Finally

Cmay · Member

Finally

2granddaughters · Senior Member

it sounds like you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it. You WILL get it !!

All the best.

Bob R

mikef · MIP Old Timer

Beautiful.........Let the Journey begin!!! smile smile

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

That made my day to hear that you are going to meetings. I don't drive either and although I have someone who is also an alcoholic who I live with and takes me to meetings, I have quite a few members who have offered me rides in case I need a back-up. It is called service work for members to help one another and by doing things for other alcoholics it helps us stay sober.
You will feel so much love and people there will welcome you with open arms. I have not read all of the replies you have received in your other postings. I will add in case this has not been brought up, that if someone doesn't give you a little Where and When book or maybe it is When and Where :), please look for one. They usually have AA literature at these meetings. There is a Newcomer pamphlet, as well as others you may find helpful. There are AA books, such as the Big Book which you will need. (The groups I go to say if you cannot afford one of them, see a Home Group member). Just ask one of the folks like the Chair, about it. The W&W book has AA info and meeting info in your area. Also, there is a section in the back where members will write their name and phone numbers for you to call if you need someone to talk to if you feel like you want to drink. I was always told to be sure to call someone Before I drink. One thing which is helpful especially when you are new, is instead of feeling like you have to share, is to listen to members share how they have stayed sober. I was very surprised to hear how many people in the rooms sounded so much like myself. The way they used to think, why they drank or the things that drove them to drink. I didn't feel as strange and all that different for years as I thought I was. I love my meetings. I love the other people in my meetings. I had gotten to the point where I thought I hated other people. (I really hated myself more than others).
You are doing so great and the AA meetings will help you so much in staying sober. Congratulations again to you because you have made a decision to not only change your whole life, you have made one which will save your life!

BTY

-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Monday 7th of April 2014 10:39:56 AM

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

good work! you may want to ask if someone would like to be a temporary sponsor to help you.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Great job Cmay ... ... ... willingness, followed by action, will take you far in this program ... glad you're here ...

Zoomtopz · MIP Old Timer

Done good Priscilla . Yes , GIVE yourself a Pat on the back as well .

If you think you are going to too many meetings , go to two more .

As Soon as you can , go to Steps meetings -

WE Do the steps to Get well NOT get well to do the steps .

ENJOY Your Journey with US , YES it is a WE thingie -

You alone have to do this . But you do not have to do it alone.

Quit · Member

Let the brainwashing begin.......

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

AA is working for me as it has many other people and saved many lives since 1935. To discourage other suffering alcoholics who are trying to get and stay sober and come to this site for help and to hear how the program works is not a very nice thing to do. I wish my poor dad had gone to AA. He drank himself to death as several other of my family members have done and I know I will do if I don't stay in AA. Please don't discourage others who do want to get help for their alcoholism. If this site bothers you, there is a little "x" in the upper right hand side of your screen which you can close the window.

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

Wonderful news!

Never give up on you again :)
Tasha

bikerbill · MIP Old Timer

re:Quit - has Tipsy McStagger blundered in again under another assumed name

bikerbill · MIP Old Timer

Quit wrote:
Let the brainwashing begin.......

as we're fond of saying over here - maybe your brain needs a bloody good wash

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Thanks BB, I needed that ... LOL

Quit · Member

re:Quit - has Tipsy McStagger blundered in again under another assumed name.....sorry, not who ever that person is....

I'm just someone who is grounded in reality, unlike you folks.

Enjoy the cult of Bill W, the LSD advocate.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Quit wrote:
re:Quit - has Tipsy McStagger blundered in again under another assumed name.....sorry, not who ever that person is....

I'm just someone who is grounded in reality, unlike you folks.

Enjoy the cult of Bill W, the LSD advocate.

Then you picked a 'hell of a web site' to spend your time on, ... LOL

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

For some reason I just started craving a candy bar.

davep12and12 · MIP Old Timer

Quit wrote:

I'm just someone who is grounded in reality, unlike you folks.

Well of course AA is not the only way that an alcoholic has ever recovered from alcoholism. And if you have found a way to recover from alcoholism without AA, that's great! I'm glad you are no longer suffering from alcoholism. But what's the point of discouraging other people who might want to get sober by going to AA? That's kinda like someone who recovered from some medical condition by using a particular medication that worked great for them discouraging other people from using other medications without knowing what will work for those other people. Just because your method works great for you doesn't mean other methods don't work great for other people.

-- Edited by davep12and12 on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 06:45:36 PM

bikerbill · MIP Old Timer

Ok quit. That's your opinion and you're entitled to it. now if you don't want what we have, why are you here? you state bill w was an lsd addict....cite please. But maybe remember this is not the cult of bill w nor is it any cult (go look at some definitions of cult). All I will say is I got sober with the support of the fellowship of AA and I stay sober by paying it forward. It works for me. if you want it, try it. If you don't then personally I'll discuss one on one with you. We might have to agree to differ though. all the best from across the pond.

Mike D · MIP Old Timer

Hope you'll always remember that you aren't alone. We all help each other here. Mike D.

Quit · Member

"you state bill w was an lsd addict......"

No, I said "LSD advocate". And the originally 13th stepper from what I've read. There are many references to his use of LSD. It's a documented fact. He also had his religious experience under the influence of drugs as well. It didn't just happen. He was hospitalized and the treatment at the time was a cocktail of narcotics.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_W.

"Alternative cures and spiritualism[edit]
In the 1950s Wilson used LSD in medically supervised experiments with Betty Eisner, Gerald Heard, and Aldous Huxley. With Wilson's invitation, his wife Lois, his spiritual adviser Father Ed Dowling, and Nell Wing also participated in experimentation of this drug."

I'm not going to turn this into a Bill W debate. As long as you guys are ok with the fundamentalist Christian roots of AA and of the foibles of it's founders, and it helps you, all the power to ya.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

So, ... the secret's out ... Bill W. went through some life experiences and through that avenue, found some Christian based roots to believe in ... I'd say he's one of the lucky ones ... many never find, or return to them ... and many are walking around lost in oblivion forever ...

I'd say, what ever leads you back to a faith in God, go for it ... "Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself. "

In fact the AA Big Book, in my humble opinion, is inspired by God ... no human could have come up with a perfect plan of 'recovery', much less a perfect plan for 'living life' as laid out in this book ...

Ya know, the mind is like a parachute, ... it doesn't work unless it's 'OPEN' ... ... ...

Quit · Member

"So, ... the secret's out ... Bill W. went through some life experiences and through that avenue, found some Christian based roots to believe in .."

Oh......how casual.....went through some life experiences and created the perfect recovery program. The LSD thing happened in the 50's. Hey, if he enjoyed it and continued to do it, what business is it of ours? But I have to ask "Why he would ever need to since he had already found perfection"......it's is little odd.

davep12and12 · MIP Old Timer

Yeah, it's certainly no secret that Bill W was not a saint. There's even info about the various shortcomings, failings, and mistakes of some of the early AA members in some of AAs own literature (like "AA Comes of Age"). And apparently, many of them were also rumored to have had a serious drinking problem before they got to AA smile . The point is this certainly isn't some 'cult' where the guy who started it is viewed as some infallible deity. Personally, I'm just really glad SOMEBODY started it.

And if he had started it based on his experiences in Buddhism or Hinduism, that would have been fine with me too. The specific religious beliefs of the original members, or of ANY members, then or now, is irrelevant to how AA works for me, or you, or anyone, unless you want to make it relevant for some reason. The fact that it works just fine all over the world, including in places that have no idea what a 'fundamentalist Christian' is, makes this pretty clear. Anyhoo, here's to everyone staying sober.

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

What an awesome post Dave. I remember how I felt when I got lost into the sea of info on Bill W, various AA groups and all that cult talk and bashing. It was fascinating to me because I was an alcoholic looking for chaos and excuses! LOLOL

At some point I was told or realized that AA most certainly isn't a perfect entity - it has many down falls and flaws - but that just so happens to directly reflect anything or anyone in life. So it was only ME who was so lost and seeking perfection that needed it to be something more than it was for my own sake. I was flippin scared! I had NO faith in anything! I really WANTED this to be as perfect as it appeared to be when I first came, and when I found out it wasn't, I had to grow some faith of my own and take the leap, and if I wasn't allowed or givin the opportunity to take that leap of faith for myself... say this place was ALL perfect in every way... I'm just not sure my recovery would be the same at all. In fact I know it wouldn't. That was a crucial critical stepping stone. So anyway, I hope you find that stone, and I hope you step over it and leap to the next some day quit. It's worth it to just let go. Love to all. Thanks for the interesting thread!

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Quit wrote:
"So, ... the secret's out ... Bill W. went through some life experiences and through that avenue, found some Christian based roots to believe in .."

Oh......how casual.....went through some life experiences and created the perfect recovery program. The LSD thing happened in the 50's. Hey, if he enjoyed it and continued to do it, what business is it of ours? But I have to ask "Why he would ever need to since he had already found perfection"......it's is little odd.

1st of all, Bill didn't 'create' the BB, it was the inspiration of God that deserves the credit ... and though the BB and the 12 steps therein may be at or near perfect, Bill certainly wasn't ... Bill was just like the rest of us here ... and maybe he did search for an alternative 'softer, easier way', but he couldn't find anything that worked quite like the spiritual program contained in the book ... And, he was smart enough to recognize this and continue the spiritual program as laid out in the book ... Hell, I've gone through periods before where I thought I was smarter than the book, and it cost me a lot more suffering in the end, so I came back to what worked ...

Quit, ... If you have something other than AA that works for you, great ... but I see it as down right evil to try and dash the hopes of others looking for help here ... I mean, just what type of person does it take to try and destroy the very foundation they have built their sobriety on ... I feel that that is almost unforgivable ...

I can only try to live the example of the person I strive to be ... and it sure ain't by degrading and passing judgment on others and there beliefs ...

-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Thursday 10th of April 2014 02:02:04 PM

davep12and12 · MIP Old Timer

justadrunk wrote:
So it was only ME who was so lost and seeking perfection that needed it to be something more than it was for my own sake...

Oh yeah, I felt that way too. But of course, with a little time and perspective, we look at it again and realize - Yikes! if AA really WERE 'perfect', I would have run for the door and never come back because there's no way I would have felt like I belonged there!

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

exactly!

bikerbill · MIP Old Timer

Ah sorry quit I guess I read what I was expecting to read, not what you actually wrote. Yes I have read that bill w advocated at some time the use of drugs in the treatment of disorders. I think at the time lsd was legal if prescribed. Far as I'm concerned I really don't give a shit that bill w could have been consideeed a prescribed drug user or maybe even a recreational usee. I was not there at the time. As for the christian fundamentalism then you'd have to be pretty dumb to not draw the conclusion that a major purpose of the book is to encourage you to find God. It's right there in black and white and there is a strong inference that this would be the christian god. I don't care. I have been taught that it's a god of my own understanding which for me is the fellowship of a Group Of Drunkards.. no I am not and nevrr have been a christian. Nor any other reigious following. It's not for me. But I don't fear it and will defend anyone's right to follow whatever path they choose. Now I feel I am getting to understand your points better. Some I agree with. Some I don't. There is a sense of hero worship by some of bill w....people will grow out of this given time space and desire. Some will continue the blind hero worship. And if that helps them stay sober bully for them. I know what I believe helps keep me sober I know I prefer sobriety to drunkeness and I know I want and need the strength of the fellowship to continue.

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

Quit · Member

Jeez Pappy, that is a pretty extreme comeback when I stated a simple fact. The same could be said about you. Some think it's pretty unforgivable to preach on like you do.

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

I cannot help but wonder.....
if someone comes here with the intention of criticizing AA rather than taking that time and energy in helping other alcoholics in a positive and constructive manner, then possibly that person hasn't given up totally on if the program may help him or her. Another possibility would be that the person has tried AA, didn't work the program and has a resentment that AA has and is working for others. I am in total agreement with Pappy and bikerbill who do spend their time trying to help others with their ESH. I'm sorry you are not happy, quit, and that you still feel the need even after this long, to bash AA. Your deep-seated need to see other alcoholics not succeed in this program makes me very sad.

And damn, I'm starting to crave a candy bar again.....

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

Aa has lots of practice practicing love and tolerance toward alcoholics who reject aa or reject accepting their own alcoholism. Its no threat when we who live the program use our tool of placing principles above personalities. All the best to you quit. Aa will always keep the light on for you. Xxxxxoxo

Stepchild · MIP Old Timer

I used to have a real dislike for AA...Wouldn't get near it. I didn't go as far as visiting AA sites and bashing it....But I didn't know anything about it...And I didn't want to know anything about it. I came to find out that was pure fear. Somewhere in this alcoholic mind was a fear that this program would work....And I wasn't ready for something that worked. My drinking was all I knew....And all I trusted. When my options ran out....I took a different look at AA. Today I thank God it works. Or I wouldn't be here....That I know.

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

I am not going to be influenced by naysayers as far as my sobriety is concerned because AA is working for me. My concern is mainly for newcomers like Cmay who come to this board for hope and encouragement from us and want to learn more about AA.

Stepchild · MIP Old Timer

You're going to meet some chuckleheads in the meetings too BTY....I think the ones that make it in this program are the ones that are desperate enough to listen to the people that have made it....And disregard the rest.

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

"Chuckleheads"....just reading that word made me laugh when I read it because I think there was a hard candy which I used to love as a kid by that name. I had to look it up because at first I thought it meant something to do with someone who had a good sense of humor and I was way off on that. I guess I could certainly say there were plenty of times when I was drinking I was a "chucklehead" because I certainly did some stupid stuff.

And I did find Chucklehead candy and "prank candy" came up. I feel that is appropriate because I feel like there is a prankster amongst ust. Hey, and I also looked up "ust" and found an interesting definition of that, as well

-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Sunday 13th of April 2014 07:46:54 AM

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

It's good to see the 'support' of the AA way of life far outweigh the 'negativity' that was originally posted ... God Bless us all ... ... ...

Quit · Member

Typical......

"Chucklehead"...."evil"...."ust"......."It's good to see the 'support' of the AA way of life far outweigh the 'negativity' that was originally posted....."

Pretty much what I expected......you people are easily controlled...

Chucklehead....that one was good. Reading through your topics it is virtually impossible to take any of you seriously.

Can't take contrary points of view?

BTY, speak for yourself regarding "ust"......not sure where or why you threw that in. Must have been a Freudian slip on your part....

You can all go pat yourselves on the back now!

-- Edited by Quit on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 12:51:06 PM

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

quit posted.....BTY, speak for yourself regarding "ust"......not sure where or why you threw that in. Must have been a Freudian slip on your part..

I have no idea of what anyone on this boards problems are in that area and don't care. I was trying to lighten up this post. No harm in that.

and

BTY

-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 02:44:57 PM

-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 03:31:37 PM

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Yep typical ... ... ... some people think they are always right and everybody else is 'off base' ... ... ... does the word 'delusional' ring a bell ??? ... ... ...

Quit · Member

Delusional.........The thought crosses my mind pretty much every time I read one of your posts Pappy.

betterthanyesterday52 · MIP Old Timer

((((((Cmay)))))) Thinking about you. How are the meetings going?