My Name is Jon, I'm an alcoholic
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 28
My Name is Jon, I'm an alcoholic
Hey everyone -- snowed in, here in Pittsburgh, and haven't been able to make many meetings these last few days. Doing ok, though. Using my support group via phone, and all my literature.
Anyway, stumbled across these forums. Looks like a popular place. Figured I'd create a user name and have a glance around. First, though, just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jon, and I am an alcoholic. 27 years old. Coming up on one year of sobriety (March 5th). Working the AA steps -- presently dragging my feet on Nine. Praying for the willingness, at least. I know I don't want to drink / use again, so I'm sure I'll continue to make my amends when the pain gets too great. That seems to be a common theme with many a recovering drunk.
Anyway, nice to meet you all!
Anyway, stumbled across these forums. Looks like a popular place. Figured I'd create a user name and have a glance around. First, though, just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jon, and I am an alcoholic. 27 years old. Coming up on one year of sobriety (March 5th). Working the AA steps -- presently dragging my feet on Nine. Praying for the willingness, at least. I know I don't want to drink / use again, so I'm sure I'll continue to make my amends when the pain gets too great. That seems to be a common theme with many a recovering drunk.
Anyway, nice to meet you all!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 28
Seems like it'll be a good addition to my already widening circle of support (homegroup, AA friends, sponsor, literature). And Alizerin, good quote in your signature! Huge Kaku fan here. I love his work, in writing and recently on TV. Wonderful when a top-notch physicist is trying to bring his knowledge to the general public. I'm a teacher of science, as well, so I enjoy seeing how he "breaks things down." Toward the end of my using / drinking, a few of his works gave me some strength to carry on -- that it all at SOME point. AA has really helped me hone this belief.
Om, Aum, Ohm...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,797
Welcome, Jon. I'm a Pittsburgh via Punxsutawney alcoholic, and I'm currently stuck in the latter (ahem) "city" (which, if you know the area, know what an exaggeration that is!). Sorry you haven't been able to get to meetings, but kudos to you on your efforts to stay connected.
One of the great things about being snowed in is that it gives us plenty of opportunities to "get out of self" -- grab a shovel and help your neighbor dig out, or to check on elderly neighbors.
Glad you're here -- and, oh -- the only way I found to get through that 9th step is to put one foot in front of the other.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
One of the great things about being snowed in is that it gives us plenty of opportunities to "get out of self" -- grab a shovel and help your neighbor dig out, or to check on elderly neighbors.
Glad you're here -- and, oh -- the only way I found to get through that 9th step is to put one foot in front of the other.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by Sugah 
Welcome, Jon. I'm a Pittsburgh via Punxsutawney alcoholic, and I'm currently stuck in the latter (ahem) "city" (which, if you know the area, know what an exaggeration that is!). Sorry you haven't been able to get to meetings, but kudos to you on your efforts to stay connected.
One of the great things about being snowed in is that it gives us plenty of opportunities to "get out of self" -- grab a shovel and help your neighbor dig out, or to check on elderly neighbors.
Glad you're here -- and, oh -- the only way I found to get through that 9th step is to put one foot in front of the other.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
One of the great things about being snowed in is that it gives us plenty of opportunities to "get out of self" -- grab a shovel and help your neighbor dig out, or to check on elderly neighbors.
Glad you're here -- and, oh -- the only way I found to get through that 9th step is to put one foot in front of the other.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
The major ones I'm scared of (and, yes, I know fear is no excuse, so says the 12 and 12) are those who don't know I've harmed them. I was a medicine cabinet raider. I'm sure that will give me a major does of humility, which I no doubt need.
Ugh. I love / get annoyed by recovery
Anyway, most meetings cancelled tonight, again. But the mere effort of trying to drive to two set the tone for the rest of the evening. Guess I found something recovery related to do, anyway
And danzoo, welcome, too! I had ten days, too. It does indeed get better.
Om, Aum, Ohm...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,797
I felt so frustrated when I made amends to my father. He brushed it off. I felt like he didn't understand what I was trying to do and I walked away thinking -- I just didn't get through to him. But, the point isn't how he receives it. It's in my courage and willingness to make it right.
I raided medicine cabinets, too. I used my tongue to cut others who tried to help me. I lied to doctors. I neglected my kids. In addition to coming clean, I've found the best amends is living right today, not doing those things today. Doing better today.
Oh, and my father? I finally did get to make a deeper kind of amends to him in the last month of his life. Thankfully, I didn't walk away from him the first time and take my willingness with me.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
I raided medicine cabinets, too. I used my tongue to cut others who tried to help me. I lied to doctors. I neglected my kids. In addition to coming clean, I've found the best amends is living right today, not doing those things today. Doing better today.
Oh, and my father? I finally did get to make a deeper kind of amends to him in the last month of his life. Thankfully, I didn't walk away from him the first time and take my willingness with me.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Welcome to SR Jon, I am down in Fredericksburg Va. and a ton of our meetings have been cancelled due to to snow as well.
Step 9 in reality is one of the most rewarding steps of all, it is also the toughest one to get started on!! Of course people we know will be forgiving and understanding are easy, but I can promise you that once you make amends to some one that you are scared of or that your ego is trying to stop you from doing the rest will become easier.
What you will find has in my experience that after you have done a tough one, even if they are totally non-accepting is a sense of releif as well as a greater feeling of who you are working to become. Read those promises after step 9 keeping in mind that it says "before we are half way through"!!!!
Any how Welcome to SR!!!
Step 9 in reality is one of the most rewarding steps of all, it is also the toughest one to get started on!! Of course people we know will be forgiving and understanding are easy, but I can promise you that once you make amends to some one that you are scared of or that your ego is trying to stop you from doing the rest will become easier.
What you will find has in my experience that after you have done a tough one, even if they are totally non-accepting is a sense of releif as well as a greater feeling of who you are working to become. Read those promises after step 9 keeping in mind that it says "before we are half way through"!!!!
Any how Welcome to SR!!!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central, La.
Posts: 422
Hi Jon, glad you are here.
"The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results."
-Carl Gustav Jung
"The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results."
-Carl Gustav Jung
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