jamdls

3 years ago today I had my last drink of alcohol, don't even remember taking the first drink that day. I have maintained my sobriety and feel that I have recovered from the hold alcohol had on me without any formal program. I went to a couple of AA meetings but they weren't for me; I did not feel that my "life was out of control" only my drinking was out of control; and the "one day at a time" was not for me either because to me that said "I won't drink today but maybe I will tomorrow". I made a vow to myself to never ever drink again not 1 sip ever--and I'm sticking to that plan. My recovery has been primarily faith based even though I've not been a church going person for the past 30 yrs, the first year of sobriety I read the bible cover to cover, and although a lot of it was way beyond my comprehension what did get through to me changed my life and continues to be my guide. I also read AA literature and modified a couple of the steps and practiced them. I am fortunate that I have absolutely no desire for alchohol, the smell and often just the thought makes my stomach quesy...I think this is at least partially because I wound up in the hospital 3 yrs ago --after that last drink I overdosed on prescription drugs and was unconscious for 36 hours and the drugs burned a hole in my liver--while in the hospital for a week I had to drink 17 doses of mucamyst to repair my liver and mucamyst is the most gawd awful smelling/tasting cr*p in the world-it smells like rotten eggs times 1000! So when I smell or think of alchol I remember that cr*ppy smell-I never would have overdosed had I not been drunk.

LexieCat

Congrats on the three years!!

LaFemme

Wow! Congrats on being alive!

In a way, your experience with mucamyst kind of mirrors what I was talking about with the Limbic system...in your mind alcohol=pain, therefore no temptation to drink:-)

lildawg

Judy, congrats on 3 years! You're an inspiration.

Harry01854

I googled "One day at a time" origin and this is all I could come up with. No date on just when this prayer or who was the author.

God grant me the SERENITY to
accept the things I cannot change;
COURAGE to change the things I can;
and WISDOM to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it:

Trusting that He will make all things
right if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen

Harry

Harry01854

Although I am a member in AA, even the Big Book tells me that AA does not have a monopoly for recovery.

AA is what is working for me. I do know other people who have some long term sobriety using other ways to recovery. I knew of one man, a personal friend, who died with something like 32 years sobriety and only went to church on Sundays. He lived a very happy life with his family once he did get sober. Was always willing to help people and just did the right thing. Lived his life as a good man.

Not sure, but I think some of it might of had to do with his wife threatening to leave him for good and take the 3 children with her, if he didn't stop his drinking.

I do know that he loved his family very much and was willing to do anything for them.

I respect other's ways of recovery and I respect them just as well.

Harry

Kitey

Congratulations Judy on 3 year, that is amazing! I keep thinking how awful I felt on the day I decided to Stop drinking, I felt terrible through drinking and not eating the day before, my worst Hangover ever. I remind myself of that and it makes me want to not ever drink again!

eremc08

This is pretty much my own program as well. I'm just living my life, dealing with normal issues and pressures of being a mom, wife, and friend. I can't just take a vacation from that. All that is what makes me, me. I'm just doing it sober now. It wasn't easy, and still isn't easy, but I seem to be doing something right so far. LOL Each day is another blessed day I have to make every moment count.
I think everyone on this site is doing a great job at working through each day. Keep it up!

jamdls

My dad has been sober for 26 years and the only program he used was also going to church and the love of my mom. He quit smoking cigarettes (he was a 3 pack a day smoker) the same day he quit drinking cause he was in the hospital and they said "quit smoking and drinking or you'll be dead in a year"; he chose life.

LaFemme

I didn't have anyone in a hospital tell me this, but I knew it in my gut. It makes me happy to see that he's enjoying a long and sober life:-)

jamdls

He'll be 88 in November and was told and believed he'd be dead at 61, he's my hero and my biggest supporter.

jamdls

That is so true. I am repulsed by alchol aka pain; and I also fear alcohol because the many things I did while drunk now I find totally disgusting/immoral/stupid

Dee74

Congratulations son your 3 years jamdls

D

jamdls

Thank you to all, my daughter just told me she is going to let me take care of my 4 1/2 yr old grandson ALL DAY on Friday!!!! AND I get to take him in my car! This is a FIRST! I've spent lots of time with them over the past 3 yrs but she's never let me take him in the car and even when I would babysit his 16 yr old half-sister was always there and my duaghter only be gone 2-3 hours. I guess she finally trusts me!!! Sobriety ROCKS!