Some help please.

[HardwiredFlaws]

I have 2 days, I feel like a champion.
I need some help understanding the steps and how to practice them.
I can read what they say but I really don't understand what they mean.

Is the first step just simply saying I am powerless over alcohol?
Because I know that already, I have found that out many times.
Do I move on to #2 ?
Are these steps the secret to sobriety?
Is it too early to start the steps? maybe wait till a week sober.
I woke up in a giant fog today almost feels similar to a hang over, still a little shaky, and stomache pains, all in all I am feeling way better about my self and have gained some self respect in just 2 days.

[justanothrdrunk]

Whenever I attempted to work the steps without a sponsor, I had trouble. Working the steps with a sponsor has been much easier for me.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

welcome to the site


The first step is the hardest. Admitting and accepting. Believing in a higher power I choose to call God and willing to let God run the show and pray each day to have God direct me.

Go to a few meetings and get a sponsor to help you with the steps. They're a good foundation in maintaining sobriety

[PaulN]

I'm not sure if it's a practice here, but if unable to attend face to face AA meetings, I'd highly suggest asking some one of the same sex in AA to sponsor you. It simply means asking another AA who has taken the steps, to take you through them perhaps as someone took them through them. Confused? lol. I don't mean to.

It isn't impossible to read the Big Book and to take the steps alone. But I know that it is harder cause I tired. Like you, I had questions. In some cases, all I could see were words on a page. First learning and understanding why I was an alcoholic, was necessary to know what I could do about it. Having someone take me through the book was huge for me.

Is the first step just simply saying I am powerless over alcohol?
Because I know that already, I have found that out many times.
Do I move on to #2 ?

There's a hyphen separating to very important parts of step 1. Don't overlook the words to the right of that hyphen ... they're extremely important.

A better life is possible and one that is beyond your wildest dreams. Continue to read the book as you search for a sponsor. Again, this is only a suggestion ... not a requirement.

Wish you the best and congrat's on two days ... proof you can do it.

[RufusACanal]

Hardwire,

Welcome! I would suggest going to AA meetings and if you feel like you can, letting folks know you are a Newcomer. There are excellent suggestion above and if you go back to the 12 Step Forum page, you will see the First Step of Alcoholics Anonymous at the top of the page for added information. Try this link as well and if I can help, please PM me.

I appreciate the willingness to change that you have shared with us.

XA-Speakers - The lights are on!


Ron

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Do you have a big book??

The text of Alcoholics Anonymous

[HardwiredFlaws]

Originally Posted by PaulN

First learning and understanding why I was an alcoholic, was necessary to know what I could do about it. Having someone take me through the book was huge for me.

This is what I need, Why am I an alcoholic or am I just some one who spends $150+ per week on it and am not really an alcoholic? (joke)
I am the guy drinking right from the 1.75 liter bottle at the partys, and at home. I hate that.

Originally Posted by PaulN

A better life is possible and one that is beyond your wildest dreams. Continue to read the book as you search for a sponsor. Again, this is only a suggestion ... not a requirement.

Wish you the best and congrat's on two days ... proof you can do it.

Better life is what I hope for, if it be in me regaining my self respect only, that initself would be enough.

Thank you .

[dgillz]

Get a big book and go to an AA meeting. Go to several until you find one you like. Then get a sponsor. Here is a great link about AA if you don't know too much about it.

Your First AA Meeting

[Tazman53]

First welcome to SR Hardwire, second of all in my opinion the secret to good solid happy long term sobriety is in the steps, taking them with a sponsor and aplying them every day on a one day at a time basis.

I fully understand what you are talking about being confused as to how to take the steps, they can be done without a sponsor, but it is darn tough and many of us fail, this is why getting a sponsor is so crucial, a sponsor is someone who has been through the steps and will help you take them.

If you have not been to a meeting yet, please go, show up early and be prepared to stay a bit late. Ask some one what a sponsor is and if they know any one who may be willing to be a temporary sponsor until you find a full time sponsor.

[GrouchoTheCat]

Hi there!

I am glad you found our little corner of the internet. Lots of good folks here, questions? ask away!

I will agree with the replies you have so far, and get a big book (the book "Alcoholics Anonymous") and read it. You can pick one up at a meeting or at most bookstores.

Anyhow, welcome aboard.

Ted