Reading the 12 steps/traditions book. 17 years of binge drinking was enough. I hadn't hit rock bottom yet, but it was coming. So glad my eyes have been opened, but not gonna lie, I am scared of total sobriety after having lived through foggy eyes most weekends the last 17 years, after driving drunk too many times to count, to toasting the winning team, etc.
Yep, I'm scared but I'm going to get my life back and, I pray, find my smile again. Peace.
Welcome to sobriety, its really a great way to live. And no matter what, dont ever stop stopping. AA offers a solution and it has worked for thousands and thousands of alkies for many years.
Yes, it can be scarry at first, but each day that you dont drink will get easier. Read the Big Book along with the 12+12, get a sponsor, work the steps, and help other new ppl.
Truly a blessing to hear the tunes of surrender and search for a "new way of life" Projection on "rest of my life without: and the how can I,,is common place to our twisted thought patterns,WE do this a day,an hour a minute at a time,The obsession and compulsion will be removed,but it will take some work.Sounds like your ready..Keep coming back okay,let us know how its going......
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
MLK once said that "Faith" is taking the first step even when you don't see the entire staircase. That one means so much to me that it hangs on my wall right at the 1st door I go thru in the morning when I get up.
There are millions of us "don't drink" anymore alcoholics so there are tons of examples for you to glom on for support and light.
I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
Hi, It sure is a biggie that first step. I fought it to the last. I couldn't imagine life with or without alcohol. Thought I might be like the hole in the donut. But once that first step is put to bed, I found I had started on a new path to a life better than anything I could have imagined. As I kept coming back and working the steps to the best of my (very limited) ability, I found somehting out - Everything they told me in the Big Book is exactly true!
So let's make sure about that first step. In the Big Book it says " we learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. this is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people or presently may be, has to be smashed" If you can say you have taken this step without any reservation, with no little idea lurking way in the back of your mind, may be one day you might be able have a drink..... then congratulations, you are on your way to a life beyond your wildest dreams!
Welcome. Do not be discouraged. We have all been there.
I never imagined myself sober, but AA started out like that for everybody. As I took the steps, with the support of the fellowship, I watched in unbelief my own transformation, despite everything to the contrary.
You too can do it, if you are willing. It does not ask for strength. I was weak. Others had to support me. It taught me humility and dependence on others. Whenever I am weak the body of AA is my strength. All I have to do is be there and accept the help.
Hello ITT 1st step, and welcome to the board. There is a lot to this getting sober business. It's all mental after a few weeks. There are a lot of forces working against you. Get an education so you know where the pit falls are. The book "Staying sober, a guide to relapse prevention" by Terri Gorski is awesome. There are some references from that book in this forum if you search for "post acute withdrawal", which is one of those hidden forces I mentioned. Good luck in your new journey. There is life after alcohol and it's a wonderful ride after you get through the "getting sober" part.
-- Edited by StPeteDean on Thursday 18th of August 2011 10:57:04 PM
