A ? for those with 10 years or more

[Tazman53]

Okay this is a question I know many of you with quite a few 24 hours under your belt have been asked many times by newcomers:

How have you stayed sober so long?

I have asked the question and every old timer told me "One day at a time." That I now understand, but besides doing it "One day at a time." what else have you found to be the most helpful in staying sober?

[Music]

Originally Posted by Tazman53

what else have you found to be the most helpful in staying sober?

Don't take that first drink, even if my a$$ falls off. I don't mean for that to sound flippant but it's the truth. There have been days when not taking that first drink was the only thing I did right.

For me there are four major things I have to remember. Don't drink, go to meetings, communicate with my sponsor, and work and re-work the steps. Everyone I've seen drink after a time of sobriety have done these things in reverse. If I ever stop working the steps, talking to my sponsor and going to meetings, the drink is just a matter of time.

[miss communicat]

I've adjusted my attitude, and turned it towards my higher power, towards service, and towards the things I can be grateful for rather than the negatives.

[best]

Originally Posted by Music

Don't take that first drink, even if my a$$ falls off.

ditto


Not taking that first drink keeps me from not getting drunk.
Working the steps of recovery helped me get past being dry and started me growing towards being sober.

My mind telling my body to not pick up the first drink helped me find my soul.
Mind, body, and soul equals a sober pathway.

[Tazman53]

Thanks folks, I will need to ask the same question of the old timers in my area the next time they pick up.

[Zoobear]

Originally Posted by Music

Don't take that first drink, even if my a$$ falls off. I don't mean for that to sound flippant but it's the truth. There have been days when not taking that first drink was the only thing I did right.

For me there are four major things I have to remember. Don't drink, go to meetings, communicate with my sponsor, and work and re-work the steps. Everyone I've seen drink after a time of sobriety have done these things in reverse. If I ever stop working the steps, talking to my sponsor and going to meetings, the drink is just a matter of time.

This is what works for me.

[CarolD]

God and daily living the AA steps

[laurie6781]

Don't take that first drink, even if my a$$ falls off.

That is it in a nutshell. Then to help me not take that first drink, I worked the steps then learned how to LIVE the steps One Day At A Time.

Practice, practice, practice.

Just for Today, to the Best Of My Ability, I practice being thoughtful, kind and considerate to ALL who cross my path, and I treat all the way I would like to be treated.

Sounds simple right? But it can be difficult. That is why I say practice, practice, practice. Some days I am better at it than other days. Practicing all these years has helped to change my behaviors, my demeanor, and my reactions to others.

So, I don't drink even when my azz might be falling off.

Love and hugs,

[Freedom1990]

Originally Posted by Music

Don't take that first drink, even if my a$$ falls off. I don't mean for that to sound flippant but it's the truth. There have been days when not taking that first drink was the only thing I did right.

For me there are four major things I have to remember. Don't drink, go to meetings, communicate with my sponsor, and work and re-work the steps. Everyone I've seen drink after a time of sobriety have done these things in reverse. If I ever stop working the steps, talking to my sponsor and going to meetings, the drink is just a matter of time.

I've got to agree with all of the above. The basics have never failed me. The only thing I would add is I also rely on my Big Book a lot. My sponsor is coming up on 27 years this year, and is an over the road driver. He taught me that he takes an hour a day, no matter what, and either reads from his Big Book, or listens to it on CD in his truck.

[cookconfay]

Yep....don't drink no matter what, think the drink all the way through.....NEVER forget where you came from.....Pray, read, write, make meetings, get a sponsor & use them....work the steps, you know.....trust God, clean house & help others!!

[dgillz]

Originally Posted by Music

Don't drink, go to meetings, communicate with my sponsor, and work and re-work the steps.

I don't have long term sobriety, but I asked an old timer in my home group an almost identical question (he just got his 30 year chip). He also talked about working and reworking the steps. He said that no where in those 12 steps does it say "Congratulations, you've graduated, get the hell out of here."

That is something I will remember forever.

[REZ]

For me it is important to keep on doing that things that worked in the beginning: going to meetings, working the steps, working with a sponsor, fellowship, service, prayer and meditation.

Also is important to remain teachable. I must have the attitude that I never have this disease licked, that I don't know it all, and that I can always learn from other people.

Also, don't drink/drug no matter what, of course.

[bballdad]

Taz,good question.I agree with everyone else.I`m almost 20 yrs but it just means I have had a little longer to practice "one day at a time" and the other things mentioned here.I would like to add H.A.L.T. is essential for contented sobriety too.

Please see a thread I am going to post next about a recent experience of mine.

[Barto]

The way I’ve managed not to drink for over ten years, besides “One Day at a Time,” is “AA, by the book.” I think I’ve also been granted some unearned mercy.

[Tazman53]

Thanks folks, I am sure I along with other folks with just a few 24 hours under our belts have benefitted from you all's ESH.

[Sheryl85]

If you can stand one more person’s ESH, I’d like to share a little bit of knowledge that I gained over the years. When I had 13 years in the program, I found that I had started to rest on my laurels and forgotten where the true credit should lay regarding my sobriety and happiness. I had gotten to busy with the “things” in life (my job, my motherhood, being the perfect homemaker, etc.) and I started acting like I no longer needed to be a good member of AA. I guess I felt I had out grown it. That act of hubris for my personal accomplishments nearly cost me everything. Fortunately my Higher Power intervened and I got back to the basics of recovery. So, by sticking to those basics that others have already shared here with us, I got to celebrate 23 years of sobriety today, and let me tell you, that says a heck of a lot more about my Higher Power than it says a darn thing about me.

So how have I stayed sober all these years? By trusting God, cleaning house, working with others and going to meetings… One day at a time.

[Cathy31]

Well done Sheryl and what a beautiful post, thank you!

[mikel60]

"Don't take that first drink, even if my a$$ falls off."

And if your a$$ falls off, pick your a$$ up, put your a$$ in a wheelbarrow, and take your a$$ to a goddam meeting, goddammit!!

Sorry - couldn't help myself. But seriously, Music is right. Get to meetings, work the steps, live a good life. My acronym? Is my life RICH? Am I a man of Responsibilty, Reason, Integrity, Intellect, Caring, Compassion, Honesty, and Humility? Adapted loosely from a speech by JFK, I try to apply these principles, along with the steps in my life. Do I make it every day. Never. Do I try? Always!
Nice subject, Taz! Thanks.
Mike

[collinsmi]

Continue doing 10, 11 and 12, hit meetings and be of service. Not a big deal once I got used to it. Really don't worry about drinking now and haven't for a long time.

[collinsmi]

Congratulations Sheryl!!!!

[navysteve]

How do I stay sober???? God has removed the obsession from me. With the twelve steps practiced as a way of life ( practice implies that I will make mistakes) I cannot take a drink. Does that sound cocky??? No no, the promises of the steps ( there are more tan what is read in meetings) remove alcohol from me. I am free. I can go anywhere because God has placed me in a safe place. I do not fear alcohol. Meetings do not give me this, the finite power of a sponsor does not give me this. Practicing the twelve steps as a way of life gives me this. Now, without the steps, I have no choice but to drink ( only a matter of time). So I do tomorrow what I did today. I ask that I may serve him and not my own petty will. And I think of others always. It is not a selfish program for selfish people, it is a selfless program...