charleyvarrick

I had posted this way back in January while I was going through some isolation. I just got a nice part time job which will help immensely with isolation. I am retired on SS Disability and haven't worked in a year. IF you only knew how I got the job the only conclusion I can come up with is it is a gift from God. This really fine company found me, I don't know how. Very good money and expenses for part time work. Anyhow, the past few months I have struggled although haven't taken a drug/painkiller or had a drink Thank God. After devoting myself to why I was still having problems I figured out that it was step 4 standing in my way. I called my sponsor and wonderful counselors I had in rehab and got the help I needed. I'm working on it now. I think many of us don't realize how important step 4 is. To me it's the most important action step out there. Nothing else compares in my opinion. A friend of mine who was in rehab with me has already faltered 3 times since we both got out in November. When I suggested to him that his concern might also be Step 4, he took listen to what I had to say. You'll never know how good I feel. Praying is working for me and so is joining the Catholic Church. I feel so much better about me. Still pain and a lot of stiffness from my Ankylosing Spondylitis but now I don't sit in judgment of others, I'm not indifferent to my family and loved ones and I feel better about me. I just wanted to share that with all of you especially the step 4 scenario. God bless all of you and continue the good fight. I'll post this to the newcomer section as well because I'm not sure when one stops being a newcomer.

01-14-2011, 05:27 PM - below
My other question is I have had a tendency to isolate myself especially now that I'm retired on disability. When I first got out I went to Mass, meetings and now in the last two weeks I have returned to my old isolation ways. I haven't used or had a drink and really have no desire despite the physical pain. I read somewhere that I could be described as a "dry drunk" which I know isn't good. I've also kept my moods positive around my family as I refuse to be like I was before, so judgmental and angry although not towards my family. Any help, advice would be appreciated. Thanks and God bless.

glitter

Congrats on your clean time and an incredible sounding job!!

I'm right where you are with step 4. I work on it a little bit every day. That's about all I can do on a daily basis - a little bit. At over 8 months sober for me, I still go to daily meetings (NA and AA), meet with my sponsor at least once a week, go to my rehab aftercare once a week and see my psychiatrist once a month. Lucky for me my psychiatrist is also a recovering addict and as part of his recovery program became a psychotherapist. So not only does he manage my meds, he's helping me manage my mind.

So keep up the good work! I'm just about half-way done with my step 4. It is my priority at this point in time and hope to be done with it and drop both 4 and 5 at the end of this week.