new to not partying

[Laura_Ivy]

where do i start? ever since i was 13 i've had problems with drugs and alcohol i'm assuming it was the easiest way to escape and not deal with my reality.i've been totally clean for about 4 months but i quit using meth when i saw my boyfriend do scandelous things for it which was about 6 months ago( he wasn't the same person so we split up and i vowed to not do it again.)but that was after i went out of control first snorting lines then smoking it and spending all kinds of money on it. now i'm 3 months pregnant which is a blessing because now i have a reason to stay healthy and i have a chance to shape myself into a better person but my boyfriend is still battling this demon which is meth and lately its really been affecting me because as a person whos always depended on self medicating all i think about is getting high. i've been so stressed out ! i can't deal with waking up at 3 am before i have to go to work and him not being home.it stresses me out and i feel so alone. how can i help myself and him through this? is AA just as affective as NA ...some guidance from a sage is greatly needed. thanx

Dear Laura,

Well, I'm no sage but I know from my own experience and those of so many others who are or have been where you are right now that you need to SURROUND yourself with as many recovering people as you can. Some AA groups are more hardline about "alcohol only" than others, but I assume you've given up all mind-altering substances including alcohol, so you would certainly qualify for membership -- remember the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking/using. I'd really HAUNT meetings now, get phone numbers, get a sponsor, make sure you have lots of people to talk to and hang out with who are sober. This may sound like party line advice, but believe me, it will save you. Let's for the sake of argument both believe in God, now, okay? You are going to bring a child into this world and you have a lot to live for. Living consciously -- sober -- will help you so much more than you may know now.

Alanon and Naranon to deal with issues of loving someone who's still using will also be of so much benefit. HELP IS THERE, Laura. Please reach out for it. And frankly, if your boyfriend's use and impact on you are as negative as I suspect they are, I'd really consider trying to live apart from him -- letting him know you love him, but you're just too vulnerable to be in the presence of any kind of drug or drug-use and you have to save your own life.

It's really a matter of that: saving your own life. And there is help to be had. Go to ANY 12 step meeting as soon as you can, okay? Talk to people. Connect. You'll make it through. Your child and you both deserve it.

Prayers are with you. (Prayers are good stuff by the way.)

Guy