Liz the program gave me a new definition of humility...being teachable. I learned to stop resisting as a natural course and daily behavior and sat down and listened with and open mind and watched and practiced what the winners were doing. Practice, practice, practice. Trust God...Clean house....Help others. Very very different than how I use to live before commiting to the program.
First it gave me tools to stop drinking a day at a time. Then I really worked on changing my behavior through step work. I can't think of an area of my life that isn't different. I ended a horrible relationship with another alcoholic, I progressed in my career. I lost weight, quit smoking, am getting married this coming year. This path started with AA and none of it would have happened without. I was just a sloppy suffering drunk and I only hoped AA would help me stop drinking. It gave me a purpose, a God of my understanding, and a fuller life than I dreamed possible. I am a very satisfied customer. It's a miraculous program Liz.
__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
My main focus, of course, was the program. I learned that it was my self will and self expectations that led me into much of my troubles. Finding that small voice inside, sitting in silence to listen, helped to lead me in right decision making. I don't mean that I went soft and mushy and immovable. But I took the time to listen and be guided, rather than self will myself into things that could lead to my perception of failure.
As mentioned, being in service was of utmost importance to me. It's 30 years later, and I am still in service of one form or another. I listened, and learned that helping others was what would fulfill me. I ended up first in health care, and now I'm an EMT and fire ground support. It took time.
Before major major decisions were made, my only goal was the Steps, helping my fellow alcoholic/addict and learning how to live again in a world that had become foreign. Having a wonderful sponsor that was very supportive helped greatly.
Even though I "found my calling", each day I have to remember where I came from, and find gratitude, no matter what, for the time I have been given. I believe that we intuitively know when we are on the right track. Our HP is there to guide us no matter what form it takes. Be patient with yourself. I try not to hurry decisions, push myself, place unreal expectations on myself, because I know me. As soon as I hear "you should" I rebel. So now it's "when I can I will".
There is a whole brand new world opening up for you now. Just be open to it. ;)
I also focused on the program of recovery outlined in the Big Book.
As time has passed I finished college, went to grad school, changed careers, moved with my job a few times, found a contact with the God of my understanding! The neat thing is that the 12 steps were really steps to a new life, not saving the best of the old one.
The future held more than I could have imagined. My best efforts got me wrecked and into AA. Once I gave up on doing things my way, became teachable to doing things as outlined in the Big Book, it started to work. It was a gradual change.
I have felt more peace, more safety, more comfortable being me. Life was not always smooth or easy, but I did not need to drink to make it. But drinking really wasn't making it. It was just adding wood to the fire.
Give it a whole hearted shot! Lots of great people in AA. :)
__________________
"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."
GREAT question LizMc . Well AA did Not give me my Old life back . AA , did Not patch up my old life . AA Gave me a brand NEW Life . This New life started minutes into my sobriety . Yes , minutes . A d/a nurse at th detox/hospital I went to said "to be admitted to this hospital , you Have to stop drinking & go to AA meetings". I said I would 'give it a go'. Within minutes I felt better . And I had this Realisation "I NEEDED to do More , than put down my last drink" , that surprized me a bit , but , because it was a Monday , at Group I started to understand why , out of 24 patients , I was one of three "cleanskins" , 21 were there from relapses . I had heard "anybody can stop , but most can't Stay Stopped" . That night at my 1st AA meeting , th 1st speaker , a woman , she was a teacher with a Uni degree said "I knew how to stop , but I did not know I did not know how to Stop from Starting again" . I knew what she meant . I was told , WE use the Simple tools of AA . SIMPLE , Yes . Sometimes Not Easy . Nobody told me what was simple & what was easy , except , this Was "the easier softer way" At the 1st 'crisis' in my life in sobriety , I rang this bloke who had given me his phone # , explained what was going on , he told me "what AA was Not" . That confused me even more , as he had said to me "if you have any problems , ring me" . I had trouble with th HP bit , to start with. I KNEW he was helping me in a Big way , BUT was terrorising my life in a bigger way. Most of the time I would scream at him , often in agony , to "piss off & leave me alone , who wants you anyway" , even though I had heard things like "God has Not saved us from drowning , to kick us to death on the beach". The agony was untreated PTSD & Depression . I suppose , you take away the alcohol , you have No anesthetic . You are left with you & Self .All I could do most of the time was Not pick up the 1st drink , come to heaps of AA meetings , I asked an old bloke one night "I think I am going to too many meetings" he told me to go to , two more . Liz , I could go on for hours . I Do Hope this is of help. Rick.
__________________
Rick.
@ 37 I was too young & good looking to be an alkie.
still too young , still got th good looks. still n alkie.
Hi Liz! Good to hear from you. Here's my take on your request for personal sobriety success stories. Every person here on this board is a different success story....but a story that isn't finished yet. Each one of us could relate the details of our successes and our triumphs, but it really only comes down to one crucial and common thing. Every single one of us who is succeeding in sobriety is succeeding only because of the actions we've taken in the 12 Steps....and, still take to this day. We ourselves haven't created the success in our lives. God has done it for us. Our success comes from opening ourselves up to God by working the Steps. Here's my suggestion: Work all of the 12 Steps and experience for yourself what God can do with you. You're only 36.....an exciting adventure awaits you. Step forward. Blessings, Mike D.
My story doesn't really sound any different than what's written above. Different job - different people in my life - possibly a understanding of my HP? But same steps and same outcome :) God could and would if He were sought. What do you seek?
__________________
Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
I am a different person than I was when I was drinking-- AA has changed my life. I just got a sponsor and want what the above posters have so I can hopefully achieve what all these people are talking about. Can't do that by getting drunk, though, so have to take "one day at a time" and stay sober.
Hope you keep us updated how you are doing. :)
(And I am 53 years old and still don't know what I want to do when I "grow up", so you are not alone. :)
I am in AA one year this month. I have had 2 slips and I am now sober 5 months.AA has given me so much. I feel the identification i get from others helps me through the day. I started the steps way too early last year but I restarted them and I feel great.
I have to say that when people kept telling me to come back I was so annoyed with them but felt I better because someone would probably text me, but I am so glad they did now. I had lost almost everything before AA.I was hospitalised 3 times, detoxed about 4 times and I went to one treatment centre. I think because I didn't realise what was going on and I couldn't figure out why I couldnt stop I just kept drinking.I learned in AA it has nothing to do with willpower. I also had a spiritual awakening which helped so much.I always believed people were making that up and that it was a religous thing. I feel if i drink now i would have to go back and learn and grow all over. I am very aware that it is early days. I think when we are drinking so long are emotional development slows down.I would struggle alot with my feelings. I never know who to trust and I find it hard to make decisions...but I can live with that because at least i know i cant get any worse..
Congrats on 5 months sober Angel ... and Welcome to MIP ...Welcome to the family ... Lots of good AA here, we are here to help each other grow in the program and you are a nice addition ...
Love ya and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
..