El Gato

Deciding that you are never going to drink again. Period. No matter what. That you only have one life to live, so you might as well make the most of it. Alcohol consumption keeps you from making the most of it. With this attitude, a satifying sobriety can be attained with or without a program by anyone. Or am I naive?



Jerry

Phinneas

I dunno, Jerry. It took more than an attitude and a personal commitment for me. I vowed to stop countless times and then buckled under the stress of life again and again. It took surrender, my HP, other people in recovery and intense honesty and inner work for me. I couldn't do it alone. Some people can, I know. Just not me.

I wish you and all of us success at sobriety. No matter how we get there, the goal is all the same.

Autumn

Nope. I think you're 100% correct.

BSPGirl

I, too, think you hit the nail on the head, there.

brigid

CarolD

I find God and AA and Carol D
keep me moving forward in joy.

Each side of the triangle is vital for me....

Sheryl85

Hum, seems I did that a thousand times or more… I found out that I didn’t have problems with drinking. I had problems with stopping…

No, I couldn’t do it that way. And before you think maybe I didn’t have the right attitude or willpower, let me tell you that I have survived sexual child abuse and am a rape survivor. I had plenty of things I thought “I” had overcome, however the compulsion to drink was never one of them. (It was one of the devices I was using to get over the other problems.) Bottles were but a symbol of my real problem. And church couldn’t do it. People, money and things couldn’t do it. It wasn’t until I learned a new way of life in a “program” that I was able to be free. That’s been 21 years ago on the first of this month.

Abstinence has been the answer for millions of people for millions of problems and a program isn’t always the answer for everyone out there either. But before a person can rule anything out, they have to try it first. I just suggest that if you discover after trying an attitude adjustment and you find that it doesn’t work, don’t stop trying other methods. The program will still be there if it’s needed.

2dayzmuse

Without a strong foundation from a recovery program, I couldn't do it. Together, yes it can be achieved.

Autumn

I should revisit this statement, 'cause now I'm thinkin' you're only 80% right, Gato.

Okay. Anyone? Hmm. I know I wouldn't be sitting here reading and still searching for a solution to be happy if I were satisfied. I'd probably be doing something that someone who was never addicted would be doing, 'cause I still ain't livin' right.

But I'll agree that when I was drinking, I drank because I wasn't ready to change my behavior, regardless of being addicted. It didn't have to be that way, however. I wanted to be drunk.

2dayzmuse

Without all do respect, I don't thing I knew the key to anything early on in sobriety.

Autumn

Remember that part in Titanic when Rose and Whatshisname are trying to get through the gate as the water is rising and the steward drops the keys?

It's kinda like that at times.

2dayzmuse

I've dropped the key a few times. Luckily, I found it again.

doorknob

I'll admit, I've made that commitment to myself a number of times........ and I've stuck to it.............. for 60, 45, 30, 10, 50, 8, 20, 7, 20...................... days. I might need some outside help.

Autumn

You might need something for the anxiety, DK. 'Cause it really does sound like you're medicating yourself with booze/pot.

I was kind of the opposite; alcohol and pot were making me so psychologically sick I had to quit.

I know AA doesn't advocate certain medications unless medically necessary, because they think it might lead back to the bottle. I have to disagree somewhat. I think anti-anxiety meds help keep me abstinent. But there is a fine line between a therapeutic use of medications and abuse/addiction, because Xanax is addictive. I've never been addicted to Xanax or Klonopin, even with long-term use. I wonder why. If I could feel better right away without it I wouldn't take it. Maybe because I don't drink anymore and alcohol is no longer an option as a substitute, I should keep a real close eye on that (the addictive aspect of benzos). IOW, not rely on benzos as my program, lol.

And I'm probably unhappy because I need an anti-D, not necessarily a "program". Then again, an anti-D won't teach me how to live a sober life, either.

*sigh*

(Where's that little banghead icon?)

CarolD

Autumn...I gotta remember many of todays medicines were not
known when the BB was written.

I take what my doctor prescribes as he directs
and have never consider it AA's affair.

Just my take on it...

Autumn

Thanks Carol. I read this info in the Living Sober book, 27th printing (1994).

I just went to Sobertime and found I have 8 months today.

Sheryl85

Carol, sounds like you are singing my song there... ditto for me.

daddysgirl29

Sheryl85 - thank you for sharing your story. You are a true survivor and inspiration!

Sheryl85

Thank you for those kind words DG. but it's been more like the Grateful Dead said, "What a long, strange journey this has been!"

Sheryl

Phinneas

This is a terrific thread! I think the bottom line is that we need to find what WORKS for each of us. And by "works" I do mean keeps us sober, happy and free from the obsession - otherwise live ain't all that worth living, IMO.

Great discussion.