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Jun 05, 2012, 02:28 PM
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Member Since: Oct 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,543
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Hi Derek ~ And WELCOME!  Like Madisgram, I'm in recovery and the only way I could do it was thru AA. I tried doing it myself, but there was no way I could.
When I first went to AA, I was very skeptical that it would work because they kept talking about God and a Higher Power -- I was agnostic.  I did NOT want to hear about it. But then they said I could have a "Higher Power" of MY understanding. It could be a ROCK or a grain of sand, for all they cared.  That made me feel a little better, so I started listening.
What they said about Alcoholism made a lot of sense to me. Then I started reading the "Big Book" of Alcoholism, especially the stories in the back. They were telling MY story!!!  I thought to myself, what did they do, follow me around? LOL It was eerie -- like looking in a mirror.
I got a sponsor, and did what I was told. I worked the "step" of AA, and before I knew it, I had a week sober, then a month, and so on. They had me so busy in the group and I didn't have time to drink -- they had me doing service work, like setting up the chairs & making coffee before meetings, going to jails & prisons to take the meetings to prisoners; going on 12-step calls for people in trouble (in their home, ready to take a drink), etc. And they gave ME a call-list for when *I* had cravings and needed someone to talk to so I wouldn't take a drink!
That was many years ago - and because of AA and the grace of God, I'm still sober. They saved my life because if I had continued the way I was drinking, I'd be dead now-- no doubt about it. I should add that I was also dabbling in prescription drugs too. 
I hope you'll give AA a chance. If not, I hope you find something that will help you. Support is CRUCIAL -- very few have been able to do this alone and it can be dangerous to try. God bless and please keep posting! We'll be here for you. Take care. Hugs, Lee
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