First Post

blackrose · Newbie

First Post

Fyne Spirit · MIP Old Timer

Welcome Blackrose,
I can relate totally to your story. I too lost control at an early age and got sober through AA when I was 22. That was 31 years ago. I am still amazed, I thought I was a hopeless case. I have only joined this site in the last couple of weeks, but I can tell you that there are plenty of genuine people on here with loads of experience, strength and hope (ESH) who will be only too pleased to help. Stay a while and check it out. If you get what I got, you'll get a life beyond your wildest dreams just by following a few simple suggestions. It ain't easy but it is simple.

God Bless you.
Fyne Spirit

blackrose · Newbie

Thank you FyneSpirit for your response. It took me a while to get to this point because I felt embarrassed and nervous. I guess I didn't really want to admit that I have a problem, but it is very apparent to me that I have a drinking problem. I intend on checking this site out and hopefully I can get some good insight.

nezyb · Senior Member

Welcome and Congrats on finding the courage to make that first post....was very unsettling for me but so very worth it in what I have learned, what people have shared with me in response to my posts on this board. Step One of AA is that we admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives have become unmanageable. You will find much support on this board, but much more, if you seek it, in your local community. My sobriety journey began only a few short months ago after more years of use than what you have been alive. I goggled AA in my local community when I was ready, they have a website with all the local meetings listed. AA's local hotline is also found in your telephone book. Find a face to face meeting, go and share there what you have shared here, sit back, listen, and hang on. As you will find out, if you are willing to follow a few simple steps, your life will improve beyond what you can imagine. Stick around here too, there are many folks with an ear to listen and as Fyne Spirit says, loads of ESH. Good luck and Peace.

mikef · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to MIP!

I can truly identify and so glad you are reaching out before spending decades in devastation.We are a good first stop here but I can only suggest bringing yourself to a meeting and checking out face to face whats going on. Identify with the terrible consequences of continuing on the road you are on.Learn about Alcoholism and the accompanying insanity that rides along with it and also know that there is a "solution"Hope to hear back from ya!!!! smile

gonee · MIP Old Timer

Welcome. I started to seek for help around 26 years old also, but I only found AA when I was 28 years old. I became so involved in the fellowship & enjoy it so much that I have stayed here for past 23 years. I love the people here. Wonderful genuine people, who really care for one another.

pinkchip · MIP Old Timer

Blackrose, there is great support and insight to be had from this board, but I would have never stayed sober without face to face meetings, a sponsor, and the real deal program of AA. This is not something you can figure out and battle. It is something that you need to surrender to and treat by creating and sticking to a program of recovery. It is a big step to admit your alcoholism anywhere, including here, but Alcohol is too cunning of a foe to not address it with a whole lot of meetings, sponsorship, and stepwork. It might sound daunting but it is worth it.

happycamper · MIP Old Timer

Wow, how great that you realize at such a young age that you believe you have a drinking problem and want to do something about it ... Good for you!!

And, welcome to MIP too! There are lots of great ppl here who are willing to help you on this journey.

I would suggest going to a few AA meetings , sit and listen. See if you can identify with any of the members there. You will find that they are welcoming and friendly too. Get yourself our text called the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and read it. Again, see if you can identify with what you read.

Stay in touch here and let us know how you are doing

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Hello and welcome Blackrose. I was about your age when I got serious about quitting drinking. One of the biggest obstacles, besides admitting I had a problem and reaching out for help, was imagining life without alcohol. Not only a life but a good life. I was very fortunate to find an AA club, to attend meetings daily. I wound up sharing a house (through the Club's bulletin board) with 3 other sober people, and luckily for me, they ranged in years sober from 2 to 10. I was then able to see very functional people leading happy and balanced lives without alcohol. We had a lot of fun, doing normal activities like bike riding, bowling, going out to eat. I even found some sober motorcycling, skiing, and scuba diving buddies, that I'm still taking trips with now, some 20 years later. Turned out alcohol was really holding me back from doing those things in life that I'd always dreamed of. Of course alcohol offered up all the typical excuses why I wouldn't be able to do those things anyway. The bottom line is that this disease kills people, sometimes quickly, but most times slowly from the inside out. In the process, it takes everything that you've ever loved or wanted to love away. And it's not until we look at our decision to quit, as "life or death", generally, that we're "willing to do whatever it takes, to get and stay sober". Take a quick read through chapter 5 aka "How it works" from the "Big Book".

http://www.southbayaa.org/howitworks.htm

MooMoo · Veteran Member

Hi blackrose... And congratulations on finding MIP.... I knew I was an alcoholic 30 years ago...I went to my first meeting then...but i didnt go back.... I knew i should but wasnt ready. It took 30 years including four marriages, countless relationships, a few jobs, two kids, a lot of money and a whole lot of beer.

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

Hi, blackrose. Welcome to "MIP"