I'm a new comer and is 55 to late to start?

SamMelton · Newbie

I'm a new comer and is 55 to late to start?

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Of course not. Alcoholism is a primary disease like diabetes, cancer.... but it's the only disease that tells us that we don't have one. When AA Began in the '30's, the average age of newcomers was probably 60. Welcome to the board Sam, stick around and help us to stay sober.

vixen · MIP Old Timer

I'd suggest as your first step you find a local AA meeting and go to it. I have seen that if you want it bad enough, things can turn around amazingly fast, if you approach the program with an open mind and a willing spirit. Best wishes to you. :)

dolly · Veteran Member

Sam, welcome! I don't think there is an "average" when it comes to alcoholics-I have seen every type, color, age, profession, etc at meetings-it's wonderful. Trust me, age has nothing to do with it (I have seen 16 year olds at meetings and 90 year olds). It's not a competition, what I mean is every of us counts in 24 hour increments, that's all your aiming for! You are still very young, like vixen said, go to a meeting, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Good job on 2 24 hours! All my best, dolly

dale63 · Member

Welcome, and you are just the right age. The age of willingness, go to a meeting and listen. I was 45 when I went to my first meeting drank for 30 years and have been sober almost 4 years now if I make it. If I can do it so can you.

Fyne Spirit · MIP Old Timer

Welcome Sam, 55 is a great age to start, and today is a great day to start. As has been said before people seem to get sober at the right time for them, for some it is quite young, for others it is later in life. When I came in I would guess the average age was around 60. I knew one lady who got sober in her seventies and had a wonderful sobriety. These days more younger folks are coming in and the average age would be a bit lower. But the joy of sobriety is available to all ages and is more contingent on the steps we take rather than our age. Get to some AA meetings, find a sponsor to take you through the steps, and you too can have a life beyond your wildest dreams.

Good bless,
MikeH

rrib · Senior Member

SamMelton wrote:
what first step? I have known for years that I am a alcoholic so the first step is done,

What took me a long time to figure out about the 1st step was that I had no power, no contol over alcohol.

1.We admitted we were powerless over alcoholthat our lives had become unmanageable.

Starting here and by going to meetings is a good beginning. None of this is 'quick' but its not brain surgury either. It's done one day at a time.

Glad you're here. Keep coming back!

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to the board "SM". There's no age requirement for recovery, just a desire to "stop" drinking -that's all. I hope you will, starting today. Welcome, once again...

stnatina · Veteran Member

Welcome Sam! I am 53 and have almost a month clean...So I am only a couple of years behind you.

Rob84 · MIP Old Timer

Hi Sam,

I sponsor a guy who started at 63 and now has 4 years sober and is really enjoying life.

There is a guy in his 60's who has been coming to our meetings for 6 months or so. He spoke at our discussion meeting yesterday and the changes in him just blew me away.

A lot of times those who get this gift later in life seem the most grateful a lot of times.

Our manual is the Big Bok of AA. Find some local meetings and get a sponsor, come back here and ask question and learn in between.

Hope this can help.

-- Edited by Rob84 on Thursday 8th of March 2012 10:04:38 PM

Closer · Senior Member

http://www.aa.org/catalog.cfm?origpage=160&product=47

This is a link to an AA pamphlet called AA for the older Alcoholic -Never too late. I had trouble opening this link but Im sure you could find a way to read it. I own this one in real life and youll find many came to AA even in theyre 60s and higher.

pinkchip · MIP Old Timer

Sam You are not too old. My sponsor now has 17 years sober and is close to 70 years old. My grandsponsor is the same age and has 34 years sober. I don't see them as being too different from each other.

"We do not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it" This is about what you are going to do now! It is never too late to get sober. You might see that other newcomers in AA are younger but who cares? Would it not be better to have your network consist of young sober people than older drunk people anyhow? This is a much better way of life and you will be okay if you just get to AA, get a sponsor, do the steps and put the work into this.

In many ways, youth is a disadvantage. You are far more equipped to know that there is no turning back and that you cannot afford to relapse. Young folks relapse more cuz they are always convinced they have another run in them.

Stop worrying and complicating this and get busy with the program!!!

In support,

Mark

TwelveSteps · Senior Member

There are many older folks in my AA meetings -- some of them got sober in their 70s. You will be far from alone. Welcome!

GG

maire rua · Senior Member

We have just buried an oldtimer in his eighties who got in just at the age you are now. He was an inspiration and will be sorely missed. The only think I ever heard him joke about regretfully was that he was not 70, at that point he was 85. To say he was helpful to me is an understatement. He had a wonderful life in sobriety, died a dignified death and so many people want to visit him that his family had to curtail it. Nobody wants to visit an active drunk, they usually die alone and there's nothing dignified about it usually. Your choice my friend.

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Our OP may be a 1 post wonder.

SoberSteve · MIP Old Timer

AA does not discriminate age nor race, unfortunately either does our disease..

Wolfie55 · Senior Member

Alcoholism doesn't care how old you are and neither do we.