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rrrADAM
Trad climber
LBMF
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Ian is right.
I like analogies, so...
(Analogy only, as I'm an atheist, but I do have an HP of my understanding)
Think of it like what many Christians believe gets them into Heaven... It isn't just going to church a few times a month, but actually accepting and living that lifestyle. Making the teachings and practices part of one's life. Just going to church a few times a month, doesn't get them anything.
Same thing with recovery... You gotta jump in with both feet, as it doesn't work by osmosis.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Good move and good luck Silver!
There are a lot of ways to do this. Figure out what works for you. The structure and camaradrie in AA etc is appealing and helpful to the majority, but don't get daunted by programs.
As an atheist, non joiner, that route was just not gonna work for me! I took it on as a discipline, like when I quit eating red meat back in '82; I knew I had the ability to make sobriety second nature. I also had key sober friends with whom I spent most of my time and were large in my life when I quit.
If it's for you, and you want it,you can do it. And you'll save money, Silver. Important. Because on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, '12 you're gonna owe me 100 clams!
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Edge
Trad climber
New Durham, NH
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Eleven months today!
I can honestly say that I have not even remotely desired a drink in the last 10 1/2 months, and do not miss alcohol at all.
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rrrADAM
Trad climber
LBMF
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Good on you, brutha!
~A
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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"It does work, if you're willing to follw the program exactly. "
That's a pretty sure bet there!
But the good news is that one can stay sober without absolutes too; I'm an example, 14 years and some months. August 26th will be my 15th year anniversary(Most likely, I should say. If I can get through what I've experienced this last year and not even THINK about wanting a drink, I feel pretty good about my sobriety. Of course, that doesn't protect me from a relapse, I'm well aware.).
I was horrible as a sponsee in early sobriety(first 5 years - hell I probably still would be a dismal sponsee). I was a little better as a sponsor but never all that comfortable in the dynamic.
I still have some amends to make, and don't honestly feel any great need to make them.
I made twice to three times weekly meetings my first 5 years, and went through a period of a few years where I went nearly every day. But....last meeting I attended was on my road trip this last December, and before that, December 25th 2009.
Yet, I still consider myself an AA'er. Sometimes I feel a little unhappy that I'm not there in the rooms for that person who just walked in and is trying to get sober, but - I am here, 12th Step-Ready, when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help. I practice the(se) principals in all my affairs.
Do I RECOMMEND someone not follow the AA program to the best of their ability? Nope. But as they say - "Take what you want, and leave the rest," and "It's progress, not perfection."
Happy Day Sober to all those who have given it up!
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Roman
Trad climber
Bostonia
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Jun 13, 2011 - 12:29pm PT
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Day one after a four year relapse. Thank you all for your posts. I read this thread often and I'm finally going to take the plunge again.
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Edge
Trad climber
New Durham, NH
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Jun 13, 2011 - 12:31pm PT
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Good for you, Roman! Stick with it, it's worth it.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Jun 13, 2011 - 01:30pm PT
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I think the key here is what you hear all along - you gotta WORK the program. I can get passive and not work the steps and then I'm in a dry drunk and start right back with alcoholic behavior - in a heartbeat. I have to actively be around those who are sober and working a solid program or I'm cooked. And I can't sponsor myself.
JL
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Jun 13, 2011 - 06:13pm PT
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Welcome back, Roman!
One day at a time. It gets easier as time goes on. Go a minute at a time for now if you have to - start small and work up.
JL, thanks for the sponsor reminder. I haven't talked to mine in a while, and that comment made me realize it's time to get together for coffee and get caught up.
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xtrmecat
Big Wall climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
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Jun 13, 2011 - 06:33pm PT
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Welcome back Roman, glad a little chatter can help someone. And thanks to all posters, reminding me to stay connected, and lastly, congrats to all who are celebrating time, enjoy.
Burly Bob
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Edge
Trad climber
New Durham, NH
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One year clean and sober today!
Coincidentally, this is also the same day I celebrate 50 trips around the Sun...
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Congratulations Edge!
Nice condition to arrive at 50 in.
Keep up the good work.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Happy birthdays, Edge!
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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happy sober birthday and regular one!
post #421! 420 was before my time, but BITD I sure smoked a lot - an oz every 3 days(from 14 years old to 21....)
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nevahpopsoff
Boulder climber
the woods
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yo, edggie-poo, good on ya!!!!!!!!!!!!
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Jul 21, 2011 - 04:31pm PT
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This morning while having coffee, a familiar feeling came over me. A sense of sadness, loss, malaise...
I knew within moments exactly what was going on. It's nearing the end of July, and for the last several years this period of time always brings me sensations of "low."
In about one more month I'll be celebrating my 15th year sober anniversary, but the month before I got sober was my "bottom," and though it was cake compared to what many have suffered before taking that first step towards sobriety, it was a period of confusion, loneliness, and escalating risk in behaviors.
I respect this period of time, and don't fight the "reminder" feelings that come up. But I have to take care to stay on the right side of the drink. It's important for me to acknowledge my "ghost of Christmas past"(as the Big Book says: we do not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it) but at the same time to be conscious that that IS the past. That I was fortunate in not succumbing further to the disease, and that I have a new way to live now. One which has shown me a wonderful life, filled with interesting experiences, insights and people.
Though each year the anniversary phase of of my bottom comes at different points, it is usually about a month in duration. Countdown to my anniversary of 8/26 seems to have begun - one day at a time. I choose to celebrate today, send best wishes to all those walking the sober path, and extend the hand of AA, by proxy, to anyone wishing to take the first step. Welcome to sobriety!
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Jul 21, 2011 - 04:51pm PT
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Hope your friend heeded your advice.
Happy - remember, but please don't let the "self-talk" obsess on the negative. Wishing you all the best.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Jul 26, 2011 - 05:58pm PT
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Cool Deal Edge! Aug 25th will be my 5th. Some ass hat at work handed me a beer today. they just don't get it... Its not like I am not thursty as hell after a 10hr construction shift. Don't really need that crap but don't want to make a stink and stand out more than i already do......
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Roger Brown
climber
Oceano, California
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Jul 26, 2011 - 09:33pm PT
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It is the social part I found I missed most. Now I just stop after work and drink an Odouls or two and that's all I need. I no longer want to alter my state of mind, I just want to hang out. I had four at Curry last week and drove back to camp without being paranoid :-) Life is good.
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Norwegian
Trad climber
Placerville, California
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ah hell i've been undrunk for four months now,
it's been not heaven, though its not been difficult,
clarity is like a sunk ship,
and i yearn, yearn for sideways travel
and i think i might attain a sway at the phish show in south shore next week....
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