New Member, Questions

Vickie · Newbie

New Member, Questions

Sick of being sick · MIP Old Timer

Hi Vickie, and welcome.

If you haven't gotten your hands on a "Big Book", make a point to aquire one ASAP. Read especially the first section. It will help answer a lot of your questions.

As far as the O'Doul's NA, any of us AA'ers who have been to a professional addiction counselor (like the majority of us alcoholics), have been told by them that it is a teaser that can lead us to harder stuff. Although, I will admit that I have seen a rare few that haven't had difficulty because of it.

I think it is like the advice about trying the "little experiment" recommended in the Big Book, to try going with out a drink for a certain period of time to see if we are alcoholic. Some people have tried this, then "experimented" with trying to "drink normally" again after that. We alcoholics find that any attempt at that experiment always results in a slow descent for some, and a rapid descent for others, but always a descent into more uncontrollable drinking and misery. So, if you try to stay with O'Doul's, and don't end up saying "I can drink one or two of these and stop, so I should be able to do the same with just one or two beers!", then I guess it's ok.

If you end up like most alcoholics, "graduating" back to 3.2 percent or the regular stuff, it's not ok.

Besides getting yourself steeped in AA literature, try to make as many face to face meetings as possible in your early sobriety. And, drop in here anytime.. the folks are mighty fine.

Dan

Doll · MIP Old Timer

Way to go Vickie. And welcome.

Normal? Do you mean withdrawals maybe? check out this website for Post Accute Withdrawal Syndrome, it can answer a lot of your questions.

ttp://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm

O'douls DOES contain alcohol. It's a very small amout, but it's alcohol. And what would be the point anyway. I'm an alcoholic and drank to get drunk not for the taste.

AAer's are wonderful, but just a little note, not everyone has your best interest at heart and just because they're in recovery doesn't mean they're all "good people". So, use your wits and go with your gut.

As for taking them home with you, I know that feeling. There's a lot in my f2f I feel that way about and a LOT on this message board who can come visit me anytime. Did you get a welcome packet? It should contain plenty of phone numbers. And get numbers for the ones you feel comfortable with.

Keep coming here and posting that helps a lot.

Much love to you and again, welcome

Doll

wantneeda · MIP Old Timer

Welcome Vickie!!!

congrats on going to your first meeting!!!

they say Vickie....that we didn't get this way overnight, we aren't going to get better overnight either.

it takes time and time takes time

when i first cleaned up i remember going to a meeting one night and saying ' i don't know what's going on with me but...i don't have 1000 things going through my mind at the same time", that was three months clean and sober and going to meetings.

As for the physical stuff? well, i think everyone is different.

if it's only been 2 days, it may take a little longer yet. What ever it takes though, don't give up.

i don't drink non-alcoholic beer. Would take me to wanting the real stuff. yes there is a small percentage of alcohol in it. To big of a chance for me.

keep coming back!!

hugs, Wendy

nancyjo59 · Senior Member

Welcome!!!

Nancy Jo

Westchester Rebel · Member

Welcome Vickie,

I would not recommend drinking O'Douls. Someone much wiser than I once said, "If you sit in the barber chair long enough, you're gonna get a haircut.". As you attend more meetings, you will hear of "people, places, and things" as being the trigger for picking up that first drink. O'Douls definitely falls in the "things" category. It may be that you are drinking O'Douls in a bar with friends. Those would be the "people" and "places". While you are still new to recovery, it is good advice to avoid these situations. There will come a time when "people, places, and things" will not be that trigger. But as wantneeda eluded to, give time time.

Keep coming back,
Rick

cheri · Senior Member

Welcome Vickie,

As said...I'd stay away from the NA beer. My dad drinks that cause he likes the taste of beer, but doesn't want to get drunk. My reaction was Why bother? I drank because I liked the effect it had on me...and when it stopped working I drank more. When it still didn't work I tried to stop and found I couldn't. The only solution I ever found that has worked was in the rooms of AA. And by the grace of my higher power, it's working today.

There will be some physical effects for awhile, and I always recommend chocolate for the times that you start craving a drink. Any type of sugar is good, if you don't do chocolate. Pop candy in your mouth and then call someone from AA and talk to them for a few minutes. Tell them you want a drink. Just talking about seems to take the immediate craving away. Drink lots of juices and water to flush out your body...if you are having trouble sleeping or can't sit still for 2 minutes, go to a health food store, describe your symptoms, and ask for herbal remedies. If it persists longer than a month, or you feel like you're jumping out of your skin...go to a doctor and get some medical advice. This disease affects each of us in a different way.

You can always post here if you need to talk to someone immediately...if one of us is on we normally respond pretty quickly. I'm sure you'll get email addresses...I will private meesage you with mine.

Go to as many meetings as you can for now,let the local AAers get to know you.

Love, cheri

Cabbageheadchris · Senior Member

Hi Vickie. Welcome to the site. Just a short comment an NA beer. I drink it,( About 2 tins a week) purely because i get bored of endless glasses of Coke, orange juice, and water. Can't have coffee anymore, when I stopped drinking I became Hyper sensitive to coffee and started shaking anytime I had it.

NA beer is OK for some people, but if you find yourself guzzling 200 tins a night, it's time to get worried! Best bet is to stay away at least until you've got some sober time behind you.

Best wishes.

Chris.

Vickie · Newbie

Thanks, everyone that responded to my question. I hit the same meeting again today, & it wasn't as good as yesterday, twice as large, mostly older retired folks that droned on & on. 1 got really embarassed when they asked if it was anyone's first visit & this lady pointed at me & said "WHAT ABOUT YOU?" !!! Dang I almost sank thru the floor. The 2 younger women that were my age & friendly were absent, OH well.

I kicked methamphetamine 6 years ago without rehab or counseling. I went to about 6 NA meetings to get started. I was badly addicted and did not work for 3 years. I feel so stupid to now have alcohol issues, I must be truly obsessive/compulsive. Still, I can do this, if I kicked that...I know I can quit drinking . 3d sober day woohoo! I'm feeling stronger & better each day.

I'm not a Joiner, I need to look for a younger, livelier group that I feel more comfortable with. The NA people were more my age group, & I know the precepts of the Program are the same, although this lady yesterday said differently. That's another weird thing, I think some of the folks in these groups trade their alcohol/drug obssessions with AA/NA obssession.

I just want to live a Normal happy life, & experience laughter, joy, God,kids,

pleasure in life's little Joys & sorrows. Thanks again, everyone !

Doll · MIP Old Timer

Vickie, Get to as many meetings as you can and find the ones that work for you. It took me a month or so to find the ones I liked and felt comfortable in.

Just a little something that was suggested to me, try to hear the messege, not the messenger. There are some old farts in my home group that tell the same story, over and over, but when I hear them, I usually catch something I missed the first time around. My sponsor says even if what's being shared doesn't apply , listen anyway and put it in the "bank" you never know when you may need to "withdraw" it.

Keep coming.

Much love

Doll

eric h · Newbie

Congrats Vickie and welcome to the fellowship

Everyone I have met in my years in the fellowship, have different views on the ODouls topic. I for one approve and occasionally have an ODouls and a variety of other imported non-alcoholic beverages.
But it was after at least a year in sobriety, and I have been for at least 3 years now. I guess I am that rarity that loved the taste, and my bottom was so horrendous it keeps me scared from picking up the real stuff.

Its about how the persons spiritual condition is at the moment.
ODouls has never caused me to stay out all night. But alcohol did.

ODouls has never caused me to cheat on my wife. But alcohol did.

ODouls has never caused me to call in sick to work. But alcohol did.

There is no true answer, but it is something he should be discussing with your sponsor.

My sponsor knows about my ODouls and although he doesnt drink them, he agrees that if the individual is spiritually fit and doesnt have ulterior motives, the ODouls is not harmful.

My wife approves of my occasional ODouls.

If you were lactose intolerant you would drink milk, but you could drink soymilk.

Same here, when I drink real alcohol an allergic reaction sets off a phenomenon of craving which causes me to continue to drink until oblivion occurs. But my experiences with ODouls have been different; I can take or leave it.

I work my program for me and no one else. By doing that everyone around me reaps the benefits.

I strive to make Eric the best Eric, Eric can be.. Because I have to live with me everyday allday.

Eric

barisax · Senior Member

I never much cared for NA-beer or near-beer when I was drinking, so I don't think I'd like it much sober. It would only make me wish I had the real thing instead - as it did before. And as some have pointed out, it does contain alcohol. I'm quite certain that it wouldn't take much for me to be off and running. Since I have been sober, the only time I tasted alcohol in any form was a piece of hard candy that had a drop of liquer in the center. I bit into it and it was like biting a live wire... the Big Book line about "recoiling as if from a hot flame" came to mind immediately. I got a soda or coffee or something to get the taste out of my mouth, and even though I was rattled for a few minutes, I decided I didn't have to change my sobriety date.... LOL.

Barisax

eric h · Newbie

AA is comprised of millions of individuals with separate issue and levels of alcoholism... my opinion.
To Barisax.....While i have no cravings food cooked in alcohol or Non-alcoholic drinks, there are many who do.
Each persons program is unique to themselves. What works for me, might not work for my sponsees.
I do not prescribe non-alcoholic drink to anyone in the program, but i do share my experiences on the subject.

if we all had the same problems.... this program would be very boring and conversation would be repetitive.
As a musician, I am surrounded by alcohol and active alcoholic at work, but that doesn't persuade me to join them. It is actually a deterrent from picking up again.

It's all about how bad you want to stay sober.... Are you willing to go to any lengths to preserve your sobriety? a question i ask myself every morning after i thank my HP for granting me another beautiful day.

I would never tell a newcomer they can't do something, but i do tell them you have choices now, and are accountable for their actions.

Lexie · Senior Member

Welcome, Eric,

Just so you know, this thread is five years old!

I think the "gray areas" like food cooked with alcohol and N/A beer are personal decisions. If you feel they would threaten your sobriety, best to stay away from them. I always tell newcomers, "If in doubt, don't." Can't go wrong with that one.

Reffner · Senior Member

Lexie wrote:

Just so you know, this thread is five years old!

LOL...That's what I was thinking Lexi.