thank you billlie.
well my secret is really not a secret, billie, but i'm so glad u asked and it's free for the taking! first i had to admit i had a prob. and was powerless over alcohol. i would get clean and sober and then fall back into my addictions. i didn't control it, it controlled me. nothing i tried had worked for long term benefits. so at my lowest i hooked up with AA, went regularly to mtgs., asked for their help..they had successfully done the impossible i thought by staying away from a drink!!!, got a sponsor (recommended) who had a length of time sober in AA (she now has 55 years sober), then started to work on the 12 steps of AA (a 12 step program of recovery). for me, getting sober is far more difficult than staying sober.
some of the benefits i found going to AA: not only did i learn how to stay away from that first drink but i found a new way of living. every aspect of it. it's the best free "therapy" i know!!, made tons of friends that share a common problem/solution. i could bend your ear on this topic!
FYI, many ppl think AA is some sort of religious cult. it's suggested we have a power greater than ourselves-a higher power-but it can be Buddah, God etc. at first i used the group as my higher power. they certainly knew more than me cause i was constantly falling back into old habits. later i found a God of my understanding.
many ppl don't know they can attend AA if they abused substances. it's suggested tho they only mention it, not go on and on, cause AA was formed for alcoholics. there are many 12 step programs that took their guidelines from AA. NA is one of them-narcotics anonymous. i have many friends that their drug of choice was other forms of drugs rather than alcohol and they attend AA however.
we have lots of sayings to use in our lives...one day at a time, easy does it, H.A.L.T.-Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired- all of which can be triggers for us, stay away from people, places and things that can be triggers for us to use/drink.
billie feel free to pm me anytime. i'm glad u have had some success already. good tips in this forum too.