iamreadynow

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member here. I've been lurking the forums over the past few weeks and have found many of yours stories inspirational. Inspirational enough for me to take charge of my life and make some major changes. I fear more than I ever have that if I don't make the change now I will live my life with fear and regret, and possibly worse.

I have been so lucky to have made it through everything that I have brought upon myself as a result of my drinking. I have been arrested for multiple DUIs and other drinking related incidents. I have scorched the bridges in important relationships in my life. I have made a complete fool of myself on numerous occasions, putting my reputation and credibility on the line. The list is endless.

I started drinking at age 16. I enjoyed partying on the weekends and most of my friends did as well. At the time, it seemed innocent enough. Had you asked me back then if I thought I would ever find myself where I am today I likely would have laughed. A DUI, let alone multiple DUIs, was inconceivable. Only an idiot would do such a thing, or so I thought. Nearly every negative outcome in my life has revolved around drinking.

I have been blessed to not have lost everything by this point as I know many who have been less fortunate. A few years back, I graduated college and began my career. I make great money. I have made it through the DUI process and am back to a somewhat normal life. Lately, however, I have come to the realization that I am an alcoholic (I'm not sure what took so long); that I have no control over my drinking and the choices I make when I drink. I completely fear myself when I drink. AA is really my only option for help as I have been through all other avenues. I am not a daily drinker and oftentimes not even a weekly drinker. I am your classic binge drinker. When I drink, I DRINK. I turn into someone very unpleasant. Enough is enough.

I am ready for change and I am going to do what it takes to be the happy individual that I am meant to be. Without alcohol.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to sharing more of my story and getting to know all of the wonderful alcoholics out there who have successfully turned their lives around.

VikingGF

Welcome to the posting side of SR. Whatever path to choose to sobriety, we'll be here!

ScottFromWI

Welcome to SR, you will find a wealth of knowledge and support here, and also those who understand.

IOAA2

HI AND WELCOME.
It turns out that a couple good pieces of advice I got was “KEEP COMING” and the best literature for that period is a meeting list and use it.
There is much good advice at meetings and on this forum to absorb and put into practice.

BE WELL

Soberwolf

Welcome I am ready cool user name btw !

aasharon90

Willingness......Openmindedness.....Honesty

Listen.....Learn....Absorb.....Apply

Hi, Im Sharon and I'm an Alcohol who
has been living a recovery life since 8-11-90.
That is a many many one days at a time
without a drink of poison in my body.

Was it easy to get to this point in my
life, living a much happier, freer, honest
life. Not at all. Recovery for me has been
a journey in life going thru many challenges,
changes, steps that ive paved in my own
life to live upon each day.

My journey began in rehab after my family
did an intervention on me. Getting me help
I so desperately needed at that time in my
life. I spent 28 days in one facility instead of
completing 2 weeks and then transferred to
a halfway house.

I was a mom of 2 little ones, a wife of about
7 or 8 yrs, a home and didn't want to be sent
further away from my family, so they agreed
to let me remain there.

Concilors that were there helped me and
others by teaching us about our addiction
and its affects on our mind, bodies, and soul.
They taught us some effective ways to avoid
picking up a drink that would make matters
worse instead of better in everyday life.

I took all those tools, knowledge and suggestions
with me when I returned home and from there
it was my responsibility to apply them in all areas
of my life.

All the alcohol was removed from our home
so there would be no temptation waiting for
me as I continue to grow and change in recovery.

I knew I couldn't stay sober on my own, so
I sat in meetings after meetings for many yrs,
surrounded by the fellowship of recovery, by
those who I could relate to, folks who understood
me as I of them because we all had and have been
there, done that in many areas of our life.

There's something remarkable to be amongst
others in recovery because there is compassion,
understanding, communication, caring, a lot of
what I couldn't get from family and friends who
were not alcoholics themselves.

I always say that it takes one to know one.
And we alcoholics or addicts certainly know
each other.

When you have a moment please share
with us here in SR what changes are you
willing to go thru to remain sober each day
as you move forward in ur recovery?

What is going to work well for you?

NorMar

Being really READY to change is SO important. You're going into the battle with a pretty powerful sword.

iamreadynow

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement. At this point in my life I know it is time that I make many changes in terms of people, places and things. While I have a few good friends, most of my friends tend to spend much of their free time (weekends and evenings) partaking in activities that involve alcohol. I have learned that I simply cannot be around alcohol right now in my life. It just won't work for me. If that means sitting at home on Friday and Saturday night for the time being and not being around all of the action, then so be it.

I also plan to attend more AA meetings. I am going to work on expressing myself more in the meetings as I have held back to this point. I didn't want to admit I was an alcoholic and that I suffer from a disease like each and every person in those rooms. While I don't share it with them, I relate to them on so many levels. I need to join that fellowship instead of standing on the sidelines like I have been.

I am blessed to have had the foresight to know that I am going no where good if I were to keep up with the drinking. I've already been through enough as it is. As I mentioned previously, lost relationships, legal issues, family problems and on and on. It's just not worth it. I want to have fulfilling relationships with my friends, family and future partner. Alcohol will not allow me to accomplish these goals and the time is NOW to make a change.

If anyone has some feedback for me please do share. I am just beginning this process and the more I can learn from those who have been there and done that, the better.

Best wishes!