DaveBB164

I recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body by finding God through the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, on 7/7/00 I have not taken a drink since, the problem was removed.

Jfanagle

Thanks Captain for this reminder. With the economy in the tank and business worries chewing at me this AM it is good to remember what really matters. Without sobriety all the rest doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

AA and it's wonderful people have kept me sober 9-1/2 years. (10-15-1999)

Thanks,

Jon

nelco

I went to rehab and they suggested A.A. Through the Grace of God and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous I am sober today. I came to A.A to just stop drinking. I got much more than that.....freedom, peace, contentment, joy, fellowship, oh and I sleep soundly every night without any help from medicine or drink/drug whatever. I put my head on the pillow, say a little prayer and lights out..... For some that means nothing for me its a miracle.......so is the fact I have not had a drink since 21 April 1998. Just full of gratitude

Kallista

15 years sober on June 6, 2008. I went to AA and that was it. I didn't do treatment or professional counseling.

I've read a lot in other programs and find them helpful. Rational Recoery, Women for Sobriety, especially.

gravity

First AA meeting = December 17, 2007
Sobriety date = December 17, 2007

AA (steps, meetings, and the fellowship) is my solution and gives me guidelines to live a good, productive life.

Other important aspects of my sobriety include:

The support of my wife & sister.
Sober Recovery.
Spiritual books.
Journaling.
Physical fitness.

I still have those moments when I am blown away by the fact that I am now a non-drinker, that I am becoming the man I always knew I could be.

MrWhiteKnuckles

91 days today: did rehab for a couple of weeks..where they drilled into your head to do 90 & 90(days & meetings).....i've done 90 & 1....which probably is what brought me here.....

Sara9009

I am not really keeping track but somewhere around 3 months sober. I am just using a hybrid program where I have pulled concepts and ideas from almost everything and am using them as my tools. The people on SR have been great as always.

I guess my most commonly used tool is guided imagery. My alcohol desire, craving, etc is visualized as a troll. So when I get the idea in my head to have a drink it is this angry little troll having a hissy fit. I tell the troll to bugger off... Sometimes the troll changes tactics to a more passive way, combs out his hair a little bow tie, a smile and asks again as a friend but I still see it's the same troll. Anyhow, works for me.

CAPTAINZING2000

I can't bear to look at the stocks anymore

I was making twice as money money coming into AA as I am now. I've paid off my house, both my cars are paid off and no credit card debt.

Surlyredhead

God + Inpatient Treatment + AA(haven't been to a f2f in a while)+ a great support network and a loving family= 15 years Sober next month!!

sfgirl

Wow, so many people here have so long. I'm impressed and awed. Hopefully, I will make it too.

A few weeks over 5 months

Sometimes I call my program the "reading program" because I am always reading about recovery or alcoholism or people's experiences here on SR. In a way i don't think it is that dissimilar from AA since it really is a synthesis of different stories. I'll read memoirs, self-help, workbooks, histories, science books, anything. Currently reading: Not God by Ernest Kurtz, an intellectual history of AA, and The Alcoholic Society by Norman Denzin, a comprehensive study of how people live and experience alcoholism by a sociologist. They are both really interesting and I recommend them.

Program: therapist twice a week, reading, naltrexone, topamax (taken for migraines but mentioning since there has been evidence that it cuts down on cravings for alcohol although I never experienced this while actively drinking), exploring all methods, gone to a couple meetings— one AA, one LifeRing, keeping an open mind, thinking about (not really working) the twelve steps — but I really do like a lot of the 12 step concepts and felt many of them happened to me without me even "working them" if that makes any sense at all...

CAPTAINZING2000

It helps to stay active as well. I'm best not thinking about drinking.

LosingmyMisery

I've been sober 4 years 8 months. Each sober day is a blessing. I was that hopeless alcoholic that thought there was no help for me. I was desperate for change, but didn't know how. I knew my way wasn't working so I was willing to listen. Not to say I didn't argue either, but the listening paid off and I'm happy I did. My life has changed immensely and the simple fact that I am sober and can cope with life without booze is a miracle.

bob_sapp

I know of a few other younger guys who went to long term treatment (1 year +) and stayed sober, or stayed sober after a few relapses. These guys just went really hard into church though and married church women, some work in ministry, etc. If you're in your 50's+ I think it would be easier, but if you're younger and especially under 35 I don't see how you could just quit and not do something really drastic yet stay sober. Me, I've been doing AA for almost 4 years, and go to church sometimes.

nocoincidence56

A struggle which started four decades ago, with multiple rehabs, detoxes, suicide attempts, loss of everything twice, ended in surrender and acceptance of what I am. My higher power is not me anymore. I try to be honest, open-minded, and willing, to do that next right thing and know any success I may have is far more God's than mine.....The God of my understanding..... 27 months so far...what a blast to live at last..............:ghug2

CAPTAINZING2000

The struggle was being out there drinking. Getting into the program was easy. I surrendered, got spiritual and help others to maintain it.




An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them...

“A fight is going on inside me... it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you and every other person, too.”

They thought about this for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather... “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied... “The one you feed.”

kurtrambis

I have not had a drink since 11th Jan I would consider myself a dry drunk.
The only thing that is stopping me from having another go at trying to drink is the worry it causes my parents.
I have made lots of progress in the last year but I have still lots to do.

CAPTAINZING2000

progress and not perfection

Anna

I've been sober 8 1/2 years, thanks to reconnecting with my spiritual self, my books and SR, which I found more than five years ago.

I am humbled and grateful to be part of this community.

gerryP

Four years in August. I went to AA for 2 years and 7 months, went to my first meeting when I was 3 weeks sober.

I read a lot on alcoholism and found a great therapist that I greatly credit. he isn't an addiction specialist so my therapy revolved/revolves more now on always moving forward and having learned how to deal with stress and the past, I cope well and make better choices in my life.

I work out daily, eat properly and regularily, sleep well, spend time with friends and little nieces, do volunteer work and love my career. I have balance.

SteveK

Last drink July 2, 2007, Thanks to Fellowship, Sponsorship, and a lot of patience and tolerance from others!