Member: Jenny M.
Location: Washington
Remote Name: 198.81.26.113
Date: December 07, 2003
Time: 03:10 PM -0500
Esy does it. A good one to remember during the holiday's. One's sobiety depends on it. In sobriety it seems that I try too hard to get everything done in a day. I think I need to relax and go with the flow. Everything will get done. Take one day at a time and don't overdo spending. Remember the spirit of Christmas.
Member: l.mike
Location: georgia
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: December 07, 2003
Time: 06:20 PM -0500
I am mike an alcoholic.Hey jenny.I am in early sobrioty again and taking it easy doesn't come easy for me. It seams that,without realizing,I am trying to work away that relapse. I really dont know how right now. Alcohol took peace away that I have known before and although I am greatful to be sober I feel very uneasy still, 6 days sobrioty.I think that pride had alot to do with my relapse,today I am willing to do service work ,go to meetings,work on steps with my sponcer and do what is suggested by my sponcer.Also I am looking for a chat room that is chaired as well as organized so that I have a chance to share.The one I have visited was totally about who could type the fastest.my e-mail address is lmikesims@aol.com if anyone can let me know of one.Thanks
Member: toddc
Location: Indianapolis
Remote Name: 65.26.180.227
Date: December 07, 2003
Time: 08:56 PM -0500
To me Easy does it means to me keeping myself in check and not let my natural self-confidence get away and make me think i'm better off than I am. If I take it slowly and listen to what the old timers say in the meetings, I realize that I could be hit by a relapse at any time. So in my mind I must take it easy an keep doing the steps as the are meant to be done and not try to rush myself into recovery.
Member: Miranda
Location: Vermont, USA
Remote Name: 198.115.160.191
Date: December 07, 2003
Time: 09:01 PM -0500
off-topic but pertinent Just wanted to let you all know that one of my oldest and dearest friends died today. Her name was Mary. We all called her Muffy. She was 48, same age as me. She had been sober for six years. Not clean though, she struggled with drug addiction. Her husband told me this afternoon, as the police searched the house, and the funeral people zipped her into a nice burgundy body bag that Muf had been taking Percocets (that he knew of the police found some other stuff) and he is afraid she OD'd. So I watched them take the body of my friend out into the snow today to go to Burlington for an autopsy. She leaves two children 14 and 18. So please, if you pray, pray for Steven, Brian and Tom. And if you are still drinking, or taking drugs, think about how many lives you will destroy besides your own.
Member: l.mike
Location: georgia
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: December 07, 2003
Time: 10:07 PM -0500
Mike an alcoholic.Sorry to here about your friend.That easily could be me,thankyou.Todd,I'm not to great with a computer and I went to the web site but couldn't get to a chat room,maybe I'll stay here for a while.Glad to be sober!
Member: Ardis ;)
Location: Florida
Remote Name: 24.161.241.135
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 02:13 AM -0500
Easy does it ---- but DO IT! ==============Easy does it to me is not the easy does it in being lazy or being a procrastinator. Easy does it to me is to keep it simple in the now, not generating turmoil or drama, not being overwhelmed by having too many things going on at once, especially during the Holidays. ======================When overwhelmed, step back and overlook the situation, then choose first things first! What is the most important action to do at this moment. When at a Holiday party and this happens, there is nothing wrong with getting the hell out of there, or when with family, to go for a walk around the block. =======================Easy does it, SOBRIETY must come FIRST. Even if that means to only action one can do TODAY is getting out of bed and NOT drinking. Whatever it takes!
Member: Ann
Location: Ohio
Remote Name: 68.171.89.218
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 05:43 AM -0500
Easy does it means alot to me right now. I'm at 67 days and am doing really well. I no longer have the "drunk" dreams.. actually I had a dream where people were drinking and I told them I don't drink anymore.. I had oral surgery last week and mid-surgery the cancer word came up and 3 biopsys later I'm still waiting for results, but didn't think once of drinking. I thought of my son, I thought of my family, and, I actually thought of me. I take life one day at a time, and actually remember what I do everyday. I try and make sure that regularly I get out and walk, and enjoy what my hp has provided. Easy does it. Everyday. Here's to another 24 for everyone!
Member: toddc
Location: Indianapolis
Remote Name: 65.26.180.227
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 06:36 AM -0500
MIKE your welcome, if you like I can send you a step by step of getting in there to the meeting. It isn't difficult. Just let me know. you can send me a reply to the previous e-mail and tell me.
Member: Adam H.
Location: New York, NY
Remote Name: 64.232.156.194
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 10:26 AM -0500
Adam, alcoholic. "Easy does WHAT?" was my big question when I was new in AA. A couple of weeks later, after the blood started to get back into my alcohol system, I saw the mess my life had become: I was alienated from my family; I had no friends; I was terrified to go back to school because I had been drinking there for so long with people who didn't want my company and had made it clear in every way possible; I had given everything in my bank account away so I could drink; I had stolen and wasted other people's money so that I could drink...and on and on and on. I had no idea how I could ever live long enough to straighten out all of that, or if I would ever have the material or emotional resources to do that. My homegroup had to point out to me that "Easy Does It, but DO IT" applied to those things. They reminded me that a whole life geared towards "looking out for #1 at all costs" did not get set in reverse all at once, and that it would take time...perhaps a lot of time, but it COULD BE DONE if I was willing to take small steps to get the work done. Those first small steps, of course, began with not drinking, getting to a meeting daily, and accepting the guidance of a sponsor. Over time and through continuing to do those easy things, I have grown to the point that I was able to straighten out that mess...or most of it, anyway. Even today, I have to remember "Easy Does It but DO IT" when I look at some mess I have to clean up or some problem that I have to help solve. Thanks for letting me share.
Member: Jim B
Location: Seattle
Remote Name: 172.168.76.104
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 11:17 AM -0500
New week and time to renew your strength. Stay strong, everyone!
Member: Robyn
Location: IN
Remote Name: 209.43.107.240
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 03:09 PM -0500
Easy does it! I'm constantly having to tell myself that. Being new to the program and sobriety alone have put a 1000 questions into my mind. This doesn't include the other 1000 that are totally unrelated. My Temp. Sponser is constantly saying "Easy Does It". It's something I am working on right along with being sober. I have chosen not to drink or do drugs today. To Miranda-It's tragic and in the same breath a huge reminder to me of what could easily happen to me. I am so sorry!
Member: Beto L
Location: Tampico, Mexico
Remote Name: 66.68.107.110
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 03:41 PM -0500
Easy Does It in my case had a lot to do with First Things First. When I quit drinking I wanted to quit smoking, mow the yard, paint the house, Go to church, or masybe start my own church... Easy Does It. First Things First. I needed to get a solid foundation of sobriety. I needed to break the old habits of drinking alcohol as a solution to all my problems. I needed to form some new good habits of going to meetings and maintaining contact with God. I needed to brak the old patterns of thinking before I undertook any other great changes.
Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Remote Name: 68.0.184.118
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 06:55 PM -0500
Hi all, My name is Bill, I am an alcoholic. I am also a member of the Steering Committee. It is with a great deal of sadness that in the spirit of rotation I must leave the Steering Committee. It is time for one of you to take the baton and press on. You are the only one who can nominate you. We need representation from the meeting goers. It was not a difficult job. Over the past year I answered about a 100 inquiries. I have met several new friends. I have been successful 100% of the time. I never once took a drink all year. :) God bless you all.... In the Fellowship of the Spirit, Bill
Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Remote Name: 68.0.184.118
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 06:58 PM -0500
Hi all, My name is Bill, I am an alcoholic. I am also a member of the Steering Committee. It is with a great deal of sadness that in the spirit of rotation I must leave the Steering Committee. It is time for one of you to take the baton and press on. You are the only one who can nominate you. We need representation from the meeting goers. It was not a difficult job. Over the past year I answered about a 100 inquiries. I have met several new friends. I have been successful 100% of the time. I never once took a drink all year. :) God bless you all.... In the Fellowship of the Spirit, Bill
Member: Stacy
Location: West Coast
Remote Name: 67.122.167.220
Date: December 08, 2003
Time: 08:02 PM -0500
Phew, this is a great topic and perfect for me today. Stacy, alcoholic, sober 8 months and 2 days and grateful to God and AA for that gift. Easy Does It. The holidays used to wind me up really good. Last year they were nearly unbearable to me. I was running around frantically trying to be everything, do everything, have everything....all the while getting drunk, lying about it, crying about it!!!! What hell that was. This season is different. I still have 101 things to do and I'm experiencing some stress about it, but I know that when it takes over what I need to do is stop and turn to God. Take ODAAT and do first things first. I know that it will all be okay if I don't drink or run today. And what a blessing to not be living a lie this Xmas season. Happy 24 (and Holidays!) to all.
Member: Gage
Location: swamp
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 03:02 AM -0500
I'm Gage and I'm an alcoholic. If somebody looks at me sideways, my habit has always been to presume they meant me bad will in some way. If it rained when I didn't want it to, then the Universe meant to hurt me. I react to the notion of "me" and I let that notion suck up all of my thoughts, time, and energy. It's a bad habit and it could get me drunk if it were to happen in the right moment. So, what I've thought "Take it easy" is about is to practice not letting all my energy go to fears about myself and slow down before I act on those fears. Just take-it-easy. Sometimes I have to talk it through with someone.
Member: dave.s
Location: driffield e.yorks
Remote Name: 80.225.182.106
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 07:27 AM -0500
Look up the word "Easy" its got more meanings than you would think-Relief from stress,pain anxiety being one of many. We Alcoholics really do turn Easy into difficult. Thats me folks-and take it real easy today,and everyday. Best Wishes Dave S
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 09:05 AM -0500
Hi (All), Kelly, an alki in recovery. "Take It Easy" just reminds me of an old Eagles tune titled, "Take It Easy". It goes something like this... <Take It easy, take it easy, Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy, Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand, Just find a place to make your stand and take it easy ...> Pretty self explanitory but this alki brain has to remember not to complicate things. For so many years being an active drunk my life was always in chaos. I got used to the chaos and sometimes sober I can create chaos because it feels familiar. It's the (opposite) of peace. You know I like peace a whole lot better so when I'm creating or perpetuating chaos I turn it over to God. "God, please take my will because my will, will get me drunk and show me the way... Thy will be done, not mine....Amen. That simple prayer really works for me and it can be anything you want it to be. As an old timer, age 84 named Artie always says: "Take it slow and easy". Kelly :)
Member: Tony C
Location: North of Detroit
Remote Name: 198.208.159.14
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 11:11 AM -0500
I was trying to think of what "Easy does it" would and then I read Beto's response and it hit the nail right on the head for me. Everytime I decide to give up drinking I think of all these things that I could accomplish in all the extra sober time I'll have and I wind up giving myself soooo much to do that I start to stress at the lack of getting anything done and the next thing you know - I'm drinkin' again. Then I decide to quit and round and round I go but at least I keep quitting. Hopefully with a little faith, one of these times it will take. Thanks.
Member: Becky
Location: Seattle
Remote Name: 64.65.147.127
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 04:10 PM -0500
Well, I'm not in an "Easy Does It" mode. Facing Christmas with only just under 4 mos sobriety and my Sponsor is distracted as her kid was just diagnosed with a serious illness. It has been good to get out of my own pity party, but I'm also worried about how to be continuing on with my program...Torn between feeling guilty that I want things to be about ME, and worried that I might relapse over the holidays. Thanks for letting me share.
Member: l.mike
Location: georgia
Remote Name: 64.12.96.44
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 10:58 PM -0500
I am mike, an alcoholic.My sponcer told me today that in order for me to stay sober I first admit powerlessness, my life was unmanagable, it still is so I learn to ask what I should do, then I listen to the advise of my sponcer and the oldtimers that has traveled this path.When the student is ready,the teacher will appear.I think it gets easy at complete defeat or it did for me
Member: Katy
Location: CA
Remote Name: 66.53.38.219
Date: December 09, 2003
Time: 11:12 PM -0500
When I first heard this slogan, I felt like finally I had been given permission, in some sense, to not take everything so damn seriously! And i totally agree that this idea is closely related to "First Things First". A dear old friend of mine just passed away from cancer, she was only diagnosed this past Sept. She had moved away, but we had gone through lots of things together, her youngest girl a month older than my oldest child, who was a girl. Anyway, what a shock it was, what an abrupt awakening yet again: life is way too short and unpredictable to blow things out of proportion, to stress or obsess over the tiniest things, we in fact, anybody, could literally be gone tommorrow! Not to be a downer, but realist, and to remember "easy does it" and "first thing first". And I love you Andee, thanks for being my friend!
Member: Ann
Location: Ohio
Remote Name: 205.188.208.101
Date: December 10, 2003
Time: 09:11 AM -0500
Well, what to do if other people won't let you take it easy? Even with lots of talks and e-mails explaining the beginning of sobriety and how I have to focus on myself, I continue to get calls and e-mails packed with problems that I am supposed to share and fix. I feel so overwhelmed by this that I just said "no". I can't take it anymore. But I feel guilty that this person is just left with no one to talk to as she needs to. Now everyday is easier that I don't get those calls, but I also worry about the person and wonder who if anyone they are opening up to. For some reason, she won't call her sons to vent. What to do. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. The other person is going thru grief, and just happens to be my mom. Thanks, and heres to another sober 24 to all.
Member: Mike J.
Location: Pennsylvania
Remote Name: 205.188.208.165
Date: December 10, 2003
Time: 09:30 AM -0500
Hi I'm Mike Alcoholic: To not say any thing about the topic would be a copout for me.Taking it easy would be typing one word after the next so that I make some contribution most importantly getting outside of my head and making real comittment rather than just thinking about what it all means.I liked the reference to the Eagles song because it sounds like whoever wrote the words was trying to make sense out of the world but was having an experience common to many of not getting all the answers and so they suggests finding a place where we can take care of ourselves, hang in there and do the best we can making our best attempt at living.As I type this I realize how petty and foolish I am but I am so without the influence of alcohol and for that I am grateful.I watched many of my Aunts and uncles die from this disease and if I get nothing else from life not being duped by the poison alcohol will be enough.If along the way any of my experience, Strength or hope can help others then thats a bonus that gives me more than I would have ever bargained for had I kept using alcohol.I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your freinds. I'm 49 and think about mortality often.
Member: jules h.
Location: Iowa
Remote Name: 207.177.18.151
Date: December 10, 2003
Time: 09:35 AM -0500
Hi all.......Jules here, alcoholic. Thanks for the reminder of "easy does it" as I go out to start my day I will remember this slogan today. And I need to remember, "how important is it", when I start getting upset about anything, I like feeling serene today and that does come from "easy does it"! Thanks again...
Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Remote Name: 68.0.184.118
Date: December 10, 2003
Time: 02:25 PM -0500
HI. Bill here, alcholic from Arizona. Easy does it; but do it. Take care. Love you all and there is not a darn thing you can do about it LOL Bill
Member: katd
Location: so cal
Remote Name: 66.123.255.84
Date: December 10, 2003
Time: 04:23 PM -0500
KatD alcoholic, I like the saying EDI. I guess I never thought about it much though. I like the perspective of 'I need to go easy, I need to let my HP show me the way, changing the world is not up to me, changing my past or trying to control what happens and how it happens and who does what, NONE of that is up to me'. I must just take it easy, back off, and work on acceptance and showing up to do the footwork I know I need to do to survive. -Miranda-thanks for sharing about your friend, i have gone many years saying I was sober but sneaking pain pills whenever i could get my hands on some to steal or something. I knew in my heart it was my alcoholism, my head worked hard to deny it though, then I drank alcohol again and all lies were off, I was still a active drunk. I have a son and family and a lot to loose yet will drink and drive just to be able to sneak in that drink. I am sick. I am trying to reach out and get to f2f meetings and do things different. It is hard changing 40 years of behaviors, but I am doing what I can and seeking HP daily for help and guidance. I pray everyone has a sober and pleasant holiday season. If you are alone and need to connect - reach out here so we/I can help. My love and prayers to all AAers.
Member: Ed
Location: VA
Remote Name: 68.100.37.88
Date: December 10, 2003
Time: 10:45 PM -0500
Tonight means 3 full days without a drink. Hasn't been that hard, but it hasn't been easy either. I'm 64 and have been drinking for a lot of years. Have quit for awhile a few times, did 60 some days March - May this year, but that came after a hospitalization for heart problems. Then 6 days in July thinking I would spare myself more heart problems. Learned something new this time though. Today and yesterday I could feel the pressure building up as late afternoon approached evening when I would normally down half a fifth of gin in the hour or so before dinner. But after I drove by the liquor store and got home with no bottle in tow, I discovered the pressure (craving?) was gone. This has been an important lesson for me, because when the pressure starts to build I was convinced it would continue to build until I couldn't stand it anymore. Now I know that's not true. Don't know what that has to do with Easy does it, but I needed share that little tiny insight with someone. Thanks for being here. Ed
Member: stan k
Location: mi
Remote Name: 12.73.153.24
Date: December 11, 2003
Time: 02:13 AM -0500
I am a horrible alcoholic. Product of abuse and trauma. Your brain is changed by that. There is nothing you can do. No healthy human can understand (why we drink ourselves to death). luv u all
Member: Mike J.
Location: Pennsylvania
Remote Name: 152.163.252.130
Date: December 11, 2003
Time: 02:45 PM -0500
Congradulations Ed for making it through to the other side .It May be only one step but as I've heard said"Every Journey begins with the first step".....And every step there after is another step towards the goal.! People can change stan. The first step is to make the admission that we are powerless over alcoholand that our lives have become unmanagabe. Don't drink and go to meetings and you will find a better life than you ever bargained for despite your early trauma and abuse. Keep coming back! Mike
Member: katd
Location: so cal
Remote Name: 67.117.217.95
Date: December 11, 2003
Time: 03:39 PM -0500
KatD here, alcoholic, had a few days, drank, had a few days, drank, It would seem I have not reached my bottom or that a drink still seems more important to me than staying sober. It is strange to me that in my heart I declare so vehemently that I want to stop the insanity and then my sick head kicks in and kablooey- I drink. I am going to LA for 3 days at my moms and know I wont drink there, and I am going to a meeting SUnday where a 'great' speaker is going to share, so perhaps these days will give me the kick start I seem to need to stop the cycle. If any of you believe in the power of prayer please pray for me,kathy, to stay sober! I will also keep all struggling AAers in my prayers.
Member: mark m
Location: columbia tn
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: December 11, 2003
Time: 04:46 PM -0500
hello mark m here,alcoholic thank you for your honesty( kat d) but you have got to stop your merry go round with drinking than stopping then drinking and then stoping #1 get a sponsor #2 get real with yourself all your doing is playing games with your life you say it,s hard to change 40 yrs of drinking well darling your not going to change it overnight you got to want it. there are tools out there for you to use (not just meetings try reading the big book ) sorry to be so rough on you but somtimes you got to get that way love mark m
Member: Becky R
Location: Central Oregon
Remote Name: 66.62.141.140
Date: December 11, 2003
Time: 08:52 PM -0500
Becky here. Easy Does it. That is a funny one, since I am new into recovery and I want to fix all my problems right now. I want to do all the steps today. I want to make ammends to all I have hurt over the past 28 years, and I want to do it today. I started seeing a conselor to fix my head and I want all my legal consequences to be taken care of now. So my sponsor is an Easy Does It gal. One Day at a Time. Today is a new day. I am sober and grateful for that. Happy Holidays, Becky Ps. Way to go Ed. Hang in there.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 205.188.208.101
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 12:49 AM -0500
Kelly here, double dipping, sorry. (Kat D) Good luck in LA and your meeting. I just want to share with you something I saw tonight that was sad but I see it all the time. I went to my meeting and saw a woman go up and get a white chip. Then it struck me that I knew her. She was pretty beaten up, her face was cut and bruised. I then heard him say her name was Sue. Oh, my God! ... she had not been around in months. She had been very kind to me last year when I was new and had given me her number. We talked a bunch of times. She was back and in bad shape. I talked to her before I left. She remembered me and seemed sad and embarassed. I told her to stop by the alcathon and that I was making food for the meal. She smiled but still she looked so sad. She is about 50 and has battled the disease and went back out and it beat her to a pulp. I'm always glad to see people come back but some don't make it back. (Please) don't play with your sobriety, you may pay for it with your (life). Relapse does not have to be a part of recovery, only if you want it to be. I'll pray for you to give up your will everyday. Kat, can you ask God to take your will everyday? God has lifted my (mental obsession) but only because I meet him halfway. He won't interfere with my own free will. My will can and will get me drunk so I give it up to God everyday. Please just give it a try and keep coming back here and posting....Best of Luck! Have a Safe and Sober Christmas... Kelly :)
Member: Scott K.
Location: Northeast
Remote Name: 13.13.137.1
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 06:58 AM -0500
Hi, my name is Scott and I’m an alcoholic. Easy does it!! About two years ago, I realized I was powerless over alcohol and my life had become unmanageable. At the time however, my pride would not let me attend an AA meeting, I didn’t want anyone to know I had a problem. I found Staying Cyber while surfing one day and began to read about the experience, strength and hope of so many courageous people getting victory over this disease. It gave me hope and ultimately led me to a F2F meeting where I was welcomed with open arms and no judgments. I have been coming back ever since and have not had to take a drink or any other mind altering substance since Feb 18, 2002. Today I am a very grateful recovering alcoholic and work at my program each day. The program of AA has given me back my life after 30+ years of drinking and I have to thank Staying Cyber for getting me started. THANK YOU ((ALL))
Member: Ed
Location: VA
Remote Name: 68.100.37.88
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 08:32 AM -0500
Ed, an alcoholic. Thanks Becky for your encouragement. Now into my 5th day, but almost caved last evening. Think I'll try returning to AA tonight -- a large speakers meeting so I can get lost in the crowd. Attended regularly in the Spring, but slowly developed some issues with AA -- or maybe the meetings I was attending. Fell off my 60-day wagon and quit attending. Don't recall which came first, but both were quite deliberate acts. ROMY -- Just go to a meeting, any meeting. You do not have to identify yourself as an alcoholic, though I would encourage you to and to say how long you've been sober -- what you've done is fairly impressive. Don't concern yourself about getting a sponsor right away. Wait until you find someone you think you want to work with -- then ask. Most AAs who have some time in look forward to being someone's sponsor. AA may not be right for you, but you won't know if you don't go. Ed
Member: Louise
Location: NW Illinois
Remote Name: 63.161.220.149
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 12:54 PM -0500
Hi, my name is Louise and I am an alcoholic and I have been having a lot of trouble lately. I was sober for 13 years but 6 years ago I started drinking again,2 years ago I went thru treatment again and only stayed sober 3 months, 4 months ago I "got in trouble again" and quit again,but in the last month I have had 4 or 5 "slips" and in the last week I got drunk every nite. I'm at my wits end, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?? I attend meetings weekly( I have not had the courage to tell anyone about my "slips")I am still reading the Big Book, but I just can't seem to find my serenity. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening.
Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 05:01 PM -0500
Hi, Kelly, a drunk,... here again... What the heck I already double dipped this week ;)... Whats one more post gonna hurt?... As long as it's not a drink I'm all set;) ((Welcome)), Romy, Scott, Ed and Louise! Romy get yourself to a meeting and just give it a chance. You mentioned the bandaid, well not taking care of the disease, (alcoholism) is like putting a bandaid over cancer. It is just going to get worse and worse. Scott, Way to go man. My sob date is Oct 1 2002. If anybody would have told me I could quit drinking on Sept 31st 2002 I would have told them they were crazy. My life is "infinitessimabley" better... not sure on the spelling there? The monkey that used to live on my back is gone to another home and I feel so free! Ed, great on trying a meeting again. Remember you are the most important person in that room tonight... The person coming back. I give Sue so much credit for getting a white chip last night. I saw her at the nooner and she told me where picking back up brought her to. She woke up bloody on her steering wheel. She did not know how she got there. The police gave her a set of chrome bracelets and pc'd her for the night. Her husband of 35 years bailed her out the next morning. She is on (permanent) leave from her 20+ year career as a teacher. She may never drive again in any state because this will be her 3rd DWI. This one may be for life because she hit a tree and it could have been a person. She is the most worried about picking up the phone and telling her children what she did before they read it in the newspaper. She doesn't want to ruin their Christmases. Man, my heart went out to her. I have made the hall of shame myself! She said, " I just wanted one drink after work, thats all. I stopped going to meetings and before I knew it I was right back to drinking myself unconscience". Who can't relate to that??? I could! and also the humiliation we go through when drunk. All I could say to her is to KEEP COMING BACK. I gave her my phone number and wrote on it "God could and would, if he were sought". I also thanked her for being kind to me when I was new and she smiled. ((Louise)), it is ok to struggle and to not get it right away. Keep going and after a while you may want to share with another drunk. As hard as that is it is mainly why I am sober today. I did not speak for three months but I did a lot of listening and tried different meetings. Have you tried a Step meeting yet? Each week we read a different chapter in the 12&12 of AA. I found myself and some answers between those pages, I really did. Good Luck on the journey everyone. I know you can do it! Kelly :)
Member: romy kelly
Location: houston, texas
Remote Name: 67.66.198.254
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 07:31 PM -0500
okay.. its 6:30 i know there 7:00pm meetings looked them all up again.. like a fruitcake..i can i do it... thanx for the encouragement..biting my nails now..like a nervous kid..36 yr old kid.. lol.. easy does it..romy drive to the meeting, open the car door..walk to door..open it.. wish me luck..
Member: Ed
Location: VA
Remote Name: 68.100.37.88
Date: December 12, 2003
Time: 10:30 PM -0500
Romy - Hope you followed through and made it to a meeting. If so, share your thoughts with us. If not, pick another day soon and give it a try. Made my first meeting in 7 months. I was reasonably sure that no one would remember me, at least not my name, but sure enough 2 people came up and shook my hand, called me by name and welcomed me back. It felt a little like going back home. Doubt I would have actually gone had I not posted my intentions here and had not Kelly encouraged me. Thanks Kelly. For LOUISE: Maybe you should try something in addition to AA. I've been reading a book entitled "Beyond the Influence" by Katherine Ketcham (co-author of the 1980s book "Under the Influence"). Both books adopt the disease concept of alcoholism and argue that recovery can be extremely difficult without close attention to proper diet and nutrition. And the proper diet for a recovering alcoholic is not the same as it is for other people. I've been using nutrional supplements for a couple weeks to help my body repair itself and am trying to adjust my diet. There are probably many other good books on the subject as well. Wishing everyone -- and especially myself -- another sober 24 hours. Ed
Member: Gage
Location: swamp
Remote Name: 205.188.208.101
Date: December 13, 2003
Time: 02:06 AM -0500
((Louise)), your question is "What's wrong with me?" If I start drinking and come here and ask that question, please say to me something like this (because I probably want be able to say it for myself): What's wrong with you is either that you need to get a bigger bottle or you need to throw the bottle away. I will definitely do one or the other, because I've only got two speeds, how about you? God bless you, darling.
Member: Landru
Location: SF Bay Area
Remote Name: 63.205.69.144
Date: December 13, 2003
Time: 10:55 AM -0500
Hi - Andrew here, alcoholic. Four months sober here. This is my second time here, and I am trying to make it stick. I remember about a month after I quit drinking, after my head cleared a little bit, I took a look at my life, and had the alarming thought "It's not just the alcohol - I'm actually crazy!". I really thought I had lost my mind. I didn't know what to do. I was trying really hard, I was doing 90 meetings in 90 days, and I couldn't figure out what all the confusion was about and I was scared. That's when I started listening to what people said about the steps, and I realized that the steps are for the life that comes after the alcohol stops. Sure, AA is about not drinking, but it's also just as much about life after drinking. For me, that is where Easy Does It kicked in; allowing me to be okay in the moment, and to listen to instructions and move forward, one step at a time. Go to meetings. Get a sponsor. Work the steps. Thank you to everyone. Keep coming back.
Member: l.mike
Location: georgia
Remote Name: 205.188.208.101
Date: December 13, 2003
Time: 06:47 PM -0500
Mike an alcoholic.Hey.I have 8 days sober now but today was uncomfortable.Just yesterday I would have thought it impossible to consider using after all I been through and put others through but today I did.Thats insanity and it scares me.I dont even know why I didn't.I have been doing it all; meetings,steps,sponcer,prayer,studing the big book,even going to counceling but with all I do it was God who kept me today.Maybe it takes all that I can do and God,today was discouraging to realize again that I am powerless over alcohol and drugs,even over cravings and insane thoughts. Hopefully I am just now beginning to understand step one, but I dont know.What else can I do?
Member: eric
Location: mi
Remote Name: 12.73.153.160
Date: December 14, 2003
Time: 02:11 AM -0500
hmm alcoholics, what advise would you give the character in "leaving las vegas" played my nicholas cage. It would seem for him a miracle to be sober any days. Thats kinda where I'm at. love you all, eric
Member: Rick
Location: Middle East
Remote Name: 213.42.2.6
Date: December 14, 2003
Time: 04:11 AM -0500
14 Dec 2003 Sunday Well, well. Over a year since my last entry. It’s been a rather drunken and blurry year. Not sure that I remember much of it. No hospital or police incidents this year. Friday was my last day to drink. I had two 6-Packs of tall Heinekens and that was a normal load. I felt like crap on Sat, better today. This is my 2nd day. Boy, ain’t that impressive? I was in such a foreign place and in such totally unfamiliar surroundings. This is the same comment I made a year ago. How did a person like myself get to a place like this? I am better than this, and, like last year, I know how I got here, one drink at a time. I have misplaced whole decades. I was consuming so much, I began to yearn to let it all seep out of my body and start all over again, see how I felt clean and sober. I read the first chapter of I John this morning. A person who has “handled the word of life” has no business polluting his body. From the book of James, “Can the same fountain produce sweet and salt water?” “Can the same mouth produce blessing and cursing?” (Sorry for the overbearing spirituality; I am a former minister.) I am a leaf in a tornado and have very little to hold on to. This is coming in early Sun, US time. I am 10 time zones ahead and for me it is Sunday pm already. Could we let the topic for next week be “Let Go and Let God?” Anything spiritual would help. Thanks.
Member: Kevin R
Location: British Columbia
Remote Name: 206.116.216.34
Date: December 14, 2003
Time: 06:17 AM -0500
Hi everyone, my name is Kevin and I am a hard core alcholic. I first walked into a meeting a little over 9 months ago. That room is now my home group, and I was there tonight. For the fourth (or fifth) time when roll call was done, I had to answer "here, yes". I am glad to be back yet again, but I still struggle with these evil thoughts. Up here we call it "stinking thinking". I get 2-4 weeks of being sober, feeling good, more productive etc..... then I get the good/evil, should I/shouldn't I , "you can do this for one night" thinking.... and I realize how powerless I really am over this evil drug....and yet I lose the battle. I have a GREAT sponsor, but I still have to find a way to beat that thinking in my head.... ANYONE please give me any ideas....