Has everyone forgot about the steps ?

It’s hard to believe nobody’ has posted here in over a year !
I think I know why . Because not many in recovery think they need the
12 steps. That’s why there’s so many relapses. It’s not just about putting down
the addiction it’s about changing your whole way of thinking. Changing
your whole way of life. You can “white knuckle “ your way through sobriety
or you can work these principles and actually know how it feels to be happy without the addiction.

It seems like it's been forgotten about, if no one has posted for a year. Wow!

Which is your favourite step and why?

My favorite step is 12 because service comes easily to me. I'm always up for volunteering. I volunteered to read at my first 12 step meeting in Overeaters Anonymous.

Honestly, I am not at all good with the 11th step. Prayer and meditation do not come easily to me.

Sounds like you really know yourself @downandlonely... that's so good!

I find something like tai-chi works better for me, as there is movement involved, rather than just meditation alone. Though, I have been doing guided meditation through Insight Timer and it's been working out.

Was Overeaters Anonymous helpful? I ask b/c I'm an emotional eater...

Yes, I am an emotional eater too. I found it very helpful. I've never been addicted to alcohol or anything illegal, so it took me until 2020 to find Overeaters Anonymous and the 12 steps.

I hear in the past, Overeaters Anonymous used to have a list of forbidden foods (such as sugar). But now each person defines their own abstinence and food plan. Mine is basically not overeating and not eating when I'm not hungry.

There are meetings on Zoom all the time at oa.org. When I started in 2020, there weren't really any in person meetings, but they do have quite a few now.

Thank you, @downandlonely !! Good to know there are online meetings!!!

Yes, all 12 step meetings are available online. I only started going to meetings in 2020, so I've never been to an in person meeting.

@moodyblue83...Some people are addicted to taking other people's inventories. I've been on the boards for over 10 years, & find them used primarily to address mental health issues. Long ago, more folks posted here. Personally, I do my step work at meetings and work through bipolar issues here.

Do what works for you. BTW : If your implying that I'm taking other peoples
inventories, your mistaken. I'm just stating the facts. What's true is true.
This forum here is about the steps. And isn't addiction and working the steps
a mental health issue ?

I can't even get passed the first step

If you got the 1st. step and put down the drink
you are on your way. There's really no time-table.
if you have a sponsor ask he/she to help you.
Also maybe you can hit some 12 step meetings.

Nope. I used the 12 step myself

Hey @moodyblue83 I'm sure you are intending to but your posts ab0ut this forum and the steps are coming across kind of judegy. There are many people who use the 12 steps for years and fall out of meetings, lose touch with sober people and boom! Relapse after 20 years. But there are some people who successfully attended 12 step meetings, worked the steps, have a sponsor or sober network and feel like they are living the 12 steps to where maybe they dont need to share anymore about it. I will celebrate 10 years in december i moved to zoom because of covid and now I have a dilemia. I work for the police dept of the town/area that I went to meetings and got sober in. Sure anonymous, yes no one is supposed to judge but I do not want any of my employers to ever know about that part of me. thoughts?

Yes, all 12 step meetings are available online. I only started going to meetings in 2020, so I've never been to one in person. I believe I can pass in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahsweets Hey @moodyblue83 I'm sure you are intending to but your posts ab0ut this forum and the steps are coming across kind of judegy. There are many people who use the 12 steps for years and fall out of meetings, lose touch with sober people and boom! Relapse after 20 years. But there are some people who successfully attended 12 step meetings, worked the steps, have a sponsor or sober network and feel like they are living the 12 steps to where maybe they dont need to share anymore about it. I will celebrate 10 years in december i moved to zoom because of covid and now I have a dilemia. I work for the police dept of the town/area that I went to meetings and got sober in. Sure anonymous, yes no one is supposed to judge but I do not want any of my employers to ever know about that part of me. thoughts?

You are correct. Just because you work the steps doesn't mean your sobriety is guaranteed. BUT , there is no doubt that if you work the steps with someone who has already done them , ( and you feel has " good" sobriety) , you have a good chance of making the changes in your life that will help defend against a relapse.
As far as your question about going to meetings in your town , chances are you will run into somebody connected with your employer. And people tend to gossip , so trying to maintain your anonymity may become problematic. That's a tough one to figure out. Maybe you can start your own little group with just a few people ? It's been said it only takes 2 people to have a meeting !
Almost forgot..... congratulations on your 10 years ! One day at a time.
Good luck to you.....

I don't have a problem with alcohol, but I was thinking that it may be helpful if the 12 Steps are posted, so I just posted them on this sub.

Sometimes I forget but I find them again

I have lived by the 12 steps these past few years. Still working on them and have made it to Step 9, which is the amends. It's been a difficult journey for me, but it has changed my life and has been really helpful. I attended a lot of meetings, (in person), here in North Carolina, and even some on Zoom. The CODA meetings are really helpful too, (codependency anonymous) and has helped me work through the issues that I face with my husband.

: goodpost:: agree:: yourock: