[angelicgoldfish05]

It works if you work it! They always say at meetings. I am almost a month into my second time around of sobriety. First time around I didn't make it past step 4. I was trying to be so detailed and remember every bad thing I have ever done and put that on paper. With as many years as I have lived, I never finished because there was too much.

I stopped working my program. And instead of getting myself to a meeting, and getting a new sponsor (the first one shamed and humiliated me and I distanced myself from here), I relapsed.

Now I am giving it another go. I have 27 days of sobriety (wahoo) but I have only been to one meeting, have only written out step 1, and don't have a sponsor. How can I motivate myself to do the steps quicker, to get to more meetings. I'm staying sober, that's the important part. I'm not sure if it is just the depression, or laziness.

[CANDC]

Congratulations on 27 days of sobriety. So glad you didn't let it get you down. You got up and did it.

There are people who have done the 12 steps and have had success. Maybe someone familiar with the program will be a sponsor for the program if that is possible.

Self discipline is what it takes for me. Saying I will do step 2 on Sunday and 3 on Tuesday night is how I try to conquer things like the steps.

[Moogieotter]

I always look to the facts and stats. Over 90% of alcoholics die from something alcohol related (car crash, suicide, heart didease, liver, etc). To relapse again would not only end it for me but for all my loved ones.

Meeting habits are helpful to so many. Find a better group for you if you need. Take it seriously - it's a life and death struggle.

Best wishes and keep posting!

moogs

[mountain human]

Doing the steps by yourself is really hard, I suggest a sponsor or another 12 step person to help you through them. The steps should be thorough and honest, but they don't have to be perfect! Perfectionism stops lots of people. Also, don't rush just to "finish". There is no time frame, however, don't use that for an excuse to avoid doing them. Long term sobriety is unlikely without doing these steps. (Clean and sober since '94, have seen untold thousands of addicts go through this process). Good luck!

[freespirit37]

Having a sponsor helps. You don't have to rush through them either. Right now, maybe just set your goal each day to not drink and pat yourself on the back each day that you go without drinking.

I like to do journal entries every day, like "Day 1 - Sober (date)" and then write about whatever is going on with me that day. It's cool because it helps me keep track of my days and I can also go back and read and see how much I progressed from Day 1.

I was rushing through the steps and then got overwhelmed by Step 4 because of all the bad memories I was having so my sponsor is taking me back through 1-3 more slowly. For some people, it takes them a year or longer just to get to Step 4.

Hang in there! I admire your desire to stay committed to the program!