[madisgram]

i know many people who are trying to get sober, those who relapse, and those of us having a good or rough day. if you're already in recovery please include your thoughts today, the benefits of your sobriety and how you stay sober "one day at a time". we can "carry the message". many of you got sober from asking questions here and taking that first step. hope this thread will benefit everyone.

[UKfox]

Originally Posted by madisgram

i know many people who are trying to get sober, those who relapse, and those of us having a good or rough day. if you're already in recovery please include your thoughts today, the benefits of your sobriety and how you stay sober "one day at a time". we can "carry the message". many of you got sober from asking questions here and taking that first step. hope this thread will benefit everyone.

Hi madisgram, hope things are going OK for you. I'm still sober 1 day at a time its been 17 months now and am just finishing an introduction to counseling course, have my exam Monday and am hoping to start volunteering on a help line soon for people struggling with medication. I'm getting quite a lot more good days now, and the bad ones where I may be tempted to drink help me grow emotionally. At the time I hate it but when I look back on what Ive learned going through it, it makes sense. My mantra in early recovery was 'never give up!' and still is, it really was a case of trying to keep busy and get through the day earlier on in recovery. I remember if someone asked me to read the traditions or promises at an aa meeting I would shake all the way through the meeting until after I'd done it, now it's no big deal. I used to think people that said 'keep coming back it does get better' were just saying it for the newcomers benefit but it really does get better

[DespondentDaisy]

It's hard. I've been sober for 6 months now from my most recent bad habit, weed; and over two years now from my hate/love relationship with cocaine(I was a user for about3-4 years, not continuously, with periods of up to a 5-6 months at a time without it).
While most days I don't think about it smoking weed, sometimes I think it would be easier to just go buy some. But then I remember how it affected me, made me paranoid more than having a good time; I would binge eating uncontrollably most of the time as well-
I would never get anywhere in terms of motivation to improve my life, just numb myself.
As for the other; the few times I think about it I remember the bloody noses, the constant being 'sick,' the not being able to sleep, the crankiness of coming down, etc.
It all keeps me from wanting to go near it again. And while the psychological addiction of it is strong (I think I have a oral fixation a bit), I know that the good of staying sober outweighs any imagined benefits I might get from using again.
So I guess what's helped the most is remembering all the negative aspects of my using to make me not want to go back to it. I hope this helps.

[Caretaker Leo]

I'm here.
Still learning one day at a time and sure appreciate all the support from everyone and everywhere.

[Tosspot]

Another day for me too! I just have to care for and about myself. When I stop caring, I get dangerous.

[Betty_Banana]

I'm gonna stay sober today.....so far so good....but that's probably because I just got up about an hour ago.

[madisgram]

just remember one day day a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time. recall your last drunk and the chaos that followed. a helpful option use your phone numbers if you feel like a drink. go to a meeting and share what's going on. here for all of you and feel free to pm me if you wish.

[Betty_Banana]

I realize what I posted above prob. sounded bad, but sometimes when I first wake up, I'm tempted to get high as I'm drinking my morning coffee. That usually leads to staying high all day long. I'm happy to say I haven't done that today at all.

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by Lost_In_Thought

I realize what I posted above prob. sounded bad, but sometimes when I first wake up, I'm tempted to get high as I'm drinking my morning coffee. That usually leads to staying high all day long. I'm happy to say I haven't done that today at all.

oh no LIT, it didn't sound bad. it sounded honest. you are aware of this behavior and where it takes you when you get up. maybe take a walk when you awaken. you can take your coffee too. anything-a change in habit-may ward off that craving. i used to talk out loud. the mind can't think two things at once. it will negate your thought of using. singing works well too. i used to do it in my car so i wouldn't drive into the liquor store! i got some funny stares from other drivers but if it works i didn't care what they thought.
i'm glad your day has started in a good way. good for you. that's an accomplishment.

[hopefultoday]

I'm beginning to work the steps with an online sponsor and I've started going to meetings. It took me a long time to walk into a real live meeting, but they have helped tremendously! Now time to get a real, live sponsor and keep going.

[Tosspot]

live sponsors are awesome!! total unconditional support and love. speaking of which thanks for the reminder to give her a call!

[Caretaker Leo]

Well, another day of messing up. I'll get it eventually, I hope...

I know I haven't yet found the right AA group for me. But I've got the meeting page up and will try another group tomorrow.

[Neurontin]

Just want to say if your new to recovery from what ever the issue is...ie drugs, sex, cutting, alcohol, etc etc... We do and can recover. Keep your heads up. I think if we treated ourselves the way we treat others we would get better one day at a time.....I stuggled with drugs since I was 11 years old ...I thought I was going to die before age 23...Ive feel like I live from one struggle to another...20 years of addiction...and the next 15 with bi-polar and recovery.Thanks to a good sponsor I got through the 12 steps and they have helped me.However, they arent like getting high..but simple and to the point...Working on self and making amends to myself and others has been one of the hardest things Ive been doing.I was my worst critic.An obsessed mind that gravitates towards negativity...Self-destruction was my plan..to die a little everyday...But, today is a new day and even if I suffer from bi-polar it hasnt been as worst as when I was stealing to get high and drunk...If I can assist anyone here Im always availiable...I dont have all the answers but I am in the process of recovery..Peter

[notz]

doing the next right thing...

I don't spin in circles like I used to. I can actually allow my mind to stop and think of the AA program, and very quickly I know what the next right step is.

[Willcat]

Another day of not picking up that first drug/drink no matter what.

[Tosspot]

just got home from an awesome meeting

[Caretaker Leo]

Still struggling. But I'm going to keep checking in, because I know the day will come when I actually "GET IT". And I sure will need to know there are others here fighting the same battles and providing the encouragement to continue on in the fight.

[Tosspot]

Keep coming leo!!!!

[Caretaker Leo]

I admit it. I haven't found sobriety yet.

But I just read and and felt hit (in a positive way!) by tosspot's tagline:

The biggest hurdle that anyone has to get over is believing that they can learn how.

Thank you Madisgram for prodding us to "check in." While I continue to go to AA meetings, I no longer identify myself as an alcoholic, even though my sobriety has only recently matured to the point where I can feel good and strong about it. There has been nothing linear about my recovery...I was a wreck 1.5 yrs ago and I have steadily regained my sobriety in fits and starts. Though it now seems to be complete, I remain vigilant for triggers and avoid the people and places which could precipitate a relapse.

AA is different things to different people. While I don't ascribe to the doctrinaire approach to alcoholism-particularly the notion that we must go through the rest of our lives with the label "alcoholic" affixed to us- I continue to go to meetings because I enjoy hearing about triumph over adversity, and our commonality within that struggle. I go because I love the heroism of its members, the courage it takes to stand up and take responsibility and acknowledge our frailty. I can honestly say that I love everyone there equally. Some have more compelling stories than others but all are equally courageous in their own way. Just showing up, as Woody Allen said, is 90% of success. I am grateful every day for the openness and compassion that are the hallmarks of any fellowship. And I mourn for those who continue to grapple with the mind-forged manacles that plague us all.

I wish all another 24 hours of clear-headed sobriety and peace of mind.

[Neurontin]

Originally Posted by gulas

Thank you Madisgram for prodding us to "check in." I no longer identify myself as an addict.....
12 step recovery is different things to different people. While I don't ascribe to the doctrinaire approach to addiction - particularly the notion that we must go through the rest of our lives with the label "addict" affixed to us - I love the heroism of its members, the courage it takes to stand up and take responsibility and acknowledge our frailty.
I wish all another 24 hours of clear-headed sobriety and peace of mind.

I changed up the words above because Im not an alcoholic...I 'was' an addict...Im in total agreement with this statement and I believe that the principles Ive learned in my recovery have showed me that being openminded would help me further in my recovery and that I didnt have to believe everything I heard at a 12 step meeting. I do not affiliate myself with any 12 step program other than the 12 steps and a few good folk who have a really good recovery themselves. I love the steps and what they have done for me and the openness of my sponsor...My dad was an alcoholic for many many years and today he is sober without any steps whatsoever....people use what works for them...But we can change....hope everyone gives themselves a chance for a clean and sober life which ever way works for them...Peace and love and a great healthy holiday....

Neurontin, we're on the same page. I would only add that your father must surely have had his own "program" for quitting, even if it was as simple as saying "no" to a drink.

Much of the 12 steps I was already doing , in one form or another, before I started to go to the meeting but it was at least helpful to see it in a kind of codified form. Some things therein I simply don't agree with...for example, I don't believe in dredging up the past, as it seems to make matters worse in many cases. And it's often pointless. But I do make amends in my own way merely by returning to the practices of my pre-addiction days, which were characterized by good deeds and good conduct, for the most part.

Have a good next 24 hrs. ...by the way, my old man is from Flatbush, East 8th St, between Aves O and P. Still a nice neighborhood.

[madisgram]

just thought i would add...dr.bob and bill w.,co-founders of AA, identified themselves as recovered alcoholics. i have no idea where the term i'm a "recovering" alcoholic came from that is used today at meetings.
imo im a recovered alcoholic. my years as a drunk are far less than my years sober. i've moved on to a life of sobriety.

Thankfully I've got some sobriety on my side because a year ago, lying here in a depressed, near-paralytic state, I would surely have picked up a drink. However I'm not about to ruin my life, again, by flirting with a drink this afternoon. But the impulse is there. A warning that the alcoholic impulse dies hard. I'm proud to be able to haughtily and summarily tell that little devil on my shoulder to take a hike this afternoon, to go and bother someone else. He's not on fertile ground anymore with me.

Be strong people, there are people in your life who are counting on you to be there for them.

[Caretaker Leo]

I'm here. Still not where I want to be.

thinking...

not certain when I'll stop thinking and take action...

Do I have to have a "bottom" before I can quit? Seems everyone else has...

thinking some more...