Time to do your steps ! - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

madhadder545 · 06-05-2011, 03:09 PM

Hello my friend.. I would like to ask a very general question that means alot to me.. It's not a poll but you may answer like so if you like. I would like to know how long you were sober before you did your first step.
I have noticed that in different parts of the world and the country I live in people do thing's different. Thats why I'm curious.
Thank you
CJ

EricL · 06-05-2011, 03:42 PM

For me, my first step was done while drinking. Drinking is what proved me, convinced me, that I was real alcoholic and trying unsuccessfully to not take that first drink proved to me that I was beyond human aid.

My experience is that the first step is not done in a worksheet or pamphlet, it is not to be intellectualized, but rather experienced. And, if I am not sure that I am a real alcoholic, not sure that I have lost the power of choice in regards to alcohol, then the book is very specific: Try some controlled drinking, try it more than once.

Tommyh · 06-05-2011, 07:33 PM

I did my first 2 steps before I came back to AA when I was drinking,bu my sponsor had us go over them anyway...so we did

madhadder545 · 06-05-2011, 08:12 PM

Ya I think at the very least it was a great idea to go back over them. I dont know what step your on now but maybe you should redu 1@ 2 again..Just a suggestion

TheJungianThing · 06-05-2011, 11:09 PM

I just wrapped up Step 1. Good idea. Now to see if I can "come to believe" again.

madhadder545 · 06-06-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJungianThing

I just wrapped up Step 1. Good idea. Now to see if I can "come to believe" again.

In reference to the question, How long have you been sober?

TheJungianThing · 06-06-2011, 09:39 AM

October 2002. But I repeat the steps 1-9 every so often. Last year committed to doing 1-9 every year.

madhadder545 · 06-06-2011, 07:20 PM

Great idea and 10/11/12 are daily right?

thanks

TheJungianThing · 06-06-2011, 09:00 PM

That's what has been suggested. I know days when I do "upon awakening" make 10th step during the day more fruitful and fun and when I review in the evening then meditate, I'm less uptight, less irritable, less discontent.

The stuff I HAVE to do. Becomes stuff I GET to do and I have a sense that I'm safe, protected, and in line with the 12th Step of "practicing these principles" in my life in the home, the workplace and the meetings I go to.

Days I don't are usually run by Mr. Self Pity, Mr. Pride (Why I gotta do that ?) and Mr. Big Shot. Those days pretty much blow up in my face and suck.

sugarbear1 · 11-16-2011, 09:37 PM

With a sponsor? Days 14 + 15 were spent 1-12...again at 4 months, third time at 6 months to learn the process so I can help another person...

geno1982 · 11-17-2011, 08:38 PM

day 4

suzezalive1 · 11-25-2011, 11:03 AM

I have been clean now for 8 months. It took me this long to finish my first step. Now I am on the second. I think fear is what is keeping me from getting through the steps a little quicker. Fear of the fourth step.

Phmdyw · 11-27-2011, 06:08 AM

To go through the steps thoroughly takes a lot of willingness. I was sober for 1 year and in relationship problems and a sponsor took me thru the 12 & 12...then sober at 3 years in relationship pain again, another sponsor took me thru the 12 & 12...then at year 8 I crashed very very badly and got the Willingness to find a big book step study sponsor and we finally did the whole thing thoroughly...my whole life has changed, nothing will ever be the same again. You don't have to wait like I did...today we know the Program of Recovery is in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous...depending on our Willingness God will put the meetings and sponsor in our lives we need.

camedown · 01-11-2012, 11:53 PM

With a sponsor, it was about a month into my sobriety, in my heart, I took the first step in the ICU two days after my last drink.

06-05-2011, 03:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
madhadder545 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: az Posts: 12	Time to do your steps ! Hello my friend.. I would like to ask a very general question that means alot to me.. It's not a poll but you may answer like so if you like. I would like to know how long you were sober before you did your first step. I have noticed that in different parts of the world and the country I live in people do thing's different. Thats why I'm curious. Thank you CJ

06-05-2011, 07:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tommyh Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 18,977	I did my first 2 steps before I came back to AA when I was drinking,bu my sponsor had us go over them anyway...so we did __________________ Between page 1 and Page 164

06-06-2011, 07:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
madhadder545 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: az Posts: 12	Great idea and 10/11/12 are daily right?thanks

11-16-2011, 09:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
sugarbear1 ~sb Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MD Posts: 9,865	With a sponsor? Days 14 + 15 were spent 1-12...again at 4 months, third time at 6 months to learn the process so I can help another person... __________________ Someday everything will all make sense. For now, laugh at confusion, smile through tears, & remind yourself that everything happens for a reason. All Big Book quotes are from the first edition. Linked with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

11-25-2011, 11:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
suzezalive1 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: santa rosa CA Posts: 8 Blog Entries: 7	Fear of doing the steps I have been clean now for 8 months. It took me this long to finish my first step. Now I am on the second. I think fear is what is keeping me from getting through the steps a little quicker. Fear of the fourth step.

06-05-2011, 03:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
EricL Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: WI Posts: 227	For me, my first step was done while drinking. Drinking is what proved me, convinced me, that I was real alcoholic and trying unsuccessfully to not take that first drink proved to me that I was beyond human aid. My experience is that the first step is not done in a worksheet or pamphlet, it is not to be intellectualized, but rather experienced. And, if I am not sure that I am a real alcoholic, not sure that I have lost the power of choice in regards to alcohol, then the book is very specific: Try some controlled drinking, try it more than once.

06-05-2011, 08:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
madhadder545 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: az Posts: 12	*Ya I think at the very least it was a great idea to go back over them. I dont know what step your on now but maybe you should redu 1@ 2 again..Just a suggestion*

06-05-2011, 11:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheJungianThing Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 443	I just wrapped up Step 1. Good idea. Now to see if I can "come to believe" again.

06-06-2011, 09:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheJungianThing Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 443	October 2002. But I repeat the steps 1-9 every so often. Last year committed to doing 1-9 every year.

06-06-2011, 09:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
TheJungianThing Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 443	That's what has been suggested. I know days when I do "upon awakening" make 10th step during the day more fruitful and fun and when I review in the evening then meditate, I'm less uptight, less irritable, less discontent. The stuff I HAVE to do. Becomes stuff I GET to do and I have a sense that I'm safe, protected, and in line with the 12th Step of "practicing these principles" in my life in the home, the workplace and the meetings I go to. Days I don't are usually run by Mr. Self Pity, Mr. Pride (Why I gotta do that ?) and Mr. Big Shot. Those days pretty much blow up in my face and suck.

11-17-2011, 08:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
geno1982 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: reno nv Posts: 89	day 4

11-27-2011, 06:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
Phmdyw Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coventry, RI Posts: 61	To go through the steps thoroughly takes a lot of willingness. I was sober for 1 year and in relationship problems and a sponsor took me thru the 12 & 12...then sober at 3 years in relationship pain again, another sponsor took me thru the 12 & 12...then at year 8 I crashed very very badly and got the Willingness to find a big book step study sponsor and we finally did the whole thing thoroughly...my whole life has changed, nothing will ever be the same again. You don't have to wait like I did...today we know the Program of Recovery is in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous...depending on our Willingness God will put the meetings and sponsor in our lives we need.

01-11-2012, 11:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
camedown MINEr Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 501 Blog Entries: 1	With a sponsor, it was about a month into my sobriety, in my heart, I took the first step in the ICU two days after my last drink. __________________ With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

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