Help!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3
Help!
I'm new here, everybody, and it's really helped a lot. I'd just like to know if anybody has any suggestions or ideas to help me out, because I've noticed that I'm starting to revert and go back to the way I was, before I sobered up. I really don't want to relapse, and I've increased my counseling sessions to a couple of times a week, as opposed to once every 2 weeks, but I was hoping to get some more information. Anything would help, and I'd really appreciate it.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,313
Hi Daniel
Coming here is a great start - just knowing I wasn't alone and knowing there was support really helped me
Many people find face support is good too.
If you think you need more than your counselling, gave you thought of any recovery groups or methods - AA, SMART, Rational Recovery etc?
How long have you been sober?
D
Coming here is a great start - just knowing I wasn't alone and knowing there was support really helped me
Many people find face support is good too.
If you think you need more than your counselling, gave you thought of any recovery groups or methods - AA, SMART, Rational Recovery etc?
How long have you been sober?
D
So it goes
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 1,620
Daniel, you need to gather all the support you can. I find it useful to come onto this site regularly, it can help you overcome those pangs. I even access it on my mobile phone and use a 12 steps android app so there is always advice to hand (mind you my gf thinks it is typical me to solve things with gadgets, heck, if it works do it)
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10
Support, generally, is always beneficial.
However, the loop you describe sounds like an issue originating from some other facet of your life, and then you turn to the bottle to deal with it. The distinction here is that quitting drinking isnt always quitting drinking. Sometimes there are other issues to be addressed.
However, the loop you describe sounds like an issue originating from some other facet of your life, and then you turn to the bottle to deal with it. The distinction here is that quitting drinking isnt always quitting drinking. Sometimes there are other issues to be addressed.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bklyn. NY
Posts: 1,859
I agree that the groups are your best bet if you really want to stay stopped. I'm not familiar with SMART or Rational Recovery, but without AA I know there's no chance I'd still be sober.
The beginning was the toughest for me and most. It was also the time for me to build a really solid foundation. For me that meant counseling, meetings, reading as much AA literature as I could get my hands on, having a sponsor, and taking as many suggestions as I possibly could. Whether I agreed with them or not. Alcoholism and drug addicion is insanely powerful, and without confronting it with all the ammunition I possibly could, I'm certain I wouldn't have been able to maintain my sobriety. And I'm sober now many more years than I ever thought was possible. For anyone.
One of the thoughts that helped me a lot when the desire was strong in the beginning to pick up, was this. I knew, deep down inside, that I would one day be sober. I knew I didn't want the life that went with addiction. I also realized when the desire was strong to pick up, that if I did, it was as if I were going back to the starting gate. The days, weeks, or months I had accumulated would be thrown away - and eventually I'd be back in the same exact spot (the present one with the strong urges) again. If I was able to find the means to not give into the urge, that day, I knew I could grow past it and it would get easier and easier. I didn't want it to take years of repeating the same trials and errors, the same desires, the same crap... I wanted to be done with it for once and for all as quickly as possible. I did get past those urges, and it did get easier, and it's been a long long time since I had any desire to pick up a drink or a drug.
Using a website and counseling to combat addiction is using only 2 tools of the thousands that are out there. The more tools you have the better your chances for success when urges come up. If you're not already familiar with it, there's a book called Living Sober. You can get it at most AA meetings, or on Amazon. It's dirt cheap, and has a whole lot of incredibly wise and practical suggestions on staying away from that deadly first drink or drug. Especially in early recovery when the urges hit hardest.
Hang in there. If you grow through these urges as opposed to give into them, it WILL get easier.
The beginning was the toughest for me and most. It was also the time for me to build a really solid foundation. For me that meant counseling, meetings, reading as much AA literature as I could get my hands on, having a sponsor, and taking as many suggestions as I possibly could. Whether I agreed with them or not. Alcoholism and drug addicion is insanely powerful, and without confronting it with all the ammunition I possibly could, I'm certain I wouldn't have been able to maintain my sobriety. And I'm sober now many more years than I ever thought was possible. For anyone.
One of the thoughts that helped me a lot when the desire was strong in the beginning to pick up, was this. I knew, deep down inside, that I would one day be sober. I knew I didn't want the life that went with addiction. I also realized when the desire was strong to pick up, that if I did, it was as if I were going back to the starting gate. The days, weeks, or months I had accumulated would be thrown away - and eventually I'd be back in the same exact spot (the present one with the strong urges) again. If I was able to find the means to not give into the urge, that day, I knew I could grow past it and it would get easier and easier. I didn't want it to take years of repeating the same trials and errors, the same desires, the same crap... I wanted to be done with it for once and for all as quickly as possible. I did get past those urges, and it did get easier, and it's been a long long time since I had any desire to pick up a drink or a drug.
Using a website and counseling to combat addiction is using only 2 tools of the thousands that are out there. The more tools you have the better your chances for success when urges come up. If you're not already familiar with it, there's a book called Living Sober. You can get it at most AA meetings, or on Amazon. It's dirt cheap, and has a whole lot of incredibly wise and practical suggestions on staying away from that deadly first drink or drug. Especially in early recovery when the urges hit hardest.
Hang in there. If you grow through these urges as opposed to give into them, it WILL get easier.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by Dee74 
Hi Daniel
Coming here is a great start - just knowing I wasn't alone and knowing there was support really helped me
Many people find face support is good too.
If you think you need more than your counselling, gave you thought of any recovery groups or methods - AA, SMART, Rational Recovery etc?
How long have you been sober?
D
Coming here is a great start - just knowing I wasn't alone and knowing there was support really helped me
Many people find face support is good too.
If you think you need more than your counselling, gave you thought of any recovery groups or methods - AA, SMART, Rational Recovery etc?
How long have you been sober?
D
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,960
Is there anything besides here and counseling that you are doing?
write a journal
exercise
meditation
yoga
hobbies
volunteering
any other program of recovery?
Your post gave little information as to what you are doing. Thanks for posting!
write a journal
exercise
meditation
yoga
hobbies
volunteering
any other program of recovery?
Your post gave little information as to what you are doing. Thanks for posting!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Newburgh
Posts: 868
Face to face group therapy does wonders for me. Whether it be AA or mental wellness groups, they are crucial for me. It is a great way to make wonderful new friends and gain access to another support system.
We are told we have to change our friends when we want to get sober and this is a great way to do it.
Best wishes.
God bless.
We are told we have to change our friends when we want to get sober and this is a great way to do it.
Best wishes.
God bless.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Originally Posted by DanielAvila
I meditate, and I go to the meetings. I exercise, and have tried to use that as a substitute. I write, and I've taken up guitar and keyboards. I've also joined a few sports.
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