Robzoloft

Several people have posted that I'm an inspiration and/or helping them...I'm flattered, truly....but maybe I'd be of more value as an example of what not to do...been in and out of AA since 1983...never really got a sponsor-never really completed the steps. Had to declare bankruptcy, wife of 13 years divorced me....I've lied, cheated, stolen, done burglaries,sold everything of value for drugs/alcohol....driven drunk with my kids in the car, bought drugs with my kids in the car, used in front of them, hit my wife, hit my kids, trashed my house, crashed 2 cars, 2 DWI's, court-ordered anger management, ripped off my elderly parents, been in-patient psych ward 3 times, 2 28 day rehabs, countless outpatient programs, been caught drunk at work, drug induced heart attack at 38y/o, abused people...lived in 6 places in one year...generally scammed everyone and evrything while actively using...overdosed...an animal with a name basically. These are the things I'm talking about what when I use words like regret,shame,guilt and remorse...Thats just the highlights and not even the worst..I'm just trying to stop drinking today..for a lot of reasons. And things are better today....but I have a long way to go...Please keep helping me and I'll try to help you too. Thanks

Pilgrim

Rob - go to a meeting and don't come home without a sponsor. Do the steps. It's amazing how it works.

Thanks for the honesty. So just your typical garden variety alchie huh?

Jomey

Rob, whatever you have done in the past, you have done. It's over and you are succeeding on a new sober life and sharing with us every day. Of course you are an inspiration! The farther we have or think we have fallen, the more inspirational it is to others that we have chosen to try again.Keep posting!

curliQ

I said that for one simple reason. You are further along than I am. I know little else about your life but for one thing: You are trying again, and you are still further along than me. Maybe we can tackle the rest of your life after we are stronger but for today, you are 3 days more than me and you have wanted it... and you have denied it.

I don't know what might make this time different than the other times you've tried to stop. But, hey, lets make this time different. I think maybe I put too much responsiblity on you by calling you an inspiration. Now, not only are you being helped, you are helping others.

nandm

I find anyone who is willing to work at recovery to be an inspiration to me. To be williing to change is one of the hardest things to do in life. Each of us is a miracle. The past is the past, we can only change what we do and how we react today. Thanks for your humble post. I am glad you are a part of SR

Hevyn

But Rob, the things you mention are exactly why you're an inspiration - you're pulling yourself up out of the hell you were in. Some never make it - the light never dawns and they go to their grave confused and clueless (my husband did...) I've done 3/4 of the things you mentioned, and some shameful stuff I try not to admit even to myself. No one meeting me now would ever suspect the other life I once had. My evil twin took control of my life, but she's gone now. If she ever resurfaces I'm finished.

tanyapmc

Rob....

One of the biggest things I have gotten out of recovery is:

Things I did in the past is NOT who I am.


I do not do those things when I am clean and sober.

Justme57

Rob, that is how it works! You ARE an inspiration, BECAUSE you are willing to change, and believe me, the quickest and best way to achieve that, is with the help of a Sponsor, someone who has "been there , done that ".

Congratulations on your sober time , you are doing great

HUGX
Leigh

Jersey Nonny

I know what you mean, Rob...I feel much the same way when I tell people I'm a 28-year recovering alcoholic, and they congratulate me!!! All I've done, with the help of AA and my HP, is become the person I was created to be from the beginning...I'm the one who mucked it up...fortunately, I was able to turn things around. But, it's important for me to remain humble, and not let the congratulations go to my head...the people mean well, but they just don't understand that I wasn't able to do this on my own...a lot of support was necessary. If congratulations are in order, the founders of AA are to be commended for the life-saving program of recovery they created over 70 years ago!

Captain Kirk

Rob, don't be so hard on yourself.
The past is the past. We've all made mistakes. We can't put right our pasts but we can try not to repeat the same mistakes again.
As you say you're an example of what not to do, but we all probably are. In the same way that we're all inspirations for each other.
Have a nice day.

jdrunk

Sounds like friend of my wife. He was her best friend for 30 years. She always looked out for him. In and out of rehabs more than a dozen times. been to jail several times. Ultimately he was not lucky, he died at the age of 45 [2 months ago], suddenly collapsed on street and no one to care for. Reasons we were told were over dosage. If he was not on alcohol or drugs, One of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Please do whatever it takes to keep you alive and sane. We only live once make the best out of it.

Omega Man

Rob - that was the old "Rob" you we're talking about, those things are in the past.
This is the new and improved version of "Rob".

We're on the same timeline for sobriety 6-7 days, so I'll stick around here for you, you do the same for me.

Hang tough, Buddy.

PS - that was one of the most brutally honest things I've ever heard, thanks for sharing.

lostmdboy

Hey Rob. The best thing about getting sober is that it gives us a chance to live two different lives in one life time.

nogard

wow a whole thread of inspirations

caitlin666

yep rob..........we are all a work in progress.....onwards and upwards