stanleyhouse

Some of us mentioned a moment of clarity or revelation. If you feel that this hasn't happened or won't ever happen I wonder if it is something you can create?
I have heard a lot about writing down everything alcohol has done to you. I guess that's rehab 101 but I bet it works for some.
SH

eddie73

Wow, thanks for all the replies!
Was at a meeting tonight, I didnt speak but got a great amount of relief from listening. I am writing out the harm booze has done to me, or rather I have done to myself with booze. This is a good place to build on.

least

I stopped wanting to drink when I got in the habit of being grateful. When I started counting my blessings I found I had a lot to be thankful for. And feeling grateful fills the void that drinking used to fill. I no longer want to drink as I've got too much to lose by drinking. My life is contented now and not so anxious. Give gratitude a shot. It sure made me feel better all over.

XxGoldenxX

i feel like i can never find anyone who understands me when i say the same thing "i want to want to be sober" its weird to finally feel like someone knows what im feeling and even more so that there are people here who responded in a supportive way....instead of getting insensitive lectures from those already sober who seemed to have forgotten how it felt at this early stage. so...just wanted to say thanks for posting and thanks for the replies...i think i may actually come back to this site because of it.

artsoul

All I could do was "want to want" to stay sober, too. I was really scared that I couldn't, so not trying was often easier than facing it. Eddie - at least you've tried and tried - it's obvious that you really do want this.

I remember the robotic response, too...... and the cravings that grip you when you hadn't even been thinking about it. To me, that's the old tape that we got used to while we were drinking. The only way to eject it for good is to not give into it. Practice, practice, practice.......

From things I've read, it sometimes take up to a year to really heal from this (mentally and emotionally especially). I figured I could afford to give it at least that much of a chance - I already knew the future if I kept drinking.

I'm glad you went to a meeting - we're all behind you!:ghug3

reggiewayne

Welcome Eddie. Like the bb says there will come a time when no human power will be able to keep us from the first drink. We must find a higher power that we can use to help us with our problem. That is what AA offers.

The answers are in the big book. I would read the first 164 over and over again. Work the steps and pray to your HP. That is were the solution lies...

Best of luck!

ronf

Golden, Mornin. PLEASE keep coming back here. Your correct, a lot of us old timers forget. We NEED you and the other new people to remind us. Reading your comments helps me stay sober !!!

Thanks, Ron

keithj

Your experience shows you that learning from past errors is not working for you. It shows you that you are going along fine (not a cloud on the horizon), and suddenly find yourself in auto pilot drunk mode. That's a far more valid Step 1 experience than writing out the harm booze has down to you.

Look at the requirements for Step 2. There is nothing that says you have to understand a higher power and not struggle with it. Do you believe in something, or are you willing to believe? That's all that's required. Then say the 3rd Step prayer and start writing an inventory and so on.

Those are the actions we took to get the power needed. We don't sit around thinking about God. We get desperate and take the actions that bring us closer to God.