Member: Patricia M
Location: Baldwin
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 06:39 AM
Member: Cindy
Location: slow
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 06:49 AM
go slow take one step at a time
Member: Roberta
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 08:30 AM
I know that this has nothing to do with the topic, but I have a question. Did you quit drinking the day after something bad happened or did you set a date? I have done the morning after the day before and it hasn't worked, so this time I have set a date. I am going to quit drinking Sept. 1st. I have talked to my husband about this and I have suggested that he too give it a long hard thought and do something quickly before we are both ill or even worse dead. This is how I quiet smoking 4 1/2 years ago - set a date and quit, but there again too were many times I would try to quit on a whim and it didn't work, but setting a date did and the fact that my husband got ill from smoking - he is fine now except like me the drinking continues. I guess I am wondering too how you got to the point to say to hell with this "I QUIT" and then followed through with it. Thanks your your thoughts and insigt.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 08:49 AM
ROBERTA~ You will quit when it hurts to much and only you know when that happens.
Member: Kay
Location: Florida
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 12:24 PM
Roberta ~ I set dates a hundred times and it never worked. The only thing that worked for me was hitting bottom. I woke up the next day and I was just heart broken and I did step one that morning. I knew I was powerless over alcohol and my life had become unmanageable. It was the worst day of my life.
Member: been there
Location: dont want to go back
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 01:52 PM
I tried to quit drinking on my own several times only to drink again to calm the shakes or stop the way I was feeling.It came down to the point of hitting bottom.The amount that I was drinking wouldnt allow me to simply quit.I needed hospital treatment to keep me from going into shock and possibly dying then it was off to a rehab center followed by counceling.It seems extreme and sounds dramatic but often times hitting bottom has to be the only way its going to happen.Having family and friends for support is a big help.Planning a day or time in the future doesnt sound like a very good strategy.If you want to quit then quit.I doubt putting it off for another day will work.I wish you the best of luck.
Member: Diane
Location: Oklahoma
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 03:23 PM
I quit drinking to help my health and show a good example to my Son. For how can I expect him to stay drug free when his Mom got drunk every night after Nine I did not hurt no one and I did not get arrested or hit bottom I just prayed about it. My Face swelled up like a ballon when I drank. Now my glasses are loose fitting but before it made dents in my face. I like how I now look and feel and that is what keeps me from going back to drinking. I see my Son now and he drinks beer and his face also swells and he is a nice looking Man but the swelled up face don't look good....I guess I have many reason I stop drinking but mostly my health and I like it when I have to handle something and don't have to worry that I'll act a fool because of being drunk. talking about steps these are the steps and with much prayer that keeps me sober
Member: Diane
Location: Oklahoma
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 03:26 PM
forgot to say day 145 sober almost 5 months
Member: AZbill
Location: az-bill@mindspring.com
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 04:47 PM
HI All, Bill here alcoholic from Arizona. If you have decided to use the AA program then get a copy of our Big Book, "Alcoholics Anonymous" Start with the preface and work you way through until you reach page 164. It is best to work it with someone who has been there before you, but not totally necessary. My first attempt was when I was 7 days in, and the one that helped me only had one day. But he believed that it would work and I did not. He had something I wanted. Trust and faith. I would not recommend that you get into a lot of other books at first. (That includes the 12x12.. you can get into that later) Most of them are for advanced reading and we really need basics to get a good foundation. I will pass on what nearly every sponsor I have had has passed on to me. In the beginning check everything that you are told to do against the big book. If it is in there then you should do it. If it is not then do it ...or don't do it as you see fit. Take care. Love you Bill
Member: Shari
Location: West Coast
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 05:13 PM
Shari alcoholic. How do you keep from not beating yourself up after a drunk night and a horrible hangover? I wish so much that I could have 5 months(Diane) I promised myself that August would be a sober month, boy! talk about breaking promises. I feel like a failure. I can go for 3 or 4 days then look out. I hate that part because if I got drunk every night this disease wouldn't be so cunning. Instead after 3 or 4 days I say, ok. your alright, go ahead and have a drink. so who poured me into bed last night? It's the remorse that gets me the most. Does anyone else feel like this?
Member: Trip O
Location: Luxembourg
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 06:17 PM
Trip Alcoholic, yes "cunning baffling and powerful" I had about four years sober and then moved from California to Luxembourg a tiny boring country in Europe. I drank like a gentleman for for a few months; no problems - well so I told myself. Then BAM - arests; drugs; missing work; money thrown into it all or hustled from me. I've got 11 days now, went to a meeting in Paris. I know where Sherry's coming from - the disease that tells me I don't have a disease: no more I surrender.
Member: yvette M
Location: N.Y
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 06:34 PM
Whatever you do,don't give up.Cunning,baffling and powerful,thats the discription of the disease.I went for years clinging to shame as if it belonged to me.Then I took a long look at myself and the damage I've done.now I live in the solution,not the problem.
Member: L-RAY
Location: SCOTLAND
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 06:41 PM
I got a sponser and he guided me through the program , i wanted what he had and to-day i sponser,bringing the steps into my life made it easier to stay sober! i to used to say when im forty ill stop! but i stopped at 34 and to-day at 51 i think i made the right choice! Regards L-RAY
Member: Diane
Location: Oklahoma
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 07:55 PM
Believe me Shari I understand your frustration for I also start to think why can't I have a drink. But I know if I do I will get right back where I had started so I have to fight the craving to drink late at night. Right now I am craving a smoke I also stop smoking but still doing the nicotine gum which is not as good as a cig but I don't want cancer or my face all wrinkled around the lips from puffing on a cig so I am trying hard to not go out and buy any cigs, I think I will go for a walk that always makes me breath deep and helps both to not drink and not smoke
Member: The peanut gallery
Location:
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 09:38 PM
Smoking packs and packs of cig's, and drinking pots and pots of caffeine and claiming sobriety"..<<okay then>>... is a person truly 'sober' when acting this way?... pumped on caffiene and nicotine, but not drinking. . well i say there is one big difference.. and that is, that the severity of the affects of the caf and cig's are far less, and far less likely to produce homicides, driving suspensions, liver failures at an early age.. and so on. as for claiming "sobriety".. i would say no... an individual should not consider himself of "sober thought' sober mind' and especially not of "sober actions".. when behaving in an addictive maner, to the point of life jepordizing consequences... but hey!... you gotta start somewhere no?
Member: Pam B - Sobergirl91 at hotmail.com
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 10:24 PM
Hi - I'm Pam, an alcoholic & anytime I decided to quit drinking & managed to stop for a time - I always drank again. I have been sober now since 11/18/91 because I did NOT "quit" - I Surrendered. I don't know about anyone else here but I am an alcoholic. That means I did not have the power to quit - I had to Surrender to the Power Greater than the total power that the alcohol held over me - that is Step 1 for a start at trying out the 12 Steps >>>>>>>> (((Diane)))) every day you are making it thru a hard time to not drink - or thinking of drinking. You are 'white knuckling it' & you do not have to put yourself thru that torment. Going to f2f mtgs & working w/a sponsor to pass on how the BB/Steps works for us to learn how to serenely live life on life's terms without any thought nor desire for a drink one day at a time IS the easier softer way >>>>>> Anyone who wants to recover from that seemingly hopeless state of mind & body that has to keep drinking - Honesty Open-mindedness & Willingness is the HOW of How It Works - go to f2f mtgs in your local area & just follow the suggestions you hear & learn there. Just do it. Thanks for being here. Pam
Member: Marco
Location: New Mexico
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 11:13 PM
Hola, Peanut Gallery. You are absolutely correct when you observe that people, AA or otherwise, who smoke have zero sobriety. You're still an addict, just subsitute 'nicotine addict' for 'alcohol addict.' But, it's all the same. If you can't get through a week, much less a day, without a fix of your drug(s) of choice, you're not clean and sober. Good point. I will take issue, respectively of course, with your assertion that cigarettes are less harmful than alcohol. Tobacco kills over five times the number of people alcohol kills. Also, while some 8,000 innocent people are killed by drunk drivers each year, some 100,000 innocent people are killed by smokers, not to mention the millions of children who suffer child abuse by involuntary exposure to toxic smoke. Further, while alcohol certainly causes liver disease, so does nicotine, since it is also a poison. Additionally, tobacco causes heart disease, stroke, diabetes, all forms of cancer, and, for you men, impotence. So, if you're quitting drinking, or a long time AA member, and are still smoking or using other forms of tobacco, remember that 'half measures availed us nothing.' Give it 100% and get 100% clean and sober. For those of you, like Diane from Oklahoma, who recognize the problem of dual addiction and are doing something about it, keep up the good work!!! My prayers will be with you. Buenos noches all.
Member: Diane
Location: Oklahoma
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 11:15 PM
ok Pam but what is the difference in a meeting and me doing it on my own??? I pray and God answers my prayers I don't drink. So you can tell me honestly that you never white nuckle it as you say??? Because of a meeting? I have a meeting with my God each day and I don't white nuckle it but I will admit I am a alcoholic which means that I don't take the first drink then I don't get drunk right. I don't see how a F2F meeting is any different then a online one except of course no one can go out and tell everyone that I have this problem. I think meetings are good for a lot of people but not for me. I intend to stay sober with God's help not trying to be rude or anything but it is working for me the way I'm doing it. Right now what I want is a cig but like The peanut gallery said smoking is also a addiction as is many other bad habits we all try to conquer I've been told by my family that once I make my mind up I stick with what I go after, anyway had a good day but drinking still hides out trying to drag us back in. I think it the Devils tool to drag us down and I will not except it so I say get behind me Satan and he leaves me alone till the next time he tries to pull me down
Member: jj
Location:
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 11:53 PM
Help i am starting a relapse after a year plus. It started w/two beers and then wine, now liquor, not even my drink of choice. i can not make a meeting for several days. this is not the way i want to do it. i can only say that no one will know accept me. how do i hold myself responsible when i am the only one who can keep myself sober? i mean how can i keep myself sober when the only one i have to answer to is myself. no one knows as i am able to be by myself when it comes to drinking. this will not last long. i just need to share since i can't get to a meeting for some time.
Member: Diane
Location: Oklahoma
Date: August 17, 2003
Time: 11:55 PM
thanks Marco I needed to hear or read what you wrote about cigs especially today it's been a fight but I did not break down and buy any now if I could get off this bad nicotine gums I would be happy you know nicotine is used to kill bugs is what I've read but I know it is not as bad as my smoking was cause I don't cough anymore and I feel 100 percent better
Member: Marco
Location: New Mexico
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 12:11 AM
Hola, Oklahoma Diane. You're smarter than the average bear (a la Yogi Bear) if you are aware that nicotine is used as a pesticide. You can buy cigarettes at the store, but you have to have a special pest control license to buy liquid nicotine since it is such a powerful poison (one drop of pure nicotine on a person's tongue and she/he will die in less than a minute). From an addiction standpoint, alcohol and nicotine are cross-addicting. Look at the people who only smoke when they are drinking for example. One increases the desire for the other. So, you're doing well to quit both at once. You are right when you observe that alcohol addiction, nicotine addiction, all drug addictions are Satan's way of taking us away from our Father. By your comments, I know you are a child of God and a friend of Jesus. Our Father and the Son of God are with you always. Put all your faith and trust in Them. Stay strong. I will be praying for you.
Member: Gage
Location: La
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 12:16 AM
I'm Gage and I'm an alcoholic. Take the Steps. You'll feel better.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 02:08 AM
you can try but I see nobody here going to make it can't you tell just read these comments good see you it hell
Member: Kay
Location: Florida
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 02:14 AM
Hi, I forgot to introduce myself earlier when I posted. I'm Kay, Day 36. Diane ~ have you ever been to a face to face meeting? The reason I ask is because you said that you don't see a difference. But I go to face to face meetings and they are a world of difference from this online stuff. Pam is right. There is an easier, softer way -- and you will find that easier, softer way in face to face meetings. I know God is helping you, but consider the meeting a bonus. There is alot of support and fellowship there. It has really helped to ease my cravings.
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 02:20 AM
Jane C..an alcoholic the first time I picked up the drink..Marco..I agaree 100% about the smoking addiction..I never had that one..I never smoked, and I consider myself blessed not to have 2 addictions to fight..I've seen people in AA meetings who also never smoked..pick up the cigarette and run with it.. replacing one addiction and disease for another..I asked myself Why? Where was the sense in that?..I also think you're right about one thing settbng the craving for the other.. My BF drinks rarely and recently quit smoking, but he says if he feels like a drink..he also wants the cigarette..I relalpsed after a lot of years in sobriety,.I repeat this a lot for some who don't know it..I think It's important for others to know that you can get back on track..my new sobriety date was July 14, 2003..I reached a bit over a month as I did the first time, by not taking the first drink..I truly believe that this site has really done it so far for me..I picked up the drink in early 2000..with my husbands dying of cancer..too much stress and lonlinesss taking care of him..but it was what we both wanted..and something I learned about myself..you really can do most anything when you are backed against the wall..there was no one to help.. we were pretty much on our own..but when it got to be too much I started with one glass of wine at night and that went on for a while, then it was two glasses and by the time he died I was hiding the wine bottles so that no one would know how much I drank..they thought it was a glass or two in their company..they didn't know that I was doing it alone..and it was SOOOOOOOOO hard to keep it under control when I wanted to really run with it..soo I'm kind of back to AA and working on the willingness to get to a f2f meeting, hopefully soon...I'm still a little too anxious..I need to feel in control a lot more than I am now.. Someone on this site asked if we could share some of our story..I guess this is a bit of mine..mostly on how I started up again and how I finally turned this disease over to the care of God our Holy Father.. We Can't do this thing without God, some input from other alcoholics, and AA..they all work together..I only have to remind myself of the shame and how much I failed myself every time I picked up the drink.. until I found this site I couldn't get past 4 or 5 days at a time..and I still have a long way to go to get back where I was..and to have some kind of safe feeling..I'm not fooling myself..especially after my relapse or slip..it's working one day at a time by just really keeping it simple..I don't tske the first drink..I really love you all..all the posts here give me so mush..May God watch over us all and keep us sober another day..I'm Grateful for all the Grace He's given me..May His Grace be with us all...
Member: smoker
Location: death row
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 04:31 AM
thanks forget about the drink smoking going to kill me why quit drinking I'm just going to die from smoking the hell with all
Member: pat c
Location: va.
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:53 AM
hi pat alcoholic i,m just trying to make it thru each day w/o a drink. it seems the harder i try the more i get in the way. i relapsed yesterday the weekends are tough. here lately my longest stretch of sobriety is 12 days. how do i get over the hump. also i can't seem to allow myself to open up at meetings and tell how i feel.
Member: carlene
Location:
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 08:12 AM
hi..i'm carlene alcoholic. i've struggled for years..going back even 29 years i knew i was an alcoholic but i didn't know what to do. to be "branded" an alcoholic was too scarey so i just tried to quit once in a while, trying setting a date for a certain day, month or even year. none of it worked. i even went to rehab...got a year...got me 1st cake...went home and smoked a joint. my sobriety was over buti continues to go to meetings...even took a two year cake dispite the truth i had been drinking again. no one knew. that went on for 7 years. this past christmas i overindulged and then i knew it was over. my husband said we had to sell the house, get a divorce and all that goes with that. man...it freaked me out. i started going to meetings, got my 1st sponsor, went through all the humility started the steps. i still wasn't reasy. july 25th it was over again. i've been sober since july 26 but i changed my sobriety date to 8/2. i decided i wanted to have my date the day i honestly and fully surrendered. i go to meetings everyday..they are all sharing meetings which have been a godsend for me. i now have 17 days and with god's help tomorrow i will have 18. thank you for letting me share.
Member: Roberta
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 08:16 AM
Thanks for all your comments about setting a date to quit drinking. Shari I know exactly where you are coming from as I am in the same place. I do well for a few days, but the weekend comes along and all resolutions are out the window and the bottle wins again. I figured that if I set a date to quit that I may have a better chance to gear up and prepare for the quit. I did it that way with smoking cigarettes and it worked. I usually decide I will never drink again after a really bad night, but it has never lasted more than two months and I am back at it again. It is also really hard to stop when you have someone in the house is still using and doesn't see the slightest problem at all with our drinking patterens. He use to drink just beer, now he has been adding shots of vodkah to the mix for the past year. Booze killed his father, but that can't be true he was a good family man and well liked in the community. Drunks are only out there on the street and end up in the mental ward before they are really alcoholics. That is the world according to my husband! I know personally I cannot take this life style anymore. I was thinking about it last night and we are both a couple of losers with two really terrific kids living a life of nothingness. Right now I still have my date set for Sept. 1st. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I get the impression that no one here set a date, quit and was successful. I don't know what my rock bottom is, I only know that if that is the way I have to go it has better be coming up on me quickly.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 10:46 AM
Hi All, The Twelve Steps are a spiritual program of recovery. They are on page 59 of the Big Book. Step One is the one I have to get right every day. I am POWERLESS over alcohol and my life has become unmanageable. Even sober my life can be unmanageable if I give in to stinking thinking, (alcoholic thinking)... I can't do it on my own, INTERNAL MESSAGES...I deserve a little relaxation, Just one drink will make it better. etc. With the 12 Steps I have a program of living to follow to learn how to live sober and happily. It is not all about alcohol! Like the bible teaches me the 10 commandments and how Christ wanted us to live, the AA Steps teach me how to live a sober life. We can strive to be a better person everyday...perfect no, but try to be a healthy person. After drinking for so many years I THINK LIKE A DRUNK! There is much more to it than putting the drink down. Putting the drink down is the (First Step). I had the hope to come to believe that I was insane on the booze and there was an answer. That is all (Step 2) is, is a decision that there is a cure to this insanity. The most freeing thing that I did was make the decision, (Step 3). Made a decision to turn MY WILL AND MY LIFE OVER to the care of God as I understood him. My ways did not work, God has a plan for me and until I let go I will never know what that is. I SURRENDERED and then gave him my will. It was ok because in exchange for my will he gave me a peace no amount of booze could give me. (Step 4) is doing the inside job. This for me is letting go of all the crap. All the negative messages and resentments I have had over my life. This was removing my reason to drink over things and people that hurt me. It is putting pen to paper and making that long list. Step 5 is reading your list out loud to another person and God. (Step 6) is being ready to let God remove these defects of character. (Step 7) Is asking god to humbly remove our shortcomings. (Step 8) is making a list of all the people we harmed. (Step 9) is making amends or saying we are sorry to them all. (Step 10) is beginning to be aware of our defects as they happen and promply admitting them. (Step 11) is praying and meditating to our HP to keep our contact with him and asking his will for us daily. (Step 12) is having a spiritual awakening by doing these Steps and carrying the message to other alcoholics. It is giving back what we have received by helping another drunk. Right now I'm on Step 4 and and I have had a spiritual awakening already. In, The Promises, pg 83-84. it says, "If we are painstaking about this phase of our developement we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word Serenity and know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of self pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fufilled among us--- sometimes quickly sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them".- They work for me and I have already benefited by every single one of them by working the program of AA. If you are new and want this for yourself get a Big Book and work the Steps. The promises are coming true for me! Sorry so long but the Steps are key to living sober and happy. God Bless, Kelly
Member:
Location:
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 02:50 PM
Jane C..alcoholic here..( Kelly ). Thank You for the 12 step review and how you feel about them..it's good to have them in the BB, but it's also nice to have them put down by someone who is going through them right now..I'm on step 4 also but, I really don't know how far back to go this time..I know I have to possibly include some of my past sober years, because there were many times that my family frustrated me big time, mostly because they were enabling one of my sons to stay in his disease a lot easier..they wouldn't listen to the things I was told that just might help him..and I needed their support..looking back I never really had much support for anything from them..it was only my Dad that spoke up for me now and then, but his feelings never really mattered.and this was sad for me.. I think if I would just get myself dragged to a meeting, I'd be getting the help in knowing what I need to do.and when I get to step 5, I'll need some one to hear all my wrongs..there is alway a Priest, but it's not the same..and there is also my BF..but by now he knows most all anyway..and I don't think it's part of the program..and believe me, I'm not brainwashed..I know there are some folks who like to think that anyone in AA gets that way, but it's not true in most cases..I think most AA folks have lives outside of those rooms and talk about a lot of other interesting things...I think I'll check out the 12n12 meetings later.. but this is my favorite meeting.. the new people like myself..May God Grace us all with another sober day.. problems with them..
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 02:52 PM
Jane C. Alcoholic, again here..m post shot off accidently..I was finished, but I didn't sign in..
Member: Sober in AA
Location: has NOTHING to do with cigarettes & coffee
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 03:43 PM
heavy smokers relapse and/or have strokes from quitting cigarettes & drinking at same time. The body cannot handle going thru withdrawals for smoking till given time to recover from the alcohol-withdrawals (approx 18 mos)
Member:
Location:
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:05 PM
Member: Barry J.
Location: Chicago
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:16 PM
I left a detox center today after eight days treatment. I admitted myself voluntarily because of uncontrollable tremors. The experience was very uplifting and informative. Sharing with others face to face is inspiring, uplifting and confidence boosting. Setting a date, something I had done many times, is just putting off the commitment you need to make to attain abstinance. I am signed up with an out-patient program to help me continue my treatment. I have tried to do it myself but I haven't able to because the fellowship of meetings and a sponsor are what I need to keep me straight and honest about my addictive behavior.
Member: AZbill
Location: az-bill@mindspring.com
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:23 PM
HI. Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. I gotta have a bit of fun in life so here goes. I sat my last drink down about 3:00 pm 21 Aug 1981. I smoked my last cigarette at exactly 4:00 pm 25 May 1994. If that isn't confusing enough. On 25 May 1995 I developed cancer and had four to six months to live. I didn't die. I guess somedays I just can't do the right thing :) On Oct 4 at around 6 am I will turn 73. That is, of course, if I do not die from confusion. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Shall I subtract 13 years from my sobriety? Can I pick up two coins totaling 22 years? The only other option is to start drinking and smoking again and quit on the 4th of Oct and bring all these anniversary dates into line. No offense intended to anyone. Just some sick humor. LMAO. Take care all Love ya, Bill
Member: Sue P.
Location: Central Florida
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:31 PM
Hi Sue here. Alcoholic. I've been in and out of aa for many many years. You really have to want sobriety to be successful. One day at a time and don't beat yourself up if you don't make it at first. We are all human and the disease we are dealing with is more cuning than we could possibly imagine. I have many months now of sobriety and sometimes I have to fight to stay with it. Hang in there Pat C. Each day gets alittle better and the cravings strart in less frequencies. Thank your higher power for each day you have.Iwas were you are now just a few months ago.
Member: OH ITS MY DISEASE
Location: I DONT KNOW HOW THE BOOZE GETS IN MY BODY,I DONT HAVE A CLUE
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:51 PM
Choosing to drink is not a disease,it is simply a choice and a bad choice at that.Oh yes you may have a liver disease that was caused from drinking.YOU SHITHEADS KEEP SAY OH ITS MY DISEASE.YEAH DUMBASSITIS.
Member: For Kelly M.
Location: Totally recovered by simply not choosing to drink,was hard at first,but completed
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 05:59 PM
Kelly M.,Stick that BIG BOOK BULLSHIT where the sun dont shine.That is the biggest crock of crap since SANTA CLAUS.
Member: Jim N
Location: Az
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 06:12 PM
Question: am I an alcoholic? I quit two days ago for three reasons. 1. Most of the time that I drink I'm sure I am over the .08 blood alcohol limit and don't want to hurt anyone or get a DUI. 2. I'm on a medication that recommends not drinking because of increased risk of liver disease.3. I'm cheap...hey, $20 a day in a bar comes to $600 a month...thats a Lexus payment! So I decided to quit. I'm not having any problems and,basically, I'm kind of proud of myself. I've asked the Lord to help because I don't want to start again! Am I an alcoholic? Should I attend meetings? I've never been. Thanks
Member: HELL NO
Location: YOU DONT NEED AA
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 08:25 PM
Hell no Jim N.,you have done what has to be done and that is just dont pick up the poison and consume it.Perhaps you have just matured to the point where you are taking responsibility for your actions.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 08:58 PM
Go and get the fruits of aa its sweet the fruits of life. Little girl nobody wants your sour lemons you keep them along with thoughts
Member: SHAWN M.
Location: MASS
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 10:20 PM
hey folks,shawn here,(alcoholic)first off i would like to let all the negative folk know the can go piss off!as for me,well,i am not thrilled at all about having to resort to the fellowship of a/a to stay sober.but i do.i feel the steps are where the real recovery is at.although i fight with a few of them i still keep at it because thats how bad i want to be sober.had i not fought everything my whole life i probly would not be the way i am.an alcoholic struggling to be sober.sure drinking is a choice but i just have a hard time making a good choice.that goes for just about everything.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: August 18, 2003
Time: 11:12 PM
Hey Shawn, Good to hear from you! I can relate. My will got me in so many bad places. It is so much easier now that I am not struggling. Acceptance is the answer for me. I'M A DRUNK, LUSH and that's the way it is! I could not say that for a long time. Jim N, Wow, you had me beat on my daily drinking cost. I drank at home because I was cheap and still spent 15 dollars a day! It is great you could put it down and realize exactly what bothered you about it. Keep it up it gets a lot better. AZBill you cracked me up! I personally think you should go to your home group and pick up a white chip for not quitting smoking when you got sober because you were not really sober. You were just sober from alcohol... Shame on you!;) If we all had to have no addictions to be in AA it would be an aweful small meeting! My latest addiction is a cappachino/ raspberry twist on a sugar cone. I seem to crave one daily. There I feel better for telling on myself. My drug of choice has changed recently and the old one was almond joy sundaes with hot fudge. Men were a close second. These things though won't kill me or ruin my life like booze almost did. Welcome Barry and Sue, Good luck on outpatient Barry. You seem on the right track. I agree Sue we should not beat ourselves up but be proud of making it a day without a drink. Good advice Gage, it's working for me! Tomorrow I have a busy day moving so I'm off to bed. Hi, to Jane and Diane. Nitey Nite All, Kelly :)
Member: Kerry C
Location: TX(kerryctx@hotmail.com)
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 12:02 AM
Kerry here an alcoholic. Trying the Steps for me was my last hope. I had tried every means imaginable for about 20 years to control or stop drinking. I was already a believer in Christ so the God part didn't bother me. I had prayed many prayers over the years looking for deliverance from alcohol and the problems in my life caused by alcohol. It was only when I followed the prayers with action that I began to make progress. The Steps are designed to bring us closer to our higher power. Step 1 was easy enough. It was obvious by looking at my life that I was powerless over Budweiser and that Budweiser made my life unmanagable. Step 2 was also easy for me. God is all powerful so could restore me to sanity, because I was clearly insane to continue drinking with all the trouble alcohol had caused me. I just didn't believe He would. I Came to Believe He would when the obsession to drink was removed from me after about a month sober. Step 3 is also easy. It is just making a Decision. Step 4 is where the work begins. Now I have to take some action with a pen and paper and really look deep into myself. Step 5 reminds me of the biblical principle of Repentance. To confess our sins is just the beginning, we must change our behaviors as well. For if we continue our old behavior, we will be stuck in a loop at Steps 4&5. Steps 6&7 we are ready and ask God to change our behavior. Steps 8&9 figure out who we screwed over and make it right. Step 10 fix any new screw-ups immeadiately. Step 11 grow in our faith and understanding of God. Step 12 freely give what was freely given to us and live the steps in all parts of our lives not just at meetings or around other AAers. That's how I try to keep the steps simple in my life. Try it, you might like it; Never know until you try... :)
Member: to OH ITS MY DISEASE
Location: Jealous because you don't have it?
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 12:24 AM
If you don't drink simply because you choose to stop & have stayed not drinking (nor substituting w/other drugs) then you are NOT an alcoholic - so what are you doing in an AA Meeting website?
Member: HELP
Location:
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 12:34 AM
oh my gosh! I just got my first DWSC !!! (Driving While SMOKING CIGARETTES !!!) how will I ever face the shame????
Member: The Doctor Is In
Location: Minnesota
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 12:37 AM
Sober in AA says "heavy smokers relapse and/or have strokes from quitting cigarettes and drinking at the same time. The body cannot handle going through withdrawals from smoking till given time to recover from the alcohol-withdrawals (approx 18 mos)." This is absolutely contrary to accepted medical opinion. In fact, the opposite is true. The consensus in the medical community is that persons suffering from multiple drug addictions should quit ALL drugs at the same time. The abstinence from one drug while continuing the use of another drug is considered pseudo sobriety (false sobriety). It is a fairly common disorder. Sometimes it is seen in "hard" drug addicts (cocaine, heroin, et al) who continue to use alcohol as their substituted drug of choice. Most frequently, it is seen in both the "hard" drug addict and the alcoholic who mistakenly believes that is is permissible to continue to use tobacco. These patients wrongly believe that tobacco is less harmful than the "hard" drugs or alcohol. However, we see a significantly greater degree of death and disease caused by tobacco than by all other drugs, including alcohol, combined. The bottom line is that if you are addicted to tobacco (actually nicotine) in addition to alcohol, you need to stop immediately, regardless of how long you have been drinking or how long you have gone without drinking. It's not just a matter of having actual sobriety, it's a matter of life and death. I urge everyone still using tobacco products to use every available means to combat their addiction immediately.
Member: OH ITS MY DISEASE
Location: AND GOD HAS'NT TAKEN IT AWAY YET
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 08:26 AM
On this website trying to help you dumbasses to keep from picking up the poison without having to have a crutch.
Member: Kle-Che'
Location: DC
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 10:34 AM
Cheeze and RICE!!! I wanted to quit drinking but I didn't want to go to church too!! Pardon me for being insensitive to those who need a higher being to cope; but didn't you see Jodi Foster in Contact?? Hi. I'm not sure if I'm an alcoholic. I am 21 days sober now but only from alcohol. I burned one with a friend of mine (who doesn't drink) during the X-Games. I'm feeling a little guilt here and now wondering if it was some sort of surprise crutch. I've read the above comments and will keep reading each day in hopes of getting some support. Drinking for me wasn't really "a problem" until I got angry. Then I would pull an "I'll show them" and just get blasted. Once I had the responsibility of my career, wife and a couple of kids; I was angry every day. I was drunk everyday. I hit bottom 21 days ago when my wife was arrested during one of our domestic disputes. How was she arrested, you may ask?? I had only had 4 beers. The cops HAD to take someone to jail, it's the law and I was talking rationally. When my 9 year old saw her mother cuffed for spitting on me, it killed me. I HAD to do something. We are both in couseling now and dammit! I QUIT! I QUIT ! I QUIT all of this SH!T!! I wanna write more but I'm at work.
Member: to OH ITS MY DISEASE
Location:
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 11:13 AM
the only DUMBASS here is YOU. butt out
Member: Sue P.
Location: Central Florida
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 02:10 PM
I think the topic here is trying the twelve steps. I've admitted to mayself I am powerless over alcohol and moving on to try more steps. I I've been to AA meetings and find them very warm. The people seem to be serious. If you can't admitt that you are powerless over it then maybe you are not an alcoholic. Or maybe you are just in denial. If it is the first then maybe AA isn't for you because some of us have hit bottom and need some help, others just wish to stop with some help. Further yet we just wish for companionship from others who have wonderful insights on the issue. Thanks to all of you who are serious and know some peoples lives are on the line.
Member: Beto L
Location: Tampico, Mexico
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 04:09 PM
I started working the steps in my first week of sobriety, and I am still working them. I haven't had a drink since my first AA meeting, and that was in 1975. I have been sober now for more than half my life, and the steps are the guidelines that have helped me live happy, joyous, and free. I can't imagine that the negative comments I have read on this page have been made by happy people. I don't drink, I work the steps, and I smile and laugh a lot. Remember that steps 10, 11, and twelve were intended to be worked first. That's why they put them in the back. love and grins, Beto
Member: aa member
Location: real meeting
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 04:23 PM
To the little girl it's to bad your so sad it's good that you can show many of us that we do need AA. Just by the way you act we all know what you need is a padded room for you and your thoughts. A straight jacket just won't work on some people, you just continue to kick, scream,yell and bite. We all don't want what you have this is why we need to work the steps. We can see that you don't need a crutch so like you would say get you dumb ass back in the wheelchair so we can being you back to you padded room oh yeah as you would say "chip collecter." Just trying to help, don't be mad just get your dumb ass back in the chair and shut up and listen. I'll be back with your much needed medication. THANKS again
Member: AA MEMBER WILL MAKE AMENDS
Location: AND HEAD TO THE CHIP CONTROL ROOM FOR ANOTHER CHIP
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 05:18 PM
Can I have your old padded room AA MEMBER.Did they leave the lobotomy tools in the room or are they still stuck in your temple,you damn idiot.Now do your step work like a good culter and make direct amends for the harm that you have done.Come on let all the other culters see THE AA MEMBER IN ACTION.Come on your direct amend is my medication.Come on chip collector show everyone how you got all those chips or did you pull the wool over the fellow culters eyes,you know there is a lot of wool pulling in the cult world.You're not a real AA MEMBER,you are just a wannabe thats plain to see.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 05:24 PM
Why do people come on this site to bash it? When there are people sincerely reading these posts, listening to educate themselves from others who have answers and experience. Evidently people like that definitely have too much time on their hands; I know that I certainly don't.
Member: Geri W
Location: Ohio
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 05:57 PM
Welcome to all who have come here to ask for help or to offer your experience, strength and hope. I don't know if it did any of you any good, but it has helped me. Thank you. I was taught(by an old fashioned AA sponsor) to stay sober - she showed me how to work the steps of AA. She assisted me in getting to meetings, gave me phone list and most of all, cared that I was sober. Thanks, AA
Member: Stacy
Location: West Coast
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 06:06 PM
Stacy, alcoholic. The steps are the roadmap I use when I get "lost in my head". They lead me to safety. They remind me to keep it simple. When I'm going crazy in my head, I do steps 1, 2 and 3 and pray for God's will. This is saving me today. Have a good day!
Member: aa member
Location: rea meeting
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 06:21 PM
To the little girl we try to spread the word to the people that want help. People who will listen, people who want help. They have found it very hard to do themselves but sometimes it just doesn't work for everyone. They continue to want to drive wrecklessly flipping everybody off as they continue to drive. They do not care about themselves, and they do not care about anyone else either. So we try and help but they just don't want help. Sometimes they leave us not choice but to do a lombotimy, why because they continue to drive wrecklessly.They do not only hurt themselves but they continue to drive not caring about anyonelse so these people must be stopped. They just can't help themselves. Before they hurt someone we must take the keys. Now please get back on your bus and go to the back and sit your dumb ass down and listen. Don't even think you are going to drive the bus because you are too wreckless. Just sit down and take your medication. Thanks again
Member: FOR THE BRAINWASHED AA MEMBER
Location: WE OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES AND WE WILL PRAY THAT YOU GO TO CHURCH AND HAVE A REAL SPIRITUAL AWAKENING PARROT LADY
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 06:32 PM
AA MEMBER,Are you in the transportation industry,you are so full of bull,try that last post again,really start it over cause it sounded like a real shit for brains typed that.Oh hell yes I am the driver of this bus,I put the sponsors in the back but they dont like it back there, but it is where they belong.Get over it already AA MEMBER,where did youget the little girl crap from.I happen to be a 40 year old male in control of my future and that future does not include alcohol,smoke filled rooms or Bill Wilson's BIG BOOK OF BULLSHIT.Now member if you cant drive it is ok,tell your sponsor and he'll point you to the driver's ed department.Now go stuff it.You are soooooo boring with your thoughtless words of attack.Now you make direct amends right now before your sponsor finds out and takes some of your chips back.
Member: Miranda
Location: Vermont, USA
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 07:36 PM
I may not be the most authoritative on this topic. I have not formally been through all the steps yet. However the AA program does not demand that we go through the 12 steps. It does say "here are the steps we took which are suggested as a program of recovery". I have been working my way through the steps because it is suggested not because it is demanded. It's not going to hurt me to take a few suggestions. It is helpful to remember that there is no time limit on completing the steps and there is nothing to say you can't go through them over and over again if you want to. I drank from the time I was sixteen until I was forty-six, the last six or seven years I drank heavily every night. In January I will have been sober for two years. I have been happier since I quit drinking than I ever had been my whole life. I generally attend one meeting a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends on how I feel. When I was first sober I went to more but I never went to one every day. Trying to apply the twelve steps to my life has improved my life and the life of those that I love about a billion percent. I did not go to AA on my own, I was taken to my first meeting by a family member who is in the program who came over and found me drunk on my ass in my front yard one night. I kept going because....because I could not go on the way I was and because I could not stay stopped on my own. I tried that many times and it never worked for me. AA does work for me. That's my experience and I thank AA for it.
Member: Thomas L.
Location: former meeting attender
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 07:43 PM
Miranda,no doubt a person feels happier if they dont drink and get drunk.You have it nipped in the bud by realizing that.Nothing more need be said.
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 08:04 PM
Jane C..an alcoholic..FYI..I thought it would be OK here to pass on a report that I've heard more than once over the past few years.. ALcoholism Is a Disease..for all who don't believe it..The tests were done on college age men..all given the same amounts to drink..they found that there was a difference in the gene makeup between the ones that drank and still wanted more and the ones that were satisfied.... Could this be why the orientals don't usually end up alcoholics and the Indians do? The only thing I know for sure, is that the Indian population here in Alaska has the highest percentage of Alcoholic people of the Indian race...I can honestly say, that I don't know one that I've ever seen sober..if a whole race has this problem, do you think it is really a choice ? I really doubt it..another reason I believe that it really is a disease, My BF has only about one sixth Indian heritage, and he is totally afraid of alcohol..he says that when he has a couple of beers, he wants more..and I've seen him when he's had the MORE..he gets stupidly DRUNK, by that I mean..he gets funnier than normal..a lot funnier, he hasn't a mean bone in his body, but he's still afraid of drinking, so for the most part, he doesn't...I know that there are people who drink a lot that aren't alcoholic, but I know that I am one. If anyone thinks all of the above is BS..I really don't care..It's what I've read and heard..I'm not a Doctor..May God Bless us with anotoher sober day, in the brains of the ones that would
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 08:09 PM
Jane C..alcoholic..I need to remind myself..the last sentence in my last post doesn't belong there...
Member: mariab
Location: north florida
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 10:25 PM
(jj) I hope you are doing ok since your post on the 17th. I'm new to AA -- well, no, honestly, I'm new to sincerely working on making sobriety my biggest priority. I've had progress, not perfection. I'm going to meetings and participate in a closed on-line group. I don't care what the naysayers say about the Big Book--yes, it can be overdone and fanatized but what in human experience is ever perfect. All I know is my life is written in those pages, my fellow sufferers are in those rooms, the honesty is liberating, and if it will save my life, I'll try it. I believe in the success rate, it is really rather simple, isn't it? Hi to BillZ from Arizona, I love your posts old man, you hang in there, the world needs folks like you.
Member: buzzsaw
Location: detroit, michigan
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 11:15 PM
Miranda from Vermont ... just gave me more hope. Thank you. I am just starting the steps. Although I do not believe I have hit my bottom, thank the lord for that, I believe the steps make much sense as they resemble how "normal (or non-alcoholic)" people think and act. I mean understanding your wrongs, wanting to forgive yourself and remove the defects of your character, make amends to others, admit when your wrong, help others make perfect sense. Granted these are how I interrupt the steps, but either way I think normal sane people do these things, others, like us who live in a bottle do not. IMHO - Alcoholism makes one selfish, self-centered, and only concerned for the next drunk. I do not see that in the steps or in a "normal" life. I want a "normal" life ... I will try the steps. Thank you for letting me share.
Member: JP
Location: Ks.
Date: August 19, 2003
Time: 11:19 PM
Thomas L.---good for you Same for you Miranda, sounds like you may ready for the next step---disengaging from AA and integrating into the real world. God Bless you dear woman.
Member: For Jane C.
Location: IN THE DARK
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 01:03 AM
Jane C.,ok if you want to label yourself with demeaning names,go for it.Hell yes when I would drink 2 beers I would want another one too.That is not a disease it is simply craving another beer.Choosing to intoxicate yourself is not a disease it is a right that you are exercising.And oh hell yes when I eat 2 doughnuts I usually want 2 more.Diseases are categorized as a health condition that one cannot do anything about like cancer,aids and the list is a mile long and choosing to drink is not on the list.Do a little more research before you open that chatter box of yours.BECAUSE YOU ARE DEAD WRONG THIS TIME FOR SURE AND PROBABLY NEXT TIME TOO.A group of college kids come on Jane you can do better than that cant you,about 90% of college students drink excessively several times a week and will usually partake in any research to earn a few bucks.You sound like an avid NATIONAL ENQUIRER READER.
Member: KIMMESABE
Location: CONTINENTAL USA
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 01:07 AM
As long as it stays dark in Alaska that in itself would cause one to booze it.Sunlight brings happiness and dark brings depression.I be stocking up too.
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 02:47 AM
Jane C...an alcoholic..this is not a demeaning name...all I want is sobriety, and I'll work hard to get it and to keep it...I also never read the Enquirer or any other trash literature...can't waste time on all the new trash TV shows either..it's gotten so bad that about the only decent thing to watch is the Christian channel..up here, anyway.. even the and Country music station is beginning to go where it shouldn't.. Miranda (Vermont)..you sound like you have it together..the program is only for those who really want it..and taking the steps, though we are told we should, really is up to us and the kind of life we want...I feel like you do,.sobriety through AA can bring a lot of peace and happiness..looking back,I never really had a happy life. ..I thought I was OK for a long time, how can you be OK when you come from an abusive backround growing up and going into an abusive first marriage that should have ended years before it did..for all the abused women, and men too,they can be in abusive relationships too..Just GET OUT..it was my first move to having a better life..I thank God every day for being in my life and I pray he gives us all another sober day...God Bless all
Member:
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 06:58 AM
Meetings are such a bore,same old stuff everytime.God is not a sucker at all and you best not tempt him.The anonymous part is best ,it is part of the name for a reason.Names are not mandatory
Member: For Jane C.
Location: IN THE DARK
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 07:00 AM
Jane C.,ok if you want to label yourself with demeaning names,go for it.Hell yes when I would drink 2 beers I would want another one too.That is not a disease it is simply craving another beer.Choosing to intoxicate yourself is not a disease it is a right that you are exercising.And oh hell yes when I eat 2 doughnuts I usually want 2 more.Diseases are categorized as a health condition that one cannot do anything about like cancer,aids and the list is a mile long and choosing to drink is not on the list.Do a little more research before you open that chatter box of yours.BECAUSE YOU ARE DEAD WRONG THIS TIME FOR SURE AND PROBABLY NEXT TIME TOO.A group of college kids come on Jane you can do better than that cant you,about 90% of college students drink excessively several times a week and will usually partake in any research to earn a few bucks.You sound like an avid NATIONAL ENQUIRER READER.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 09:38 AM
Hi ((Jane)), I liked your post and have read that Alaska has really bad alcohol and domestic violence problems largely due to the darkness. I also believe it can be partly genetic disposition. In rehab we had to do family trees showing who in our direct family had booze problems. Mine was loaded and they said the deck was stacked against my own children and I should sit down and have a talk with them. My sons Father died of the disease at 37 and had 5 siblings with it and his mother. On my side they have me and I have a brother and father with it. At 15 my son had several black out drinking incidents with his friends until he stopped. I was the same way at 13 and almost died my first two times drinking, ie: Alcohol poisoning and a near drowning. I really don't think it was ever a choice for me because at 13 I did not know any better. I just knew when I took a drink I did not stop or want to. The phenomenon of craving was always just there. ((Buzzsaw)), I look at the Steps the same way. Great analogy! We are drunks and don't think/ live like normal people so we have to learn how. That is what I'm trying to do one day at a time and I feel so much better. ((Diane)), Where are you? I want to know how many days you have? I'd be honored to send you a chip as someone else offered. I carry mine in my wallet as a reminder. gotta run 4 now. My BF was kinda mad at me yesterday because I blew off moving to go bird watching with friends. We were trying to see the Bald Eagle but instead saw a couple types of Hawks and a Blue Heron. My friend has a tripod and a scope and it was like they were right in front of me. Way cool! Wouldn't have got to see that beauty if I was drunk! Doubling up today on the moving effort. God Bless You All, Kelly :)
Member:
Location: to jane
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 09:47 AM
You've never seen an Indian person sober? Never? Where have you been hanging out? The bars maybe? I doubt you're sitting in their livingrooms or hanging out at the dinner table with them. Just like every other race, it's the drunks that make a spectacle of themselves.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 12:50 PM
I just found this site and seeing what has been said here it will be my last time here!
Member:
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 02:18 PM
YES RUN FAST BEFORE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND
Member: Pam B to JP in Location Ks.
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 04:23 PM
The result of living all 12 Steps is a New Design for Living: a Spiritual Way of Life. We live it one day at a time. It is the AA Solution found in the BB for permanent lasting Sobriety. It is what integrates us into living real life in the real world as whole useful productive members of society - what would any recovered alcoholic disengage themself from that kind of gift for? - or before they are living all 12 Steps? - & why would anyone disengage from anything to 'have' exactly what that resource has already provided them? - your post is bizarre to say the least >>>> >>>> Doing all 12 Steps is a "suggestion" taken only by those who DO want permanent lasting Sobriety via living a Spiritual Way of Life in relationship w/HP - God as we each understand God >>>>> BB pg 85: "It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. WE ARE NOT CURED OF ALCOHOLISM. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all our activities. 'How can I best serve Thee- Thy will (not mine) be done.' These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will." >>>>> Miriam Webster > reprieve: 1 : to delay the punishment of (as a condemned prisoner) 2 : to give relief or deliverance to for a time - In other dictionaries also defines it as a pardon from a death sentence. Alcoholism is a progressive fatal illness - a disease that is physical, mental & spiritual. - we want to be living in that daily reprieve from it or we don't. Its that simple >>>>> (((Jane))) - you are right on. In the BB in the "Dr's Opinion" - Dr Silkworth explains the medical fact about the disease of alcoholism - that ingesting alcohol into the system of an alcohol causes the allergy reaction of Obsession, Compulsion & Cravings that we have to keep on drinking. Genetic Research has also explained this fact is due to how the consumption of alcohol acts differently in the brain of alcoholics than how it acts in the brains of non-alcoholics, building a sedement over time that causes us to have to keep drinking. Medical Research is now proving lots of the facts that God had given in the BB long before it could be proven. Those of us who have recovered from alcoholism by following the directives in the BB have always known its true. We have lived it - all that the BB says has already proven to be true in our lives. Thanks for letting me share - Pam - sober by the Grace & Power & Love of God, one day at time, since 11/18/91
Member: ILLUSIONAL BEYOND HELP
Location: STUCK IN BILL'S WONDERLAND FOREVER
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 04:42 PM
Pam.please spare us that overly repeated crap you just posted.I can feel you cramming that crap down my throat and I would appreciate it if you would stop gagging me and others with that load of crap.If all wanted to hear that ancient shit we would go to a rummage sale and try and find one of those BIG BOOKS OF BULLSHIT.YOU ARE ATE UP WITH THAT OLD CRAP THAT HAS HELPED A FEW BUT FAILED SO MANY OVER THE DECADES.THAT CRAP WAS AROUND BEFORE TELEVISION AND REFRIGERATORS AND AIR CONDITIONERS.ITS A GOOD THING THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND WE DONT HAVE TO RIDE IN BUGGIES PULLED BY HORSES.COME ON PEOPLE WAKE UP.NOW GET BACK IN LINE WAIT FOR YOUR MIRACLE.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 05:21 PM
To The Dickhead In Previous Post, Go on some other site and slander it. There are people who read and learn; something evidently you're incapable of doing. I just Read and Learn
Member: aa member
Location: real meeting
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 06:03 PM
To the little girl we try to spread the word to the people that want help. People who will listen, people who want help. They have found it very hard to do themselves but sometimes it just doesn't work for everyone. They continue to want to drive wrecklessly flipping everybody off as they continue to drive. They do not care about themselves, and they do not care about anyone else either. So we try and help but they just don't want help. Sometimes they leave us not choice but to do a lombotimy, why because they continue to drive wrecklessly.They do not only hurt themselves but they continue to drive not caring about anyonelse so these people must be stopped. They just can't help themselves. Before they hurt someone we must take the keys. Now please get back on your bus and go to the back and sit your dumb ass down and listen. Don't even think you are going to drive the bus because you are too wreckless. Just sit down and take your medication. Thanks again
Member: SHE'S BACK
Location: FROM A KNEELING SESSION
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 07:32 PM
The aa memer is back,we missed you so very much you beautiful special person. Exactly dickhead poster,lets for sure hope that people are reading and learning.That is the purpose of our wonderful site.
Member: Bill J 12-19-75
Location: Kingsville TX
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 07:54 PM
Roberta Location: Ontario, Canada: My Bottom was a long ways from the worst thing that could happen. It was when I had a moment of clarity and realized drink was not working and it was a downhill proposition. It was not my first trip to AA but I sure hope it was my last. I know who had a experience a lot like mine. TO quit start making meetings and just don't take the next drink. Get in the fellowship. It is easier that way. Diane Location: Oklahoma: The difference for most that try to do it themselves is they don't stay quit. If I could have quit on My own I would not have to have come to AA. God works through People. If you cut yourself off from people you cut yourself from God. pat c Location: va. You can do it one day at a time and if you falter don't quit Quitting. Same to the rest of you that are struggling. After 4 or 5 days the worst is behind you unless you are a daily drinker for 20 years . if that is the case get help getting de-toxed. Or it can kill you. You can do it Don't try. Just do it.bj
Member: Loretta L.
Location: San Diego
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 08:10 PM
Roberta,you can do anything in this world one day at a time.You gotta wait for the sun to come up.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 10:16 PM
pam is a real lunatic now it all of aa what a load of shit she talks the guy who says run like hell is right on the money honey
Member: Dame
Location: Ontario
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 10:55 PM
I really need some help. I want to stop - I know how much it is affecting my life - but I need someone to verify - to tell me that life is better sobre - please tell me, show me, explain how my life will be better so that I can have some encouragement to take the step.
Member: Bill J 12-19-75
Location: Kingsville TX
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 11:20 PM
Dame Location: Ontario; Go to AA and stay sober for 30 days. If you don't think it is better you can always go drink and have your misery back.
Member: Dame
Location: Ontario
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 11:27 PM
Thankyou Bill for your suggestion - the problem is that I can't attend meetings because of my schedule at work - otherwise it would have been the first place I turned to.
Member: FOR THE DAME
Location:
Date: August 20, 2003
Time: 11:53 PM
Get another job or 2 more that way you wont have time to drink.Just dont pick up the poison and consume it.How hard is that
Member: TO DAME
Location: AA Member
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:01 AM
If you are sick & tired of being sick & tired of drinking & the problems & losses it causes you - then you are ready. If you have a desire to stop drinking & are willing to go to any lengths to get & stay sober - the 12 Steps of AA from the BB is the action we took. Don't drink, go to mtgs, ask for help, get a sponsor & a BB & work the 12 Steps. Its that simple. Not easy - but very simple. Keep Coming Back. It works if you work it. One Day At A Time. Meeting Makers Make It!
Member: JONNIE
Location: COCHRAN
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:08 AM
DAME RUN LIKE HELL FROM THAT MEETING BULLSHIT---THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GET SOBER BUT THWY ALL WORK BEST WQHEN YOU DONT DRINK THE SHIT!!! IT'S NOT THAT HARD AND DON'T LISTEN TO THE BULLSHIT THAT IT IS, IT'S NOT! DON'T DRINK, TRY RUNNING AND RUN FROM AA AND ALL THE BRAINWASHING LOSERS IN IT--THAY ONLY WANT TO DO YA ANYWAY AND THAT'S THERE MOTIVE!!!
Member: JUST DONT PICK UP THE POISON
Location: OR THE AA ISSUED ROSE COLORED GLASSES
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:11 AM
Keep coming back if you wannabe confused as the AA MEMBER.Its a forever program,you will go to grave in recovery.Just dont drink,give it up.MEETING MAKERS MAKE MORE DAMN TRIPS TO THE BATHROOM FROM DRINKING ALL THAT COFFEE,YEP THATS ABOUT ALL THEY MAKE.ALL THINGS IN LIFE ARE DONE ONE DAY AT A TIME CAUSE YOU GOTTA WAIT FOR THE SUN TO COME UP.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:13 AM
Jane C..alcoholic..I feel sorry for the folks that claim AA or this site is worthless..could it be that they are the ones that have the REALLY hard time being honest with themselves about themselves and just maybe would like the people really trying to get some good sobriety to pick up their cause and join their cult ? The steps for me are about giving and caring and kindness for other people..not only alcoholics, but everyone..it's about having patience and tolerance and letting everyone be themselves..I can't be all these things if I keep on drinking..right now being sober I can work on all the problems in my life that I felt were just a waste of time to even consider..and one by one, maybe slower than I would like.. things are starting to fall into place..I know that I have rights and I don't have to accept bad behavior from everybody by just turning away because my drinking made it easy to not care..once the drink was put away the first time, and I saw the way I let people walk all over me.. I wasn't very happy..and now since my slip and being at least half way into the program, by that I mean that I still NEED the f2f meetings, not just this site...I can take myself back again..and it works only if I stay sober..
Member: Samantha
Location: Monahans
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:17 AM
Dear Dame from Ontario, yes, your life will be better clean and sober. Just look back to the happiest times of your life. I will bet that they were times without alcohol or other drugs. Like most drugs, alcohol is a depressant. The more you drink, the more depressed you become. It's a slow process, so you may not have noticed it right away. But it is there, that's a scientific fact. After you've been off the alcohol for a while (as well as any other drugs, such as nicotine, barbituates, pain killers, etc), your body will start to heal itself and you will be normal and happy again. Throw in some vigorous exercise to get your endorphins running, and you'll feel the best in your life. My prayers will be with you, Dame. God Bless.
Member: God
Location: Watching
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:18 AM
all the negative anti-AA, anti-meeting-attendance, anti-BB posts are just ONE disgruntled person with a huge sachel full of alias names to post under
Member: The other Jane
Location: the informed one
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:27 AM
Jane C.,The steps would be fine if there was a graduation date to be attained but there is not.AAers will go to their grave believing that they are alcoholics for life and die in recovery.How about lets apply the 12 steps to all the worlds problems well we cant because the leaders of the world know that it does not work.Get it Jane,you are the only one in this whole world that can put the bottle in the trash can for good. Samantha,you are so very right.Good post.Those are rare you know.
Member: For the AAer who thinks he is God
Location: you just a GURU WANNABE
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:30 AM
Come on AA God,do something for these idiots who cant see the forest for the trees.Stop watching and get your ass to work before we lose all our members.
Member:
Location:
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:54 AM
GOD IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!1!!!!
Member:
Location:
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:54 AM
GOD IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!1!!!!
Member: Bikerbabe
Location: Hell is just irratating now....
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 01:02 AM
GOD AM I HURT AND ANGRY! how can someone with my incredible intelligence, credentials, and striking good looks, be without?... how is this possible?... i refuse to accept this, because i chose to be "especially stupid and stubborn" about my own character defects. ((enter smug look here)) No sir, i'll never give in, i'll never quit, i'll never let go!... you'll never be rid of me, i hate you all, i hate aa for what it did to me!.... Vengence will be mine.. i will destroy aa and all its members!.. ha ah hahhahahahah,lm,sjkjflksjfojwjkmkkdfj (oh.... Hello Mark)) how's it goin buddy?... pal?.. friend?.. << foe then?... bikerbabe loves alkies..... brack brack brack a lack.....
Member: aa member
Location: real meetings
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 01:27 AM
I would just like to take the to thank you .You show us all how sick you realy are little girl.Its refreshing to read your post do you think I get mad I don't.Today I 'm able to pray for you for someday you will be able to see the light. Like you have shown us how sick you are and miserable.Your not a happy person trying to do it your way. We all can see that, and we thank you. For showning us they way to AA to better are lifes.Again you think your throwing rocks at AA and the people who beleave.THANKS again for giving us the answers that people need AA. This site is a good tool not only for us the people of AA. But also for you how your ways just don't work. I will pray for you little girl because I know you will be around to read it.And I hope you see the light of AA like you have shown us thanks again little I wiil pray for you.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 01:32 AM
Hi All, I was just thinking do we ever graduate from life? Being a parent? etc. I would hope not because that would mean that I would be finished. Every day I wake up I am probably going to learn something until the day they pry this keyboard from my dead, cold hand. Death is graduating from life. I wish the imbecile that posts here would get it through his massively thick skull that you are never cured of alcoholism.... NEVER, EVER, EVER!!!! Once you put a cucumber in the brine it will always be a pickle and never a cucumber again. Is that too scientific for you to grasp? You sound like my son's girlfriend who enthusiastically said, "It will be great when you get a year because then you will only need to go to AA meetings once a week." Of course she did not understand that I am just in the beginning stages of sobriety. My sponsor says I will be a baby for the first 5 years! And then what I ask myself is this... Would I rather die in the gutter a drunk or sober attending AA meetings??? Yeah, I'll take the latter. Another thing is just because you failed at AA does not mean I will or anyone else that posts here. Your posts are doing just the opposite with me. Not only do I disregard your angry, foolish ramblings but after I read them I want to jump in my car and get to a meeting as fast as I can. Your a walking resentment and we all know resentments are the number one killer of alcoholics. Your just so damn yucky. Why don't you write about why you are really here. I would like to hear about (you) and why you piss and moan so much. What makes you tick and why. Now that would be much more pleasant and I would like to know how a person can carry such a giant chip on their shoulder? Today was ok, moving in 90 degree heat was tough. I was a sweaty wreck by the end of the day. I showered and went to a Big Book meeting. It seems we always get what we need and I needed to read about relationships. I talked to someone after the meeting and things started making sense. I can't change anyone else but I can change myself and my attitudes. I'll ponder on that for a while. Nite All. Kelly
Member: to kelly M
Location: BB bottom pg 66, top pg 67
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 01:51 AM
embecile posting here sums it up in a nutshell ... just one person with multiple personalities ... alias names to post under for each of them ... not a one of them having enough intelligence to comprehend that an AA website is about recovery from the disease of alcoholism - the solution from the BB
Member: there is no help for some
Location: they are too far gone
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 09:05 AM
Kelly,AA MEMEBER,we will pray for,you guys really need.it is so sad to see someone get snookered and then the defend the snookers.
Member: Patty S
Location: Massachusetts
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 10:48 AM
I have a question about withdrawal. Day 1 seems ok...generally speaking does it get worse or better after this? (I realize everyone is different but some insights would be helpful) I would like to go to a closed discussion women's meeting tonight. Is that a good start? I have to "surrender" as I've heard it said here and everywhere. I feel terrible all the time. I'm in a constant fog, my memory is shot and my gut is rotting out. I feel ashamed to go to my physician. He knows of my problem and has tried to help in the past. It's 7 months later and I'm still drinking. Thanks, Patty
Member: The only thing you can do
Location: stay clean
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 11:47 AM
Patty all you have to surrender is your desire to drink forever.Yes it is hard and yes the withdrawals will be hard for awhile with or without counseling or 12 step bullshit to fill your head.It gets better if you surrender your desire to drink.So when the garbage man comes give him your bottle.
Member: Chelli
Location: Indiana
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 12:35 PM
Hi there. My name is Chelli and I'm a newly-admitted alcoholic. I found out today that I've embarrassed my husband many times with my drinking and I'm absolutely mortified. My drinking is similar to when I used to do cocaine, I simply like the act of drinking, not necessarily the affects. I loved doing the drug, not necessarily the affects. One day (like today) I woke up and said "enough" and have never used it again. I don't have to drink and can sometimes go several days without a drink. But I like having a full glass and it seems that when I fill up that first glass the battle to keep it full or not for the rest of the evening begins. Until today, I thought things would be ok if I simply controlled the how much I drank. But I don't think so anymore...look at my shattered marriage! (there are many other issues here, but when I drink is usually when the bigger fights occur) I've considered buying non alcoholic wine but I don't like the taste...too sweet. But then, would that be bandaging a bigger problem?
Member: Miranda
Location: Vermont, USA
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 01:01 PM
Hi Patty, I can only speak from my own experience, so it may be different for you but when I quit the first day was easy, the second, third and fourth days I was extremely irritable moody and restless. The next couple of weeks I felt (mentally) like I had a really bad cold. I think a closed women's discussion meeting would be a really excellent start. Chelli, if you don't like the taste of non-alcoholic wine whyever on earth would you drink it?
Member: Patty S
Location: Massachusetts
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 01:30 PM
Miranda, Thank you for sharing. I am going to the meeting tonight. I told my sister about it and she, (19 years in recovery), is going to take care of my kids so I can go. Chelli, I could say I simply love the taste of wine...just can't get enough! But realistically I am absolutely addicted to the alcohol. Non-alcoholic substitutes would lead me back to the real deal. Patty
Member: MEETINGS WILL NOT MAKE IT FOR YOU
Location: YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR YOU
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 06:19 PM
Patty hearing all the crap about alcohol in the meetings will drive you back to the wine quicker than the non-alcoholic beverages.You will see.It is sad that the kids have to do without you tonight while you are out searching for what you already have and that something is the only thing that will stop the madness and that something is your very own self will and desire to take responsibility for all of your decisions.Take care and hope you find yourself soon.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 06:37 PM
Hi Patty, I think a womans meeting will be a great start. Just share what you did here and ask for help and I'm sure you will have many women coming up to talk to you and answer your questions. If you like the meeting and keep going the surrender part may just take care of itself. Good Luck! Chelli, Cool name. It sounds like you may also benefit from a meeting just to find out if AA can be of help to you. Binge drinking is harder to call "alcoholism" because it is not daily drinking but the result is the same. Once you take the first sip your off and running. I tried the non-alcoholic wine and your right it tastes terrible! I ended up relapsing and I don't think it probably helped. I don't pick up substitutes this time around because my sobriety is more important. I finally found that I like Fresca and drink that now. Flavored waters are ok too. Well I'm off to a meeting. Hellooo Diane...Are you ok? Havent heard from you in a couple days. Hope all is well. Bye 4 now. Kelly :)
Member: Connie S.
Location: Nashville, TN
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 07:24 PM
Hi Ya'll. My name is Connie and I am and always will be an alcoholic. I am, just for today grateful to be in recovery and hope regardless of what this nut case who thinks he/she knows so much about the fatal illness to always be just that, a grateful, recovering alcoholic. Just for that idiot and anyone who is interested in some facts on this disease. The source of this info is the US Department of Health and Human Services, AND The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alchohlism. The DISEASE of ALCOHOLISM is 1. A craving; a strong need or compulision to dring. 2. Loss of control; The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion. 3. Physical dependence; Withdrawl symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety occur when alcohol is stopped or after a period of heavy drinking. 4. Tolerance; the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to "get high". People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why we can't just "use a little will power to stop drinking. Fact is will power has very little to do with recovery from this fatal, progressive illness. More facts tomorrow, I gotta go to a meeting! Have a good sober 24.
Member: JUST THE FACTS MAM
Location: NOTHING MORE ,NOTHING LESS
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 08:17 PM
What you described Connie were THE SYMPTOMS OF THE EFFECTS that are caused by pouring too much alcohol into your body by personal choice.Is getting into your car and driving to the package store a symptom of your disease.No you plan out every move.When to go to the package store,what flavor and size of container to purchase and yes ALAS the drive home and into the door and finally to the cabinet to get your favorite glass to pour in your choice of poison.DAMN GIRL, WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR FACTS FROM?
Member: CHILLY
Location: WRAPPER
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 08:31 PM
JUS THE FACTS HAS IT SKRAIGHT FOR YOU'S GIRLFRIENDS UP IN HERE!!! THAT SHIT CONNIE BE JAPPIN SHE JAW BOUT IS BULLSHIT! NEXT SHELL BE TELLING YOU HOW SHE DONT KNOW HOW THE GUYS DICK ENDED UP IN HER ASS---IT JUST HAPPENED CAUSE SHE GOT THE WHORE FROM HELL DISEASE TOO, RIGHT GIRLY-GIRL? SHIT CHICKIES, GET'S A GRIP ON YOUSELF AND QUIT CRYING LIKE LITTEL SLUTS, WE ALL SLUTS UP IN THIS HOUSE--SO JUS CHILLLLLLLLLLL LISTEN TO JUS THE FACTS MAM--SHE BE COOL AND KNOW WHAT SHE BE RAPPIN AT CHA'S**********
Member:
Location:
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 08:53 PM
I read this site everyday; don't know what to think anymore.
Member: Reality bites huh
Location: Right on the ass huh
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 08:55 PM
Well for sure KEEP COMING BACK,THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
Member: Dame
Location: Ontario
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 09:35 PM
Thank you for your comments - I feel like I am this isolated person, always hiding, secretly drinking, then trying to hide even that and the chaos in my mind - the constant wavering, the guilt, knowing logically that I have to quit drinking, at the same time, the red devil on my shoulder telling me "you can quit on September 1st" how many times have I said that before? And then there's the creativity excuse _Well, many famous genious artists were addicted to something or other, and created great things and lived a long full life." It's like a mental tennis match. I would love to hear some personal success stories to give me hope. I did go to an AA meeting some months ago - it was extremely happy - I think - as an alcoholic - you tend to shy away from people and I felt overwhelmed by the kindness. It seemed almost - unreal
Member: The Voice of
Location: Experience, Strength, and Hope
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 09:49 PM
Damey-Dame---that's because it was unreal kindness, if kindeness at all. Don't worry, as soon as your back was turned they all started making fun and laughing AT you as they are soon to have you undeer there spell--don't worry you pretty little head bouts that now ya here. They will indeed brainwash you to no end and tell you abillion thinghys that are false just like the apparent kindness. That's just to suck you in and exploit you both sexually and emotionally.That's what you got to look forward to inaa---and that IS from personal experience sweetie. Do what ya wants to--but if you want to not drink--there are any number of ways to do it--aa is but one of thoushands--and not a particularly good one at that--nor succesful--for every 1 that gets sober in aa 7-9 do NOT!!
Member: Dame look,you are the one and only who can stop the carnage
Location: Shit if you want to laugh go see a comedy.You know its not real and that shit is far from reality
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 09:52 PM
Thats because it is unreal,no one acts like that unless in the meetings,hey girl face it those looking to move up the rank and file know the old timers are watching and that promotion is in the old timers hands,just the way it works.Shit its almost being in a comedy club until the shows over.
Member: bikerbabe
Location: hellishelpingnow
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 10:00 PM
SEE---DUDE WAS RIGHT---ITS GITTIN BETTER ALREADY EH CHAPS? AH,...,,, WHAT THE HEELLL DAME---GIVE EM A GOOK FUCKY-SUCKY AND THEY'LL ALLL LOVE YA--JUST DON'T DRINK THATS ALL THAT MATTERS---HOW EASY IS THAT???? REALLY --- LET'S SEE NOW GIRL---JUST ASK A MALE TO SPONSOR YOU--PREFERABLY ONE WITH LITTLE MORE TIME THAN YOU---HELL HELP YA OUT--OR BETTER YAT0---A LEZZIE WOULD BE GOOD TOO--DOESENT MATTER SHES SOBER OR NOT--JUS A LEZZIES ALL00
Member: bikerbabe
Location: hellishelpingnow
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 10:00 PM
SEE---DUDE WAS RIGHT---ITS GITTIN BETTER ALREADY EH CHAPS? AH,...,,, WHAT THE HEELLL DAME---GIVE EM A GOOK FUCKY-SUCKY AND THEY'LL ALLL LOVE YA--JUST DON'T DRINK THATS ALL THAT MATTERS---HOW EASY IS THAT???? REALLY --- LET'S SEE NOW GIRL---JUST ASK A MALE TO SPONSOR YOU--PREFERABLY ONE WITH LITTLE MORE TIME THAN YOU---HELL HELP YA OUT--OR BETTER YAT0---A LEZZIE WOULD BE GOOD TOO--DOESENT MATTER SHES SOBER OR NOT--JUS A LEZZIES ALL00
Member: Dame
Location: Ontario
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 10:56 PM
Listen freak, you are obviusly f'd beyond oblivion - why do you have so much hate - I have hate too - but I have more control than you- do you think that your words will change anything - you need to take a holiday - you seem so lost - Why are you so angry about AA? Don't be scared - you are just pretending. Nobody listens to your words because they are a farce. If AA didn't help you stop drinking then maybe you should look yourself in the mirror Why are you attempting to throw your pain onto onther people? It will still be your pain and nobody will take you seriously - no matter how you change your words, it's so obvious that it is you. You are on the wrong site - try angrypeople.com
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 11:00 PM
Jane C. alcoholic here..but first, Im one of God's children..and some of His kids do end up with addictions..the ones that post here usually are alcoholics..I know that everyone is welcome, but I wonder if I saw some of the things posted here when I first came on a bit over a month ago, if I would ever come back...for the new people..don't give up because of some things you may read here..I just skip over all of it once I see where they are coming from..(PATTY)..meetings in meeting rooms were never like this when I got sober the first time many years ago...If I kept going to a few meetings a week, I don't think I would have picked up the drink again when the going got to be a little too stressful..this is my second time around and I've been sober since the first day I posted here..if you really surrender, I'm sure it will work for you too..and I was lucky the first time in AA.. I was sober from the first meeating I went to, I think mostly because I found a group of kind and funny women who took me in as one of their own..I started with open meetings.. then I went to womens groups also whenever I could...and believe me I was SCARED to death when I first walked into all those rooms..nobody said it would be easy..it does take work..going to group meetings isn't what will make you drink..You'll look around at the happy people and see hope, and you'll see others who may be really suffering and just might think "But for the Grace of God go I..God Bless us all,with another sober day.... go I...
Member: Dame
Location: Ontario
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 11:04 PM
Thankyou Jane C It would really mean a lot to me if you could give me examples of how your life improved since you stopped drinking
Member: Lack of gratitude
Location: Fighting it ,but DOABLE
Date: August 21, 2003
Time: 11:17 PM
Dame,you are mistaken,I am me and not anyone else,no hate here,I posted to you from the heart in response to your comment about the environment being unreal.Go ahead Jane you can have this one,she's all yours and just make sure she learns the gratitude right off the bat.She is allready skeptical but hey the old timers will break her down.You think it felt unreal,now you will see the reality of that unreal feeling.
Member: David T.
Location: NC
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 12:16 AM
To oh it's my disease, some of us are sicker than others. I'll be praying for you. AA Good Orderly Direction saved my life. I'm David and I'm a greatful recovering alcoholic.
Member: OH HELLYES MY DISEASE
Location: I BOUGHT AND PAID FOR IT
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 12:20 AM
YOU SAVED YOUR OWN LIFE,BE GRATEFUL TO YOURSELF DAVID.YOU THE ONE THAT DID IT YEP LIL OL DAVID STOPPED KILLING HIMSELF CAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS KILLING HIMSELF,EVERYONE CLAP CLAP CLAP FOR DAVID.
Member: Shrink knows why they're so filled with hate at AA
Location: pray for them - they are very sick & very hurting people
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 01:23 AM
tell me bikerbabe & anti-AA crew, which of your parents was the alcoholic? or was it both of them? was it your father that was always out drunk at bars & totally ignoring you? - & then got sober in AA & was always at AA meetings & cared all about helping other drunks get sober but still totally neglecting to pay any attention at all to you? or was it your mother that did that?
Member: Pam B - Sobergirl91 at hotmail.com
Location: This Too Shall Pass
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 01:59 AM
Hi, I'm Pam, an alcoholic - clean & sober member of the AA program since 11/18/91. One thing that I've learned thru this program is the truth of our slogan: This Too Shall Pass. The disruption taking place in this site shall pass as well. While waiting it out, I & many others have found the peace we're seeking in spite of the storm by attending f2f mtgs. I encourage all who are truly seeking help to recover from the disease of alcoholism to do likewise. If doing so is absolutely impossible, I'll be glad to help you thru email. Any who live anywhere in the U.S. & want to talk - include sending me your phone # - I have free long distance on my home phone all the time - just let me know what a good time to phone is. >>>>>>>>> BTW - AA is not allied with ANY sect, denomination nor creed: > Who or What you choose as a Higher Power is your own personal choice. AA does not tell us what we have to think or believe or do about anything - teaches us how to think for ourselves & how to make our own right decisions that are right for our own selves. Freed. Happy, Joyous & Free. Thank you. Pam
Member:
Location:
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 05:28 AM
time to go to meetings
Member: Chelli
Location: Indiana
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:04 AM
Thanks for your comments, Kelly M. I, too, struggle with accepting that this is truly alcoholism. Drinking is such a part of our lives as my husband and I are major cooks and good wine is a big part of it. I wish I could drink responsibily as I do love wine. But it doesn't appear that I can. Yesterday, as my marriage is on the brink of collapse, my husband told me that he purposely would leave early from Christmas parties so I wouldn't embarrass him with becoming too drunk...ouch! He called me a practicing alcoholic and there have been mornings when my body reaked so badly that he's left our bed to sleep elsewhere. I tried controlling the amount, but have found that if I stay up later than him, I'll keep that glass full. I've even caught myself filling up my glass when he's at the grill or in the bathroom...just so he won't see it. There are times I'll run up to the computer in the am to see what stupid emails I had sent the night before...of course I don't remember... My dad is an alcoholic, my brother, my sister, my other sister is a drug addict, and my mother is addicted to relgion! Writing it out like this, makes it all pretty clear doesn't it? I enjoy club soda with lime and when I put it in our gorgeous crystal wine glasses, I have the satisfaction of holding that wonderful glass in my hand. Is that a cop out??? Not wanting to give any energy to some of the extremely ugly comments I see so often listed here...I am hesitant about AA as well. I went to Alon (spelling??) years ago. I did learn a lot which propelled me into a very healthy time in my life. However, it didn't take me long to need to privatize my experiences. I just kind of felt that many attending the meetings subsituted the meetings for getting on with their lives...since then I'm becoming more comfortable accepting that each person's path is unique and just like organized religion...some people REALLY need the community support found in these groups. It's ignorant and selfish to critisize another's path. Dame, do what's right for YOU. There are lots of options out there, try them all if you like, but don't let others determine your path. This is the only way I can go to AA. For the "normal" people here, thanks for being so supportive and open!
Member: Chelli
Location: Indiana
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:08 AM
For anyone who likes Annie Lennox...she has a new album out and her first track is entitled; "A thousand beautiful things". It's an eye-opening song and I'm finding it inspiring during this major life-change. Let me know if you'd like to read the lyrics and I'll type it in here later this afternoon.
Member: Mary A
Location: NJ
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 10:38 AM
Everyday I just ask my self why me? I didn't ask for this. Then I tell myself that I dont really have a problem. Then after I have myself convinced Im ok, I start drinking. It ruined my marriage, and made my son grow up way to fast. And I still don't accept the fact its all me. There's always a reason why I drink. I can't continue like this anymore, but yet I dont have the energy to do anything about. What do you do when deep depression is mixed with alcoholism? where do you start?
Member: THIS TOO SHALL PASS
Location: IN PASSING
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 11:07 AM
Mary,you just have to stop drinking forever and all the bad stuff will pass and in time things will get better.Yes it as all you ,you are the one who is choosing to be mean to yourself,not anyone else,GET A GRIP
Member: FOR THE SHRINK,CHOOSING TO DRINK IS NOT HEREDITARY
Location: THAT IS YET ANOTER CRUTCH TO GO WITH YOUR DISEASE THEORY
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 11:18 AM
Shrink,since you asked.Both of my parents were and still are active in their church.To my knowledge neither of them have ever drank or smoked or used.I was raised attending church and when I was 15 or so like most kids I experimented with all the regular temptations that we all are faced with.I was arrested for DUI and my parents were devastated as all parents should be.I eventually grew out of the drug scene but chose to keep drinking until I had hurt myself enough that I just quit.My parents are now the happiest people on earth that I have at last started being the responsible person that they had raised me to be.
Member: Becky
Location: Seattle
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 12:17 PM
Today will be one week since I quit drinking!! Thank you, Pam for your comments, I found them VERY encouraging. Chelli, my beverage of choice was wine too, and the glass was always kept full! I'm sure I'll miss it more as time goes on, but don't want those nasty consequences from not stopping. Also, I'd love to read some of the meaningful lyrics from Anne Lennox's CD that you mentioned, I'm right in the beginning of this big change in my life.
Member: Jane C.
Location: Alaska
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 02:21 PM
Jane C...a grateful alcoholic..why? I finally surrendered to my God that I couldn't do this thing alone..I needed His help and the help of AA.. I know from past experience that It really does work if you want to put away the drink...and the GLASS, OH the beautiful glass..I have so many beautiful glasses..maybe that was a part of the problem for me...(Not Really), but I felt so great drinking from the glass..but the day came when I had to hide what I was doing, so I would put it in a tea cup..or tinted water glass, a BIG one, so no one would question me.. I did fool them too..but, I hated myself...I was nervous, edgy and irritable when the wine started to wear off..just plain confusing to my family..who really didn't know how much drinking I was doing..I was so ashamed..and that's the worst feeling of all.and then there was the fear that I may have done or said something ugly..or hurt someoone...I went around waiting for the ax to fall..NOW?..all of that is gone from my life..I can get through the day knowing I've done no harm.. (Hopefully)..I feel a lot of peace.. and I'm not short of breath from the too much wine that I had..health is better..and Not much can make me lose my peace, and a really good thing for me,I've learned when I'm doing too much people pleasing and I can nip it before it gets out of control..I'm not willilng to be a doormat for anyone..it was easy when I was drinking..I had no defenses.. My life was so much better when I didn't drink..I slipped..I'm sober again and things are getting back to where they should be again...for this I thank my God as I understand Him..My Heavenly Fathe..I Pray all have a peaceful sober day....
Member: Connie S.
Location: Nashville, TN
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 02:36 PM
I have to look at my part - i incited the idiots that have been posting here, but you know what, none of what any of you have to say is worth my even thinking of drinking over, and you all have the right to feel and express your hateful opinions, afterall tradition 3 tells me that no one, no matter what can be excluded if they have the desire to stop drinking. I will keep coming back but I think I'll just scroll past the hate spewers. Ya'll suck - yep, my sponsor told me to say that, opinions are like assholes (some people talk out of theirs), but, everyone's got one, that's mine.
Member: Connie S.
Location: Nashville, TN
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 02:53 PM
Mary, A - thanks for sharing - my name is connie and I'm glad to be here, clean and sober today. For me in order to get and stay sober, it took admitting that I am an alcholoic and would never be able to drink successfully again. My experiences finally convinced me of that and today, things are different. My child is proud of her mom today, my husband is also proud of his wife, I am an asset to my employer and a good friend. I'm not that same person I used to be. I have undergone a complete psychic change - working the steps and getting a little faith (which through working the steps has grown) in my higher power who is God did that for me. It can happen for you too. Take that fist step if you want what I have, admit complete defeat and let God have the wheel. This is the easier, softer way. The same person will work to drink again, Faith changes things, Grace changes people.
Member: Chelli
Location: 1000 beautiful things
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 04:13 PM
Hey Becky, Annie's first track is called '1000 Beautiful Things'...it goes like this: Every day I write the list of reasons why I still believe they do exist (a thousand beautiful things)And even though it's hard to see the glass is full and not half empty (a thousand beautiful things)so...light me up like the sun to cool me down with your rain. I never want to close my eyes again, never close my eyes, never close my eyes. I thank you for the air to breathe the heart to beat, the eyes to see again. (a thousand beautiful things)And all the things that's been and done. The battle's won, The good and bad in everyone (this is mine to remember). so...Here I go again singin' by your window. Pickin up the pieces of what's left to find. The world was meant for you and me to figure out our destiny (a thousand beautiful things). To live, to die, to breathe, to sleep, to try to make your life complete. Chorus.
Member: Billy D.
Location: Las Vegas
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 07:06 PM
It's all your part Connie if you let it affect you.
Member: Larry
Location:
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 07:38 PM
Connie,it is all your part if you let it affect you.
Member: Trip
Location: Luxembourg
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:06 PM
Trip, alcoholic, day 15 - back in the rooms after 10 months of experimenting - thinking of the second step. before I go forward - I must admit insanity - how can I be restored to sanity, if I'm not already insane? I function more or less in society - of course when drunk, I go insane - psychoses induced from alcohol, but when there's no alcohol, I'm just neurotic at worse. Just how insane does one have to be? comments would be appreciated... Is it simply the realization that to drink is insane?
Member: Lilly
Location: Baghdad
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:15 PM
Yes it is the realization that to drink is insane and leads to permanent drain bamage.So yes you are on the right track.Sounds like your experimenting has paid off.
Member: Lilly
Location: Baghdad
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:16 PM
Yes it is the realization that to drink is insane and leads to permanent drain bamage.So yes you are on the right track.Sounds like your experimenting has paid off.
Member: Betty
Location: Ohio
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:21 PM
I just don't understand this site how can this work.I just don't get it how can this keep me sober.This will not work for me I don't understand it this works how.I just know how can I stop drinking but this would help at all.If this is what I have to do I won't make.I just can't understand how this will help me not to drink.They say keep coming back for what I don't get it and I never will.This drinking thing is all felt .. I just can't understand any of this i don't know what else I can do I'm going nut's how do I stop when I don't understand. How will this work
Member: Chipmaster
Location: Chip Control Room
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:39 PM
Betty,you dont need to know how it works.All you need to know is that in no time at all you will have enough chips to host a poker game.Isn't that enough?Geez!!
Member: Betty
Location: Ohio
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 09:59 PM
What I don't understand chips poker game what are are you saying. Thats how this works I can't understand it sorry. But thank you MR. Chipmaster for the help. I'll call the Doctor about these chips.
Member: SUE?
Location: FLORIDA
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 10:31 PM
YOU KNOW?
Member: SP
Location: CENTR AKL
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 10:37 PM
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH WITH STEP ?
Member: Damian
Location: Ontario
Date: August 22, 2003
Time: 11:55 PM
Today was a crazy day - all I could think of was what time the liqour stores closed. Please Please help me with advice. I work toomany hours so meetings are impossible
Member: Annetta
Location: Penn
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 01:50 AM
THANKS Chelli I get that cd
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 09:05 AM
Good Morning All, Chelli I loved those lyrics! So true for me. I'll have my son download them if they are available. I MISS NAPSTER...Lol! Busy day yesterday but really cool. Welcome to everyone new, keep coming back, even if you don't get it right away you are trying to help yourself. Thats a start! Becky and Chelli I can relate, I was a wino. Especially about all the little ways to keep that glass full, I thought I was the only one who new those tricks! It really was my deep dark secret that everyone else knew about??? Who keeps a bottle behind the washer and does lots of laundry... yep me. Who keeps it in the trunk of the car and pretends to be cleaning the car? That'd be me. In the winter I buried my bottle in the snow at certain locations and would have little rendevous with it on my way to the store etc. How insane was I ? Trip, yes we are all insane when it has us in its grip. Now sober I can see Step 2 very easily in the crazy stuff I did to drink, stay drunk, plan the next drink. It was an (((obsession))) for sure. Betty, don't give up on AA before you start. Get to a meeting and listen and ask questions, babysteps. Damian, you have not surrendered and that is the alcohol whispering in your ear. Your defenseless against the first drink. Just go to a meeting and I promise you that it will get better. We can't do this on our own unless we are like the anonymous poster on this board but he forgets what got him sober to begin with and that was AA. He is a pompous ass. With that bad attitude he will be drunk again in no time. I have to turn my will over every day because it does me no good whatever. Ego, Pride and self centered Fear, that was me. It was like carrying a 100 pound boulder on my back. I don't ever want to drink again. I never want to feel that bad again. It really helps me to come here and type about what it is like for me and keeps me plugged in. This could never replace a F2F meeting but it is a tool non the less. I have a busy day today but that is cool because I am going to enjoy it sober and make a memory that I will remember which is added onto itself becoming the fabric of my new sober life. So many gifts in sobriety so little time. {God is good}. Taking my daughter to a movie,- Sea Biscuit, some more moving, I have to give a bookies report at my 6 pm meeting and then go to my BF's sons baseball playoff at 7. Sure beats laying in bed drunk!!! Catch you all on the rebound. Lets all stay sober today because we are worth it... Kelly :-)
Member: Peanuts P
Location: New York
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 10:53 AM
Last night was the first Friday in a long time that I stayed sober. I am so grateful and proud and I never realized how happy I could be sober. I know I'm new in recovery but I just need to keep doing the right thing and I can be where so many recovering people are today.
Member: Sue P.
Location: Central FL
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 11:01 AM
I'm having alittle troul ble with step 3. I believe in a god but I'm not sure how to identify god. I see this as an energy force. How does one surrender to an energy force? Any sugguestions from some of the old timers?
Member: old-timer with a
Location: suggestion for Sue P.
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 11:46 AM
run like hel from aa as its bad business these days. thats the best advice youll never here there as they will brainwash you into thinking its the greatest thing on earth. sad but true, just run and investigate yourself from the outside if you want a real life.
Member: Kelly
Location: Please surrender to yourself
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 11:49 AM
Oh yes the word POMPOUS,a favorite in the AA circle.Everyone will eventually get around to using that one as all have lived it.
Member: Kelly
Location: Please surrender to yourself
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 11:50 AM
Oh yes the word POMPOUS,a favorite in the AA circle.Everyone will eventually get around to using that one as all have lived it.
Member: Kerry C
Location: TX(kerryctx@hotmail.com)
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 12:53 PM
Peanuts P congrats on your Friday sober and Saturday without the after effects. Sobriety is meant to be happy.<br><br>Sue P, I am no old timer but can pass on what helped me. I had no problem surrendering my will and life over to alcohol, it controlled everything I did. Also Step 3 is just a DECISION to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. If you understand God as an energy force, pray to that energy force. There is a suggestion on page 63 of the 4th edition of the Big Book on how to word that prayer. The Steps that follow Step 3 are where we do the work of turning our will and lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.
Member: Kendall
Location: Washington
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 01:42 PM
Kerry,please tell us what is on page 64 and page 65.
Member: Kerry C
Location: TX(kerryctx@hotmail.com)
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 02:42 PM
Kendall, Here is an online version of the 3rd Edition, the page numbers are included. The page numbers don't quite match the 4th edition but close enough. http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~clyde/BillW/BB_Introduction.html
Member: Diane
Location: Oklahoma
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 03:53 PM
Hi I'm back, I've been away, My Son upset me so I left for a visit to my Mom's and my good sister's house anyway I'm back and can see many new folks and some crazy folks. Welcome and don't drink. Today is 5 Months and 1 day sober for me and thanks Kelly for remembering me I don't really need a chip I do have a month chip and a 1 day chip and I know when 6 months comes if I really want one I can get my butt in to a meeting. Good to be back. Not had time to read all but I will try and play catch up later.
Member: Kendall
Location: Washington
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 07:58 PM
Kerry are you that buig a an idiot? I was making fun of your stupidity in saying that ridiculous shit!!
Member: PeanutsP
Location: New York
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 09:02 PM
Thanks for the support Kerry, It's nice to know someone's listening and I really appreciate your posts even if others don't. You can't please everyone though, I guess thats something you learn when working the steps which i'm just starting to do. I must admit though this is my first weekend of sobriety in a long time and i'm really happy and I didn't think i would get through it. Thanks again
Member: Kerry C
Location: TX(kerryctx@hotmail.com)
Date: August 23, 2003
Time: 11:29 PM
Peanut don't worry about it they don't bother me, I turned it over to God. Actually I posted the link for others that might need it, I am glad Kendall asked so I had the opportunity to post the link. Hey might as well get some good use out of the disrupters and get a good laugh at the same time :)