Is Help a Four Letter Word?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Samsara
Posts: 15
Is Help a Four Letter Word?
I am old and soooo tired of being responsible for my own sickness. I am alone, and have been alone for 19 years. Beer became my friend, and I honestly don't know how to make the jump to sobriety myself. It feels like I will need to try to jump the Grand Canyon, which I know I cannot do. I don't know where to begin. I also feel a bit confused by how best to use this site...my only connection with community right now. Anything anyone can offer will be appreciated...I am running out of hope.
Old & Sober Member of AA
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
Anything anyone can offer will be appreciated...I am running out of hope.
Besides continuing to post here, and gathering strength from everyone, you might give some consideration to attending AA meetings...a sure way of combating the loneliness...at the same time as learning to use the tools to recovery.
You don't say exactly where you are located...simply look in the phone book under Alcoholics Anonymous for the meetings near you. Or, they can be found on the internet. Good Luck.
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Leaving Sparta
Posts: 2,912
Welcome khiggs.
I thought beer was my friend too, but the great irony of my "so called friend" was that it was pushing me further and further into greater isolation and lonliness.
If you think of sobriety as a gulf you must cross you may never make it. In recovery I learned not to focus on the "great forever" of never drinking again as my alcoholic mind could not grasp the awesome eternity of never seeing my 'friend" again. I had to learn to take it "one day at a time".
Focus on baby steps and not on the giant leaps.
I thought beer was my friend too, but the great irony of my "so called friend" was that it was pushing me further and further into greater isolation and lonliness.
If you think of sobriety as a gulf you must cross you may never make it. In recovery I learned not to focus on the "great forever" of never drinking again as my alcoholic mind could not grasp the awesome eternity of never seeing my 'friend" again. I had to learn to take it "one day at a time".
Focus on baby steps and not on the giant leaps.
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,061
Hi khiggs, you're not alone anymore, so many of us have the same stories and similarities.
For me AA was the way to stay sober and begin a life-long journey of recovery. Most importantly, I rarely feel lonely anymore, I've met more people in sobriety than I ever thought was possible.
For me AA was the way to stay sober and begin a life-long journey of recovery. Most importantly, I rarely feel lonely anymore, I've met more people in sobriety than I ever thought was possible.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Murrieta, Ca
Posts: 2,683
I soooooo wanted to do it alone. Self sufficient, self reliant, rugged individualist that I was in my mind.
When I finally surrendered, admitted I needed help, and asked for it, help came. Came in a big way.
The only way to win the fight is to surrender. I can't beat alcohol alone.
When I finally surrendered, admitted I needed help, and asked for it, help came. Came in a big way.
The only way to win the fight is to surrender. I can't beat alcohol alone.
IO Storm
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 18,436
khiggs...
Yeah...I can relate..beer gave me liver disease...I argued with my doc..
"But it's only beer!"
When I first got sober I truly felt I lost my best friend..bad as it was for me.
I agree with everything Glass Prisoner told you.
And..Welcome to SR!
My best to you!
Love,
IO
Yeah...I can relate..beer gave me liver disease...I argued with my doc..
"But it's only beer!"
When I first got sober I truly felt I lost my best friend..bad as it was for me.
I agree with everything Glass Prisoner told you.
And..Welcome to SR!
My best to you!
Love,
IO
Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,136
Khiggs,
Welcome - glad you're here. What IO said - it's never too late!
You're no different than me - I'm an alkie too - couldn't stop. But I did, a day at a time, and you can too.
xo Row
p.s. hope you keep posting here
Welcome - glad you're here. What IO said - it's never too late!
You're no different than me - I'm an alkie too - couldn't stop. But I did, a day at a time, and you can too.
xo Row
p.s. hope you keep posting here
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Samsara
Posts: 15
Tears come...
Tears come to my eyes and my throat tightens. I want to cry, but something holds me back. (Maybe I won't be able to see the keys to type?) Your voices are sweet to me and I feel deep gratitude. I would LOVE to attend AA meetings, but I live literally in the middle of nowhere & the AA meetings in my area are at night when I can't drive (because I can't see at night anymore...remember, I'm old). I have two old dogs. When they pass on I will retire and move into a more populated area where face to face recovery resources will be more available. In the meantime, I am taking and learning what I can from this site and wonderful people like you. Maybe there is hope, even for an old idiot baby, taking baby steps...good advice. I am very thankful. ~khiggs
Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,136
Try not to be too hard on yourself, Khiggs.
Just a suggestion - you could call the local AA office, and explain your dilemma. You might be surprised to find there are members who would be happy to give you a lift.
You won't know until you try.
In the meantime, stick around. We NEED you here.
Row
Just a suggestion - you could call the local AA office, and explain your dilemma. You might be surprised to find there are members who would be happy to give you a lift.
You won't know until you try.
In the meantime, stick around. We NEED you here.
Row
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