Almost all the stories I have heard in AA, talk about their first meeting and the talk with another alcoholic who experienced the problem and had found a solution to the problem. My first meeting got me sober instantly and I stayed dry for almost a month. I did not require medical intervention. My convincer or relapse lasted about 4 months. Then I walked back into AA. I got sober instantly. To newcomers go to an open meeting and just listen. If you have a desire to remain sober, then you will be successful. We all can stop drinking, but how to remain sober is the question. That is where the application of the 12 steps comes. For permanent sobriety we need to work the step program as given in the AA book. The book says no furtherauthentication is needed. It also says that we will show you precisely how we have recovered from alcoholism.
My experience too, Gonee. I surrendered to this simple program as I hard as I made it & achieved sobriety through desire, willingness & persistance. I made sacrifices of the things that were killing me & still could & the rewards have been & are more amazing as I grow. It is a beautiful life after alcohol & I'm grateful for all of my experience which I am able to use to help others.
I had to get utterly & consistently honest with myself in order to do so but therein is where my power is. My newfound power to change as the God of my understanding wills it. Sometimes quickly & sometimes slowly but it is all coming as I'm working for it. I do my best, God is doing the rest & yes, the promises do come true.
This is the life beyond my wildest. It has gone from beyond hopes & dreams to goals & reality 1Day@aTime. With humility & realism I can have what my heart desires from freedom from alcohol to self-worth & self-respect to personal projects coming true as I invest in myself.
It is miraculaous & there for the taking. Anyone who is struggling & reluctant to take the steps.. You can't imagine what this is like until you do it. There is love & truth in this process & no turning back. As hard as it may seem you will never want to return to the old way of life just for today if you experience this program.
It has changed me, many I have witnessed & is beyond worth it. Work these steps diligently for a good few months, give them a chance to work & you can make up your mind afterwards if you want to carry on. I didn't want to go back to who & how I was before this transformation (there are many along the way) hence why I continued to stick it out. The pain was too much, I did not & still do not want to risk an unnecessary alcoholic death.
This is my alternative & such a gift I share with so many others. Our fellowship is another gift & miracle to me. I am bonded with you in ways I longed for since a child & for that I am also eternally grateful. Keep coming back, work these steps & it will get better. Thank you, Gonee, for carrying this message & helping me too, Danielle x
__________________
Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
