I just wanted to post that for at least 6 months, I really do not want to drink! I am not trying to jinx myself nor am I claiming I am "cured" or anything like that, I just wanted to assure folks who wonder if they can ever get periods of freedom, apparently it happens. I have been in this state before in my almost 30 year battle with this disease. I became complacent. Currently I am thankful but "on guard" and practicing the steps. It really is a daily practice!
Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
Hi Guys, I haven't considered drinking for many years. The obsession was removed as the result of the steps at around the three or four month mark and never returned. I had one or two occasions in the first two years, I guess, where I was momentarily tempted, but I recoiled as if from a hot flame, sanity had returned. I had found an effective defense against the first drink. A power greater than myself had solved my problem. Of course it might have had something to do with the fact that I threw myself, heart, body and soul, into AA and the steps and really did try to practice these principles in all my affairs (progress not perfection you understand). :)
Hi Guys, I haven't considered drinking for many years. The obsession was removed as the result of the steps at around the three or four month mark and never returned. I had one or two occasions in the first two years, I guess, where I was momentarily tempted, but I recoiled as if from a hot flame, sanity had returned. I had found an effective defense against the first drink. A power greater than myself had solved my problem. Of course it might have had something to do with the fact that I threw myself, heart, body and soul, into AA and the steps and really did try to practice these principles in all my affairs (progress not perfection you understand). :)
That is a great post. Always, throughout the program, when I finally got that my HP was in control, I felt the peace and confidence of sobriety. I had very long periods of sobriety (20+years) then a short slip as life circumstances changed. I am sure now that it was because I was not working the program to its fullest and only had 98% in the program getting 98% of the results equaling the 2% slip rate. I am feeling 100% vested at this time, and am so thankful that the thought of alcohol seems to be a dull thought currently associated in my mind with something rotten or poison. I was amazed when St Patty's day came and went without a "pressure check" or tempting thought. I recently had dinner with a fellow who really cemented into my mind why drinking is a disease--but that's a different story!
Tom
-- Edited by turninggrey on Sunday 22nd of April 2012 12:02:54 PM
__________________
"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
Great! I am feeling no desire to drink, no cravings (this time around) and I was completely obsessed and compulsive when I was doing this program half ass the first time. When I dove into step 4 with an open mind and honesty, I went from not wanting to drink - to recoiling. Very nice safe feeling for today, that I know could slip away if i don't for it every day! Thanks for the post!
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Great! I am feeling no desire to drink, no cravings (this time around) and I was completely obsessed and compulsive when I was doing this program half ass the first time. When I dove into step 4 with an open mind and honesty, I went from not wanting to drink - to recoiling. Very nice safe feeling for today, that I know could slip away if i don't for it every day! Thanks for the post!
Thanks all for your posts -- so great to see this program in action. I can competely identify and just shows what's in store for us when we continue to work this program.
My experience has been one of not wanting to drink as soon as I started going to meetings. I felt like I hit bottom so hard and I was terrified of going back. Hence, a craving for me may have come in the form of a "recoil" experience. During the first year, I chain smoked, drank a million cups of coffee a day and was still not good at all at handling my emotions without alcohol. I recall always wanting to feel "different" or to check out and "not feel." I know that state was craving related now but it did not really make me want to drink. I had to put up with that feeling, learn to address it and learn to cope (with spiritual and psychological tools) and gradually even that state of wanting to numb myself has morphed into a more healthy thing. Now I choose relatively normal activities which get me out of my head.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
What Fynne Spirit said! Add to that, I heard, early on, that your Higher Power WOULD remove the obsession to drink if asked to. So I did, pray daily, for the first 6 months, to have the obsession to drink (and drug/smoke cigs) be removed. On the 6 month, I did my 5th step. It felt as though 80 pounds was taken off my back, and I was walking 2 feet off of the ground. I haven't had a serious thought to drink (or anything else) sense! And especially in tough life situations, it never even crossed my mind. This, and turning over the things that you are powerless over (and something to show gratitude to) are very important reasons to have a Higher Power.
I work to keep myself from getting complacent, and there are still moments when I *do* want a drink, but most of the time nowadays I don't even think about it, including when people are drinking in front of me. I've been a vegetarian for my entire adult life and I'm starting to feel the same way I do when I'm out to eat with friends and they are having something with meat in it... it's just something that's not a part of my life. It's neither tempting, nor repellant, it's just something I'm not interested in.
great shares, here, thank you, all. when i am tempted to "have a drink" or think about taking that dive i remember my last drunk (in the back of a cop car) and that knocks the desire right out of me. it doesn't occur very often. my husband still drinks and when i smell beer on his breath it repells me... bad memories pop into my head. mostly i avoid being around people who drink, when they think they are having a good time, they don't look like they are having a good time to me. But the statement "complacencey will take me out" is true for me. it is a slippery place, so i avoid it by working the steps. thanks for being here, helping me stay sober. jj/sheila
