Topic: Are You Helping Others In Recovery?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
Topic: Are You Helping Others In Recovery?
Hi Im Sharon and Im an Alcoholic.
By the Grace of my HP and people
like you in these rooms I havent
had a drink of alcohol since 8-11-90
and for that im truely grateful.
TOPIC: ARE YOU HELPING OTHERS?
If we get up in a meeting and tell some-
thing about ourselves in order to help the
other person, we feel a whole lot better. It's
the old law of the more you give the more
you get. Witnessing and confession are part
of keeping sober. You never know
you may help somebody. Helping others
is one of the best ways to stay sober your-
self. And the satisfaction you get out of
helping a fellow human being is one of the
finest experience you can have.
Thanks for letting me share.
By the Grace of my HP and people
like you in these rooms I havent
had a drink of alcohol since 8-11-90
and for that im truely grateful.
TOPIC: ARE YOU HELPING OTHERS?
If we get up in a meeting and tell some-
thing about ourselves in order to help the
other person, we feel a whole lot better. It's
the old law of the more you give the more
you get. Witnessing and confession are part
of keeping sober. You never know
you may help somebody. Helping others
is one of the best ways to stay sober your-
self. And the satisfaction you get out of
helping a fellow human being is one of the
finest experience you can have.
Thanks for letting me share.
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
I do believe that as our lives go on in Recovery it is more and more apparent that it is more than 'just in meetings' that our help is needed.
I was taught early in sobriety that I may be the only example of a Big Book that someone ever sees, so I better be damn sure to make it a true and accurate copy.
Thus for me it has never been a problem in an appropriate conversation to say I Am A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC. You would be amazed at how many calls I have gotten over the years just from that one little statement.
I have also PM'd many in trouble on this and another site, give them my email and phone number and then call them back if they call as I have cheap long distance. Over the years I have made many many contacts and many friends that way.
So to answer "Are You Helping Others In Recovery?" Yep, have been and continue to do so for over 25 years now.
J M H O
Love and (((((to all))))),
I was taught early in sobriety that I may be the only example of a Big Book that someone ever sees, so I better be damn sure to make it a true and accurate copy.
Thus for me it has never been a problem in an appropriate conversation to say I Am A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC. You would be amazed at how many calls I have gotten over the years just from that one little statement.
I have also PM'd many in trouble on this and another site, give them my email and phone number and then call them back if they call as I have cheap long distance. Over the years I have made many many contacts and many friends that way.
So to answer "Are You Helping Others In Recovery?" Yep, have been and continue to do so for over 25 years now.
J M H O
Love and (((((to all))))),
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston area
Posts: 56
I only have four days so I feel awkward about posting to the newcomer's threads. I can understand dealing with family members from both sides of the situation so well-who in my family hasn't had problems I wonder? On other boards I've even said "leave the jerk if he won't quit" based on my dad and uncles when I was still drinking. Am I a hypocrite or do I just have insight into getting beaten and abused and stolen from? I know I can do better as I get with the program and get more time. I just try to say right now "this is what happened to me, maybe this can help, let's get sober and/or deal with these addicts in denial together" and I just pray it helps. If anyone thinks I have a big head then please 
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Summerside, PEI
Posts: 110
Sharon and Laurie,
it is truly amazing that you are willing to help people you don't know, can't see, and will probably never meet. (referring to this site only!)
It is wonderful to know there are people out there who care enough about others well being to spend so much time making sure they're ok.
Inspiring.
For myself, I am only on week 2 so I'm still trying to help "me" right now. But if things go as I plan - this recovery will be on-going and eventually I'll be able to share advice and support to newcomers as you guys are doing now.
it is truly amazing that you are willing to help people you don't know, can't see, and will probably never meet. (referring to this site only!)
It is wonderful to know there are people out there who care enough about others well being to spend so much time making sure they're ok.
Inspiring.
For myself, I am only on week 2 so I'm still trying to help "me" right now. But if things go as I plan - this recovery will be on-going and eventually I'll be able to share advice and support to newcomers as you guys are doing now.
Paused
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington
Posts: 5,093
I find I can reach more people here than I can at meetings. The are both wonderful venues for recovery. If I can reach one person out there and leave them with some insight, hope, encouragement and something to ponder, my day has been rich.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
Some great shares above you guys .
It is much appreciated. : )
Whether u have 4 day or 25 yrs....
we ALL have something within us to
share with a newcomer. Just think
of those with just a minute, and hour,
a day....if you woke up before 4:45
this morning then u have more sobriety
than i today. : )
Just coming here in SR and sharing ur
ESH with others is helping others. They
need to hear what u have to say because
it makes them know they r not alone in
their situation....someone will read ur
share and say, i absolutely understand
what he or she is saying. I am going
thru the same similar thing that person
is going thru...so maybe i should let
that person know and before u know
it u have made a recovery friend to
help each other find ways to stay
clean and sober that day.
What im sharing with u guys is not
made up stuff..i actually experienced
everything i share with you. Ive been
there done that. And so with every
other person here they too share
exactly what they r going thru or
have gone thru and what they did
to solve their problems.
One of the finest things about A.A. is the
sharing. Sharing is a wonderful thing
because the more you share the more you
have. In our old drinking days, we didn't
do much sharing. We used to keep things
to ourselves, partly because we were
ashamed, but mostly because we were self-
ish. And we were very lonely because we
didnt share. When we came into A.A., the
first thing we found was sharing. We heard
other alcoholics frankly sharing their
experiences with hospitals, jails, and all the
usual mess that goes with drinking.
ARE YOU SHARING?
It is much appreciated. : )
Whether u have 4 day or 25 yrs....
we ALL have something within us to
share with a newcomer. Just think
of those with just a minute, and hour,
a day....if you woke up before 4:45
this morning then u have more sobriety
than i today. : )
Just coming here in SR and sharing ur
ESH with others is helping others. They
need to hear what u have to say because
it makes them know they r not alone in
their situation....someone will read ur
share and say, i absolutely understand
what he or she is saying. I am going
thru the same similar thing that person
is going thru...so maybe i should let
that person know and before u know
it u have made a recovery friend to
help each other find ways to stay
clean and sober that day.
What im sharing with u guys is not
made up stuff..i actually experienced
everything i share with you. Ive been
there done that. And so with every
other person here they too share
exactly what they r going thru or
have gone thru and what they did
to solve their problems.
One of the finest things about A.A. is the
sharing. Sharing is a wonderful thing
because the more you share the more you
have. In our old drinking days, we didn't
do much sharing. We used to keep things
to ourselves, partly because we were
ashamed, but mostly because we were self-
ish. And we were very lonely because we
didnt share. When we came into A.A., the
first thing we found was sharing. We heard
other alcoholics frankly sharing their
experiences with hospitals, jails, and all the
usual mess that goes with drinking.
ARE YOU SHARING?
Aussie Battler
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Gold Coast QLD OZ
Posts: 12
I've suffered debilitating panic disorder; which in turn resulted in addiction to antidepressants and alcohol; which in turn resulted in marriage problems and life crisis in general.
Yes I have decided to help other people, in fact I have just began a 3 year bachelor degree in counselling and I intend to specialise in the drugs and alcohol.
I figure if I dont intend to let my demons kill me I might as well make them work for me and turn them into something useful in my life. I figure God wanted me to go through this for some reason.
I will make my weaknesses my strengths.
Yes I have decided to help other people, in fact I have just began a 3 year bachelor degree in counselling and I intend to specialise in the drugs and alcohol.
I figure if I dont intend to let my demons kill me I might as well make them work for me and turn them into something useful in my life. I figure God wanted me to go through this for some reason.
I will make my weaknesses my strengths.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
Hi Im Sharon and my drug of choice is/was
alcohol.
Your shares are much appreciated. Thanks.
We also strengthen our faith by working
with other alcoholis/addicts and finding that we
can do nothing ourselves to help them,
except to tell them our own story of how
we found the way out. If the other person
is helped, it's by the grace of our HP and not
by what we do or say. Our own faith is
strengthened when we see another alco-
holic find sobriety by turning to their HP. And
finally we strengthen our faith by having
quiet times every morning.
alcohol.
Your shares are much appreciated. Thanks.
We also strengthen our faith by working
with other alcoholis/addicts and finding that we
can do nothing ourselves to help them,
except to tell them our own story of how
we found the way out. If the other person
is helped, it's by the grace of our HP and not
by what we do or say. Our own faith is
strengthened when we see another alco-
holic find sobriety by turning to their HP. And
finally we strengthen our faith by having
quiet times every morning.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
Hello SR,,,Happy Sunday to you.
Im just refreshing this topic to see
if anyone, maybe the newer members
just joining, would like to share their
own thoughts on this topic.
There maybe something u share
today that may help someone
else needing to here ur exact words.....
Im just refreshing this topic to see
if anyone, maybe the newer members
just joining, would like to share their
own thoughts on this topic.
There maybe something u share
today that may help someone
else needing to here ur exact words.....
JUST DO IT!!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Here Or There
Posts: 7,612
My name is Vic and I am an addict! Probably dang lucky to be here clean today that is for sure. Through the Grace of God, the fellowship of the program, the Program of Recovery, and sponsorship, 
I haven't had to take a drug (alcohol is a drug) since May 25, 2006 and for that I am eternally grateful.
First of I think that the most important thing that I think all people in the journey have come to realize that the only way to keep what you have is to give it away. Then there is that part that I really like on page 164, you can not transmit something that you haven't got. I think sometimes many of us don't realize how much of an impact that we can have on others. To get out of self is when you then find self. I know ever since I got into the Program in 2002, I heard about taking coffee around, it didn't take me a week at the most to be the person at the meeting always getting up to take around coffee, to make the coffee, to take out garbage, to reach out a hand to the new people and to the other people as well.
It really doesn't matter to me or to anyone if I am doing what needs to be done or not. My sponsor told me early on in sobriety that this isn't a program to build yourself up to think that you are better than anyone else. That we are all equal. I have struggled with that during my time clean but the more that I am clean the more that I can see what he is saying. He also told me during this session "Vic, everyday I want you to do something for someone else, and don't let anyone know (even who you are doing something for) what you have done." That was and still is probably one of the hardest assignments that he has given unto me.
Oh yeah and BTW Laurie thanks for the calls
Love Vic
I haven't had to take a drug (alcohol is a drug) since May 25, 2006 and for that I am eternally grateful.First of I think that the most important thing that I think all people in the journey have come to realize that the only way to keep what you have is to give it away. Then there is that part that I really like on page 164, you can not transmit something that you haven't got. I think sometimes many of us don't realize how much of an impact that we can have on others. To get out of self is when you then find self. I know ever since I got into the Program in 2002, I heard about taking coffee around, it didn't take me a week at the most to be the person at the meeting always getting up to take around coffee, to make the coffee, to take out garbage, to reach out a hand to the new people and to the other people as well.
It really doesn't matter to me or to anyone if I am doing what needs to be done or not. My sponsor told me early on in sobriety that this isn't a program to build yourself up to think that you are better than anyone else. That we are all equal. I have struggled with that during my time clean but the more that I am clean the more that I can see what he is saying. He also told me during this session "Vic, everyday I want you to do something for someone else, and don't let anyone know (even who you are doing something for) what you have done." That was and still is probably one of the hardest assignments that he has given unto me.
Oh yeah and BTW Laurie thanks for the calls
Love Vic
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
Did you help someone today in recovery? Did you share some of ur own ESH with them? Did you help someone make a decision to try AA or NA or Al-anon? Did u give someone ur phone number at a meeting? Did you smile at someone and got one back from a newcomer? Did you shake someones hand today?
everything is already ok
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia
Posts: 19,789
Originally Posted by UnusedPortion
I only have four days so I feel awkward about posting to the newcomer's threads. I can understand dealing with family members from both sides of the situation so well-who in my family hasn't had problems I wonder? On other boards I've even said "leave the jerk if he won't quit" based on my dad and uncles when I was still drinking. Am I a hypocrite or do I just have insight into getting beaten and abused and stolen from? I know I can do better as I get with the program and get more time. I just try to say right now "this is what happened to me, maybe this can help, let's get sober and/or deal with these addicts in denial together" and I just pray it helps. If anyone thinks I have a big head then please
Congrats on your 4 days.
Kevin
Starting a New Life
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 104
By sharing in a meeting, I feel that I help someone else. I've had people come up to me and tell me how I've just told their own story before. Sharing is the best way to help others I feel.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
