Introducing myself
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: California
Posts: 117
Introducing myself
I'm trying to get sober again. On day six today. Had seven years once through taking the steps and turning it over to my higher power. Started attending church. After seven years I went to my first AA meeting and drank soon after. I think it was hearing the drinking stories because for seven years I made a life away from alcohol. Ever since I've struggled. I've gone to meetings and came home and drank. I'm not sure how to get sober again. I do like what I read here and you guys have got me through some cravings. I plan to read here daily and hope to get my spiritual life going again. I've been off work si ce 2010 and kind of Isolated so it's scary right now to think of going to a meeting or to church alone.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,601
Hi and Welcome!
"Drunkalogues" bother me too. I pretty much only attend big book step study meetings were we discuss the solution rather than the problem. I mean, how many times do I really need to hear about how Donna got hammered and screwed the pizza delivery guy in the bushes behind 7/11?! And how is hearing that over and over again helpful?!
Whatever path you choose I wish you well!
"Drunkalogues" bother me too. I pretty much only attend big book step study meetings were we discuss the solution rather than the problem. I mean, how many times do I really need to hear about how Donna got hammered and screwed the pizza delivery guy in the bushes behind 7/11?! And how is hearing that over and over again helpful?!
Whatever path you choose I wish you well!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,540
That's part of the reason why I don't go to AA anymore and think I've read research where it's shows that AA can have a negative effect on some people. Not all people, but some.
And that's not a criticism of AA. I think all methods of recovery have something to offer, it's not a competition about theory it's about people getting sober in the real world.
I had five years up once and I am doing really well just posting and reading here on SR. It works better for me and now have 3 months up. I've found that SR and
on-line stuff is REALLY anonymous and I feel more able to talk honestly. We do need real time people too.
I wouldn't be going to a place that triggered me to drink. Find the way that works for you and your sobriety.
Do you have friends at Church or elsewhere?
And that's not a criticism of AA. I think all methods of recovery have something to offer, it's not a competition about theory it's about people getting sober in the real world.
I had five years up once and I am doing really well just posting and reading here on SR. It works better for me and now have 3 months up. I've found that SR and
on-line stuff is REALLY anonymous and I feel more able to talk honestly. We do need real time people too.
I wouldn't be going to a place that triggered me to drink. Find the way that works for you and your sobriety.
Do you have friends at Church or elsewhere?
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,526
Glad to meet you, Jan. I had a few years of sobriety once & decided I could use willpower to control it (knowing in my heart I couldn't). That's when I found SR - the friendship & encouragement is wonderful. You can do this. 
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 701
Hi Jan, welcome!
Don't think of this as a plug for AA, it's not. I am neutral where AA is concerned, as I have never been to a meeting, so just asking - after 7 years of sobriety, what made you decide to go to a meeting ? I am just wondering if perhaps you had begun to think about drinking before you went?
Don't think of this as a plug for AA, it's not. I am neutral where AA is concerned, as I have never been to a meeting, so just asking - after 7 years of sobriety, what made you decide to go to a meeting ? I am just wondering if perhaps you had begun to think about drinking before you went?
Glad you are here Jan! 
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,960
Had seven years once through taking the steps and turning it over to my higher power. Started attending church. After seven years I went to my first AA meeting and drank soon after.
This is very confusing.
AA isn't the only way, but how did you get 7 years by taking the steps and turning it over to a higher power and then getting to your first AA meeting and then drinking?
Rational Recovery, AVRT, SMART, Life Ring, SOS, Women for Sobriety and other programs exist! Try those!!
You can get sober, if you want to badly enough!!
Hugs and Love to you
This is very confusing.
AA isn't the only way, but how did you get 7 years by taking the steps and turning it over to a higher power and then getting to your first AA meeting and then drinking?
Rational Recovery, AVRT, SMART, Life Ring, SOS, Women for Sobriety and other programs exist! Try those!!
You can get sober, if you want to badly enough!!
Hugs and Love to you
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 874
Interesting that you say that - I felt the same way. I went to a women's group a few years ago. Mostly a nice bunch, laid back and easy to talk to. But, all that talk about drinking did something to me as well. I'd been sober almost a year then started drinking again. This time, I haven't gone back and I'm just past 13 months.
My other thought on that was that maybe I assumed that by going to AA I was invincible and let my guard down.
My other thought on that was that maybe I assumed that by going to AA I was invincible and let my guard down.
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