Welcome...The wonders of what alcohol can do for us....Been there and done that kind of crap....Not a good feeling. Are you able to attend some meetings on your week off?...Are you pretty well read with the Big Book?
-- Edited by Stepchild on Friday 25th of January 2013 01:19:53 AM
I just joined, but I have been in the 12 steps since early 2009. I work on the Alberta Oilfield. I do three weeks on/one week off. Monday was my drive home day. Since I arrived at 9PM, my boss put me up in a hotel. I should have just slept. Unfortunately, I had just broken up with my gf of three years. I went on one of those plenty of fish type websites, and met a woman, who wanted to drink and have fun. I met her nearby, got drunk, invited her back to my hotel room, and got more drunk.
We fooled around, and after consuming the equivalent of 13-14 drinks, I fell asleep. When I awoke, she was gone, my laptop was gone, my cell phone, the company keys, my house keys, and jacket were gone. I feel so foolish. I had to call my employer and tell him I "left my keys in a cab." I hope the employer is not too disappointed in me. Man I wish I knew someone I could all in the Edmonton area when I feel like drinking.
I even tried to help run a AA group at my work camp, but to no avail. I'll have to make due online for now. Anyway just wanted to say hello, and introduce myself.
Hey AlbertaCowboy, welcome back. In a previous attempt at sobriety a number of years ago I had some dealings with the Alberta drug and alcohol treatment centre in Edmonton - I can't remember the name, but it was the government one. They were great people.
I'm kinda interested to know how far you progressed with your step work. It's been my experience that those that do the work and stay in fit spiritual condition seem to be able to survive all manner of life's disasters. And it's an aboslute cetainty that something bad is bound to happen in our lives, it happens to everyone sooner or later, alcoholic or not. The program of recovery as set out in the book really gives us the power to deals with these things without the need to drink. In my time I have made practically every mistake you can make, but I have been protected, kept in a position where I can learn from my mistakes and not drink over them. Thats all down to God and the steps.
I hope you stick around, there is plenty of good support on this site and we are very glad you dropped in.
Bless you Cowboy! Our Big Book was written to be mailed to people, as there WERE no A.A. meetings! (I find the stories in the back of our book, often give me the same kind of relief I feel from going to a face to face meeting! ) I believed in God when I got to A.A. And I believed He wanted me dead! LOL!!! But I KNEW the A.A.s were like me, and they said, "If you want what we have....you'll do what we do....and we PRAY." GASP! Me, " I dont believe in God!" Them, " Well, maybe God BELIEVES IN YOU!" I asked (and still ask) for sobriety EVERY DAY....and do you know what has happened? EVERY THING I have NEEDED to STAY sober, has been put in my path!!!! You dont need a sponsor, to do step "0"........At the end of the Preface, there are 3 little things to ask yourself...and then they send you to the stories in the back of the book...This is "Step 0"..............I believe protection comes from being actively IN the WORK every day......You can have a "program" TODAY...if you like........(I gotta word this "This is what I did/do").........I ask God to keep me sober/clean each a.m., and after staying clean/sober I thank god at night...........I did that step "0" work at least 20 minutes a day.......I began going to 90 meetings in 90 days. ( You can solve that 90 meetings in 90 days ON LINE, if need be ......HERE.....and other sites have real time A.A. meetings and they'll do in a pinch)...... I started to pray for a Teacher/Sponsor as well... I have been given 28 years of CONTINUOUS drug-free sobriety, and I was a rotten, violent, horrible drunk.......this has worked for me....It WILL work for you, if you want it above all else! Angels bless you and Keep Coming Back!!!!!!! :) Thanks for letting me share with you
Hello Cowboy and welcome to the board. Been in the construction trade and I'm sure that alcoholism and drug addiction is common amongst workers in your trade. This disease kills people in a 1000 different ways, especially in a high risk environment. I'm sure it pays great wages, but you're probably not saving much and it won't be any good to you if you're dead. With that said, I't might be time to consider getting out of that trade, moving to a more populated area with solid recovery and get a year or two under your belt before returning to your trade. A lot of us have to do this to get sober. I chose self employment and 24 years later, it was the right choice. Get your priorities in order and get sober, then do whatever you please.
Welcome AlbertaCowboy ... Sorry for your loss ... I went through a lot of those kid of lessons before I found out it was me causing and allowing all that kind of sh!t to happen ... my companion, alcohol, convinced me to do all kinds of crazy crap that I wound up having to pay for in a variety of ways ...
We're here if you need some guidance ...
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Let this be a great learning experience! You tested yourself and fell, and I'll bet you knew in the back of your mind it would lead to no good but you forged ahead anyway! That's how crazy this disease is! That's how powerful, cunning, baffling alcohol is! You fell on Monday, but today is Tuesday, a great day to come on back! We'll be waiting for you!-J. (P.S. Please forgive me straying into "outside issues", but let AlbertaCowboy's post also warn us all about those internet dating sites!)
