Welcome Butterfinger....There may be some loons here...But at least we living happy lives without alcohol...Not bad for a bunch of past hopeless chronic alcoholics. To answer your question....
Is it ever really possible to clean the slate and start a new life?
Sure it is....That's what AA is all about. Let me put this as simple as this loon can...I needed it explained to me like this. That Big Book?....Maybe you read some of it....Contains a set of clear cut directions that shows exactly how the original members did it...and precisely what they did. If you thoroughly do the same thing...They promise you that stuff will happen. AND IT DOES!....If you don't do it like they did...Or you half ass it....You'll end up with nothing...And you'll probably drink again...If you're an alkie like me. Pretty simple choice...Glad you're here.
-- Edited by Stepchild on Friday 15th of November 2013 08:07:06 AM
I have been sober for a week. For a long time now a few weeks is about the longest stretch I've been able to go without binge drinking. I have many good reasons to get clean. I'm a bit of an aa drifter, in when I feel bad, out once I feel better, rinse, repeat. I barely recognize myself these days. It's like I looked in the mirror one morning and some horrible alien body snatchers had replaced the dashingly handsome 20 year old me with some tired, bloated, puffy eyed, 40 year old dude. Yuck...I don't want to be that guy. I'm babbling random thoughts now so I'll stop. Just wanted to introduce myself. In spite of how I sound I'm feeling happy to be sober and to have found this message board. I Iike what I read here so far. I hope you dont all turn out to be loons.
You admit that your an alcoholic...like the rest of us...so that tells me...that you cant drink...period.....and that you want to stay sober...on a continual basis...
I cant do it on my own..Ive proved that....
So the only way I can do it is not pick up a drink today...and go to AA meetings regularily...had to get a sponsor..and start working the suggested programme..
Hi Butterfinger,
(Cool name and pic)....I am a newcomer, too and have been sober for several months. I am not sure about wiping the slate clean, and will hopefully learn more about that once I finish working the steps. I have been so much happier since I have been sober. I hated mirrors myself when I was drinking and couldn't believe how much older and sick I looked. I thought if I looked that bad on the outside, how much worse I probably looked on the inside--as our physical appearance, skin, eyes, etc. reflects our health. Mirrors aren't so bad now, but more important than that I am healthier and my insides are having a chance to heal from all the alcohol I was consuming. I love attending my AA meetings and look forward to them everyday as well as coming to this board everyday and reading posts from those who have stayed sober longer than me as well as other newcomers like you. It brings me hope that I can stay sober, too, and makes me feel extra good to read posts like yours and see people keep coming back and posting updates on how they are doing. Philipld said it all and if you do what he suggested, you can't go wrong. I hope to read future posts from you, butterfinger.
Welcome again Butterfinger, ... Yes, you have to be a little crazy to joint this pack of loons here ... LOL ... but we're staying sober and learning to love life again, if we ever had before ...
Stepchild is right, the BB has a guide for 'cleaning the slate' and starting a new life ... we had gotten to the point that we were far beyond human help ... the BB will guide you to that 'new life' you seek ... if you are like us, then you have become 'willing' to 'go to any lengths' to get and stay sober ... many of us here did just that, you can too as long as you follow a few simple guidelines ... only YOU can make that choice ... and we are here to help ...
The insomnia ??? ... I had that too ... if you drank like I did, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for it to go away ... I sleep like a baby now, but it took about 3 months or so, working this program, to attain the 'peace of mind' to lay down and relax ... you see?, my mind was running a hundred miles an hour, all the time, when I first stopped drinking ... I could not turn my mind off long enough to sleep, I had always used the alcohol to do that for me ... that will get better the longer you go without a drink ... then you'll finally get the rest that your body needs, and you'll wake up not looking so 'strung out' ... (and generally feeling like shit) ...
Love ya man and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Is it ever really possible to clean the slate and start a new life?
yup,sure can. however, drifting in and out of AA and practicing half measures prolly wont work( reads like it hasn't so far.)
I will disagree with something I read up a lil:
"You admit that your an alcoholic...like the rest of us...so that tells me...that you cant drink...period....."
not true for me. I can drink any time I chose. the program gave me that choice.
knew a woman whose doctor told her she couldn't drink any more.
she proved him wrong.
she also proved him right in that it would kill her.
Your question: Is it ever really possible to clean the slate and start a new life? Yes, as mentioned. Meetings, Sponsor, The 12 Steps, a HP and help others. Wash, Rinse and Repeat. Unity, Service all on a base of Recovery. I can't stay sober alone, but WE seem to be able too.
It sounds like you've identified the problem? Alcoholism. Now, what are you going to do about it. This is where many of us get stuck. I did! Are you ready to take action and go to any length to get and stay sober? When the pain outweighs the pleasure and we reach the point of desparation, we move our feet. We are a stubborn, deviant and willingful bunch of Loons. Sounds like you're at this cross road. One route- more of the same, different route- a better, spiritual way of life. I hope you don't go through as much pain as I did to find the route to a better life. That route is only 12 Steps away.
"Yes, you have to be a little crazy to joint this pack of loons here"
LOL is right Pappy! That's another reason I love this board, I fit right in because I'm a loon too! I am hoping to at least once in a while turning into that "eagle" as you posted about on your Today's Gift this a.m.
It's possible. "Simple but not easy, a price had to be paid" the price is the destruction of self centredness. The only conditions are that we "Trust God, clean house, and help others" Half measure availed us nothing.
Welcome, in all the years that I've been in AA, without fail, the repeat relapsers have never thoroughly worked the steps. Why don't you give it a try and see how it works out for you?
Aloha Butterfinger and welcome to the board...yes it is entirely possible and doable. All you gotta do is let go of your self management and turn yourself over to a power greater than yourself and your booze and then find the nearest open AA meeting, call that home, visit home 90 days in a row, keep and open mind and listen, listen, listen and then duplicate what the sober people are doing. They will tell you. If you don't like what you hear or what is going on you are free to leave and try whatever else you think might work again and we will gladly refund your miseries. That is what I was told and that is what I can give away. Keep coming back.
Is it possible to clean the slate and start anew? Absolutely. Use our journey as an example: We came from similar backgrounds -some just as glaring, others a bit more unusual, but in the end we all got sober, together. If that's not a step in the right direction than I don't know what is. Welcome to M.I.P...
I think I'm goung to do it...I'm starting fresh as of tomorrow. I'm not sure where to begin. Maybe with a haircut. I always feel like a new man after a trip to the barbershop. After that I think I'll tackle admitting that I'm powerless over alcohol and my life has become unmanageable. We'll see how it goes from there. I feel very optimistic.
I think I'm goung to do it...I'm starting fresh as of tomorrow. I'm not sure where to begin. Maybe with a haircut. I always feel like a new man after a trip to the barbershop.
I've heard it said...That if you hang around a barbershop long enough...You'll probably get a haircut. Maybe if you you hang around AA long enough...Read the book and take the steps with a sponsor...You'll get recovered. Do you think you could commit to doing 90 meetings in 90 days?....That's a good place to begin. Or would that be too much?
