"any Lengths..."
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 26
"any Lengths..."
"Just go to any lenghts and you'll be ok. Accept what is offered and you'll be ok."
This idea pisses me off. I don't mean to offend anyone.
The price to possible recovery is "any lengths"? What a high price. I know, I know. "How much time and effort have I spent being drunk?..."
I understand that I have went to incredible lenghts to be drunk. I admit that.
To go to any lengths means to me to accept any advice given at meetings. Any advice. That scares me. I am frightened of a sponsor....
All that being said... advice please?
This idea pisses me off. I don't mean to offend anyone.
The price to possible recovery is "any lengths"? What a high price. I know, I know. "How much time and effort have I spent being drunk?..."
I understand that I have went to incredible lenghts to be drunk. I admit that.
To go to any lengths means to me to accept any advice given at meetings. Any advice. That scares me. I am frightened of a sponsor....
All that being said... advice please?
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
I don't have any.
You're either ready ... or you're not.
There was no doubt in my mind that I was out of control, I had nothing left ...
and anything anyone said ...
was going to be better than waking up dead on my bathroom floor again.
Which is where *my* brilliance and self- important thinking got me on August 28,2006.
That's where *my* ideas of life and being successful got me.
dead.
*shrug*
To this day -
I will go to any lengths ...
not to go back there again.
Any.
Length.
Period.
Maybe you're just not ready to become sober yet.
You're either ready ... or you're not.
There was no doubt in my mind that I was out of control, I had nothing left ...
and anything anyone said ...
was going to be better than waking up dead on my bathroom floor again.
Which is where *my* brilliance and self- important thinking got me on August 28,2006.
That's where *my* ideas of life and being successful got me.
dead.
*shrug*
To this day -
I will go to any lengths ...
not to go back there again.
Any.
Length.
Period.
Maybe you're just not ready to become sober yet.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
My advice?
Please read the official AA pamphlet
"Questions and Answers on Sponsorship"
It's usually on the literature rack in meetings.
I give it to my new sponsees
so we can decide how to work effectively together.
Perhasp that info will ease your concerns about a mentor.
For me..."Going to any lengths" simply means
willingness.
Hope this helps
Please read the official AA pamphlet
"Questions and Answers on Sponsorship"
It's usually on the literature rack in meetings.
I give it to my new sponsees
so we can decide how to work effectively together.
Perhasp that info will ease your concerns about a mentor.
For me..."Going to any lengths" simply means
willingness.
Hope this helps
Don't get undies in a bunch
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Shore MA
Posts: 7,120
Any lengths...
When I wanted beer...even if I had to walk, I would go that length and get it.
Now if I want to find answers...if needed walk to meetings inthe same kind of snow storm I would go for the beer in.
Any length... I have a hard time using 2 ears because I have one mouth that won't stay shut. Hey it is my nature.... So if I want answers...
Shut my mouth for an hour and use my ears double time.
Any length.
If I want what others have... try what they tried and see if by doing things the same way, I get what they have.
What I found...
When I gave up trying things my way and started to listen to others...my life changed.
Humbled, I found strength
Quieted, I found answers that shouted to me
Any length... go against your nature as you know it for just one hour (a meeting) and then go to another meeting and do the same.
You will find answers I am sure.
When I wanted beer...even if I had to walk, I would go that length and get it.
Now if I want to find answers...if needed walk to meetings inthe same kind of snow storm I would go for the beer in.
Any length... I have a hard time using 2 ears because I have one mouth that won't stay shut. Hey it is my nature.... So if I want answers...
Shut my mouth for an hour and use my ears double time.
Any length.
If I want what others have... try what they tried and see if by doing things the same way, I get what they have.
What I found...
When I gave up trying things my way and started to listen to others...my life changed.
Humbled, I found strength
Quieted, I found answers that shouted to me
Any length... go against your nature as you know it for just one hour (a meeting) and then go to another meeting and do the same.
You will find answers I am sure.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,381
I think maybe you need to get to know some people in AA first. I was told years ago to find someone with at least 10 years sobrity. I know it can be hard to take all advice because there is different opinions. You can keep asking questions here until you feel right about a sponser.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,299
I was brought up/taught by Jesuits-they taught me to question everything-which has been both a blessing and a curse-given I'm an alcoholic.
You don't have to 'conform' to what you've been told-but don't let your fear of being 'one of them' stop you from accepting the help you need.
Pride can be a killer.I know.
Jules.
You don't have to 'conform' to what you've been told-but don't let your fear of being 'one of them' stop you from accepting the help you need.
Pride can be a killer.I know.
Jules.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
ok, I'm not an AAer.
but for me ?
it doesn't mean accept *any* advice - LOL you'd have to be an idiot.
But be prepared to be open - be prepared to remember that the way we've done things kinda sucks. I can't be much of a genius living most of my life the way I did - I can always listen to advice.
and for what it's worth - I was drunk for 15 years more or less - until I got to the point I was prepared to go to any lengths to stay sober ? I stayed a drunk.
D
but for me ?
it doesn't mean accept *any* advice - LOL you'd have to be an idiot.
But be prepared to be open - be prepared to remember that the way we've done things kinda sucks. I can't be much of a genius living most of my life the way I did - I can always listen to advice.
and for what it's worth - I was drunk for 15 years more or less - until I got to the point I was prepared to go to any lengths to stay sober ? I stayed a drunk.
D
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Hicktown, PA
Posts: 1,479
I agree with Dee. Listening to any and all advice is neither smart nor necessary. It's ok to question...just do it with an open mind.
I think sponsors are kind of like doctors in a way...hopefully they are all giving you the truth about your disease (alcoholism) and the "cure", no matter how hard it is to hear, but everyone has a different way of delivering it. Find the sponsor who delivers it in a way you can relate to, that motivates you, that makes you eager to start or continue your recovery journey. But remember, it's the same truth, you have to stop drinking and stay stopped.
Good luck!
I think sponsors are kind of like doctors in a way...hopefully they are all giving you the truth about your disease (alcoholism) and the "cure", no matter how hard it is to hear, but everyone has a different way of delivering it. Find the sponsor who delivers it in a way you can relate to, that motivates you, that makes you eager to start or continue your recovery journey. But remember, it's the same truth, you have to stop drinking and stay stopped.
Good luck!
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,504
Any lengths to me means to do whatever it takes.
As far as taking 'any' advice, I would never do that. I would be willing to take advice that I upset me and made me uncomfortable and I have done that and it has helped. In fact, I think if you feel resistance to advice, that is a strong indication that you should take it.
But, you have free will and should always decide what is best for you.
As far as taking 'any' advice, I would never do that. I would be willing to take advice that I upset me and made me uncomfortable and I have done that and it has helped. In fact, I think if you feel resistance to advice, that is a strong indication that you should take it.
But, you have free will and should always decide what is best for you.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Posts: 746
Find out what you are
Going to Any Lengths is a daunting proposition, Particularly if one has no idea what that looks like or the implications behind that statement.
In the beginning if I did not have to, I wouldn't. However, I found some folks who helped me discover the truth about my condition. I am a hopeless alcoholic, without power, without a solution,I will drink and I will die...
Once I was down to two choices, it was pretty easy to become willing to do what I was told. Having been living this way for a while, I can tell you, it is by far the coolest trip I have ever taken, it is essentially what I was searching for my entire life. The program of AA offers a path to freedom, it is entirely up to you to take the walk.
Finding out if you are alcoholic and what that means is a fine start. Feel free to PM me if I can be of help.
In the beginning if I did not have to, I wouldn't. However, I found some folks who helped me discover the truth about my condition. I am a hopeless alcoholic, without power, without a solution,I will drink and I will die...
Once I was down to two choices, it was pretty easy to become willing to do what I was told. Having been living this way for a while, I can tell you, it is by far the coolest trip I have ever taken, it is essentially what I was searching for my entire life. The program of AA offers a path to freedom, it is entirely up to you to take the walk.
Finding out if you are alcoholic and what that means is a fine start. Feel free to PM me if I can be of help.
Looking For Myself...Sober
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Where the heart is
Posts: 10,209
Originally Posted by Cindi R 
no matter what anyone tells me I'm not ever gonna drink the kool-aide!!!
LOL
LOL
I use to think the same way. And like Dee said..and i have heard this from AA and Na people. Theres always going to be an idiot or two even in meetings.
But Take what you need and leave the rest.
Going to any length to be sober is true in my mind. But taking all advice would just confuse and frustrate me. Not to mention foolish.
everything is already ok
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia
Posts: 19,793
how you doing ll, as has been said here do whatever it takes and I think all of us here understand that cos we did it for many a year to keep smashed.
Hope you can apply this to your recovery.
Kevin
Hope you can apply this to your recovery.
Kevin
Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: my room in ct.
Posts: 58,110
llenroc...
any lengths!
its a personal thing...
be it AA/NA DIY, Rational, Smart, Sec. ect. or even Aunt Tilly's recovery program
whatever it takes to make the thoughts, that turn into a obsession, that turn into a compulsion to drink, and or drug go away...
and more so, the way we react to life, others, and ourselves
a soul vacination, and or a emotional rearangement...
a 180 turn in the think'n department!
good wishes llenroc
rz
any lengths!
its a personal thing...
be it AA/NA DIY, Rational, Smart, Sec. ect. or even Aunt Tilly's recovery program
whatever it takes to make the thoughts, that turn into a obsession, that turn into a compulsion to drink, and or drug go away...
and more so, the way we react to life, others, and ourselves
a soul vacination, and or a emotional rearangement...
a 180 turn in the think'n department!
good wishes llenroc
rz
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