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06-26-2008, 03:54 PM
| #27 (permalink) |
| Attitude of Gratitude  Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 1,086
|   As many of you know, I used for 32 years before I realized that all that was left for me was death. I knew I had to do something. I had been in and out of the Rooms of AA/NA since 1980, but I wasn't working a Program of Recovery. Like many have said, going to Meetings, having a Sponsor and abstaining from drugs and alcohol are not true Recovery, in my opinion. I had done these things but I hadn't surrendered. In July of 2005, I humbled myself, had to admit that although I knew a great deal about the Programs, I didn't know the first thing about Recovery. I had to get brutally honest, work the Steps harder than I worked to stay high, I had to share with my Sponsor, listen to her suggestions and learn to accept change . . .even if it doesn't feel comfortable to me. (I don't like change) But most of all, I had to find a God of my understanding. Throughout all my years using, I thought that God had left me or He was punishing me. Why was my life such a mess if He were here? I didn't even know how to pray. I thought that Prayer was quoting all of these things from the Bible, word for word. But then, when I completely surrendered and begged God to help me, I had what most call a Spiritual Awakening. Now I do realize that God is with me 24/7. I no longer pray for selfish things, I pray for acceptance of what His will is for me. So, for this alcoholic/addict, I need the Programs of AA & NA to maintain not just clean living but to live my life Happy, Joyous & Free of all the demons that haunted me during those 32 years of using. I have also made many friends in the Fellowship which is extremely important because my only so called friends were using friends. I had to change the people in my life as well as the places I went and the things I did. I knew if I stayed around these same people, I would eventually pick up again. I am not saying that someone cannot be successful in their Recovery without the Programs of AA & NA, but for me, there is no other way. Thanks for this thread. I love to hear people's opinions on this topic and what has worked for others. Whatever has worked for each person to achieve the happiness that they have longed for is a Blessing to them. I feel we all need to remember, that everyone is different therefore, their Program of Recovery will also be different. God Bless & Thank God . . . Just for Today, Judy |
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__________________  "It's Great to be the Queen!" | |
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| The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to serenityqueen For This Useful Post: | ananda (06-26-2008),
Astro (06-27-2008),
Daddio (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Jomey (06-27-2008),
miss communicat (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 04:15 PM
| #28 (permalink) |
| Member  Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: On the beach! Ocean City, Maryland
Posts: 631
| I was trapped in a hell of my own creation & thought I was going to die if I didn't quit, so I was scared into stopping on my own. I knew I wasn't well enough to get out to AA meetings at that point. I'm sure AA would have helped me not to feel so alone and panicky, but I've done this 5 mos. by myself, as I did in the past (sober from '97-'00). SR is my AA meeting for now, endlessly fascinating, funny, never preachy. Maybe sometime in the future I'll attend meetings, but haven't really felt the need. All due respect to AA, though, and those who consider it a lifeline. |
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| The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Hevyn For This Useful Post: | ananda (06-26-2008),
Astro (06-27-2008),
Daddio (06-26-2008),
Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Jomey (06-27-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 04:33 PM
| #29 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 142
| I am very grateful that AA has worked for me since 1986. It's the only way I know. But have friends that have left AA and still remain happy sober and free. The right way is whatever works. |
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| The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to AW2486 For This Useful Post: | Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Hevyn (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Jomey (06-27-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 05:21 PM
| #30 (permalink) |
| Member  Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 931
| I LOVE what Aw said the right way is whatever way works...to each his own. |
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| The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to bugsworth For This Useful Post: | Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Hevyn (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 05:37 PM
| #31 (permalink) |
| Forum Leader  Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA
Posts: 13,418
| AA sober since '89. It's been an awesome adventure.  |
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__________________  Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery...  | |
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| The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to CarolD For This Useful Post: | Daddio (06-26-2008),
Hevyn (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 05:42 PM
| #32 (permalink) | |
| Member  Join Date: May 2008 Location: NM
Posts: 501
| Quote:
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| The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Horselover For This Useful Post: | Daddio (06-26-2008),
Hevyn (06-26-2008),
Jomey (06-27-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 05:50 PM
| #33 (permalink) |
| Deesteronius  Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: far out.
Posts: 7,564
| do the two have to be mutually exclusive - how can you find your own way without first exploring some of the avenues available?  D |
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__________________ No More Groundhog Day!!  | |
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| The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Dee74 For This Useful Post: | ananda (06-26-2008),
Hevyn (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Jomey (06-27-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008),
SoosieQ (06-27-2008)
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06-26-2008, 06:02 PM
| #34 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 931
| HL...by all means be curious....had I not I would be drinking right now! A lot has happened in the last 70 years...if one does not satisfy their curiosity they may never find their way. I agree with D....HUGE shock....I explored many avenues and found a path that soothed my soul....I now have a few 24 hours under my belt and my soul is calm....recovery at work! |
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| The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to bugsworth For This Useful Post: | ananda (06-26-2008),
Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 06:10 PM
| #35 (permalink) |
| Member  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct.
Posts: 9,911
| my path... at 13, sought though booze and medication to find me... at 48, i was beat'n senceless, emotionless, and near death... i surrenderd to it all... i was led to a emotional re-arangement that affords me, me! and to be a part of life... aa/na/rat/smart/diy/ect... and aunt tillys recovery program are options... i had a talk with the world renound slipper last night, and i said, hey, i mentioned a long time ago, maybe aa aint for you... just find something... left to yourself, its ut-oh time... there was recovery long, long ago... a belief in something, honesty, and freely giving... the twelve steps of aa has worked for me so far... my friends, and new friends here at SR, my other site, the rooms, people, life, and a trust that every problem in life is just a temporary thing, keeps me living sober, one day at a time... note, a special thanks to aunt tilly, aunt dee too! xxoo'n'blessn's rz |
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__________________ Rule 62 | |
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| The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Rusty Zipper For This Useful Post: | ananda (06-26-2008),
Astro (06-27-2008),
Hevyn (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 06:13 PM
| #36 (permalink) |
| Deesteronius Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: far out.
Posts: 7,564
| ya beat me Zip - I was gonna say Aunt Tilly says hi LOL D |
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__________________ No More Groundhog Day!! | |
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| The Following User Says Thank You to Dee74 For This Useful Post: | Rusty Zipper (06-28-2008)
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06-26-2008, 06:17 PM
| #38 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 931
| LOL I thought D was an uncle...all the new crap I am learning tonight is killing me! LOL |
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| The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to bugsworth For This Useful Post: | Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-28-2008)
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06-26-2008, 06:21 PM
| #39 (permalink) |
| IO Storm  Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,090
| I am a Christian...but... Alcoholism is a symptom of a disease I believe I was born with... A disease with mental, physical, and spiritual components. I need a program in order to live a sober and clean life to keep (order) in my new life. God is (my) Higher Power, and has removed my desire for alcohol.. and drugs and other compulsive behaviors..by the way! But I need a program to deal with the "ism" that might get me into trouble down the road. I need good friends to go out with...call me on stuff..not coddle or baby me! I need a sponsor to guide me, love me , cry with me, pray with me, and kick my butt when necessary. And I need..no, I must..give away what I have so freely been given. I share my story in order to help others. Oh, yeh... I am a solid AA member. |
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__________________ "God holds me still in the eye of the Storm"  | |
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| The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to IO Storm For This Useful Post: | Astro (06-27-2008),
Daddio (06-26-2008),
Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-28-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 06:26 PM
| #40 (permalink) |
| Life is Grand  Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Detroit
Posts: 1,055
| I began with AA (I went to NA also, Alcohol IS a drug) in 1994, I haven't been to a face to face meeting in years, but I still live by the principals of AA/NA and am in contact with others in recovery everyday, I have been sober for over 14 years!!! |
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__________________ Every Saint has a past and every Sinner has a future! | |
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| The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Surlyredhead For This Useful Post: | ananda (06-26-2008),
Astro (06-27-2008),
Dee74 (06-26-2008),
Horselover (06-26-2008),
IO Storm (06-26-2008),
Rusty Zipper (06-28-2008),
scaredykat (06-26-2008)
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06-26-2008, 07:10 PM
| #41 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: NM
Posts: 501
| "Today I am whole, and have purpose and meaning in life." by RobB. That statement is what I am trying to achieve. I hopefully will somehow reach it. It may be through AA, but right now I'm hanging with the SR crowd. |
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