I agree with Tasha, totally. Online sponsors are okay, but they're not a substitute for the real thing. A live person can personalize the A.A. message much better than an online version. So my suggestion would follow along the same lines as Tasha. Find some meetings, get involved early and never second guess sobriety, ever.
Your always welcome to post here -that will never change. It's a great forum for everyone including yourself. But, again, it should never be a substitute for the real thing. "MIP" has been a good supplement to my sober routine, but A.A. has been my primary choice for some time now. A.A. keeps me connected and "MIP" keeps me focused, it's that simple. There's room for both in our daily routine, though. So keep both in mind. I just hope you can fit some meetings into your hectic schedule, like we have. It can only improve upon your spiritual condition. So please give A.A. a try also, it can only help.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Saturday 21st of July 2012 12:36:34 AM
Welcome ashlely glad you made it here. What Tasha says is true. I don't post as much as some here, but I read a lot and over the last few months I have seen Tasha make some amazing leaps. She is spot on. Hope you stick around. If your willing to go to any lengths, then your Willing to any lengths. Nothing can replace what one alcoholic to another face to face can do. There is a dynamic that you can not atain any other way. If you want it bad enough and take the action, you will find it.
-- Edited by billyjack on Friday 13th of July 2012 02:04:03 PM
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Since it cost a lot to win, and even more to loose, you and me gotta spend some time just wondering what to choose.
Hi im ashley,and im a alcoholic and im new, i need a online sponor that i can call or i have skype.i will go to any lengths to get this. im miserable and broken inside and need help,,i can go to meetings but have two toddlers and husband works.so
Hi Ashley - I also have 2 little ones, and a husband who works 70 - 80 hrs per week. I use this site a lot, and there is a lot of wisdom and help here. I came here hoping to get an online sponsor as well... mostly because there isn't a lot of female recovery in my area. I decided to follow the advice of almost everyone I knew who was in recovery, and search for someone (in person) until I finally found someone. While looking, I posted here every day, and got lot's of support.
I did eventually find a great sponsor, but she is very very busy and overloaded with sponsee's and life. I still reach out here when she's not available, and just because I have grown to love and respect most of the old timers here. This is a little fellowship of it's own... my home group away from home - but NOT a replacement for live meetings, and live interaction with a sponsor and friends in AA. I'm still working on making friends, but I feel I have some here at least : ) I would love to get to know you - especially since I'm finding it quite rare around here to meet other people in recovery with very young children. It has it's own challenges, and I would love to talk to someone who might understand that specifically! So glad you're here Ashley!
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
I agree with what's been said...Sobriety has to be the main concern in your life right now....Maybe you can work out something with your husband where you can go to meetings on his days off...Some meetings you can bring toddlers...You can call Intergroup in your area and ask about that....You have to do what you have to do to make this work....I know when I was drinking....Nothing got in the way of me and getting a drink....I had to look at my recovery the same way...I'm glad you are here....Great place for online support....But face to face contact...One alcoholic to another....Is the way to go.
I agree with what everyone has suggested thus far . I'm new myself..just shy of 60 days. My sponser has been my lifeline. Absolutely. She had guided me through the very difficult process of resocialization as a sober person (I didn't think I'd need it at first, but boy, did I ever. Going to meetings and beginning to see the same faces, and just talk to people is incredibly helpful. I work 2 jobs with crazy hours, and don't drive, so i do understand the difficulty of physically getting to meetings...but it's well worth the effort, and sometimes 2 mile walks to get to a meeting, and 2 miles back. It's worth it. It's my lifeline and sanity right now.
I agree with what everyone has suggested thus far . I'm new myself..just shy of 60 days. My sponser has been my lifeline. Absolutely. She had guided me through the very difficult process of resocialization as a sober person (I didn't think I'd need it at first, but boy, did I ever. Going to meetings and beginning to see the same faces, and just talk to people is incredibly helpful. I work 2 jobs with crazy hours, and don't drive, so i do understand the difficulty of physically getting to meetings...but it's well worth the effort, and sometimes 2 mile walks to get to a meeting, and 2 miles back. It's worth it. It's my lifeline and sanity right now.
Wow, that's awesome Colleen. You've committed yourself nicely and the payoff will be huge. Maybe others will follow suit...I hope. Keep that momentum going.
Sometimes it takes a while to get a sponsor. But remember, it is not the sponsor that can keep you sober. It's the program of AA that can keep you sober--along with your higher power.
BTW,there is a wonderful AA pamphlet entitled "Questions and Answers On Sponsorship." Very useful for all sponsees and sponsors. You might see if you can get one at a meeting or someplace online.
Thanks for everyone's advice here, I am taking it to heart for myself. I also have two very young children and a demanding full time job. I have not drank in 4 years, but have not been active in a recovery program. (same for my husband), and I think I have been in denial that I needed the help, and thought that i could do it myself with a self prescription of individual therapy, good nutrition, yoga, etc. interesting that I have been able to find a few hours a week for these other things, but can't get myself to a meeting. My husband and I are at each others throats and our marriage is on shaky ground. I feel like we are living in a minefield and am pretty desperate about all of this damaging my kids and possibly being a threat to my sobriety. Reading these boards has been helpful to me and reading your posts makes me want to take the next step to "go live" with face to face meetings. Thank you.
Welcome Gingergirl...Congrats to you on 4 years without drinking... I had tried to stop on my own a few times before I went to AA...And I was miserable....Better off drinking....The gift of AA for me was learning how to live without alcohol...I didn't know anything like that existed. Maybe it was meant to be for you to read this thread....My prayers are with you on your sober journey. Give it all you got....It worth it.
Stepchild is right ... AA is more than just a recovery from drinking ... it is a life 'therapy' if you will ... AA's steps and principles are a 'way-of-life' for us ... It doesn't make us perfect but it does teach us how to get along with others and to give of ourselves rather than 'take' and 'control others' all the time ...
Some of us have lost relationships and some of us have repaired our relationships ... The point here is, we learn to 'love' again ... alcohol took from us the very 'ability to love' someone other than ourselves ... And the AA program of recovery gave this ability back to us ... You coming to AA would certainly help your situation, can't hurt ... and if you could get your husband to come too, better ... (assuming you both are alcoholics)(I haven't heard enough of your past to form any opinion on you being alcoholic or not ... doesn't really matter to me ... it's you that it should matter to) ...
God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Hi im ashley,and im a alcoholic and im new, i need a online sponor that i can call or i have skype.i will go to any lengths to get this. im miserable and broken inside and need help,,i can go to meetings but have two toddlers and husband works.so
Hi, runnergrl82, are you still out there? Did you find an online sponsor? Or did you take our suggestions and find some face-to-face meetings? Were you able to change your schedule (or hubby's)? Sobriety should be your main activity, you know.
Remember, if you're willing to go to any lengths,...well, then you'll get a sponsor and meetings and all the wonderful bounty of traditional AA...
Don't forget we have some exemplars of how to do this thing--people right here who did it the right way. If they can do it YOU can do it!
And sobriety is more than just not drinking--it's a great life. And another thing . . . wait, another newcomer has posted and needs some ESH. See ya runnergrl!
Maybe you can start another thread. Maybe it won't get hijacked again.
