[DePressMe]

There are many people who helped me get and stay sober—something I am incredibly grateful for. I am interested in who gave you a helping hand—a sponsor, friend, parent…anybody who helped you along the path to sobriety.

[tranquility]

Ummmm, let's see. I still remember the first person who held their hand out to me at an AA meeting and welcomed me. His name was Harry - I remember nothing of that meeting except his welcome and that was enough to get me back.

My sponsor that I've had for 3 years. I didn't understand what they were or how you are suppose to get them. My sponsor gave me her number one day when I spoke at a meeting. The meeting was in a different town, but it ended up that she worked in the city with me and also lived in the same suburban town as me. I had to have knee replacement and couldn't drive, so she offered me rides. After a few months she looked at me and said "Am I your sponsor or what?". She is but I didn't know I was suppose to ask

I have sponsored 2 teenage girls who were in an in-patient treatment facility for an extended period of time. I became very close to the first girl and I always said I think she did more for me than I did for - she inspired me with her courage, determination, and strenth at just 16 years old. She is now 18 and has a baby of her own. She is sober - doesn't go to meetings anymore and I worry, but she will call every once in awhile and ask me for permission to drink She knows what the answer is, so that is why she calls me. I'm honored and grateful that she will still do that.

Finally, there is a man at my home group on Saturday mornings. His name is Charlie and I love him to pieces. He is in his 70's and really could be my father, but I have adopted him as the grandfather I never had (my grandfather was my abuser). I looked forward every week to my Charlie time and hugs. I try not to project forward because he is older and has severe emphysema - not sure what I will do without him.

Boy - I went on didn't I? Sorry, so many people to be grateful for - I needed to remember that today. Thanks!

Tranquility

[DePressMe]

Probably my best friend and old counselor have helped me out the most along the road to sobriety.

My old counselor allowed me to continue to come to counseling even though she knew I had been drinking before sessions. When I was sober, I asked her why she put up with that and she said she knew I would go through withdrawal without drinking and she thought she would “lose me.” She kept working with me and when I was ready to quit drinking she was there for me every step of the way. Of course, she was paid, but I believe she went above and beyond what was required of her as a counselor.

My best friend also tolerated the last part of my drinking. Then, when I got sober, she talked to me on the phone every day—sometimes several times a day—she really helped me through the urges and the initial turmoil of getting sober. She continues to be one of my biggest supporters.

Both people showed a tremendous amount of compassion and patience. Neither one gave up hope in me. They were there for me day and night.

[Raynaadi]

At my very first meeting, the girl who led it gave me a bigbook, 12 and 12 and meeting schedule. I don't remember what her name was and don't think I've seen her since. I go to a different meeting place now. I remember the first woman to talk to me, her name was Cindy, and I wondered why she was being so nice. I mean, really why is she talking to me, what does she want?? LOL!!!! I hung out with her a lot in the early months at bbq's and dinners and stuff. I still remember the guy who gave me my 24 hour chip, his name is Kevin and he has about 2 months more than me. I remember when he got his year, I fought to hand out the chips that night so I could give him his year chip.

The first woman ever to call me is still my best friend today. We joke that we go through all our hard times together. When I got my dx of MS, she had relapsed on cough syrup. I called her to tell her about my dx, and she told me of her relapse. The next day was memorial day and her bf was having a bbq. I drove over there and she was in bed so I crawled into bed with her and we both cried and cried, and then gave each other strenght to face the bbq. She has truly been instrumental in my reovery. She's sober again now.

My first sponsor was instrumental as well. Humbling myself to ask her was huge for me. I walked up to her at a meeting and said "Uh...so I need a sponsor....." and she said ok. LOL. She's since moved away and my current sponsor is AWESOME. She has 17 years sobriety and loves life. She actually called ME yesterday because she was going nuts and her sponsor was at work. Imagine that.....the sponsor with 17 years calling the sponsee with 2 years lol. I asked her if she was testing me (she's a teacher) and she's like NO I need help!! Take my inventory!!!! It was pretty cool.

Now I'm dating a guy in the program with 9.5 years. So he's a huge help too. There are 2 friends from my past who I still talk to who are extremely understanding of my sobriety, and supportive. Family is supportive too, but no one "gets" me like my other recovering alcoholic friends.

I also leaned heavily on PC. I used to hang out here drunk. I'd have drinking competitions in the chat room. There are several members here who remember me in my drinking days. I posted here a lot in the beginning.

Shadowalker164 helped a TON with his wisdom. There was a woman who called herself BamaSurvivor who had around 10 months when I got sober, and then she began to decline.....she showed me where I could end up. I wonder how she's doing.....haven't heard from her in at least a year.

Anyway, this is a great question. I know for me, without the fellowship of other people in recovery, I think I would have been lost. They also help me enjoy meetings so I keep going. Last night I got to see this kid get 6 months. SO cool!!!!

I definitely could never have gotten sober on my own. If I had, I think I'd probably be pretty miserable.

I'll never forget all those people in early recovery. I heard someone say that it was the prayers in the meetings for the "still suffereing alcoholics" that brought him in.....that was a cool thing to think, that I was once one of the "still suffering" and all those sober people helped bring me in lol!!!!!!