1_day@_a_time

I keep saying things will change............

That I can beat this. I won't drink next time.

I'm not sure I have a problem, am I really only hurting myself?

Or are others being affected too?

I'll just try harder this time............I can beat this, I can, I can, I CAN!!!!

Why am I angry. Impatient. Intolerant. Can't get my way?

Why won't people listen to me?

Why do I feel like I'm crawling on my hands and knees through life?

I can't do this anymore..........maybe I should just end the pain, once and for all.

Many of us have felt some or all of the emotions.

I did.

For years and years and years. Nearly 30 in fact!

I tried it on my own. Controlling drinking. Limiting the number of drinks. Not drinking during the week. Not drinking the hard stuff. Not drinkng around friends or family.

I'd tried therapy, meds, and winging it on my own. I'd been stubborn. Thick headed. Smarter than others. Intellectually self-sufficient.

Who wants to go to meetings for the rest of my life & be involved with AA or some other group/cult?

Who needs a God, Something or Sombody else?

Well, once I was in enough pain, I did.

I was done. Finished. Exhausted.

The day I really wanted to recover, get better and not be obsessing in my mind about everything; people, places, things, alcohol, drugs.........LIFE!! was the day my real journey in life began.

I never expect life to be perfect in any way.

But the way I now live my life has forever changed.

I'm on the road to happily & usefully whole.

I'm a calmer, more patient, loving, forgiving and peaceful man today.

I exercise, running & cycling further than I ever dreamed possible.

For the most part, my mind is at peace, in the moment I'm in.

Roll your eyes, laugh (quitely or outloud), snicker or even move your mouse to the upper righthand corner of your screen & click on the red "X".

It's OK with me.........but today, I'm in a place I NEVER dreamed possible.

I'm not craving alcohol.

I'm more:

Physically fit.

Mentally focused.

Emotionally calm.

Sprirtually aware.

Choose whatever path you'd like.

I have empirical proof AA works.

My way sucked.......

Still does each time I attempt it again.

And since I gave up my way and took the path that has proven to work for millions of people, I have never taken another drink or drug again.

Not yet........

suki44883

AA works for a lot of people.

brokenhalo

another encouraging post. as a newcomer, it helps so much to hear about the joy and peace that are on the other side. thank you for this. it seems like this board works in two ways: ecouragement in the direction of sobriety through the posts of those who have continued to push forward, and the reminder of the pain and the negative power alcohol has in our lives through the posts of the newly recovering. living in the moment is important, but remembering where we came from and where we can go is equally important, in my opinion. thank you very much for this.

best regards,

bh

Astro

Thomas, I got a lot out of reading this post, I've said most of those things myself, I've heard them countless times in the past 4 1/2 years.

But this is a complicated disease, and the most my simple brain could handle today were these words.....

Thank you for sharing.

1_day@_a_time

Astro, I really relate to that..........

Freedom1990

My way sucked too. I spent much of my life being irritable, restless, and discontented. I was so uncomfortabe in my own skin that it was almost unbearable.

AA worked for me too.

ladyangelcake

wow what an inspiring post, i for one went through all those emotions when i was drinking, i was so negative and so angry with AA. it took a few rock bottoms before i was able to admit and accept that i was an alcoholic and that i could no longer drink normally or safely. in the past i never gave myself or aa a chance. it has been five and a half months now since my last drink, i am now feeling emotionally sober as a result of following the twelve step program of recovery, in such a short time my life has improved dramatically, i am no longer frightened to get out of bed in the mornings, i have freedom and feel at peace with myself. i am so grateful to be sober and so grateful to be part of the AA FELLOWSHIP.

Provider

Thanks for your encouraging post. As a newcomer I too am struggling everyday. I never dreamed it would be so hard. I need to hear of success. Thank you!

frosthoe

Thanks .

Gypsy Feet

This was me


Still me maybe

Me too!!
Me too, I love it!!
I chose a different path. So far it is working quite nicely. I have gained much wisdom from you AA folk along the way, but for some of us doing it our way CAN work if we want it bad enough

emmanuel2012

Promises come true...extravagant? I think so!!! But I've always loved extravagance 'LOL
You know i've said "my way sucks" and what I really mean is "my way/will, UNAIDED with
A higher power, SUCKS!!!" AA gives me an oppurtunity to do everything I wanted to do, and couldn't.

monkey1

Thanks for that. Its inspiring to read about successes.

1_day@_a_time

In over 6 years, I've seen countless people come here looking for answers.

Strugggling & begging to learn a way to be free.

WITH a formal program of recovery, about 5% stay sober for more than 5 years.

People typically don't follow the structure of the program and take the advice that will save their life, thus the poor results.

By going it alone, the odds surely plummet.

Why take the chance of cutting your odds?

Seems like a unfavorable message to project.

Even a professional athlete has a coach.

Gypsy Feet

because even if the message that it can be done without only helps one person, it was worth it for that person

plus, its all I know to share

<3

Dee74

There's many people in the forum, many different ways to success.
Any way that works for someone is, to me, a favorable message

We've all got our eyes on the same prize IMO.
D

1_day@_a_time

Looking back, I see the mistake I made re this thread and should have been specific why I was writing what I did.

Several people had asked me to share my story, and that was the intention and only that.

Gypsy Feet

I thought it was a pretty great message to share! I believe 100% that we need to do what ever we can, and go to any lengths to embrace this life of sobriety. It is so worth it.

1_day@_a_time

bump

Hope it can help someone struggling.

Dee74

Thanks

Hope all is well with you 1_day@_a_time

D

Esspee

Thank you and well done on what you've achieved