I posted almost three weeks ago with a promise to stop drinking. I have done that. I am proud to say this yet is easlier than I had thought it would be. I think the only really difficult moment was when my husband was caught in a couple "white" lies that I had to deal with. Normally I would have self-medicated and pretended that things were ok. This time I had to sit with my anger. This was new but very productive in the long run.
I have found in these 3 weeks that I am content being home. I don't have that energy to be out and about. It's ok to take a nap or be lazy for an afternoon. I have no desire to do a million things like I use to do. I also look back to all the times I used with disgust. I don't want to be that person anymore. It was so dibilitating in the end. What was I thinking?
Any one interested in being a sponsor on line? I could use someone for guidance.
Hi Jacq, Congrats on your 3 weeks and your ability to stay sober. I started my sobriety journey about a year ago. At first, I signed into outpatient treatment, in reality to get my husband off my back, and because I knew I needed help and could not do it alone. I could stop for a week, maybe a month, but I could never stay stopped. And while I did stop, I was absolutely miserable, thus so was everyone else in my life. The first thing the counselor told me at intake was that I would have to attend at least 3 meetings a week for the first twelve weeks. I distinctly remember telling her, no way, I was not doing that. I told her I would do online meetings and go to group at the treatment center, and that would have to suffice. I was in treatment voluntarily (so to speak, by this time my husband had told me get sober or get out) so I didn't have to do anything I didn't feel comfortable with. The problem was, this type of selfish and self centered thinking was part of what landed me in her office to begin with. She just smiled, said we would discuss it further after group started, and told me when to show up next. She was truly surprised when I actually showed up, and then convinced me to go to just one meeting face to face. A year later, I go to at least one meeting daily. I have a sponsor and I am going through the steps, learning to apply the principles of them to all areas of my life. This program has given me a life beyond my wildest imagination, and I will be forever grateful. I no longer have to sit alone in my anger, as I am learning how to let it go, "Let Go and Let God" as the AA saying goes. (one of many). There is so much more to sobriety than just not drinking. For me, the not drinking has become the easy part. Learning how to live a happy, purposeful life without my crutch, not so much. But with the fellowship I find in meetings, my sponsor, and the 12 steps and 12 traditions of this program, and most importantly God as I understand him, I am doing just that, one day at a time. Do yourself the biggest favor you can, look up AA in your area and call the hotline, tell them you want to go to a meeting. They can have someone call you, or come get you if you'd like. Commit to just one meeting. Go, let them know it is your first meeting, then listen. What you hear will let you know that you are not alone in this fight, there are people willing to help you. They do it because it keeps them sober for another day, with no other motives. If you stay sober too, that is an added bonus. Supplementing your sobriety journey with online sites like these may help, but if you rely solely on cyber recovery, you'll be robbing yourself of more than you could ever imagine. Peace.
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I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life. He gave me life so that I may enjoy all things.
Honestly Jacq, this program is about standardization. There is always an offshoot or two that works, but the standardized "normalcy" of letting the simplicity of the program work seems to be the key. The standard way is to go to meetings and get a sponsor. Think of it as walking into a machine, and let the machine take over. Other than that, ditto nezyb. Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
The problem was, this type of selfish and self centered thinking was part of what landed me in her office to begin with. She just smiled, said we would discuss it further after group started, and told me when to show up next. She was truly surprised when I actually showed up, and then convinced me to go to just one meeting face to face. A year later, I go to at least one meeting daily. I have a sponsor and I am going through the steps, learning to apply the principles of them to all areas of my life. This program has given me a life beyond my wildest imagination, and I will be forever grateful. I no longer have to sit alone in my anger, as I am learning how to let it go, "Let Go and Let God" as the AA saying goes. (one of many). There is so much more to sobriety than just not drinking. For me, the not drinking has become the easy part. Learning how to live a happy, purposeful life without my crutch, not so much. But with the fellowship I find in meetings, my sponsor, and the 12 steps and 12 traditions of this program, and most importantly God as I understand him, I am doing just that, one day at a time. Do yourself the biggest favor you can, look up AA in your area and call the hotline, tell them you want to go to a meeting. They can have someone call you, or come get you if you'd like. Commit to just one meeting. Go, let them know it is your first meeting, then listen. What you hear will let you know that you are not alone in this fight, there are people willing to help you. They do it because it keeps them sober for another day, with no other motives. If you stay sober too, that is an added bonus. Supplementing your sobriety journey with online sites like these may help, but if you rely solely on cyber recovery, you'll be robbing yourself of more than you could ever imagine. Peace.
