Building a strong foundation

[Wolfchild]

What did you do to help yourself stay clean and sober today?
What hasn't worked for you and what has proven itself reliable?

[Missybuns]

What did you do to help yourself stay clean and sober today?

I called my sponsor and We talked about my inventory.
I called and spoke with another recovering addict also.
I read the NA JFT daily meditation reading
I am here now....

What hasn't worked for you (?)

not taking step work seriously in the beginning lead me to use again

what has proven itself reliable?

putting my recovery first: this means focusing on taking the steps to the best of my ability on a daily basis

Since I made the committment to keep in regular NA meeting attendance, regular contact with my sponsor, and focus on my step work I have not used. Through my step work I have learned to put faith in God's will for me...that has proven reliable.

sincerely,
Missy

[Boleo]

"Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help."

(PAGE 84) All quotes from Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Edition

[BKP]

I went to AA, I bitched and complained to my girlfriend. I discussed my issues with my father, I yelled, spoke and listened to God. I DID NOT DRINK TODAY. Life is a maze.

[mariechi]

I come to SR at least twice a day. I communicate.
I remember to feed myself properly.
I take a walk when I feel anxious.
I remember that I and many people I love are counting on my sobriety.
I breath.
I smile.
I notice the good feeling of not being intoxicated.

[Iriss]

When I am troubled in my life, I remind myself that "Life is hard enough without adding alcohol to the equation" x

[jamdls]

I pray and thank God for the blessings of my life-
Whenever the thought crosses my mind that I could drink I remind myself of the shame/guilt/disqust that I feel of the of the old me

[LuvinMe]

What did you do to help yourself stay clean and sober today?

I started off with a lot of praying.. NO, I BEGGED while praying... Every thought I ever had I went to him 1st, asking for the strength to make the right moves.

I changed everything about me. Basically started a new life while never forgetting where I come from.

I hooked up with the best sponser, went to meetings and worked those steps beyond belief.. The passion I had in me was amazing, all thru the grace of god.. I'm so grateful 2day!



What hasn't worked for you and what has proven itself reliable?

My 1st time around I didnt think the steps really worked, I didnt think I needed a sponser.. I thought why would I tell anothet woman all my business and lean on her? Meetings? who's going I said.. Not I... Well guess what, I didnt even last 6 months!

What's reliliable is working a daily program and staying in prayer.. Remembering where I come from when life throws an unexpected curve ball...

JUST 4 TODAY!!

[kelsh]

The first time I went to treatment I stayed sober one year...my interests were in the wrong people & I did not work the steps nor did I get a sponsor...I got a divorce instead. I went to a lot of meetings but more to socialize than work the program.

I relapsed and drank 14 more years until I went to treatment already sober for a month in 1988. I got a medical detox; asked for help at Mental Health for my Alcoholism & Depression; and I attended AA every night & noon once or twice a week.

I did what was suggested by the Old Timers who had what I wanted to have. I wanted to be sober more than anything else in my life. I also needed relief from my Chemical Imbalance Depression.

I learned a lot about the tools to help me stay sober and how important it was to take my antidepressant under a doctor's care. I am still sober and still see a doc & psychiatrist (for needed med evaluations about once a year) to stay in a more stable place with my depression. It has been 21 years living sober now.

My first year of Sobriety was devoted to getting a grasp on living sober & the second year I went back to college & got a BA Degree in Psychology. It was all uphill for me with some very tramatic life events to get through but I made it. I still use the Serenity Prayer several times a day & meditate & come here to Sober Recovery to see if I can help others, as well as to keep me balanced.

I worked very hard & started a new career when I was 50 years old. I do think about all of the years spent drinking while raising my kids but since I cannot fix it I just show them by example of my living in the day for today.

The major mistake I made was not taking the fact that I was a tried & true alcoholic in the 1970's...I read the book "Games People Play" about Alcoholism and it was so true. I was playing games & almost died before I got sober.

kelsh

[coffeenut]

Good Thread.

I come to SR.

Not a day goes by that I don't reflect on how very rich my life is, now. I am truly grateful for my sobriety.

[yeahgr8]

'What did you do to help yourself stay clean and sober today?'

Praying, working steps, AA meetings, sponsor, coffees with new sober friends, taking it one day at a time, listening like my life depends on it, SR...reading a day at a time, touchstones, reflections and just for today every morning. CBT counselor. Rehab.

Other stuff - reading the language of the heart by Billl W, listening to joe and charlie and the audio of the BB:-) Eating well, exercising too to change usual lifestyle.

'What hasn't worked for you?'

Resonance treatment, antabuse, alcohol counselling, hobbies, geographicals, relationships, isolation, moderation, denial, analysing, career changes, losing/gaining friends, rehab (did teach me a lot about AA and the 12 steps though).

[NewMe11109]

- I spoke with my sponsor about how I can help with some of his sponsees who are relapsing.
- I read more about alcoholism theory and treatment
- I wrote a couple of posts on SR
- I read a lot of great posts by all of you on SR
- I tried (and was half-successful) to think of others before myself today
- I told my family members how important they were to me