Going to try active recovery
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New England
Posts: 95
Going to try active recovery
Good Morning,
The other day I read over my first post and realized that despite a 4 month stretch of sobriety and a lot of SR lurking I really haven't made much progress over the last couple years. Just about every word in that introduction still holds true today. I am lucky in that I've still managed to avoid a lot of the "yets", but I do see that those are only avoidable for so long. During my active drinking periods I've definitely upped my consumption and its definitely taken its toll on my mentally and physically.
Nothing changes if nothing changes right?
Well, lets take a look at what hasn't worked so far:
Aside from the initial 4 month stretch the above has really only help me string together some 1-2 weeks of sobriety here and there. It seems that none of those tools above help me avoid that first drink or the relapse thinking.
I guess its time to up my participation. I realize now that I can't do this alone (wow, thats a hard thing to type). I've been reading through the BB over the last few days and a lot of it has rang true for me. While I don't currently plan to attend AA in my area (I have not ruled this out as something I will never do, anything it takes right?), I do plan on working through a program online and connecting with people who have achieved active recovery. I definitely understand the difference now between working and not working a program. I do not plan to make SR my only resource, but I do hope it plays a big part.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hi, and thank everyone for all the info and support. I may have only been lurking, but this site has been a HUGE resource of information and inspiration over the last couple years.
The other day I read over my first post and realized that despite a 4 month stretch of sobriety and a lot of SR lurking I really haven't made much progress over the last couple years. Just about every word in that introduction still holds true today. I am lucky in that I've still managed to avoid a lot of the "yets", but I do see that those are only avoidable for so long. During my active drinking periods I've definitely upped my consumption and its definitely taken its toll on my mentally and physically.
Nothing changes if nothing changes right?
Well, lets take a look at what hasn't worked so far:
- Not drinking
- Substituting healthier activities
- Lurking on SR
Aside from the initial 4 month stretch the above has really only help me string together some 1-2 weeks of sobriety here and there. It seems that none of those tools above help me avoid that first drink or the relapse thinking.
I guess its time to up my participation. I realize now that I can't do this alone (wow, thats a hard thing to type). I've been reading through the BB over the last few days and a lot of it has rang true for me. While I don't currently plan to attend AA in my area (I have not ruled this out as something I will never do, anything it takes right?), I do plan on working through a program online and connecting with people who have achieved active recovery. I definitely understand the difference now between working and not working a program. I do not plan to make SR my only resource, but I do hope it plays a big part.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hi, and thank everyone for all the info and support. I may have only been lurking, but this site has been a HUGE resource of information and inspiration over the last couple years.
peaceful seabird
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: floating
Posts: 4,822
We're glad you're here. I think you show a lot of personal growth already in realizing that sobriety alone is not the answer. That is a positive step.
I lurked here for a while also, it was my style. Standoffish, evaluating the situation. I have learned it was one of my ism's (alcoholism). I was isolating.
One of the most valuable tools in my sobriety is my brain. I learned that from some friends here at SR. I am one of those that got sober with my brain, not a program. I found this link at SR extremely helpful in learning how I had become addicted to alcohol:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html
That book and it's followup (beyond the influence) are an excellent resource. I studied all I could on alcoholism and addiction. I was making progress. Then I realized I needed more than sobriety to learn to live my life according to life's terms. I needed to develop coping skills. My old coping mechanism of looking through the bottom of a bottle had left me emotionally immature. I reacted to situations instead of responding in a healthy manner. I started looking for more answers.
I have attended some AA meetings, as well as attending Al Anon. I also read lots of self-help books, meditate, excercise and do yoga. It takes what it takes. It is a process and a journey worth traveling!
Congratualtions on your sobriety and your awakening!
I lurked here for a while also, it was my style. Standoffish, evaluating the situation. I have learned it was one of my ism's (alcoholism). I was isolating.
One of the most valuable tools in my sobriety is my brain. I learned that from some friends here at SR. I am one of those that got sober with my brain, not a program. I found this link at SR extremely helpful in learning how I had become addicted to alcohol:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html
That book and it's followup (beyond the influence) are an excellent resource. I studied all I could on alcoholism and addiction. I was making progress. Then I realized I needed more than sobriety to learn to live my life according to life's terms. I needed to develop coping skills. My old coping mechanism of looking through the bottom of a bottle had left me emotionally immature. I reacted to situations instead of responding in a healthy manner. I started looking for more answers.
I have attended some AA meetings, as well as attending Al Anon. I also read lots of self-help books, meditate, excercise and do yoga. It takes what it takes. It is a process and a journey worth traveling!
Congratualtions on your sobriety and your awakening!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New England
Posts: 95
Thank you all for your support! I've learned so much over the last couple years, but am excited to finally realize that the piece I've been missing has been the doing.
Thank you Wolfchild for the offer. One of the reasons I've failed in the past has been not acting when recognizing the warning signs. One of my first goals is to develop (and actively maintain) a network of friends I can contact when I once again see an oncoming relapse.
Thank you Wolfchild for the offer. One of the reasons I've failed in the past has been not acting when recognizing the warning signs. One of my first goals is to develop (and actively maintain) a network of friends I can contact when I once again see an oncoming relapse.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New England
Posts: 95
Originally Posted by tommyk 
Welcome. 
Maybe make some lifestyle changes too, because if nothing changes...
... nothing changes, right...?
Maybe make some lifestyle changes too, because if nothing changes...
... nothing changes, right...?
Yes, I've been thinking about this as well. I think the #1 think I can do for myself in this regard is to change my evening routine. I'd say about 95% of my drinking was done alone and at night. One of my personal goals has been to start waking up earlier and getting more done in the mornings.
Does anyone have other examples of lifestyle changes that have helped them? Exercise has always been part of my life (when I'm not drinking), so it will be nice to get that one back.
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