Patcha

Every AA zoom meeting I've been on has around 100 participants and a good chunk of them are newbies and people with under 90 days.

Lorie1482

Hi darlings, I’ve haven’t posted here since late 2018 and haven’t touch a drink since. I do miss it here and would often wonder about if this site is still in existence and I’m so glad it is.

Lately though due to the Pandemic I’ve been thinking about maybe having one drink just to socialise but then think that’s not really an option now is it.

And then I came to the realisation that I’m still an alcoholic even if I quit 2 years ago and that’s the reality of it.

Drinking is not an option for me even if I think I’m well enough to handle it. I’m mentally ill which means I suffer from depression and anxiety and have an addictive personality.

So I’m further isolated into a bubble using as many coping mechanisms as I can. Most times I feel like I’m not going to make it with living much longer the older and lonelier I get. I’m 45 in October.

But I’m holding on as best I can admist this terrible tragedy that we’re going through. I’m glad this place is still here for support.

Best wishes and stay safe, well and sober

Dee74

I hope we both have many more years yet, Lorie.
This COVID thing cant last forever - pandemics never do

Good to hear from you

D

Dropsie

How are things RB??

Been thinking about your book (and mine).

How is it going with the writing??

Delilah1

I’m another one who has been around for a bit. I joined in 2012, and alternated between periods of sobriety and failed attempts at moderation until the end of 2015. In January I will have five years sober, and this site is the biggest reason why.

I do not start threads often, but I read and post daily. I was very active in the January of 2016 thread, but eventually members in that group stopped posting, however, there are a few of us that are still here often and will all be celebrating that five year milestone together.

I usually post in Newcomers. I like being able to offer support for people just starting out, I know how much that support meant to me when I was trying to get sober. I also check in on the 24 hour thread each day (or almost every day.) I have made great friends in that group, and they were not only a support in my early sobriety, but throughout my mom’s prolonged illness and death.

I love SR and will be forever grateful for the many on here who have supported and continue to support me in my recovery.

I hope you’ll consider posting more often!

Rockbottom1964

Hi, Dropsie. I'm well, thanks. My circumstances remain the same, but do you know, I seem to find more and more acceptance - and peace - each day. I'm sure my "ongoing" sobriety plays a big part in that. Another thing I seem to find easier is patience. I'm slowly "re"-learning that there is another day, and if something chafes or seems wrong today, it will most probably have sorted itself out by tomorrow. Which brings me to the BOOK. As you probably know, the alcohol-ban has been re-instated here for almost another two months and only been lifted about a month ago; it was hell here, believe me. I'd much rather share space with a drunk person than one in withdrawal. I escaped into the park across the road for hours each day just to get away from the almost tangible, pure toxicity in the house, and took my dogs with me.
But things are "back to normal" now; they're drinking hard again and by 7 or so at night, they're passed out and I have some peace to write. I've also stopped rushing myself with deadlines just to get out of here; writing a great, wonderful, beautiful - gush, gush - book right now is more important. I can put my sanity on hold for a few months in exchange for a million sales...
I ramble...What about you, Dropsie? How are you? Really? and is your book coming along OK, now? are you at least working on it?
Perhaps - like I also suggested to Hawk, we should exchange FB page addresses or e-mails or something? Just to make chatting and sharing easier and you can then also see my "Author's Page"? Just a suggestion.
Have a wonderful day, friend.

Rockbottom1964

Thanks, Patcha. They really are wonderful and super-special to me. Without them, I think I'd have gone bonkers ages ago. Have a beautiful day. (8 AM here in South Africa).

Obladi

Wow. That explains it then. The meetings I go to generally have "only" 1-3 dozen participants. I've been sticking with the local meetings so that people will be familiar once we're able to meet in person. I believe NA meetings in my area are this large, but not AA, as far as I know. I know some people love big meetings, but I feel too anonymous and alone in a crowd that large. Anyway, to each their own and I am glad you are seeing newcomers.

Good to see you Lorie.

See what you started Rock?
A regular town hall!

O
(Did I ever tell you my cat's short name is Rock?)

Rockbottom1964

Hi, O. I'm very happy - and surprised - with the Thread's response. There is still life (lots it seems) in SR.
Good name for a feline; a cat you can depend on.

Outonthetiles

I'm here and I'm here to stay. For the past year or so I've been hanging out in the new classes. I'll usually pick a class and hang there, even if I don't totally "fit in." I hope that's not counter productive, but I think people may appreciate seeing someone who went through a class and has remained sober to show that it can be done.

SnazzyDresser

That's what it's all about right there. We're lucky to have you around, Tiles. You're a great credit to SR and to sobriety in general. And congrats on your own 1680+ days too.

Zebra1275

I've been here a long time and haven't noticed a drop in members. I have noticed though, that most, if not all of the people in the August of 2009 sobriety class are gone. I might be the last one on here. A couple of them I still have contact with are sober and doing well.

I quit going to AA several years ago, and earlier this year donated many of the sobriety books I had purchased to be distributed to others in early sobriety. I'm pretty comfortable that I'm going to stay sober from now on, but I'm still going to maintain a daily or every few days, connection to this website.

I find reading on this website valuable to me and I also hope that I can occasionally post something that helps someone else.

Kaneda8888

RB

I dont know how you manage that craziness in the household. Putting aside sobriety, just hanging around a bunch of drunks must be mentally tough. Kudos to you for managing through it and maintaining sobriety.

Rockbottom1964

Thanks, Kaneda. Dreams of better times and places to come are what keeps me sane - sort of. Have a great weekend Down Under.

AAPJ

Two thought for everyone's consideration:

For me I often just click the "Thanks" button to show support. Quicker than posting and many times someone else has already said what I would say regarding the thread topic.

During COVID I have been on SR a lot less. That's because I am able to attend Zoom AA meetings instead. I have not stopped my recovery process just changed tools based on availability. I think a lot of the AA Zoom meetings will disappear when the COVID crisis passes. If so I will just switch back to more SR forum time.

Outonthetiles

Thank you very much, Snazzy, that is just the nicest thing to say, and right back at you!
It's been an amazing journey so far. I owe SR and everyone here so much, I couldn't just disappear, now could I?
I like going to the new classes and seeing new people coming in from the cold. It takes me back to my own rough days in February and March, 2016.

MaximusD

I don't have much to say on the history of SR as I haven't been here that long. I was on another quitting website (WQD) that had that happen, slowed down a lot and eventually went away. One thing I have noticed here is that longer threads (Other than the class ones and specialized ones) get way less posts. Journals on the other site I was on were the heart of the site and for some users went on for years. Here journals don't seem very effective. My journal here has very little to no posting and when I do post it gets few to no replies so I know what you mean about feeling like there is no point. What it comes down to for me though is I am not trying to win a popularity contest. It does feel good for our threads to illicit good conversations but we can't really control that. I try to control what I can which is my replies to newer people who are fresh in their quits.

GroundhogDay

This is where I am at. Sobriety was just the start. Almost 6 years and I lead a pretty calm, simple life these days.

least

Yeah, I love that there's hardly any drama in my life now. My life is pretty peaceful, due in large part to a) being sober, and b) having my dog and cats to love and be loved by.