Am I a Newbie?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buzz-free Zone
Posts: 1,372
Am I a Newbie?
I love this site. I'm a new member and have been sober for 15 mos. which I think still qualifies me as a newbie? That's my question...
...at what point is someone no longer considered a 'newcomer' to sobriety? And if they're not a newcomer anymore, what are they called? (opened the floodgates on that question, I think) ;-)
I've heard that a person will be considered a 'newbie' until they have 5 years of continuous sobriety.
Thoughts anyone?
...at what point is someone no longer considered a 'newcomer' to sobriety? And if they're not a newcomer anymore, what are they called? (opened the floodgates on that question, I think) ;-)
I've heard that a person will be considered a 'newbie' until they have 5 years of continuous sobriety.
Thoughts anyone?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 26,425
I have a lot of questions as I walk through sober living...I guess this is a question I haven't considered. Right now, it seems to me, I have sooo many things to learn and discover about myself and my alchoholism...that I don't have room in my head for that question.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
I've heard that a person will be considered a 'newbie' until they have 5 years of continuous sobriety.
Personally....anyone in their first 90 days of AA recovery
I think of as a Newcomer. After that they are ....
like me.....only another member.
Good to know see you sharing here again...
Well done on your sober time
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,958
I hear the leader in AA meetings ask if there any newcomers with less than 30 days to identify themselves. So Ive thought that a person with less than 30 days is a newcomer.
Om, Aum, Ohm...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,797
Depends on the context.
There are a lot of circumstances where I still feel very much like a newcomer -- when I'm in a period of spiritual growth, for example. Something I haven't encountered, circumstantial or emotional, feels very new -- and I'm back in the mind of being new until I can gain the experience and perspective of others or relate it to some past experience of my own.
For the most part, though, I've always seen someone who has taken and begun to practice all 12 steps in her or his daily life as having fulfilled the requirements of "spiritual kindergarten" -- and that, definitely, isn't tied to time.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
There are a lot of circumstances where I still feel very much like a newcomer -- when I'm in a period of spiritual growth, for example. Something I haven't encountered, circumstantial or emotional, feels very new -- and I'm back in the mind of being new until I can gain the experience and perspective of others or relate it to some past experience of my own.
For the most part, though, I've always seen someone who has taken and begun to practice all 12 steps in her or his daily life as having fulfilled the requirements of "spiritual kindergarten" -- and that, definitely, isn't tied to time.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: uk
Posts: 2,548
ive come to understand over the period ive been sober that time dont count for much..
ive been 6 months before and wanted to blow my head off.
ive also seen guys 20 years sober chasing female newcomers while the wifes at home.
ive also worked with guys that are alight with the steps and work hard.
within months they proclaim to have recovered........i tend to agree with them.
call yourself what you like..........you will know when your still a newcomer or a recovered alcoholic.
ive been 6 months before and wanted to blow my head off.
ive also seen guys 20 years sober chasing female newcomers while the wifes at home.
ive also worked with guys that are alight with the steps and work hard.
within months they proclaim to have recovered........i tend to agree with them.
call yourself what you like..........you will know when your still a newcomer or a recovered alcoholic.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buzz-free Zone
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by Dee74 
I decided long ago I'd always be happy to consider myself a newcomer - I really do want to keep continuing to learn new things and grow...
D
D
I was curious because when I answer the question 'How long have you been sober?' at the AA meetings I attend, the reply has been 'Ah, you're still a newcomer'.
Well, compared to someone with 10-20 years that might be true.
But I like your 'continuing to learn and grow' view as well as 'quality' versus quantity of time is what's important. Thanks!
Om, Aum, Ohm...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,797
Originally Posted by HumbleBee
I was curious because when I answer the question 'How long have you been sober?' at the AA meetings I attend, the reply has been 'Ah, you're still a newcomer'.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,958
Originally Posted by HumbleBee
I was curious because when I answer the question 'How long have you been sober?' at the AA meetings I attend, the reply has been 'Ah, you're still a newcomer'.
I will always remain full of possibilities in addiction treatment.
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Ok, well if you are talking AA now:-)
If you have worked through the steps, have a good conscious contact with God/HP, are willing and keen to work steps 6 and 7 on a daily basis, want to help others and are enjoying your life one day at a time in a happy, joyous and free way then you aren't a newcomer...mind you if you are all the aforementioned you won't care what anyone calls you anyway hehe
If you just joined a meeting, pre-sharing, sure someone might say well you only got x amount of time...you got a sponsor, are you a good pidgeon,, you ae only a baby etc and thats all good...after sharing a bit and a few coffees after meetings they will either have a different comment to make or pretty much avoid you other than to say hello cos you are more sober than they are and it's an ego thing for them...but none of this will bother you as i have said anyway if you have done and continue to do all in the first paragraph above:-)
IMO, in AA you can be a newcomer for as little or as much time as you want to be...it's all about how willing you are to do the work!
One thing is for sure we will all be learning for the rest of our lives though!
If you have worked through the steps, have a good conscious contact with God/HP, are willing and keen to work steps 6 and 7 on a daily basis, want to help others and are enjoying your life one day at a time in a happy, joyous and free way then you aren't a newcomer...mind you if you are all the aforementioned you won't care what anyone calls you anyway hehe
If you just joined a meeting, pre-sharing, sure someone might say well you only got x amount of time...you got a sponsor, are you a good pidgeon,, you ae only a baby etc and thats all good...after sharing a bit and a few coffees after meetings they will either have a different comment to make or pretty much avoid you other than to say hello cos you are more sober than they are and it's an ego thing for them...but none of this will bother you as i have said anyway if you have done and continue to do all in the first paragraph above:-)
IMO, in AA you can be a newcomer for as little or as much time as you want to be...it's all about how willing you are to do the work!
One thing is for sure we will all be learning for the rest of our lives though!
Owner of a strange glitch.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: midsouth
Posts: 2,331
Well, compared to me... no.
I don't know much about how those with years and such (congrats on the 15 months!) deal with the issue--I guess how the other posters replied above--but as a new newbie (less than a month) I would like to welcome you to the Newcomers forum, and hope to see you post more...
Take care,
TB
I don't know much about how those with years and such (congrats on the 15 months!) deal with the issue--I guess how the other posters replied above--but as a new newbie (less than a month) I would like to welcome you to the Newcomers forum, and hope to see you post more...
Take care,
TB
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 666
If you got up earlier this morning than I did, you've got more time than me. I'm a newcomer every day. I have a daily reprieve contingent upon daily maintenance of my spiritual condition.
I like looking at it that way. It's worked for 5113 days now. Hope I make it to 5114. ..Nothing like doing a little math in the morning!
I like looking at it that way. It's worked for 5113 days now. Hope I make it to 5114. ..Nothing like doing a little math in the morning!
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Originally Posted by mikel60
If you got up earlier this morning than I did, you've got more time than me. I'm a newcomer every day. I have a daily reprieve contingent upon daily maintenance of my spiritual condition.
I like looking at it that way. It's worked for 5113 days now. Hope I make it to 5114. ..Nothing like doing a little math in the morning!
I like looking at it that way. It's worked for 5113 days now. Hope I make it to 5114. ..Nothing like doing a little math in the morning!
I like that thinking -- whoever got up earlier this morning -- I've heard that same response in comparison to 'what's the difference between a newcomer and an old-timer?'
That, and "whoever walks through the meeting door first" is the one with more sober time.
I personally like the quality of life in recovery vs. number of days on the calendar not drinking -- worlds apart in meaning.
Thanks!
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