weatherfreak

Well where do I begin. I know, how about the fact that I'm so sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, embarrassed and ashamed. I am so freaked out about making a bloody idiot/loser/tool/freak/tosser of myself on a regular basis that I just can't stand it anymore. I have made way too may excuses for my actions and I'm terrified that after a couple of weeks I'll talk myself into being able to handle a few drinks, but I wont handle it at all because I don't come with a built in off switch.

I come from a long line of grog monsters, my father is an alcoholic and so am I, so is one of my sisters. It also runs rife on my mothers side of the family. My dad's 6 other sibling all have alcohol related issues/problems too. My point here is that it has been quite acceptable to get as trashed as you like within the eyes of the family and most of my friends too and no one says a word. I'm now 36. I have to stop.
I tried AA a few years ago and just couldn't deal with the religious aspect of it. People told me to imagine "god" as something else. Are there any non religious programs around?

I am taking one day at a time, I've made it to 9 days now and I don't feel like a drink at all, so I just need to hang onto this feeling for as long as I can. I'm not good at asking for help either, not because of pride, because there isn't much of that left now. I'm just so stubborn. At least the shaking and sweating has pretty much gone away. Will that come back, is that part over?

IO Storm

weather.....

Welcome to SR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do not know of non religious groups....

But wait and others will be later to help you.

Please stay and read....and will will come.

Congrats on 9 days!!!!

Love,

:

Sherry

Midas

Welcome aboard, weatherfreak! We're glad you're here. There are alternatives to AA.
And, we do have a secular forum here as well.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...r-connections/

Here is a link for some external resources you may want to consider;
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...cular-web.html

Congrats on your sober time so far!

SaTiT

Welcome to SR..
I'm also ACOA, you might try looking in that section..it helped me to understand
better how I'm affected by it.

As far as non-non-non religious group. There's not one in my area.
Do the best with what you have i guess. AA as i understand it , is not
a religious group. Most people in AA are not religious.

i don't know....i didn't have any hang ups when it came to drinking and
destroying myself...I belive in it and did it with faith and grace.
I nevered questioned if I was going to get drunk or high when I drank
and smoke dope...it was a hell of a concept. Surely that was a testiment
of my powers.

Strange...i got hung up on a three letter word or a conception of a HP.
I went round and round on it, for a bit, myself. yeah...hard headed

shockozulu

Welcome. You do not have to do this alone. I work a secular program and love it. It has really helped me in all parts of my life by helping me see how I make my decisions, which include bad decisions such as abusing drugs.

I hope you will stop by the Secular Connections forums. We discuss SMART, SOS, and Lifering, among other secular programs.

Dee74

Hi Weatherfreak,
gidday to another Aussie !!
I know what you mean about 'getting trashed' being condoned in the family...that has been one of my biggest problems too...there is no 'drink problem' in my family...we're all just 'heavy drinkers'....

but the best thing I ever did was come here and then, after reading lots of posts, finally accepted I had a problem...there is no 'one drink' with me...one drink will take me right back to where I was, and I really don't want to be that man anymore.

Read what Midas and others have posted about secular organisations...haven't tried any myself...I'm finding so far (nearly 4 weeks) that just talking with others here helps. So far it's been enough. As for the shakes and sweating, I think it varies from person to person but you should be right now, mate.

see you round,
D

weatherfreak

WOW, thanks so much for all your replies, it's very comforting to get such a quick support. I must admit I didn't expect it, I have to change my approach to asking for help. I have so much to learn and read. I didn't quite realise just how big this site is.

Midas and Alera, thanks for the secular tips. I'll be heading there to check it all out. I used to be a goth in my hey day, big sisters of mercy fan. And Dee alway great to see a fellow aussie mate and thanks again to all of you.

IO Storm

Weather...

See I told ya!

Best wishes on your recovery!

Looking forward to seeing you around the boards..

Love,



Sherry

IO Storm

Dee and Weather.....

Aussies......

TOGETHER WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alive

Well people always told me that you need to believe in something really hard, if that something is you it will also be powerful.

Welcome, stay strong, congratulations on 9 days, it's a great accomplishment.

hope it's sunny weatherfreak

Dee74

Those koalas were just too cute IO ! Thanks !
D

parentrecovers

recovery is possible, weather. congrats on 9 days! k

shipo

Well done on 9 days mate..I've yet to start the battle...All the best from another alcoholic Aussie. You'll find great support and sage advice on this forum mate.
Take care and welcome
Cheers Paul