of other alcoholics
have done it and passed it on and what we do is pass on.  There are no new inventions
to recovery although there are lots of people who think they have invented such.
The hotline number for AA in your district is in the white pages of your local telephone
book...look it up and call it.  If you don't get a live voice right away you should get a
recording that tells you where the open meetings are in your area and the times.
write those down and then go to the first available one you can get to.   Sit down,
all the way down in that meeting and listen and learn.  Announce yourself so that
those willing to and able to help newcomers will come to your aid and success and
then listen to how they did it.  Get a big book...8 bucks of life and soul and spirit
saving experiences and help.  Get other literature and read it all.   When they
announce that there are people in the room who are willing to sponsor look at the
hands and the faces attached to the hands and go interview one or more of them.
Ask them...."Tell me honestly about your recovery experiences" and after you listen
ask one of them, "will you help me?".  If they say yes you will be standing with your
teacher, mentor, guide.  If they say "no" go to the next one and then the next until
you find someone willing to help you save your life.  You will experience a new
relationship without surprises.  The man helping you will know what your shoes feel
like and where your trail led to and you will start to nod when he tells you what he
did and how it came out.  Listen to how he changed his life and then practice what
he suggest along with what you here inside of the rooms of AA. 

Welcome to MIP...the recovery at this site is powerful so you want to keep coming
back here also...share what is working for you so that newcomers will have the same
chance you now have.    smile



 



-- Edited by typ0 on Sunday 15th of August 2010 11:23:26 PM

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Lexie


Senior Member

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Gotcha.

We have a "sticky thread" up top that has other good sites with AA stuff, including speaker tapes and such. Those are worth checking out, too.

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Lexie
    ~ one breath at a time
angelov8


MIP Old Timer

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Posts: 714
Date:
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Glad that you are here. You seem like you are prepared to go to great lengths to be sober. This will be of great benefit. I hope you are able to connect with a sponsor, it has meant the world to me to have a mentor to work with. This is a great place for those who use the computer for down time to connect and message about recovery. Welcome.

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StPeteDean


MIP Old Timer

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Posts: 6464
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Welcome Typ0, looks like you've got plenty of good suggestions
so I'll just hello. smile.gif

-- Edited by StPeteDean on Monday 16th of August 2010 06:41:44 AM

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 Gratitude = Happiness!





TwelveSteps


Senior Member

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Posts: 362
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Welcome! This site and others are great, but nothing beats connecting with people at face to face meetings. Alcoholics tend to isolate and meetings countract that. Glad to have you here and good luck.

GG

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Aquaman


MIP Old Timer

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Posts: 1201
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Welcome Typ0!
AA has worked for me and we're here for you. Keep coming back!

Peace,
Rob


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I alone can do it...but I can't do it alone.
SUSIE


Senior Member

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Posts: 479
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Welcome typO......I am excited for you! Stick around and see how exciting it can be to choose to live life and see life as it really is. I can not totally explain how good it can get you will have to stick around and see for yourself. I am over 2 1/2 years sober and the promises are coming true every day. When I came in they took my car, my license and some of my freedom. But now I realize I gave it all away! Today I have a CTS Caddie, freedom to come and go as I please. Just recently I was able to obtain a small cabin on Torch Lake Michigan. I cant believe all the joys. Not that THINGS are important its the fact that now I am responsible enough to have these THINGS and enjoy and share with people today. I can't even tell you all the loving people in my life now! I am so rambling.....Life is good and glad to have you on board :)

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Larry_H


MIP Old Timer

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Posts: 1008
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Welcome typO to a place called hope that is spelled AA

Larry,
--------------
I Didn't Sleep On My Lawn Last Night

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kld47


Senior Member

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Posts: 178
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Hi

Finding a good sponsor and reading the material will help.  You also have to have the will to believe in yourself and make the changes to overcome this terrible problem.

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Karen D.  in MI
Merlin


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When i first stopped drinking, some 13 years ago, I found the relationships at meetings to be a great way to help me move on. I too was alone as are many who first come to AA. I went to several meetings a day and, thanks God, a Sponsor found me. I found that looking forward to the meetings and the close friends I found at the meetings kept me hanging around.

Also, tired, hungry, and lonely are 3 of the worst offenders while newly sober. So, if you are spending a lot of time awake at night, you may not be getting the rest you need. Try exercising during the day, and cutting down on the caffeine. Taking care of my physical health was a very important part of staying sober for me.

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jenn


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glad to have you with us.
I'm jenn alcoholic.

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typ0


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Thank you everyone. I will make it.

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