I started drinking again after 9 years sober. I need to stop but can't. I plan on going to my first meeting tomorrow since I started drinking again. I'm really struggling.
How did you sober up the first time??? ... did you do it without AA? ...
Just so you know, most AA groups frown on going to a meeting drunk ... please try to sober up for a few hours before going to a meeting ... you'll get more out of it that way ... let someone know what you're go'n through and ask for help ... I don't have enough info on just that short little post of yours to give much more advice than I already have ...
Most of us were unable to stop drink'n on our own, we needed help, and AA was the only thing that worked for us ... I pray you make it to a meeting for sure ... be sure to get an AA Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) and begin reading it, from the Dr.s Opinion in the front on to the first couple chapters as soon as you're able ...
Please come back here and let us know how your first meeting was ...
Love ya brother and God Bless, Pappy
-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Tuesday 3rd of November 2015 10:48:55 PM
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Thanks for your response Pappy. Yes I did get sober through aa meetings and I continued going to meetings until about a year and a half ago. I relocated across country with my family for a job, and I started going to meetings sporadically. Then I just stopped going altogether and I also stopped connecting with aa friends. I basically put everything ahead of my sobriety. I felt myself slipping towards a drink but I did nothing to stop it. Then one day I let it happen and I drank.
Guess I dont have to tell you how good life is without alcohol...you did it for 9 years (thats 9 years of REALLY living). and I guess I don't have to tell you how bad life is with it. You already know. Don't beat yourself up for falling back into the trap, what's done is done, and it's better to look ahead. But, the sooner you get into a meeting, the better. Ya gotta break that cycle you're in, and, I know you don't wanna hear it, but the best time to do it is now. It's not going to be easier, or better, to wait till tomorrow. If you're drinking now, just say "adios, amigo, I don't need you around anymore" to your last drink, and you can get back to where you were before you started drinking again.
Tomorrow, my friend, is a brand new day. And going to that meeting is gonna be the best thing you can do. Remember, you're not losing anything by giving up the alcohol again. On the contrary, you're gaining a lot: your life back.
I really appreciate your posting here. It gives all of us a chance to learn something. I did exactly the same thing, moved towns at about 7 years sober, got a bit sporadic with the meetings, then stopped altogether. My priorities and responsibilities changed. But it never occurred to me to drink. Why would that be? what was I doing that was different to you? I think I found the answer on page 14 of the big book, faith without works is dead etc. Thought I was not going to meetings, I was still sponsoring a couple of guys, still maintained contact with one or two of my AA friends, and remained available for 12 step work. Were you doing any of those things?
I hear it often that someone relapsed because they stopped going to meetings. I don't buy it because I see so many relapse who are going to meetings. I think the reason is deeper. Why stop meetings? Maybe because we weren't getting anything out of it? And why would that be?
I wish you all the best and hope you will continue to post your experience. That state of struggle you are talking about rings bells for me. It was when I gave up the struggle and surrendered, when I fully accepted there was no way I could beat this without the help of a higher power, Thats when recovery by spiritual means became possible. Some of the best recoveries seem to come from the most hopeless circumstance.
Thanks for your post. I have never heard of anyone who went back to drinking after a period of sobriety, tell me it was ok. Thanks for reminding me of this. This could have easily been me. For me it's the newcomers who have kept me coming back. When I work with others, I forget about myself.
Thanks for your response Pappy. Yes I did get sober through aa meetings and I continued going to meetings until about a year and a half ago. I relocated across country with my family for a job, and I started going to meetings sporadically. Then I just stopped going altogether and I also stopped connecting with aa friends. I basically put everything ahead of my sobriety. I felt myself slipping towards a drink but I did nothing to stop it. Then one day I let it happen and I drank.
You heard it before Greg, ... Alcohol is cunning, baffling, and powerful ... AND it is patient ... it'll wait as long as it takes for us to let our guard down and them boom, it's got you in it's grasp again ...
I'd had a year or so and did the same thing ... only I waited for 13 years to come back to the rooms ... I was physically and spiritually near death ... any lower and I'd have been 6 feet underground ... oh man, that's a very, very sick feeling and I wish to never go through that again ... but I found hope and relief in the AA rooms when I worked the steps ... with all the HONESTY I could muster ... it worked where no human power could ... ALL you need is the desire to stop drink'n ...
And just so you know, when I 'went back out', I had stopped calling my sponsor, then I slowly stopped go'n to meetings, then I stopped my regular prayers and meditation periods ... then the next thing I remember, I was drink'n more than I ever had in my past ...
TOGETHER, WE can help you back to the spiritual place you probably realize you need to be ... be sure to keep us informed of your progress, we can help if you're willing to listen ...
Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Welcome back Greg,,,,many don't make it back!. The progression of recovery is an uphill journey and without daily effort we can start our downhill slide again.We remember the progression of the disease is an ongoing process even during abstinence.Recovery through our 12 steps is our goal not just physical abstinence..Sometimes a member who has had involvement in our fellowship finds a relapse may be the jarring experience that brings about a more rigorous application of the program.Usually a relapse is a sign we may have had a "reservation" in our program WE may begin to slight our program leave loopholes in our daily lives,become bored or tired or revert back to our old ways even before WE picked up again. In support and Prayer,,do whatever it takes to remain FREE from active addiction.WE are all here ,one helping another in a loving and caring manner...Stay in touch,,you know the drill..ONE DAY AT A TIME....:)
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
