AA - It's helping me. Finally sober! UPDATE - two weeks down! - Page 1

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AA - It's helping me. Finally sober! UPDATE - two weeks down! (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:30:12 PM EST

Inspired by another thread Thread

I am in bad shape. Personal life gone to shit. I've been drinking heavily for a while now. Like 20 beers a day. I've been lying to others and myself. The time has come to change. But the question is how can a group of strangers at an AA meeting make a difference. There is a meeting tonight I want to go to, it's at 8pm. Will it make a difference?

I'm getting ready to go, just not sure what to expect. After I leave the meeting all the problems I had before it will still be there. How will this help? I'm tired, I'm broken, I'm out of options.

EDIT TO ADD: Have gone to 3 meetings and passed 100 hours sober yesterday. Was around alcohol all holiday weekend but didn't come close to caving in. But now have a bitch of a kidney stone. Do not want pain killers. Resisting the urge to pound a few beers to dull the pain. Just going to have to tough it out.

UPDATE: have now made it a week. The kidney stone issue was not a kidney stone, its gallstones. Had an X-ray done that showed it. Getting an ultrasound next week. But pain has subsided. Now sober for 8 days. Gone to 5 meetings. No sponsor yet, haven't connected with anyone. Reading the AA book, seems like a biography. My attitude is still very positive, my bank account is probably $80-$100 richer. Only regret is not doing this sooner.

UPDATE 12.05.18: now two weeks in. Cravings are getting bad. Did a lot of yard work last weekend, back was sore, would have loved a beer to help. Kept thinking about the long term. It’s getting tough right now. Don’t have a sponsor, just haven’t made a connection. Maybe I need to find a new group?

@leatherpuke - I am hearing the voice and it sounds so sexy. I’ve managed to blow it off for now. It’s hard, real hard. But every time I want to listen to it I think about the end goal, the long game. Your thread inspired me. I hope you have been able to step up and address your issues. It’s hard, it’s humbling, n
But the satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment is becoming more and more of its own high hour by hour and day by day.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:32:09 PM EST

[#1]

You will meet people struggling with the same affliction. There is mutual support on the path of recovery. Go.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:33:15 PM EST

[#2]

Peer support.

You will meet with other alcoholics and they will be there day & night to talk you down when the cravings are making you not sleep & think you’re going to go crazy.

Yes, it will make a difference.

Go. Ask for help.

Or, sit at home and keep drinking until it kills you, destroys your life completely and kills you.

Yes, it can get worse. You can drink & Drive & kill someone.

Go.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:34:33 PM EST

[#3]

You're off to a good start by facing up to it and admitting you have a problem.

Good luck.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:35:20 PM EST

[#4]

People talk about recovery. Listen to the stories. Hangout afterward and talk to someone.

Talk to your insurance company/employer and see what options are available to you for higher levels of care.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:37:16 PM EST

[#5]

AA will help if you can do the work and, more importantly, if the work resonates with you.

Step 1 - Your ass is here - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable

Don't worry about any of the other stuff until you're there. If you go to a meeting and stay sober for a week and fall off the wagon, get back on. You're going to fuck up and fail and it's important to acknowledge that and that not wallowing in your failure is a key thing.

Once you have that, you move to step #2

Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Pick your power. Most people choose God. I've seen folks pick nature or trees or whatever.

When you get those down, you start working the next steps.

PM me if you need anything.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:38:45 PM EST

[#6]

A small bit of accountability from people who understand where you are coming from.

Sorry man. Give it a shot. No one there will do anything but try to help you the best they can.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:42:16 PM EST

[#7]

AA can be a huge part of your sobriety if you have truly hit rock bottom. I celebrate 32 years of sobriety with the help of AA this June.
My Mother joined when she was 74 years old and stayed sober until she died at 85.
It’s never too late to change your life for the better.
PS- I had two sponsors who made me speak/say something at every meeting even if I felt stupid doing so. It eventually brought me out of my shell.
You don’t have to have a exciting story about how many banks you robbed, how many years in the Pen you served or how many bar fights you won to belong. Everyone’s story is important.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:42:31 PM EST

[#8]

For a start they do not serve beer.

Get help man. Addiction just sucks the good out of everything.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:47:35 PM EST

[#9]

It will make you accountable to yourself. Instead of blaming your problems on your shit life, you will learn to blame your shit life on your bad choices.

It works if you take it seriously.

Been sober 30 years. My mom, my brother and my son are all dead. Alcohol is bad news in my family.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:48:28 PM EST

[#10]

It is a step program and it can certainly help...but you have to do the steps.

Its a no bullshit operation. You can lie to yourself, lie to the program whatever, if YOU do not do what is outlined, if You do not work the program YOU cannot say IT didnt work.

Posted: 11/21/2018 7:51:40 PM EST

[#11]

Good luck, whatever path you choose to getting back in control.

AA works for some but there are other paths as well.

It's great that you are looking for a path.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:01:17 PM EST

[#12]

They’ll provide you with some ‘tools’ and how to use them

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:05:09 PM EST

[#13]

Best of luck OP.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:06:16 PM EST

[#14]

Always seemed strange to me, to talk every day about something you crave. Seemed counter productive, like the dude in high school who’s girlfriend dumped him 8 months ago but he won’t shut up about her.

When I quit taking pain pills after 10 years, I stopped, sucked it up, paced the house a few nights and got over it.

Still have half a bottle of them somewhere but I don’t even give them a second thought.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:08:51 PM EST

[#15]

The first thing to figure out is are you an alcoholic or just currently a really heavy drinker. Can you walk away from it without help??

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:08:55 PM EST

[#16]

You only get out of it what you put into it.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:09:00 PM EST

[#17]

It certainly can't hurt.

AA isn't for everybody, but it's a system that has worked for millions of people and for that alone it is worthy of consideration.

Good luck.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:11:39 PM EST

[#18]

AA is a start. You are not alone.

Zero is a number anyone can count. AA is a good way to start counting to zero.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:18:43 PM EST

[#19]

Some people need AA, some don't..I had a prob waay back in the 80's.

I cleaned up myself. Takes a lot of grit tho...

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:19:02 PM EST

[#20]

According to Jordan Peterson, religion and LSD are the two most effective treatments for alcoholism, which is why AA has the religious component to it. I am not a religious person, but if you are not as well, and are struggling with alcoholism, consider it.

Also, read Peterson's 12 Rules for Life or listen to the audiobook. The anecdotes made me rethink how I handle things.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:25:02 PM EST

[#21]

Keep going. Every chance you get. Get a sponsor and find a substance abuse counselor. Alcoholism is progressive and will just get worse unless you change your life...otherwise it’s jails, institutions or death. Don’t believe the guys here that say that it’s just a matter of willpower. Get a AA big book and read it. You will see over and over again how similar our stories are, as far back as the 1930’s. Pm me if you want.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:33:51 PM EST

[#22]

Give AA a try, go to different groups and find one that you are comfortable with. No, you don't sit around and talk about drinking, take what you want from a meeting and leave the rest.

I'm 34 years sober in AA and I have never once regretted being a member, saved my life and gave me a life!!

You have nothing to lose but the pain!

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:34:52 PM EST

[#23]

Just go and you will see, brother, and, please, let us know how it went.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:45:33 PM EST

[#24]

Quoted:
I am in bad shape. Personal life gone to shit. I've been drinking heavily for a while now. Like 20 beers a day.

View Quote

Sorry to see you in such shape. But when I was drinking 20 beers per day, I was still in the having fun part of alcoholism.

I've been lying to others and myself.

View Quote

It is part of the disease. Step number 745 is to quit lying to yourself.

The time has come to change. But the question is how can a group of strangers at an AA meeting make a difference.

View Quote

For me, the answer was no.

There is a meeting tonight I want to go to, it's at 8pm. Will it make a difference?

View Quote

one meeting, no, 100 meating, maybe, 10000 meating probably. As long as you don't drink between meetings.

I'm getting ready to go, just not sure what to expect. After I leave the meeting all the problems I had before it will still be there. How will this help? I'm tired, I'm broken, I'm out of options.

View Quote

Expect the worst:: that is christianity...............

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:49:49 PM EST

[#25]

By all means go. But at 20 a day you should seriously consider getting medical help and into a detox program.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:56:16 PM EST

[#26]

My wife has been in AA for 27 years. It has made a huge difference for her and the others that have stayed in the group.

Posted: 11/21/2018 8:58:23 PM EST

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
You will meet people struggling with the same affliction. There is mutual support on the path of recovery. Go.

View Quote

A life of misery, or a new life beginning now.

It doesn't have to suck.

The choice is literally yours.

Go. Take it seriously. You will find all the help you need.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:01:28 PM EST

[#28]

OP, your decision to go to AA is a step in the right direction. God speed.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:04:24 PM EST

[#29]

Good luck brother!

Be sure to give us a post-meeting update. If you crap out and don't go, we'll give you one pass, but you've got to saddle up and go to the next.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:07:04 PM EST

[#30]

AA will not help you.

If you work hard, and are lucky, AA may enable you to help yourself.

I wish you luck, and urge you to fight the demon.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:09:19 PM EST

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
You're off to a good start by facing up to it and admitting you have a problem.

Good luck.

View Quote

Hell yes!

Good on you OP. Come back here for positive support.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:11:58 PM EST

[#32]

You wont beat yourself up as bad if you know others are going thru the exact same shit as you. You'll tend not to turn to bad habits if you dont beat yourself up.

Just talk and listen., man. It can't hurt at this point, right? You have nothing to lose by doing it.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:22:51 PM EST

[#33]

Dudes above me hit the points on accountability already. It’s like having a gym buddy that gives you crap if you skip leg day

Lots of alcoholics in my family. The ones that let it kill them hid the problem and wasted away, the ones that managed it took control of their lives and became better people

One step and day at a time man, and a good first step is AA

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:25:05 PM EST

[#34]

My personal experience has many components to it.

Suffice it to say that at one point after a meeting I was being 'badgered' by a Rex Kwon-do type of guy.
I soberly looked him square in the eyes and said, "denial IS my program."

That was the end of the conversation.

May your quest be a successful one.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:33:28 PM EST

[#35]

AA helped me a little. I wound up quitting all by myself after a while, but going to AA a few times was still a step in the right direction.

Some folks are able to quit like throwing a switch. Others, like me, take a few tries. If you try and fail a few times, don't give up on yourself. I kept quitting for longer and longer until finally one day it was for good.

So going to AA may be instant salvation for you, or more likely, it may just be a step in the right direction for you. An initial effort from which you build momentum. Either way, can't hurt.

Good luck, brother. God bless you. PM me any time.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:38:17 PM EST

[#36]

It may not be for you, OP. Or it may save your life.

But you do know one thing: What you are doing now clearly isn't working.

Go. Have an open mind. Be open to help, and give it a chance.

I'm not an alcoholic. I barely drink at all. But I have had many friends whom it saved. For what it is worth, I am praying for you.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:38:52 PM EST

[#37]

A buddy of mine found narc anon a better fit after he went to rehab (even though he went for alcoholism).

From what I can tell it's just having a support network and accountability that helps you get over the fact that your brain is fucked up a little towards addiction.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:40:15 PM EST

[#38]

AA has figured out a way that works. There is a lot of wisdom in the program if you allow yourself the opportunity to absorb it.
I wish you the best, life is too damn hard when alcohol is ruining it.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:42:25 PM EST

[#39]

hopefully he went. there is strength in numbers

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:44:28 PM EST

[#40]

Quoted:
Inspired by another thread Thread

I am in bad shape. Personal life gone to shit. I've been drinking heavily for a while now. Like 20 beers a day. I've been lying to others and myself. The time has come to change. But the question is how can a group of strangers at an AA meeting make a difference. There is a meeting tonight I want to go to, it's at 8pm. Will it make a difference?

I'm getting ready to go, just not sure what to expect. After I leave the meeting all the problems I had before it will still be there. How will this help? I'm tired, I'm broken, I'm out of options.

View Quote

you will learn that you are not alone. others have been where you are and it can get better if you stay strong.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:45:04 PM EST

[#41]

Back from first meeting. It was alright. Lots to share about it but too mentally exhausted to share more right now. Plan on going to a meeting tomorrow.

I actually feel good, but scared about what will happen when the next stressful situation comes up. Right now I'm not just taking it one day at a time, but one second at a time. I'm done being alcohol's bitch.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:48:45 PM EST

[#42]

Good job. It takes guts to own up to shit and move on.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:49:40 PM EST

[#43]

For one it gets you out of your element and around others who are struggling. We alcoholics tend to isolate.

Secondly, the things talked about in the meeting by others may resonate with you. Ive found that for every meeting I go to at least 1 or 2 people will say something, or talk about something they've experienced or are going through that hits home and make sense. Thats very helpful.

Its also very humbling and brings reality into light for you by saying "hello, my name is tnburban and Im an alcoholic." Pretty soon you'll be sharing and contributing and helping others. Thats the secrete of AA and how it works: participating and understanding your problem with the help and support of others and talking openly.

Get the big blue book and read it. Theres A LOT of wisdom and help in that book.

Bottom line, just go.

ETA: glad you went!! Yes go again. And if one second at a time is all you can do right now, just keep doing that till its one min, one hr, one day, etc...

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:52:28 PM EST

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Back from first meeting. It was alright. Lots to share about it but too mentally exhausted to share more right now. Plan on going to a meeting tomorrow.

I actually feel good, but scared about what will happen when the next stressful situation comes up. Right now I'm not just taking it one day at a time, but one second at a time. I'm done being alcohol's bitch.

View Quote

Sometimes, it's not "I'm never drinking again", or "I'm not gonna drink today"
sometmes, it's just "I'm not gonna drink RIGHT NOW". And you work yourself through the crisis.

You can do this. It won't be easy. You will fall down.

BUT YOU WILL GET BACK UP. YOU GOT THIS.

Good Luck, Op. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:52:48 PM EST

[#45]

One alcoholic talking to another. Thats it. Thats the secret.
It works if you work it.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:56:44 PM EST

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Back from first meeting. It was alright. Lots to share about it but too mentally exhausted to share more right now. Plan on going to a meeting tomorrow.

I actually feel good, but scared about what will happen when the next stressful situation comes up. Right now I'm not just taking it one day at a time, but one second at a time. I'm done being alcohol's bitch.

View Quote

When my father went to AA, they got him a mentor. Someone who he could call any time day or night if the feelings got too overwhelming.
He stayed sober for over 30 years and actually became a social worker who helped others.
Hang tough, you will do it and you'll have plenty of folks pulling for you.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:57:44 PM EST

[#47]

I don't think anyone will force you to spill your guts. Just go sit down and listen.

Posted: 11/21/2018 9:59:05 PM EST

[#48]

We seriously need to petition site staff for a name-change for the OP.

Posted: 11/21/2018 10:02:43 PM EST

[#49]

I had a friend that went to one meeting and quit going to meetings because it was stupid and he wasn't an alcoholic. Two DUIs later he was still proclaiming he was not an alcoholic but he wasn't my friend either. Last I heard he was a completely strung out junky somewhere around Denver.

Going and admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Posted: 11/21/2018 10:03:08 PM EST

[#50]

Proud as fuck out of you OP. Sincerely. Today was a great day.

When in doubt, just go.

Edit. Lots of people here having your back and continuous support. Keep updating this and we can help keep you accountable

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AA - It's helping me. Finally sober! UPDATE - two weeks down! (Page 1 of 3)

General » General Discussion

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us