dipso

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I'll have to keep my intro brief, but in a nutshell, here is my deal...
I am definitely an alcoholic, and have been for 20 years, at least.
I have had *limited* success, in two brief phases, with AA...but in general, I always came to a point where I resented AA more than the chaos of drinking..I know, I have heard all of the reflexive arguments as to why that may have been (and continues to be) the case. I came to AA the first time when I was 19, through the backdoor...I was in recovery for a coke problem, and somehow got into the AA thing over the NA thing. It worked for a year and a half, after which I went to study abroad, and started drinking socially...(Interestingly, I have not touched cocaine since Christmas day, 1985...and have never desired it, or even thought about it much since then).
The drinking continued, and of course, got progressively worse. For 9 years I settled into a 8-11 drink day, every day. I would drink three or four socially, and ther rest alone. This, of course, eventually dead ended me in a relationship and work capacity, so after hitting a bottom of sorts, I tried AA again. Worked for about a year, quit going to meetings, stayed sober...till I got sick of the pathetic social scene available in my TINY town, met a girl, started drinking again, and, hey, whaddya now, hooked up for the first time since I got sober!
Anyhoo, I have been maintaining a steady 8-10 a day habit, and I am sick of it...but I am NOT interested in what AA has to offer. I am more than happy to open dialogue here as to possible alternatives, but to me, AA is just a bit too self righteous, dogmatic, and rigid for my personal tastes, and ideological bent.
I hope anyone is interested in sharing their success stories without the god-fix, I know it has worked for many many people as well.
Thanks to anyone who reads this, I do, all things said, have an open mind, and I do respect that the faith-based/disease mamagement model has worked quite well for millions...maybe I just enjoy being an anomoly!
Cheers, Dipso

Five

I left AA for simular reasons. Its not unusual for people to do that.

What alternatives are there: I use a bit of SMART recovery, a bit of Secular Organisation for Sobriety, and - of course - Sober Recovery. Most of all, I use myself, and not rely to heavily on anything.

I believe there are now, thank God, enough alternatives for people to make better choices (and better chances) in their recovery process.

And, as I am sure you are well, this is all just words, if you don't put down the drink.

Check this link: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...nfo-76726.html

And keep in touch...you can do this pal...

dipso

Hopefully I can use this forum to bounce the frustrations of the first days off on others. I know how hard it is, and I harbor no illusions. Bit of a dilemma, though, ironically, I am a bit addicted to forum surfing...I find that kind of funny, actually. I hope there are others posting at odd hours, i think I will be utilising this resource. I am hoping to supplant the craving tonight with exercise and busywork, but I don't know...I am struggling with the 'taper off' rationale right this moment, already projecting as to how I am going to feel at 9:00 PM...but I figure honesty ahead of time about it is better that making that rash decision on my own.
Thanks, Dipso

CarolD

see you came over to our forum!

In early sobriety....I had no computer and lived alone.

I do remember timing those drinking urges...I think mine were lasting about 5-7 minutes.

I vrushed my teeth a lot..... for some reason it helped.
Also drank oodles of liquid.
I drank from a large mug with a straw cause it did not
remind me of a 'real" drink.

As you know...the urges lessen in severity and frequency as long as you stay sober.

See you later...

dizzyj

What the **** is an ANOMOLY???????????

and i havent had any sucess with aa, but that doesn't mean you stop trying, right.

dipso

anomaly




a·nom·a·ly [ ə nómməlee ] (plural a·nom·a·lies)


noun

Definitions:

1. irregularity: something that deviates from the norm or from expectations
"looking for anomalies in the blood tests"


2. peculiarity: something strange and difficult to identify or classify
"The space probe has encountered an anomaly."



I never thought that to be an esoteric word...

dizzyj

Well, we have a new brain in the family, i thought it was a monster or something.

anyway you didn't answer the second question.

dipso

That appeared to me to be purely rhetorical...so, here I am killing time on this board instead of cracking a cold one...I guess that is good, right?

dizzyj

what the **** is retretical. and ya your right your killing time ( with me - thats not nice)

dipso

And you should cut n' paste...'retretical' is not, currently, a word with a valid meaning.

It is Rhetorical

Little Missy

Hi Dipso!! Welcome to SR!! Keep reading and posting, it's better then drinking!!

Find a recovery program that is right for you.

Glad you're here.
Missy

dizzyj

cut and what .... who's mean

dipso

I could argue etymology all day, but would it keep me from being bad? Well, I guess it might! It's gonna be a tough week...
Thanks for the well wishes. I am a realist, and I know this is going to be hard.

Little Missy

Yep, early sobriety is tough. But you know it gets easier, unlike drinking, that seems to just get worse!!

I go to AA, so that's really all I know as a recovery program. Sorry I can't be of more help. What I do know, is my life is alot better without the booze!!

It's definately worth it to work through those tough times without drinking!!

dizzyj

i thought i was helping?????