Reconnecting with SR
Whatever it takes - just for today.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 200
Reconnecting with SR
Hi All,
It has been a very long time since I posted!
I am sober now 21mths and life is infinitely better. I have discovered what it feels like to be happy. I'm not talking 'over the top' happy but a fairly persistent and pervading emotion of contentment and gratitude for the blessings in my life and the personal growth I have experienced thus far.
As seems to be the way in sobriety life gets busier and I am finding I have to work my program in a more conscious manner. Although I still go each week, my number of AA meetings have decreased to 1 per week. I still have my Sponsor, as well as some good AA friends whom I have regular contact with outside of the fellowship.
That being said, I am still an alcoholic with a mind full of thoughts that will try and trip me up! So here is my question - how do YOU know if you are doing enough to work your program? AA or otherwise.
Thanks for reading xx
It has been a very long time since I posted!
I am sober now 21mths and life is infinitely better. I have discovered what it feels like to be happy. I'm not talking 'over the top' happy but a fairly persistent and pervading emotion of contentment and gratitude for the blessings in my life and the personal growth I have experienced thus far.
As seems to be the way in sobriety life gets busier and I am finding I have to work my program in a more conscious manner. Although I still go each week, my number of AA meetings have decreased to 1 per week. I still have my Sponsor, as well as some good AA friends whom I have regular contact with outside of the fellowship.
That being said, I am still an alcoholic with a mind full of thoughts that will try and trip me up! So here is my question - how do YOU know if you are doing enough to work your program? AA or otherwise.
Thanks for reading xx
Whatever it takes - just for today.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 200
Originally Posted by least 
I know I'm doing what it takes to maintain sobriety when I wake up sober and feeling good. 
I am feeling like my life is just flowing along so perhaps I am doing enough. It is good to be back here on SR reading around.
This is where my journey started 😊
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,524
Wonderful to see you again, Scruffanie. I'm so glad you're happy with your new life.
The word you used - contentment - is how I'd describe my current state. If I no longer feel content & begin looking for something 'more' I'll know I need to work harder on my sobriety. I once thought being sober would be so dull. Then I found out being numb & foggy all the time was the epitome of dull.
The word you used - contentment - is how I'd describe my current state. If I no longer feel content & begin looking for something 'more' I'll know I need to work harder on my sobriety. I once thought being sober would be so dull. Then I found out being numb & foggy all the time was the epitome of dull.
Whatever it takes - just for today.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 200
Thank you Hevyn for your reply. It is good to be here again and also to see some familiar names 😊
Yes! Contentment.. still a new feeling for me and one I do not want to lose.
Very glad to hear you are feeling it too
Yes! Contentment.. still a new feeling for me and one I do not want to lose.
Very glad to hear you are feeling it too
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 28,642
Hey scruff. I see you are another'strain. Are there gangs of disillusioned ex PM's roaming the streets there?
What I do to know I am 'working the program'....
- regular visits with a psychologist (CBT based)
- regular contact with my addiction counselor
- regular checkups with my GP
- 1 to 2 meets a weeks (we are of a similar sobriety)- and I have a sponsor
- journal writing
These let me know if I am 'off'.
Also if self care (showering, eating etc) falls behind...it usually means the brain needs balancing with reality.
If I begin to isolate- I make sure I am around humans every day and make an effort (regardless of how banal or superficial it seems) to talk to people.
My sense of humour is dark. If people notice it is getting more weird than usual- again a barometer for something is wrong
- if I want to resist doing something- it usually means I really should do it (like going to meetings)
- if I drink too much coffee, or sweeties- again something wrong.
For everyday stress..I use the HALTS bit.
Lastly- PAIN. Be it emotional, mental, physical ..pain is a red flag something is not right and it needs attention.
If I am in doubt about anything- I ask a professional rather than use Dr Google.
Support to you.
What I do to know I am 'working the program'....
- regular visits with a psychologist (CBT based)
- regular contact with my addiction counselor
- regular checkups with my GP
- 1 to 2 meets a weeks (we are of a similar sobriety)- and I have a sponsor
- journal writing
These let me know if I am 'off'.
Also if self care (showering, eating etc) falls behind...it usually means the brain needs balancing with reality.
If I begin to isolate- I make sure I am around humans every day and make an effort (regardless of how banal or superficial it seems) to talk to people.
My sense of humour is dark. If people notice it is getting more weird than usual- again a barometer for something is wrong
- if I want to resist doing something- it usually means I really should do it (like going to meetings)
- if I drink too much coffee, or sweeties- again something wrong.
For everyday stress..I use the HALTS bit.
Lastly- PAIN. Be it emotional, mental, physical ..pain is a red flag something is not right and it needs attention.
If I am in doubt about anything- I ask a professional rather than use Dr Google.
Support to you.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,499
Congratulations on 21 months! I don't go to AA and don't have a sobriety program per se, but I am constantly looking to improve my life in all ways.
That said, I am wary of imbalance - too much of anything, whether working, drinking, eating, slothful behaviour and even "virtuous" things, like exercising and perfectionism - these are warning signs that I am slipping into the bad thinking that made me reliant on alcohol to feel good about myself.
That said, I am wary of imbalance - too much of anything, whether working, drinking, eating, slothful behaviour and even "virtuous" things, like exercising and perfectionism - these are warning signs that I am slipping into the bad thinking that made me reliant on alcohol to feel good about myself.
Whatever it takes - just for today.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 200
MissP, great advice thank you! X
Dee and Phoenix, so good to see you both here again ��Phoenix, you may not recall or even realise but you are one of the reasons I am sober today. You responded to my very first post, suggested AA and gave some very helpful advice and support, though I have just returned here at SR, I have not forgotten yours, and others, part in my sobriety so an extra big thank you to you!!
And lol, I think those polies got lost a lonnnng time ago.
Dee and Phoenix, so good to see you both here again ��Phoenix, you may not recall or even realise but you are one of the reasons I am sober today. You responded to my very first post, suggested AA and gave some very helpful advice and support, though I have just returned here at SR, I have not forgotten yours, and others, part in my sobriety so an extra big thank you to you!!
And lol, I think those polies got lost a lonnnng time ago.
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