What on this site impacted you
What on this site impacted you
Hi everybody,
I'm wondering if something on the SoberRecovery site has had an especially strong impact on you - something that really hit home and motivated you to try to get a handle on addiction (or retry with gusto!)
I'll share mine. What really hit home for me was reading the sticky in this forum by Dime called "A Public Service Announcement." Wow. Talk about relating to my life over the last several years (you'll notice my user name is Grateful09 - first year I learned about this site but I haven't exactly been active - until this year when I have made the commitment to be active).
Dime's summary was so like my life between 09 and now (except, like Dime, for the getting arrested part, because I don't drive while drinking), and it really gave me a new perspective on the cycle I have been in, and how I have been fooling myself to stay in it.
So I'm in early recovery (since late December, just joined Class of January 2017), and it's not easy. But, so far so sober.
What on this site has had a big impact on you, and would you mind sharing?
I'm wondering if something on the SoberRecovery site has had an especially strong impact on you - something that really hit home and motivated you to try to get a handle on addiction (or retry with gusto!)
I'll share mine. What really hit home for me was reading the sticky in this forum by Dime called "A Public Service Announcement." Wow. Talk about relating to my life over the last several years (you'll notice my user name is Grateful09 - first year I learned about this site but I haven't exactly been active - until this year when I have made the commitment to be active).
Dime's summary was so like my life between 09 and now (except, like Dime, for the getting arrested part, because I don't drive while drinking), and it really gave me a new perspective on the cycle I have been in, and how I have been fooling myself to stay in it.
So I'm in early recovery (since late December, just joined Class of January 2017), and it's not easy. But, so far so sober.
What on this site has had a big impact on you, and would you mind sharing?
The Friends and Family of Alcoholics Forum.
I used to think my drinking, and the harm it was causing, was just something I was doing to "myself." The F&F forum shattered that belief.
I used to think my drinking, and the harm it was causing, was just something I was doing to "myself." The F&F forum shattered that belief.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
I spend hours and hours reading this site and I saw how many lives were ruined by alcohol and how severe the health ramification were. I was headed down that road, it opened my eyes to the future. I decided there was nothing positive in continuing to drink. So I quit.
I don't count days, have not been to rehab or detox and do not attend AA. I only use this site for my recovery. I mention that because it demonstrates how powerful the information is on this forum. Also, I use this site...every day.
I don't count days, have not been to rehab or detox and do not attend AA. I only use this site for my recovery. I mention that because it demonstrates how powerful the information is on this forum. Also, I use this site...every day.
SR got me thinking seriously about sobriety, about what it means to drink and what it means not to drink. And what it takes to not drink. It got me started on my current sober streak. I couldn't quite get it going again after a previous 75 day streak on my own, and SR really helped me. Posting here every day, posting in the June 2016 thread. I'll always be grateful.
For me, it was discovering that such online support even existed. I feel so stupid that honestly, it never even occurred to me that there could be something akin to being able to go to AA, without the anxiety of having to be in those rooms. As a recluse living in a rural small town, with some physical disabilities, I stopped going to AA and so, had zero support in my sobriety. Sought and got mental health help through the VA, and my therapist suggested online sobriety support and so, SR!
I am so grateful to have found it. Just to be able to reach out 24/7, to someone, anyone, to get some help-it's made me hopeful again. I apologise that my answer was not exactly specific to the OP question.
I am so grateful to have found it. Just to be able to reach out 24/7, to someone, anyone, to get some help-it's made me hopeful again. I apologise that my answer was not exactly specific to the OP question.
Last edited by gregknight; 01-03-2017 at 11:34 AM. Reason: Added comment.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
The reason I joined was the secular connections. I had already quit drinking about 4 years prior to joining here, but I had no outlet irl to discuss self-recovery. It was refreshing for me to find an arena that included discussions on methods outside the realm of 12 step recovery.
I was amazed at the comments on my first post, lots of support, but one specific sentence made something click in my head, I said something like "hopefully someday I can be sober...", and EndGameNYC then wrote ""Someday" is not one of the days of the week, and "hopefully" is not a plan. Now is the time to start".
That then led me to recovery plans, the August 2016 class and nearly 5 months later here I am completely sober and the happiest I've ever been.
P
That then led me to recovery plans, the August 2016 class and nearly 5 months later here I am completely sober and the happiest I've ever been.
P
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: The North, UK.
Posts: 155
For me it was the first time I didn't feel like I had to explain myself or debate or convince anyone about my drinking. I was used to people talking me out of stopping, probably for their own ends. I thought it was me imagining I was worse than what I really was, and there wasn't really a problem. I just wish if found this forum sooner and had some real support a 1000 benders/arguments/fights/meltdowns ago.
In short, there is no judgement.
In short, there is no judgement.
There are a lot of very caring people on this site. The stories are so encouraging. The honesty in the posts, the horrible admissions of life under the influence, the fact people don't flinch when you tell them how much you drink, the lack of judgement, and the tell it like it is attitude keep me focused. Sober recovery is a very safe space, and I feel lucky to have found it.
The site helps to keep me Sober by reminding me not to forget to be grateful for sobriety for as we know especially in the beginning it does not always come easy and some it seems never seem to receive the gift.
M-Bob
M-Bob
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,869
Where to start...
It educated me so much. Made me understand that I am not alone and gave me an outlet to interact with people who get it.
Honestly some posts here have touched me so much that have changed me and my life and have helped me.
Cool post. Thanks.
It educated me so much. Made me understand that I am not alone and gave me an outlet to interact with people who get it.
Honestly some posts here have touched me so much that have changed me and my life and have helped me.
Cool post. Thanks.
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