Member: Kim V
Location: kvaughn@madison.main.nc.us
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 08:47 AM
Kim V here alcoholic. I have been luckily with this one as I moved to another state and left behind all my old playmates and playgrounds. Even the few family members who still are not in recovery had enough sense not to drink around me. Luckily for me my higher power removed the obession for drinking. what I mean by that is that I was no longer thinking about it day and night. But I can tell you this, even after 6 1/2 years of continueous soberity once in a while my diease slips inside my head and says "wouldn't it be nice to have a coctail with dinner", I immediatley remind myself what a progessive, fatal diease this is. It is cunnung, baffling, and powerful to be able to sneak in after all these years. The good news is this. When I am going thru a crisis or a lot of struggling I don't even think about drinking. I have used my tool kit (my recovery tools) long enough that they have become an automatic response now. However I will never feel completely safe and that is why I continue to do the steps, go to meetings and what I think is the most imporant, talk about what is going on with me, and giving away what was so freely given to me. Today I am filled with gratitude. Thanks for being here. Kim V
Member: Tracy
Location: England
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 09:39 AM
Looking back at my meetings with most of my "friends" i relise now that i was only mixing with them for the drinking and had no real interest in them as people only as drunks to drunk with now i do not have any reason to attend their regular meetings round their houses as the main contributing reason for my mixing with them has gone for today so yes i am very weary of them wet places. tracy.v@ntlworld.com
Member: Stacey M
Location: PghPA
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 10:21 AM
Im amazed at how uncomfortable people get when I tell them I'm not drinking, like I just smacked them in the face or something.luckily, my closest friends are doing this with me ,we never fought for each others sobriety up until now,But our good times were beginning to be filled with quilt and remorse and shame and we decided it was time to get better, so far 33days for me,but Im not ready to be near a party or drinking establishment even for the purpose of eating,I became real uncomfortable at dinner with my husband the other nite because I kept thinking of a pretty glass of merlot to go with my meal.I kept having to shake it off.I think I'll stick to cooking for the family for a while in the comfort of my own kitchen, and then hit a meeting when I start crawling out of my skin. It took about a year for me to rid myself of my "drinking Buddies" in the back of my mind I knew it had to be done in order for me to have half a chance at sobriety.you have to change people,places and things, I tried it the other way, it doesnt work.its like swimming up stream. I say "good Ridance"and now I have a fighting chance with the loving support that I deserve around me.
Member: Lisa K
Location: Michigan
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 10:29 AM
Hi my name is Lisa, and I'm an alcoholic.I'm very grateful to have found this site and be able to share with my fellow alcoholics! "wet Places" well... what a danger zone that is for us with this cunning baffling and powerful dsease we have!Alcoholism is the ONLY disease that will tell us that we DON"T have one! I have learned that wet faces and wet paces have no place in my life of sobriety. it is all part of the insanity of this disease to want to TEST ourself and it is very dangerous in our recovery. so... with that... i would advise to stay away from wet places and you wont be tempted to take that FIRST drink that will get us drunk. Thanks for letting me share. keep coming back!!!! Lisa
Member: Kathy D
Location: AM, OH
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 10:55 AM
Hi! I'm Kathy and I am an alcoholic. I remember when I first got sober, and I was still in the Care Unit, telling them...I can't go home...that is where I did all my drinking!! Well... after being home for awhile I realized that where I was physically didn't matter near as much as where I was mentally. Even the Big Book says we can go to drinking places as long as we are spiritually fit. Although I do not recommend "wet places" for newcomers I am okay with them today.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 12:38 PM
Hi All, I'm Kelly, an alcoholic. I have enjoyed reading your shares. I'm snowed in and waiting for the plow so I missed church and a meeting but that is ok because I can always come here. Welcome, Carrie from NH from the previous page! I'm from the Seacoast/Maine part of the State. I did not even know about this snow storm as the space shuttle disaster was on TV yesterday. As far as staying away from slippery places, I do. I think I would be fine but I don't want to tempt fate. They say if you hang around the Barber shop long enough your going to get a haircut! I have also heard the story of the woman out with friends drinking Shirley Temples and they mess up her order and give her a real drink and after the first sip she is off and running. I don't know if the story is true but I don't want to find out for myself. I think in new sobriety it is best to avoid booze until we get a handle on it. My only close call was of all places at Church. I am Catholic and went up for communion and automatically took the wine goblet and brought it to my lips. I smelled the wine and I love that smell. Reality kicked in and I realized what I was doing and handed the goblet back. It was a conditioned reflex from years of Church but it was scarey none the less. My mind is a dangerous place to be in sometimes! Everyone have a wonderful Sunday and lets all stay sober just for today..... Kelly
Member: Carrie B
Location: NH
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 01:55 PM
Hi all, This is Carrie and I am an alcoholic. Thanks Kelly for welcoming me. I used to live in Portsmouth. Sadly the most slippery place i know is my family. Everyone drinks. As a child growing up I remember every social function revolving around alcohol. I never thought it unusual to see a family member "napping" on the couch after a holiday. Now I do not look forward to the holidays. Kelly, I like your idea of the barber...
Member: Jackie
Location: England
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 07:10 PM
Hi Im 3months, 1week sober, my problem is my partner won't accept he has a drink problem! I try to compromise, go to restuarants but make him drink beer not wine cause I know I'd drink it if there was wine in front of me! He's trying to control his drinking around me but I get frustrated when I know he's been drinking then he lies! We've had a great weekend but ended up in the pub last night, only for two (diet cokes for me) Today we went to a pub for lunch and there was an AA member at the next table, it was good to talk to her. Im finding it difficult to compromise my time between meetings, him, children and will be returning to work soon. I think it would all be so much easier if I was single, but I love him and hope one day he will have enough of all the drink. In the meantime Ive got to be around alcohol some of the time but I always have an escape route and just refuse to go when I'm wobbly.
Member: MEG
Location: Central OH
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 09:34 PM
Hi everyone I'm Meg an alcoholic. Please don't tempt fate. Leave the wet spots to others, especially in early sobriety. I was all full of sobriety and wanted to test myself. Guess what won? So I now have my second coin for thirty days. I don't want a third. I wasted alot of sobriety by "testing sobriety". Prayer,meetings,sponsor,Big Book and all the loving members of AA have helped me to make it back to where I want and need to be.Thank God and thanks to all of you! Jackie a oldtimer once suggested that it may help to read some alanon lit. or try to hit a meeting of theirs. It's enlightening.
Member: Karen P.
Location: Wrightsville & Atlanta, GA
Date: February 02, 2003
Time: 11:01 PM
Hi, I'm Karen, alcoholic. One month from today, God willing, I will be eligible to collect my one year chip. I know I still have to avoid wet places, especially if I am alone. The other night I chose a restaurant with a bar for dinner. I was with a friend who supports my sobriety, in fact insiststs on it. That was good, because I know I am still at risk in a place like that. I don't need servers asking me if I'd like a cocktail or some wine. I feel like I'm lying to them when I say, "No, thank you." Riding in 1st Class on the airplane to my medical check-up was even risky. Or in the hotel, when a woman got on the elevator with two glasses of red wine in her hands. I could smell it, and it still was tempting. I no longer think about this every day, or even think I will give in to temptation, but I know this disease is stronger than I am, so I will do my best to stay away from wet places and wet people. Thanks for being here and thanks for letting me share.
Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 12:37 AM
HI Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. Go to the Big Book. Read from the bottom of page 100 to the end of the chapter. That says it better than I and a darn site more accurate. And following up my good friend Kathy D. It tells us in those pages that.."Any Scheme of combating alcoholism which proposes to shield the sick person from temptation is doomed to failure." In the first few years I sat down one solid basic rule. If I was going to be in a drinking setting, I would drive my own vehicle. I would neither take anyone nor would I ride with anyone. That always provided me with an escape route should I become uncomfortable. I go to "wet" places today, but not ones where the drink is the primary purpose. Also they are not the same type places I used to hang out in nor am I around the same type of people I used to hang out with. One New Years it was a nite club..But with a prime rib buffet and Floor show. I love it when I am at a restaurant and the waitress asks if I care for a drink from the bar. My Stock answer is, "Yes Hon, I care for several drinks from the bar, but I have to be in Denver in three weeks". Then I sit back and watch the blank stare and when the light bulb comes on and we all laugh. Don't you just hate Jackasses like me? LOL. Love Ya. Bill az-bill@mindspring.com
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 08:46 AM
Hi ((Jackie)), I know all about being in love with an alcoholic. My son's father was one. I was 19 and he was 32 and divorced. I used to say, BUT I LOVE HIM! I tried everything but nothing I did worked because he was an alcoholic. He died at 37 from the disease a few years after I finally walked away. Meg suggested Alanon and I would try that. As much as you want to you can't love a person well from alcoholism. It is totally up to them to take the first step, some do, some don't, some die. Sad but true. Try Alanon Jackie. Good Luck... Kelly
Member: Johnny G
Location: canada
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 11:07 AM
Do any of you people out there know why they took the coffee pot off the web .I try to get on this site and it says we moved to new site AGAIN i do not know why they move so often maybe just to mix us ALKIES up . I feel sorry this was a good site and found it helpful in soberity. Oh well Shit happens. give back if you feel guilty. ThankyouJohn
Member: Lu S.
Location: Washington
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 11:50 AM
Hi I'm Lu, alcoholic, was sober 7 years and went back out - wet spots, abusive dry drunk ex husband, denial, I can handle it - resulted in me drinking again. Didn't utilize AA much, had a terrible experience with a person at the face to face meetings. I do believe in the BB and 12 steps. I left my abusive husband, went to a shrink, but still continued to drink for the next three years. My excuse was that I thought my life was sooo much better because I was no longer being abused, alcohol wasn't the problem, he was. The truth is alcohol is the problem and it's sneaky. Anyways, I'm back - only three days, but at least it's a start. I'm looking forward to being sober and not be being abused. Anyways, I'm very grateful for this site. I can participate in the program without fear of being violated. I know there's lots of great people in AA and hopefully I'll find a meeting where I can feel comfortable in participating.
Member: Pat H.
Location: Labrador Straits, Canada
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 01:16 PM
The BB suggests how we as alcoholics should deal with such situations. In short, we ask ourselves if we have a legitimate reason for being there. If so, fine, if not, stay away.... I find for me, that is the best way to deal with such issues. God bless you all.
Member: Anon
Location: AA
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 02:04 PM
Johnny G.... Try this link and there is one at the top of this page to click on. http://www.stayingcyber.org/rooms/coffeepot/coffeepot.asp
Member: Anon
Location: AA
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 02:10 PM
Today's thought is: Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. - Unknown As we work Step One, we accept that alcohol and other drugs are poison to us. We accept our limits. This means we know that hanging around our drinking or using "buddies" can remind us of "the good old days." Hanging around "slippery places" means we could "slip" back into our old ways. This isn't testing our sobriety; it's being reckless with it. So, let's accept our limits. Everybody has limits. When we know our limits, we protect our recovery against the people and places that pull us from our spiritual center. This is what true acceptance means. Prayer for the Day I pray for true acceptance. Higher Power, help me to stay away from slippery places. I will protect the gift You've given me. Action for the Day Today, I'll list the people and places that are risky for me to be around. I will share this list with my sponsor, my group, and my sober friends. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Member: Rich P
Location: Colorado
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 02:39 PM
I stayed away from "wet places" for the first 12 months. No parties, no bars at all. My family has some big drinkers and that meant no family events for the first year. I would meet siblings one-on-one in a dry place. When it came to company events, this was not always politically correct, but I always managed to be the one who had to go back to the office to check on something. Now I go to parties if I feel up to it, but I still feel squirrelly sometimes and say "no". I still have not gone to a bar. Being new, it is just not worth it to me. Peace
Member: joe donA
Location: nova scotia canada joe_don55@hotmail.com
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 04:28 PM
joe here alkie for 35 tears i was an alkie thats all i new today im sober an i avoid my old haughts i went home for xmass an while others drank i had tea or pop it all came off ok i didn't miss the drink like i thought i would but i still don't look for places to go where theres alcohol after watching people drink an get drunk i wonder what ever attraced me to it to begin with thank god i found this program it opened my eyes joe
Member: GrahamC
Location: Narberth
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 09:45 PM
Graham, grateful recovering alcoholic. It often amazes me how much of a "wet" world we live in, when folk are shocked or just a little *too* polite about the fact that I don't drink. What about freedom to take it or leave it? I've left it, secure in the belief that it's not for me. I used to run bars for a living, and guess where I spent my days off? Being without alcohol is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me and it is still happening! I don't go to pubs because I don't see the point. And they smell. *love*
Member: Bobbie H
Location: Hawthorne CA
Date: February 03, 2003
Time: 09:59 PM
Hi I'm Bobbie, an alcoholic. I don't go to places that make me uncomfortable. If being around people who are drinking bothers me, I don't go. My serenity is something I hold precious, without it I could lose my sobriety and the negative spiral begins. My life is so different today, I wouldn't want to go back to the way it used to be.
Member: Bob P.
Location: midwest
Date: February 04, 2003
Time: 07:07 PM
I think another good reason for staying away from wet places in early sobriety, even if you successfully go to one or more and do not take a drink is that the effect can be corrosive of our sobriety. Our disease is forever encouraging us to take our will back, and sometimes it doesn't take that many "successful" non-drinking visits to restaurants with bars and the like before we may begin to think, well this isn't a problem any more and then, the next thng we know, our guard is down and we are drunk. Just because we may navigate a few of these situations with no ill effects doesn't mean we haven't put some hairline cracks in the foundation if our sobriety that we cannot see and that may grow wider. This is a sneaky disease...
Member: ConnieS
Location: Tennessee
Date: February 04, 2003
Time: 07:28 PM
Connie here, grateful to be alive but I have a fresh, slip. After 2 months sober, left work Saturday night, hit the bar with "intentions" of having a couple of beers, that wound up to be several beers and shots and a 3rd offense dui. Also got the hell beat out of me by the the deputies at the jail. Cunning, powerful, yep, it's all of that. That's what wet places get you. I feel like this is a bad dream.
Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: February 04, 2003
Time: 08:16 PM
Couldn't resist this one....The personnel office received an email requesting that a listing of the department staff be supplied broken down by age and sex. The personnel office sent this reply - "Attached is a list of our staff. We currently have no one broken down by age and sex. However, we have a few alcoholics."
Member: Melanie
Location: Ohio, USA
Date: February 04, 2003
Time: 11:54 PM
Hello Friends, I'm Melanie, alcoholic. ((Jackie)) It is too soon to tell what needs to be done about that husband of yours. You do need to look at your priorities though. Husband, AA, children...that's a lot. In early sobriety I had to constantly remind myself that without sobriety I was not good for the rest anyway. Sobriety came(comes) first for me. Then family, since I had put them through the wringer for years. Husband has a choice whether to be in sober places with you and the kids or not. Let him decide what to do with himself, while you decide what is right for you and the kids(who have no choice.) I suggest you stop going to the pub for lunch or drinks right now. Make a plan with the hubby for a SOBER date once in a while. You will soon see what is important to him. Early sobriety is a time for big changes for all of us. We all need to THINK and CHOOSE what is important. Thanks for being here for me. Love and blessings to you all.
Member: Mary P
Location: Fla
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 12:50 PM
Hi My name is Mary and I am back from a slip and very angry at myself... Glad to have found this place, I am going to 2 to 3 meetings a day and find myself so happy to be back with my family.
Member: Holly S.
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 02:51 PM
Connie, I too did exactly what you did. Tested myself one Thursday night and well, got my 2nd dui. I too feel like this is a bad dream. I'm sober now and desperately so. I'm so frightened of my consequences. I don't know what's going to happen as I get sentenced on Mar 17. I've been sober since the night I was pulled over. I'm not too sure that I have another recovery in me. I've reached in my books the lowest that I'd ever believe I could go..I'd rather die than go any lower. I'm having a hard time saying no to the people in my life who still want me to accompany them to various events that usually involve alcohol. I just feel like I'm missing out on something. I'm 33 and divorced, and stupidly have this image that I have to be out and about so I don't miss anything. I'm slowly telling my best friends about my situation, all of whom, thankfully are very supportive, however, they still follow the same routine that we always did...the afterwork crowd on Thurs...etc. I'm feeling kinda left out. I can't go, but jeez, Gosh, all my insecurities are soo surfaced right now. I feel like a goofy loser. Maybe I'm just overtired as I'm having "using" dreams that keep me awake at night because I panic everytime they occur. I wake up feeling that I've relapsed, when I haven't....truly freaky. Well, thanks for "listening"...I've already hit a meeting this afternoon, but I'm still squirrely. ciao, Holly
Member: Holly S.
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 02:51 PM
Connie, I too did exactly what you did. Tested myself one Thursday night and well, got my 2nd dui. I too feel like this is a bad dream. I'm sober now and desperately so. I'm so frightened of my consequences. I don't know what's going to happen as I get sentenced on Mar 17. I've been sober since the night I was pulled over. I'm not too sure that I have another recovery in me. I've reached in my books the lowest that I'd ever believe I could go..I'd rather die than go any lower. I'm having a hard time saying no to the people in my life who still want me to accompany them to various events that usually involve alcohol. I just feel like I'm missing out on something. I'm 33 and divorced, and stupidly have this image that I have to be out and about so I don't miss anything. I'm slowly telling my best friends about my situation, all of whom, thankfully are very supportive, however, they still follow the same routine that we always did...the afterwork crowd on Thurs...etc. I'm feeling kinda left out. I can't go, but jeez, Gosh, all my insecurities are soo surfaced right now. I feel like a goofy loser. Maybe I'm just overtired as I'm having "using" dreams that keep me awake at night because I panic everytime they occur. I wake up feeling that I've relapsed, when I haven't....truly freaky. Well, thanks for "listening"...I've already hit a meeting this afternoon, but I'm still squirrely. ciao, Holly
Member: Kim C
Location: BC, Canada(bc_girl@mail.com)
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 03:58 PM
Good afternoon! My name is Kim....definately an alcoholic. I will preface my post on the subject by saying I have only 42 days, and this is my second attempt at sobriety since the beginning of December 2002...or third...hmmmm....well I DO know I haven't had a drink since Christmas Day, at any rate!. I am 34 with four kids, and drank for many years for MANY reasons! (any excuse will do, right??) ;) I have not had anyone over to my house and had them drink, and I don't think I could yet.(OK, that is a lie, I did my first go round...my brother no less, and I...BIG surprise...drank!) I have not gone to a pub or bar, although I isolated my drinking to home...which I virtually never left, of course! (more drinking time!!) Would I go to a "wet place"....no....at this point I am ashamed to admit I am even too afraid to tempt fate by taking adult cough medication...I never drank it for the alcohol while drinking, I am simply afraid the alcohol in it will, at this early point be way too risky....I can NOT say no after one....and I am not going to make that first one a dose of cough and cold medicine. One day, I may be OK with it...one day amybe I will be able to go to a bar/pub/party. Right now, I cannot. For me, I know myself well enough to not want to risk it. If you are unsure about whether or not you can go to a "wet place", talk to your sponsor, or others in your (or any)AA group about it, before going, maybe they can guide you to the right questions to ask yourself so you can decide if you are or ever will be ready for such an excursion. MUCH Love, and Blessings. Thank you ALL for being a part of what is keeping me sober, TODAY. Kim
Member: AZbill
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 06:46 PM
HI Mary I have located an old file "Slips and Human Nature" written by Bill Silkworth of the "Doctors Opinion" It really turned on the light bulb for me. It may help over the holidays. I will email it to you on request. Ir is also online somewhere but not sure where... Bill. email: az-bill@mindspring.com
Member: Karen P.
Location: Wrightsville & Atlanta, GA
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 09:42 PM
Hi, I'm Karen, and certain I am an alcoholic. Nearly a year away from the stuff has me even more convinced. There are still "triggers" that I have to avoid, and I still struggle with the HP issue, but so far so good. Not much else to say this evening. Just thanks for being here and thanks forletting me share.
Member: Sanders Watford DOS 9-6-75
Location: Graceville, oysterland, FL.
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 10:56 PM
Hi All Y'all, I am very definitely a real alcoholic, and my name is Sanders. When I first tried to stop drinking I did so with a bottle in the cabinet to "prove" I could do it. When I proved I could do it, I drank it. the most precious thing I have today is my sobriety and I will do everything I can to protect it. I have read the part in the big book where it says we can go to a bar if we have good reason too and are in good spiritual condition. That was my words and exactly as stated in the BB. Today I can and will go into a bar or any other place where booze is, however I have not found a good reason to do so in my 27 years of one day at a timing it. Now sometimes I'm eating in a restaurant, and look over an a person is drinking a beer, and it does not bother me, but I don't go in places that serve it because they serve it. I go in to eat. I no longer think about drinking and I no longer think about not drinking. It has simply been removed for me, and for that I am very grateful. I still go to 4 to 6 meetings a week because I KNOW how important they are. When I don't go regularly, I get "scattered and splattered", and I don't like that feeling. Today, I don't have any people who I really consider friends who drink. Most of my friends are my "family" in AA. They are the greatest bunch of people in the world, because they really do care about YOU and ME. That is why I am still here, because I am still here. God loves you, and so do I, and there is nothing you can do about it. Sanders & Little Fella sanders@wfeca.net
Member: Sanders Watford DOS 9-6-75
Location: Graceville, oysterland, FL.
Date: February 05, 2003
Time: 10:56 PM
Hi All Y'all, I am very definitely a real alcoholic, and my name is Sanders. When I first tried to stop drinking I did so with a bottle in the cabinet to "prove" I could do it. When I proved I could do it, I drank it. the most precious thing I have today is my sobriety and I will do everything I can to protect it. I have read the part in the big book where it says we can go to a bar if we have good reason too and are in good spiritual condition. That was my words and exactly as stated in the BB. Today I can and will go into a bar or any other place where booze is, however I have not found a good reason to do so in my 27 years of one day at a timing it. Now sometimes I'm eating in a restaurant, and look over an a person is drinking a beer, and it does not bother me, but I don't go in places that serve it because they serve it. I go in to eat. I no longer think about drinking and I no longer think about not drinking. It has simply been removed for me, and for that I am very grateful. I still go to 4 to 6 meetings a week because I KNOW how important they are. When I don't go regularly, I get "scattered and splattered", and I don't like that feeling. Today, I don't have any people who I really consider friends who drink. Most of my friends are my "family" in AA. They are the greatest bunch of people in the world, because they really do care about YOU and ME. That is why I am still here, because I am still here. God loves you, and so do I, and there is nothing you can do about it. Sanders & Little Fella sanders@wfeca.net
Member: Diane T.
Location: Alabama
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 12:26 AM
Diane, alcoholic. Early in sobriety, I wouldn't even go down the beer/wine aisle at the grocery store, much less go into a bar. I knew I couldn't trust myself. My sponsor pointed out that the book says we can go anywhere if we're spiritually fit. She defined 'spiritually fit' as actively working the 12 steps daily. If I hadn't done a fearless moral inventory, a 5th step, made amends, daily prayer and meditation - I better check my motives. I can't control what other people think, say, do or drink; but I can work my own program. This is a progressive, fatal disease that will kill your a**. Like I've heard, if you keep going to the barbershop, sooner or later you will get a haircut. Keep it simple. Don't pick up the first drink.
Member: Kathy P.
Location: Mass
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 07:58 AM
Kathy P. alcoholic here. I'm also back after slipping up off and on for the past two weeks. I can really relate to the feeling some of you expressed about it being a bad dream that you cannot wake up from. That is exactly how I felt. I am sober 3 days now however and very grateful to be back on track. I still have not gone to a meeting yet like I intended, still too scared to go and making excuses, but I know this is a step I need to take soon. After nearly 12 weeks of sobriety I noticed a lot of emotions surfacing that I could not deal with. The next time that happens I need a network of people to talk to instead of just letting it all get to me an lapsing again. As far as "wet places" go, I have no problem staying out of them as I don't go out much anyway. My problem is having a spouse who drinks so there is always alcohol in the house. This is my "wet place" in other words. That is something I need support with in order to deal with too. Thank you for all your shares, it really helps to read about others who are going through the same thing.
Member: connies
Location: tennessee
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 08:55 AM
Connie here, thanks for the supportive words. I also feel like a looser and am very ashamed. We're, I know it's not the AA way, but I do regret the past and I do wish to shut the door on it, I can't though. My uncle passed away last night, bless his heart, he was one of my favorite relatives, we shared this disease but it's not what killed him, Thank God. I got up this am, thanked God for another day sober, one is a miracle for me and prayed He'd keep me from temptation today. All I've got is today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is a promisory (sp?) note. Thanks for listening.
Member: mark f
Location: Pa.
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 02:32 PM
Mark F here, grateful recovering alcoholic.Not for nuthing but in my experiance, the thing that helps the most in my struggle for sanity, is the opportunity to share my twisted thoughts and views, with other suffering alcoholics. What a great comfort in knowing that others feel,and think some of the same things i do. I thank god for the fellowship and all its members. without help I could not recover. Alone and left to myself briught me nothing but misery and pain. One day at a time works,with the help of my new friends.
Member: mark f
Location: Pa.
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 02:33 PM
Mark F here, grateful recovering alcoholic.Not for nuthing but in my experiance, the thing that helps the most in my struggle for sanity, is the opportunity to share my twisted thoughts and views, with other suffering alcoholics. What a great comfort in knowing that others feel,and think some of the same things i do. I thank god for the fellowship and all its members. without help I could not recover. Alone and left to myself briught me nothing but misery and pain. One day at a time works,with the help of my new friends.
Member: Joe P
Location: Chicago
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 03:13 PM
My name is Joe, and I am an alcoholic. Several referred to the passage in the BB that refers to being around alcohol. Those pages tell us to look at our motivations for going places where alcohol is served. For me, in early sobriety, I really didn’t have a clue about my motivations; I learned how to better examine my motivation in Steps 4-12. Testing ourselves around alcohol is simply testing our willpower. If you are needing to test your willpower, then you are probably missing the point in the First Step – We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our live had become unmanageable. Read the part in italics on page 24 of the BB. If we have accepted as fact that we are powerless over alcohol, we already know that we will fail any test of our power over alcohol. Joe – email: joep041699@mindspring.com
Member: Marla S
Location: NC
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 06:18 PM
Hi Iam an Alcholic named Marla. Iam 37 days sober.I could not go to a meeting tonight and Iam excited to have found this site. I was in a treatment center for 28 days, went back to the house I was living in to collect my things. (I was moving) and on the kitchen counter there was my favorite wine. Opened the freezer- liquor and in the frig my favorite beer. I shut the doors and left the kitchen. Thinking that could never be enough to quench my thirst. Iam thankful for AA, my new family and the new life that I can live one day at a time!
Member: Kelsey C.
Location: Pacific NW
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 10:19 PM
Hi my name is Kelsey. I have been sober for 65 days now. Being sober for this long feels really good, for a while things weren't going too well, and I really hated sobriety (the pains and the nightmares mainly), but now I feel great and things are really starting to work out. If there is anyone who is really having a hard time, just keep yer chin up, things DO get better the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter every day and I already can feel its warmth. Thanks for listening.
Member: Lisa K
Location: farmington hills, Mi
Date: February 06, 2003
Time: 11:22 PM
Hi Everybody! I'm Lisa and a very grateful recovering alcoholic.Glad to be sober for 68 days!! alot of good things said here. this is my second time around in the program, but thanks to all of you and my HP I dont have the desire to drink today.One day is all we have! glad to see some people make it back to the program,I know for me its the only thing that works. I have tried it all and Thank God this is a WE program because its been proven I cant do it alone! Keep coming back this program DOES WORK if ya work it.I got a really good sponsor this time around and a recovering therapist(damn shes tough!) and a home group as well! my therapist said without those two things I was homeless and working with an idiot!!! how true that is.I love this fellowship, Its the only place I've ever really fit in. Thanks for being here and letting me share**** Lisa
Member: Mat T
Location: Germany
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 12:43 AM
Mat here..slipped the other night after 15 days sober. Back on day 3. This has been going on for years. I go for months at a time then slip again. Rough with all the Wet PLaces here in Germany. Plus all my spouses friends drink. Anytime we go there to watch soccer or for birthdays or any other event, there is always alcohol involved. They all know I don't drink very often and don't push like they used to. That helps. (Kathy P.) Glad you are back on track, just keep trying..it gets easier. (Tracy V. England) Where are you? Last time I heard from you, you had 9 days and I had 7. Are you OK? Good luck to everyone and keep up the good posts. Thanks for listening.......
Member: Jackie
Location: England
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 06:53 AM
Hi Kelly, Meg and Melanie thanks for the advice.This is a great site, I can relate to most people on it. Holly I know what it's like to feel you're missing out, I was told in Treatment to "Play The Tape" Basically that means think of your worst drunk or the reality of how "social" nights ended, I thought I was a real party animal but could never remember the night before- not much fun for me! I now have great friends in AA and am lucky to be in an area where social events are organised. I'll never forget getting up to dance at my first Living Sober disco, kept saying "let me have another coffee first" now I love it and have a great time with sober people.I think I'm going to have to get out of my relationship, it's just too painful to contemplate at the moment. Thanks everyone for being here for me, keep coming back!
Member: Tracy
Location: England
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 09:30 AM
Hi ((MAT)) I am sober 21 days I don't always crave a drink but i am often wanting to find somewhere to go to hide myself when i finally start admitting the truth to myself it hurts sober but thats the way i expect. Social event's with your friends, that's how it was with me when ever football was on (arsenal LOL) i would see it as a great excuse to get drunk and thought what a great relationship i had with all my drinking mate's but i have begun to see it differently now they aren't friends and i wouldn't be interested really in there company without drink so at the moment i have stopped socialisng with them because they weren't doing me any good and i sure weren;t doing them anygood. Well take care ((mat)) and stay in touch. tracy.v@ntlworld.com
Member: jane r
Location:
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 10:41 AM
I'm a mess. The longest I've gone without a drink (over the past 5 years) has been 4 days. Then I think I've beat this demon and I'll just have a glass of wine, or two. Last night my husband was out of town, so I'm home alone with the kids. I made an excuse to go to the store knowing I was just going to get a bottle of wine...bought two...drank two. I can't remember much about last night, know I made some calls to friends, can't remember what about. I'm so sick of myself and how weak I am. I feel powerless. How can I make it through this? HELP?!?!
Member: Kim C
Location: BC, Canada(bc_girl@mail.com)
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 12:20 PM
Good morning ((ALL)) Well I have made it to day 44, with a LOT of help from this site, the people here, their support and my sponsor. I am a grateful alcoholic, learning a day at a time to work the Steps. jane r...please know you are not alone, in actions or the ways you are feeling. If you want to stay sober, call a local AA number for where you are, and ask for help. Ask if their is a meeting, or someone there you could talk to. Please keep coming back here, you will find a LOT of support, I know I do. You can do this one minute at a time....just tell yourself you won't drink....TODAY...and don't pick up that first drink. Come here...post....call AA....call a friend...keep busy. Please keep us up to date....there is a way out of the insanity of drinking. MUCh love and peace, thank you ALL for being a part of what is keeping me sober, TODAY Kim
Member: Kim C
Location: BC, Canada(bc_girl@mail.com)
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 12:23 PM
Good morning ((ALL)) Well I have made it to day 44, with a LOT of help from this site, the people here, their support and my sponsor. I am a grateful alcoholic, learning a day at a time to work the Steps. jane r...please know you are not alone, in actions or the ways you are feeling. If you want to stay sober, call a local AA number for where you are, and ask for help. Ask if their is a meeting, or someone there you could talk to. Please keep coming back here, you will find a LOT of support, I know I do. You can do this one minute at a time....just tell yourself you won't drink....TODAY...and don't pick up that first drink. Come here...post....call AA....call a friend...keep busy. Please keep us up to date....there is a way out of the insanity of drinking. MUCh love and peace, thank you ALL for being a part of what is keeping me sober, TODAY Kim
Member: Pat H.
Location: Labrador Straits patfish@hotmail.com
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 02:44 PM
Having a great week. Just wanted to pass on a quick message of gratitude. Thanks to the Grace of God, a sponsor in which the 12 stpes are carved in his life & a lot of hard work, the 12 promises are happening. I guess as it states in the BB, they will always materialize if we work for them.
Member: Colin A
Location: Tennessee
Date: February 07, 2003
Time: 10:12 PM
Hi, I'm Colin an Alcoholic, for me i found that those friends didn't last when I stopped drinking. they stopped calling and coming around. the last time I went to a gathering I got so drunk I was drink ing everbodys leftovers. Now I find I stay around my sober frineds the one left from the praticing days can take it or leave it and supports me. it seems that the one thing I haven't even noticed till now is I go to eating places that don't serve alcohol and wow thats a change. thank ya'll for having a place to help me make it one day at a time.
Member: meg
Location: central ohio
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 12:20 AM
meg here an alcoholic. thanks to all of you who post here. you all have been a great resouce for me to draw on. i've been reading your advice, toubles, and all, i can tell you that a lot of it rings true. i have been going to a lot of meetings since i began sobriety for my second time. i have been sober since jan 1. i repect all of you who have the will will power to give aa, and yourself another try. in a meeting tonight a woman who had 11 plus years in aa come to our group.she expained all of her past experiences with aa. she was very active, mega service work for this time. this was her first meeting since she went back out. how long? not sure but her emotional response to having come back was powerful. the love and support that went through this meeting was immense. her message..."I don't want to be where i was before i found aa the first time. i don't have to hit the same bottom as before. i want to live." the majority cried with her. the meeting ran over by 30 min. nobody left until the meeting was over, most staid late, which doesn't happen often on friday night meetings. shows the power and love that you can find in aa. oh by the way she was from out of town. jane r. my prayers for you. peace to us all. meg
Member: Landscape Ray
Location: Scotland
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 05:52 AM
((((Jane R)))) Get on the phone to A.A. find out about meets "cant do this yourself! try and go and you will find people who have been were you have," what have you got to lose" if you keep drinking you will lose everything! so get to meets Jane and the best of luck. regards RAY
Member: Tracy
Location: England
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 06:17 AM
((Jane R)) Sick and tired of sick and tired thats what drove me to AA 3wks ago believe me to drag my butt down there shaking dry heaving voice's in my head thoughts of suicide were all gone once i came out of there i was floating along with my head held high please please go. tracy.v@ntlworld.com
Member: Tracy
Location: England
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 06:17 AM
((Jane R)) Sick and tired of sick and tired thats what drove me to AA 3wks ago believe me to drag my butt down there shaking dry heaving voice's in my head thoughts of suicide were all gone once i came out of there i was floating along with my head held high please please go. tracy.v@ntlworld.com
Member: CC
Location:
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 01:22 PM
Why am I unable to find a local AA meeting here? I am in New London New Hamshire.
Member: Robin A
Location: Florida
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 02:08 PM
Try this CC: NEW HAMPSHIRE AREA SERVICE OFFICE 1330 HOOKSETT ROAD HOOKSETT NH 03106 603 622-6967 24 HOUR HOT LINE STATE WIDE 1-800-593-3330 E-mail: office@nhaa.mv.com http://www.nhaa.net GREATER NASHUA AREA ANSWERING SERVICESNASHUA NH 03016 1-603 882-2259 LEBANON/HANOVER DIST ANSWERING SERVICESLEBANON NY 03102(603) 448-6655
Member: Even
Location: better!
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 02:11 PM
http://www.mv.com/ipusers/nhaa/towns/NewLondon.html
Member: aj
Location: ma
Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 07:39 PM
I can't remember the topic now, but I have no one to share this with, so it will be all of you guys. I am drinking tonight after 8 months of sobriety. At one time I had 13 years of sobriety. The 8 months I got were hard fought. I'm 33 and feel like it is all useless. When I am sober I am miserable, when I am drunk I eventually create total chaos. That's not ok when you have 3 kids and a husband who is also trying to be sober. I plan to lie as long as I can, b/c I don't want to influence my husband's sobriety. But it's only a matter of time. I feel like AA doesn't work and I know this is taboo to say, but I'm past pleasing everybody. You'd never know any of this looking at me. Someone told me at a meeting recently that "I don't look like an alkie'. I said, "you should see me drunk."
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: February 09, 2003
Time: 01:41 AM
Hi Aj, I just thought I would check in and saw your post. I'm sorry your having such a hard time after so many years sober. I'm back with almost 5 months in AA. I only had 6 months 6 years ago and then went out and slowly lost almost everything including myself and my health slowly. I did not get the program last time and wanted like we all do to believe that we can still drink. I did not want to spend the rest of my life in meetings and in AA. I had no idea just how bad it would get drinking and how much I would lose. This time around I have the gift of desperation. I never want to go back there, I nearly died. I gave up the hope I would ever be able to stop drinking and then drinking took over me. Try being a wife and raising kids or working when your always drunk. First you lose your husband, then they take away your children, then you lose your job and have no money. It just gets worse. You already know all this of course with many years in AA but I thought you might need to hear it again from another alcoholic. Keep coming back and God Bless. Kelly
Member: insane
Location: insanity hall
Date: February 09, 2003
Time: 04:19 AM
((aj)) please don't do it go to AA now
Member: Carrie B
Location: NH
Date: February 09, 2003
Time: 06:43 AM
Kelley you can use me if you need to talk with some one. Walking NH @aol.com. I live in NH. I was able to find locel meetings so that you all. Now the hardest step to walk into one for the first time. I have noexcuse not to except for my shame.