Please! Desperate for Recovery
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,359
Perhaps a little bit more would be helpful. When you say you have tried AA and NA what exactly did you try? Attend some meetings? Work the steps? Work some of the steps? IOP did you live in a sober house? Was it a 12 step sober house?
Are you sober now? Are you active? Sounds like you have had enough - but might be helpful if you can articulate this?
Are you sober now? Are you active? Sounds like you have had enough - but might be helpful if you can articulate this?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 10
I mean I went to AA for awhile... 3 years but only made it to step 4 because I kept relapsing. Longest time I had sober was 8 months. Tried NA but didn't see much there that I liked and the place I went to was filthy. I keep screwing things up. I was not in a sober house through IOP and I drank prior on the days I knew they would t be testing. I did go through withdrawal aided by a few meds my md prescribed. I guess the jssue is I keep coming back to it and it's screwing up my life
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Magdi - if you choose sobriety it's a gift with strings attached. I have been in your shoes ! I will say in 89 days sober ( yes short sobriety ) much has gotten better.
The reflection of my despair viewed in the eyes of my family has dissipated. It has been replaced by HOPE!
Many methods are available. Simply, for me I had to reach the point where my love of family and desire to stop coupled with willingness has gotten me to this point.
I do attend AA - tonight I attended my 97 meeting in 89 days. SR is huge for me as well!
Yea, it's work. I AM WORTH IT!!
I hope you'll find your path of willingness my friend. The fruits of sobriety are there to be had!!
Peace
The reflection of my despair viewed in the eyes of my family has dissipated. It has been replaced by HOPE!
Many methods are available. Simply, for me I had to reach the point where my love of family and desire to stop coupled with willingness has gotten me to this point.
I do attend AA - tonight I attended my 97 meeting in 89 days. SR is huge for me as well!
Yea, it's work. I AM WORTH IT!!
I hope you'll find your path of willingness my friend. The fruits of sobriety are there to be had!!
Peace
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Here, EH!!!
Posts: 1,337
The steps are meant to be done in a timely fashion, otherwise its easy for us alcoholics to slip up. In 8 months, you could have easily have done all 12 steps with a sponsor, and had a greater chance of success for sobriety. Did you atleast buy a Big Book, or some other AA material, like Living Sober, Daily Reflections, Came to Believe, Grapevine is a great magazine of AA stories. Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results is INSANITY!
Grateful
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 1,763
Originally Posted by Magdi 
Yes I do have a big book... And I had 2 sponsors the latter who told me I was not ready to move past step 4
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,967
I had a sponsor who kept me on steps 1, 2, and 3. I had been in and out of AA for 25 years before I could stay stopped....I recently heard that sponsor share at a meeting that it took her 5 years to work step 4 and beyond....she had about 2 years of sobriety when I worked with her....
I now have 3 years of sobriety because this time someone knew that I needed a new solution. That new solution is in working all of those steps....specifically steps 4-7....
I now have 3 years of sobriety because this time someone knew that I needed a new solution. That new solution is in working all of those steps....specifically steps 4-7....
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by Magdi
I have tried AA, NA and 2.5 mo IOP. I need to do this for me this time!
Congratulations - it sounds as if you are ready!
For myself the 12 step programs were not the way to go. I did do 6 weeks in a residential dual diagnosis program that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you change your thinking and deals with both substance abuse and mental health.
I am four months sober tomorrow and read a lot online and attend an online group that is an offshoot of the same program.
This is not easy, but it is worth it. And YOU deserve to be healthy and happy.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Originally Posted by Magdi
Yes I do have a big book... And I had 2 sponsors the latter who told me I was not ready to move past step 4
Like matt4x4 said, the steps are designed to be taken quickly (not lightly, but quickly).
Here is what the big book says about step 3 and 4. Red items are my commentary:
Though our decision (step 3 decision) was vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed (this means "immediately") by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.
Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory. This was Step Four.
Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory. This was Step Four.
Better yet, find an AA Back to Basics meeting, where they take you through all 12 steps in 4 hours.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 63
I didn't do steps or AA I got sober for myself and surprisingly that worked I was sick of myself my drinking and waking up feeling sick. Almost two years now sober but much longer on the forum reading and trying to quit I joined in 2011. I drank heavy for a good 15 years straight vodka for 10 of those years. I enjoy my kids my grandkids and my life now 
. If I had never picked up that first beer what a different mother I would have been. I think I would have over analyzed steps and I'm not a people person so I think AA would have hurt more then helped me.
. If I had never picked up that first beer what a different mother I would have been. I think I would have over analyzed steps and I'm not a people person so I think AA would have hurt more then helped me.
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