Like Philip said above, be sure to get to a meeting, today ... they should have the AA big books for "cost" ... if you can't afford it, they will probably give you one ... read the first 164 pages to start with ... look for a sponsor (someone you feel is happy in sobriety ... to help guide you through the steps ... female) ... ... ...
Don't drink Today ... if tomorrow comes, start over ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
For me, after 25 years out on the tiles caught in the grip, I reached the emotional acceptance of utter defeat and took steps to do whatever it took to find freedom from active addiction. There are many roads to recovery, a day at a time, Here at the MIP forum of Alcoholics Anonymous message board (and outside of the net)WE subscribe to the methods of AA. The suggestions are voiced below by other members sharing their ESH(experience ,strength and hope)in a loving and caring manner. Its not a magic bullet, takes daily work and application of what WE view as the solution, complete abstinence from the substance and the STEPS worked and guided by a sponsor and applied in all areas of our lives. WE suffer from a physical. mental and spiritual illness and we begin the healing by putting down the drink(substance etc) Addressing the mental and spiritual aspects of our illness is the road we take to ensure ,Just For Today, WE DON'T PICK UP and remain FREE. .Our message is HOPE and our promise is freedom.... ....Let us know how your doing......,IN SUPPORT AND PRAYER!!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
None of us came into AA as "new alcoholics." I venture to say we all got here after years of suffering and "trying to get sober' in one way or another. You are not alone. You were give the most basic and simplistic suggestions by Phil and those are the ones I would echo. You are not alone. All of us have your story and we do this together.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
The shortest answer I can give to your very big question is to study the first 164 pages of the Big Book. That is where that AA program can be found. While you are doing that, get along to as many meetings as time permits and see if you can find someone to help you follow the instructions in the book. Then repeat.
Thank you all i will find a meeting i thin about 37kilometes from my home i know i will have to be extra strong as i work with alcohol every day i own a restaurant
Talk to Col here on the board about how she stays sober working in that environment daily - I'm sure she'd be glad to help and has an excellent program and her sobriety rocks (IMO) in spite this seemingly difficult circumstance. Good luck!
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Find a post by Col, 'click' on Col ... it will show her info ... then on the left side, click on 'Member Posts' or Topics Started ... ... ... it's a good way to get to know her and you are free to PM her to have a more private discussion ... ... ... I'm sure she will be of great support to you on this new journey, as will the rest of us ... ... ...
Thanks Tasha, good suggestion!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
That's great ... just don't pick-up that first one ... ... ... when you go to your meeting, keep an open mind and listen for the similarities and not the differences ... you know?, the things you can 'identify' with ...
Oh, if you can, ... it really helps to get to know others by arriving 15 to 20 minutes early and plan to stick around after the meeting for 15 to 20 minutes ... this will aid you in choosing a sponsor ... (it's often referred to as the 'meeting before the meeting' and the 'meeting after the meeting' ... it's how we become close friends)
P.S. At the end of the meeting, they will offer 'chips' ... to those with varying degrees of sobriety ... the 'white' chip is the first one ... it is the international symbol of surrender, we offer it to those who are new or are returning, to indicate that they wish to 'try' our 'way of life' ... it is non-binding and you chose for yourself whether or not you want to join AA ... all it takes is a desire to stop drinking ...
-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Tuesday 4th of June 2013 04:10:22 AM
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I owned a restaurant for a couple of years in the mid eighties and I sponsor a man who works in the hospitality industry, sometimes as barman. Neither of us has any trouble with this as we have both taken the steps, had our spritual awakenings and our booze problem has been removed. Read 10 step promises starting on the bottom of page 84.
Then page 100/101 describes how recovered alcoholics can be in the presence of alcohol without it being a problem. There are a couple of provisos, that we be in fit spiritual condition, and we have a good personal or business reason for being there. "We meet these conditions everyday. An alcoholic who cannot meet them still has an alcoholic mind. There is something the matter with his spiritual status....Go or stay away , whatever seems best. But if you are shakey perhaps you should work with another alcoholic instead".
The message is clear. Take action on the program, work the steps with a capable sponsor with the objective of a spiritual awakening, (this may not take as long as you might think), stay in fit spiritual condition by helping others, and you will be able to run your restaurant without wanting to drink, and be free to do a whole lot more besides.
I go to my first AA meeting on thursday evening day 2 with out picking up a drink fi you don,t pick it up you can,t drink it and thank you all for your quick replys
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