Help on cravings and finding faith

Chad H · Member

Help on cravings and finding faith

SUSIE · Senior Member

Welcome Chad. The Big Book is a huge help. I would also suggest AA meetings. You dont ever have to pick up another drink and you dont have to do this alone. Keep coming back!

mikef · MIP Old Timer

Welcome Chad,glad you showed up! The Big Book can help you immensely on "coming to believe"PP 44-57(3rd edition) invaluable reading.The cravings will get better,I tried to do different things to get out of my head(running,martial arts,church group,hunting,playing in a band,etc).Not sure of your need for a detox or something deeper as you havent stated.The obsession and compulsion will subside.We always suggest making meetings,learning about your illness ,listening for a sponsor and getting into our solutions,the steps worked with a sponsor.We are here for each other so please stick around we need you... smile

Chad H · Member

Thanks for your insite. I'm new to this chat room thing so I'm trying to figure it out.

TwelveSteps · Senior Member

Also, we call it the Big Book but if you are trying to find a copy, the actual title is "Alcoholics Anonymous."

GG

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

I say ditto to Susie's ESH...Big Book, meetings, listening with an open mind, talking face to face with others who have worn your shoes and kneeling somewhere in private conversation with a Power Greater than Chad H and asking "please take these cravings from me. I don't want to drink any more. HP will know if you are serious about it.

Keep coming back... smile

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

Welcome...Chad to MIP.

This is a great forum and has helped many people with recovery issues like alcoholic cravings. You can be rest assured that the infinite wisdom found in recovery forums -like MIP- can help alleviate the suffering caused by our disease. My sponsor reminds me quite often about bearing the discomforts of life and to do so without resorting to drinking. He says and I'm quoting here: "Bear the discomforts and the comfort will come". How true... There's still hope for any recovering alcoholic who lives by that philosophy and members of this forum can testify to that.

I use meditation quite often to help ease the discomforts of life and do so for many reasons. Meditating is like opening the doorway to the sublime, thus allowing ourselves the opportunity to experience lasting peace. King David knew this all too well as he said in psalm 91 and I'm quoting here: "He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble". That verse is a comfortable reassurance that with God anything is possible; especially in times of peril or persecution or in this case "craving a drink". Like I said, meditation has been my vehicle for change, and has helped me through many trials and tribulations in life that alcohol could not. Without a connection, somewhere, we can lose our ways and become consumed, again, by our addictions, as a means of alleviating our problems as we did with alcohol. Meditation is my method of choice when dealing with those annoying circumstances in life and rightfully so. Developing a close bond with the God of our understanding is crucial as he prepares us for the pitfalls of life. The opportunities are limitless and the realm of possibility endless as my meditation takes me from the realm of discomfort and dis-ease to the stratosphere of peace and possibility. I hope meditation can do for others -including yourself- as it has done for me, and can become an outlet for change, one prayer at a time...God willing.

As far as the literature is concerned; there is a great deal of books at our disposal which can educate us on recovery. I personally like "As bill sees it". There are other books worth mentioning including ones with daily meditations in them as well. Anything -especially by hazelden- is worth reading and the AA grapevine of course. The big book is a staple and so is the "Twelve and Twelve. So, best of luck and good reading...

Welcome...once again and remember; don't give up on AA or yourself, we won't, neither should you.

~God bless~

-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 20th of May 2011 01:51:31 AM

Chad H · Member

Thanks to everyone for there responses. This is a truly great site.

LinBaba · MIP Old Timer

Click Me for The Big Book Online

That chapter is called "More About Alcoholism"

I also found "The Doctor's Opinion" and "There is a Solution" helpful in the begining (located over to the right)

Good luck

HeatherK · Veteran Member

Dear Chad, I just wanted to put in that you don't have to make any decisions about religion now, or ever. All that is required is a willingness to believe in a power greater than yourself. The rest will come! There are people from all religious backgrounds in AA, and many who are "seekers" like me, who believe in a Higher Power but have not labeled it. Be willing to believe and miracles will happen. Faith will evolve.

I am excited for you. Good things are going to happen in your life, you are only at the beginning!

THe urge to drink will be lifted! You don't ever have to drink again, even if you want to. Heather

Klaatu · Senior Member

Another thing to keep in mind is that religion plays NO part in AA. I am not a religious person. I tried it for 40 years and it wasn't working for me. This is a SPIRITUAL program. Please remember that spirituality and religion are not the same thing. I go to quite a few agnostic meetings and have met some of the best people with the type of sobriety that blows my mind. Please don't misunderstand me...religion is a good thing and works for some people...just not for me. My journey today centers around my spirituality and how I can continue to grow more spiritual. People ask me who I pray to, and I tell them God. Today my God is not the same as the one found in church. Truthfully, if AA were a religious program, I would have never made it through my first meeting. Focus on doing what is suggested by others in meetings, and leave the spirituality and religion thing for later. If you keep doing the right things, and not drinking 1 day at a time, they WILL come. Welcome my friend, you have a place here as long as you want it!

Brian