I_think_I've_found_a_solution_to_my_alcoholism
i've done my almost
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
I_think_I've_found_a_solution_to_my_alcoholism
6 months since my last drink.
It’s strange b/c it feels like 6 years. I believe it’s gone by slow b/c I’m growing into a different person, which to me, is the most important point in working a program. I’m of the opinion the same me will drink again. I wanted a design for living without even knowing it. I always felt like everyone else had a “life manual”, but me.
To start, I did over 90 meetings in 90 days in AA, 4 months of outpatient therapy, all while working full time and all of this without the ability to drive or public transportation. It’s amazing what a mixture of fear, willingness to be open to everything, and determination can do.
It’s not all been pretty, once I removed the alcohol there wasn't much left of me, but I can tell I’m changing and getting stronger. It’s mostly been awkward and downright painful, but I’ve caught glimpses of relief and moments of peace.
I’m now on step 8 in AA and I do believe I’ve found a solution to my alcoholism.
One day…at…a time.
Peace to all-
Kjell
PS - ...and lots and lots of posts here on SR help
It’s strange b/c it feels like 6 years. I believe it’s gone by slow b/c I’m growing into a different person, which to me, is the most important point in working a program. I’m of the opinion the same me will drink again. I wanted a design for living without even knowing it. I always felt like everyone else had a “life manual”, but me.
To start, I did over 90 meetings in 90 days in AA, 4 months of outpatient therapy, all while working full time and all of this without the ability to drive or public transportation. It’s amazing what a mixture of fear, willingness to be open to everything, and determination can do.
It’s not all been pretty, once I removed the alcohol there wasn't much left of me, but I can tell I’m changing and getting stronger. It’s mostly been awkward and downright painful, but I’ve caught glimpses of relief and moments of peace.
I’m now on step 8 in AA and I do believe I’ve found a solution to my alcoholism.
One day…at…a time.
Peace to all-
Kjell
PS - ...and lots and lots of posts here on SR help
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,505
Kjell, you're doing great!
Like you, when I removed the alcohol from my life, I was a shell of a person. I had to rebuild my life and I had to turn inward to find my life's purpose.
Like you, when I removed the alcohol from my life, I was a shell of a person. I had to rebuild my life and I had to turn inward to find my life's purpose.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 66
I like what you write, Kjell.
I didn't start out trying to make over my life when I stopped drinking, it sort of went hand in hand. I think I sensed I needed to do it, but it was not a conscious decision until after I had been sober for awhile. I saw all the empty places in my life that alcohol used to be, and I knew I needed to fill them up or I would start drinking again.
It's beginning to become "fun". I'm starting to look around and challenge all my assumptions about life. "I hate Green Tea. Why? Is the really true? (I try Green Tea) Wow, this stuff is cool. I love Green Tea!"
All my old patterns of thinking... I'm growing, changing. I should think differently now, have new thoughts and ideas. Don't have automatic thoughts, ask why.
Anyway, I am/was in a rut, and it's exciting to look around for ways to get out of it. Who wants to be in a rut? Climb out, get some height, look around, and chart a smooth new direction.
I didn't start out trying to make over my life when I stopped drinking, it sort of went hand in hand. I think I sensed I needed to do it, but it was not a conscious decision until after I had been sober for awhile. I saw all the empty places in my life that alcohol used to be, and I knew I needed to fill them up or I would start drinking again.
It's beginning to become "fun". I'm starting to look around and challenge all my assumptions about life. "I hate Green Tea. Why? Is the really true? (I try Green Tea) Wow, this stuff is cool. I love Green Tea!"
All my old patterns of thinking... I'm growing, changing. I should think differently now, have new thoughts and ideas. Don't have automatic thoughts, ask why.
Anyway, I am/was in a rut, and it's exciting to look around for ways to get out of it. Who wants to be in a rut? Climb out, get some height, look around, and chart a smooth new direction.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
I also believe that the time passes more slowly while you are sober, but that is because if I go back to when I was drinking I spent many days recovering from hangovers and many nights doing stuff I don't even remembered the day after due to black-outs.
So I think that a major plus of beeing sober if that you have much more time on your hands FOR REAL.
For example this weekend I was by the sea and got back home at like 5 am both on friday and on saturday. Both days I was able to go to the beach at 11 am while when I was drinking I would have prolly spent all the day-afters in bed recovering from the night before.
So I think that a major plus of beeing sober if that you have much more time on your hands FOR REAL.
For example this weekend I was by the sea and got back home at like 5 am both on friday and on saturday. Both days I was able to go to the beach at 11 am while when I was drinking I would have prolly spent all the day-afters in bed recovering from the night before.
i've done my almost
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
Originally Posted by Adepitice 
I also believe that the time passes more slowly while you are sober, but that is because if I go back to when I was drinking I spent many days recovering from hangovers and many nights doing stuff I don't even remembered the day after due to black-outs.
So I think that a major plus of beeing sober if that you have much more time on your hands FOR REAL.
For example this weekend I was by the sea and got back home at like 5 am both on friday and on saturday. Both days I was able to go to the beach at 11 am while when I was drinking I would have prolly spent all the day-afters in bed recovering from the night before.
So I think that a major plus of beeing sober if that you have much more time on your hands FOR REAL.
For example this weekend I was by the sea and got back home at like 5 am both on friday and on saturday. Both days I was able to go to the beach at 11 am while when I was drinking I would have prolly spent all the day-afters in bed recovering from the night before.
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,649
I have kept a diary of both my drinking life and my sober life, since 2007, and I am constantly amazed at the changes in me. I am on step 10 in AA.
Today, I do not burst into anger over small and insignifigant things. I don't look at everyone around me as the villian, and me the victim. It is such freedom to be free of that way of thinking. I know I still have more work to do. But, I am so much happier now than I was 3 years ago.
Today, I do not burst into anger over small and insignifigant things. I don't look at everyone around me as the villian, and me the victim. It is such freedom to be free of that way of thinking. I know I still have more work to do. But, I am so much happier now than I was 3 years ago.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
Well done my man.......well done!
Nothing like gettin in there, gettin dirty, and doin the work to make you feel better. It gets you out of yourself and helps to remove you from the desire to drink again. Plus.....now that you're starting to feel better.......you won't WANT to go back to booze anytime soon.
Congrats!!!
Nothing like gettin in there, gettin dirty, and doin the work to make you feel better. It gets you out of yourself and helps to remove you from the desire to drink again. Plus.....now that you're starting to feel better.......you won't WANT to go back to booze anytime soon.
Congrats!!!
Attended By a Single Hound
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: England
Posts: 425
Originally Posted by Kjell
once I removed the alcohol there wasn't much left of me, but I can tell I’m changing and getting stronger. It’s mostly been awkward and downright painful, but I’ve caught glimpses of relief and moments of peace.
Thank you for saying that.
Tsu x
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lowcountry
Posts: 2,762
Originally Posted by Kjell
6 months since my last drink.
It’s strange b/c it feels like 6 years. I believe it’s gone by slow b/c I’m growing into a different person, which to me, is the most important point in working a program.
One day…at…a time.
Peace to all-
Kjell
PS - ...and lots and lots of posts here on SR help
It’s strange b/c it feels like 6 years. I believe it’s gone by slow b/c I’m growing into a different person, which to me, is the most important point in working a program.
One day…at…a time.
Peace to all-
Kjell
PS - ...and lots and lots of posts here on SR help
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMEN to that ! brother
Seems like the last (just about, anyway) three months has been an altered slowed reality. Sooo many major changes from my 'old thinking."
Congratulations Kjell, ....thanks for all the posts !!!
.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
