This was my recipe for the first few months....I had no solution yet. It worked for me until I did.
I attended two to three meetings a day. I got phone numbers and used them. I studied the Big Book...The clear cut directions to the steps that showed me precisely how they did it. I got a sponsor....Right out of the gate. I clung on to old timers and listened to what they said...I asked questions. I prayed every day for God to keep me away from a drink... And I thanked Him at night for another day sober. My beginnings of faith. I set aside an hour every day for stepwork...Sometimes more...And most important..... I got busy.
You may hear in meetings....It works if you work it.....That's true.
-- Edited by Stepchild on Monday 21st of October 2013 06:58:37 PM
hi- i have never tried AA before but after blacking out Saturday and hurting peoples feelings i decided it was time for a change! i got up early Sunday and attended my first AA meeting. i was so inspired and so determined to get sober. yesterday i felt great, no withdrawl symptoms, nothing! Got up agaim this morning, attended my 2nd meeting, again, very inspired, but yet as i sit here recanting both meetings i want a beer! any encouraging words would be helpful and i would be greatful! thank you
You are not going through anything that most of us haven't already experienced ... you need someone to talk to right now, a sponsor would be nice ... I suggest you make friends with some of the people at the meetings you go to and get to know them a bit ... at least get a few numbers to call during times like this, trust me, it helps to talk to another alcoholic, because WE understand you probably better than you do yourself ...
But for now, if you have any specific concerns ask away ... that early in recovery, I found that having something sweet close by helped ... such as candy or anything to satisfy your body having the sugar craving ... alcohol has a lot of sugar in it and this will help lesson the cravings ...
God Bless you for trying to quit, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Been there. That's normal. The disease of alcoholism tells your brain that you aren't an alcoholic. Messed up, right? That is fantastic that you've been to a couple of meetings. Stick with it. Get some phone numbers from other alcoholics, and use them anytime you're feeling a bit hairy. Keep going to the meetings. A good idea would be to see if there are any temporary sponsors at the next meeting you're at.
Welcome also and I echo what Pappy says...it's too early yet cravings and withdrawal are rooted in the physical and the mental. Spiritually you might feel good because the meetings were uplifting and you got yourself there rather than bail out on your intentions and emotionally you could feel initially happy, satisfied and positive and more until the cravings kick back in and tears up the new picture. Get with the sober people from your meetings...call, visit kidnap...what ever you gotta do to get around sober people...those are the ones who will help you to save your ass right now and of course getting your own Big Book ..."Alcoholics Anonymous". Keep coming back here also. There is tons of support here. You can scroll back in time on this forum and read, read, read.
Thank you so much for the replies. I did get numbers and made a phone call to one of the members and talked and it did wonders! I will be looking for a sponsor the next few meetings i attend!
That is great that you went to AA meetings. Great info has already been given by other posters. I just got a sponsor myself and have to work the steps, which will be longer lasting as far as keeping me sober. Here are a few of the things which have kept me sober up to this point......I have been going to one AA meeting a day and when I feel wimpy, I try to make two. I try to stay away from anything that is going to make me want to drink. I would even change the channel on the tv if I saw someone drinking when I first stopped drinking myself. I still don't go to certain restaurants where the emphasis is on drinking as much or more than eating. I even had to stop hanging around friends who drink because I know I will want to drink. I pray to my HP each morning and thank Him for keeping me sober the day before and to please keep me sober today. I read a lot of alcohol related information both in books and on internet to become more knowledgeable about this disease. Also, I found that if I fix healthier drinks such as herbal tea, smoothies, etc. and drink those during the time I used to drink has been very helpful for me. Good luck to you and I hope you come back to this board to let us know how you are doing. There are a lot of caring people here and they have really helped support and encourage me and that is another thing I have done to help keep me sober....I come to this board.
This was my recipe for the first few months....I had no solution yet. It worked for me until I did.
I attended two to three meetings a day. I got phone numbers and used them. I studied the Big Book...The clear cut directions to the steps that showed me precisely how they did it. I got a sponsor....Right out of the gate. I clung on to old timers and listened to what they said...I asked questions. I prayed every day for God to keep me away from a drink... And I thanked Him at night for another day sober. My beginnings of faith. I set aside an hour every day for stepwork...Sometimes more...And most important..... I got busy.
You may hear in meetings....It works if you work it.....That's true.
-- Edited by Stepchild on Monday 21st of October 2013 06:58:37 PM
This was my recipe for the first few months....I had no solution yet. It worked for me until I did.
1. I attended two to three meetings a day. 2. I got phone numbers and used them. 3. I studied the Big Book...The clear cut directions to the steps that showed me precisely how they did it. 4. I got a sponsor....Right out of the gate. 5. I clung on to old timers and listened to what they said...I asked questions. 6. I prayed every day for God to keep me away from a drink... 7. I thanked Him at night for another day sober. My beginnings of faith. 8. I set aside an hour every day for stepwork...Sometimes more...And most important..... 9. I got busy.
You may hear in meetings....It works if you work it.....That's true.
-- Edited by Stepchild on Monday 21st of October 2013 06:58:37 PM
These shares on getting and staying on focus are right on!! This is how it is done...It is how I watched it, heard it, and was taught to do it myself....focus, focus, focus...listen, learn, practice, practice, practice. Great shares. (((hugs)))
Hang in there. Old habits are hard to break. Use your phone numbers from meetings. I used to read a personal story from the back of the Big Book every night.
Just don't touch it!
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"I spent a lifetime in hell and it only took me twelve steps to get to heaven."
"Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you."
Hi SD Colley, When I was first out of the treatment center and sober out on my own, I had lots of thoughts to drink at all sorts of times. Fortunately, it happened that I had begun to pray when I was still in treatment, so each time I had a drinking thought I prayed this way, "God please take this thought away. I'm too weak....and, it's too big for me." It worked for me every time. Some days I probably said that prayer about 200 times. But, that prayer, and going to an A.A. meeting every day, kept me sober until I got a sponsor and started working the Steps. Prayer is still part of my life today. Blessings Mike D.
I went to my frist meeting this morning at 6:30am. Last night I told myself I could drink because I was going to a meeting. I didn't do it but I really really wanted to. Please hand in it is really hard. I am only sober 4 days.
It took every ounce of courage to walk through that door this morning and thank God there was another women there. I cryed during most of the meeting mostly because I was just so drained. I had not slept in 3 days. I did manage to speak I didn't think I would be able to but I did. After sharing what was going on and what brought to my first meeting one of the senior members spoke. He told me that I shared maybe too much. I didn't need to tell them what I did or things like that. I am now confused because it was just so hard to make the first step and now I feel like I have broken a rule.
I will go back tomorrow but now I'm afraid I will be guarded.
Welcome aboard : ) I did 90 meetings in 90 and that helped me get some traction and my priorities straight. Sobriety above all else. It was painful to see the kids crying as I left the house for meetings, but if I had cancer - I would have had to go to chemo no matter how hard they cried too. Just my story. Put YOU first, it works if YOU work it.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
