I'm not sure if Jack knew how to create a new thread, so I took the liberty doing so.
Welcome to the board Jack. It's nice to have someone with 40+ years here to share their experience, strength, and hope.
Jack D's Story: (from his profile)
assume this is my AA biography... lousy story. I grew up in the Boston area and to cut to the chase drinking was a way of life. I didn't know anyone that didn't drink unless they were sick. I started young and was probably a candidate for the program from an early age. I lived with my mother and two younger brothers and in 1957 joined the Marine Corps. I made it through my enlistment without too much trouble, but when I did get into any trouble I had been drinking.
I went to my first meeting in October of 1960, my father suggested it might be a good idea, He was sober 11 months at the time. I didn't think I needed it and I would be OK... I'd just becareful. My careful led me to the symptoms I heard people speak of at meetings that I used to say that "if I ever got that bad, I'd stop!" It took me approx 9 years to finally get beaten so bad by "John Barleycorn" that I had better "put the plug in the jug." My last drink was March 31, 1969, I had been working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and I went into convulsions on the floor. Shortly thereafter I went to my 1st meeting at the Midwood Group on Ave. M in Brooklyn. It was a closed meeting... I didn't know what it was but I was to learn it was about the 12 Steps of AA. That is when I found sobriety... nothing before had even given me pause in my drinking. It has been a really good life, there are naturally some rough spots but we get through them... the drink is gone! One day at a time!
-- Edited by StPeteDean on Monday 11th of June 2012 06:20:15 PM
Welcome aboard Jack. Went to my first meeting in Lowell, MA back in 78. My home group wasn't in the meeting booklet but nevertheless was down in Woburn. Lived in Brooklyn too, Stillwell Ave and Ave. Z - Bensonhurst/Coney Island line and attended meetings out that way...hmm, 83 maybe?
My dad, Jack M, was part of the Midwood Group-went on Friday nights for many years 1960s and 70s. Alcoholism skipped a generation, but came back with a vengeance in my mid-20s son. I'm hoping he gets into AA and gets sober, but for right now I'm grateful for Alanon. I struggled for almost a year after finding my police officer son curled up on his sofa going through withdrawals, but I recently discovered Alanon and it's right for me! Just curious if my dad's old group was still around since I left Brooklyn in the mid 70s. Guess not.
If you went to the Woburn meeting on a Monday night it was the Woburn Men's Group. I went to it prior to getting sober in '64. There was a lot of good oldtime sobriety there!
I had left Brooklyn in '79 so I guess we crossed paths somewhere along the line!
Have a great night!
Jack D
__________________
Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die...
