Newbie Introduction
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 292
Newbie Introduction
Hi Gang,
Like many newbies, I’ve lurked on these forums for a couple of years and feel like I’ve learned a lot from reading others’ posts and hearing of their struggles. Most of all, it has shown me that I’m not alone, and there are people who can relate to the stuff I’ve dealt with. I’m 41, and I’ve drank heavily for about 5 years, but have put together about a month and a half of sobriety (by far the longest I’ve been sober in the last five years or so) after having two grand mal seizures (and ending up in the ER twice as a result) in a one month period while trying to quit cold turkey. Thankfully, I do not have a wife or children to have to put up with this B.S. In any case, the seizures, along with how much better I feel now, and how much my life and physical appearance have improved, have been sufficient motivation to stay clean, and I hope/expect that this will continue to be the case, as I am not really a 12-step guy. Nothing at all wrong with that if it works for other people, I just don’t see it working for me. The principles of AVRT resonate a lot more with me.
I have managed to be fairly ‘high-functioning’ during this period and have held down a responsible job and a comfortable income, for the last 10 years, no DUIs/DWIs, etc…really no serious consequences to my drinking other than some deterioration in my relationships due to isolating myself so I could get blotto without exposing myself as such, and whatever I’ve done to my health as a result of my drinking. Accordingly, it’s gut-wrenching for me to hear what alcohol has done to some people, how it has completely ruined their lives, in some cases beyond repair. So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much. Prior to that, though, I wanted to offer this brief introduction, and I look forward to commiserating with some of you fine folks.
Like many newbies, I’ve lurked on these forums for a couple of years and feel like I’ve learned a lot from reading others’ posts and hearing of their struggles. Most of all, it has shown me that I’m not alone, and there are people who can relate to the stuff I’ve dealt with. I’m 41, and I’ve drank heavily for about 5 years, but have put together about a month and a half of sobriety (by far the longest I’ve been sober in the last five years or so) after having two grand mal seizures (and ending up in the ER twice as a result) in a one month period while trying to quit cold turkey. Thankfully, I do not have a wife or children to have to put up with this B.S. In any case, the seizures, along with how much better I feel now, and how much my life and physical appearance have improved, have been sufficient motivation to stay clean, and I hope/expect that this will continue to be the case, as I am not really a 12-step guy. Nothing at all wrong with that if it works for other people, I just don’t see it working for me. The principles of AVRT resonate a lot more with me.
I have managed to be fairly ‘high-functioning’ during this period and have held down a responsible job and a comfortable income, for the last 10 years, no DUIs/DWIs, etc…really no serious consequences to my drinking other than some deterioration in my relationships due to isolating myself so I could get blotto without exposing myself as such, and whatever I’ve done to my health as a result of my drinking. Accordingly, it’s gut-wrenching for me to hear what alcohol has done to some people, how it has completely ruined their lives, in some cases beyond repair. So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much. Prior to that, though, I wanted to offer this brief introduction, and I look forward to commiserating with some of you fine folks.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Originally Posted by DesertDawg 
Hi Gang,
Like many newbies, I’ve lurked on these forums for a couple of years and feel like I’ve learned a lot from reading others’ posts and hearing of their struggles. Most of all, it has shown me that I’m not alone.
M-Bob
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
Hi there and welcome. I'm curious about this phrase..
"So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much"
Do you mean that you want to stop drinking? Or are you suggesting that you want to help some of us still "function" whilst drinking?
"So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much"
Do you mean that you want to stop drinking? Or are you suggesting that you want to help some of us still "function" whilst drinking?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 292
Originally Posted by Fabat50
Hi there and welcome. I'm curious about this phrase..
"So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much"
Do you mean that you want to stop drinking? Or are you suggesting that you want to help some of us still "function" whilst drinking?
"So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much"
Do you mean that you want to stop drinking? Or are you suggesting that you want to help some of us still "function" whilst drinking?
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
Originally Posted by Fabat50
Hi there and welcome. I'm curious about this phrase..
"So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much"
Do you mean that you want to stop drinking? Or are you suggesting that you want to help some of us still "function" whilst drinking?
"So I decided I needed to join SR so I could start making some sort of contribution, as the wisdom dispensed freely on these forums has helped me so much"
Do you mean that you want to stop drinking? Or are you suggesting that you want to help some of us still "function" whilst drinking?
Great ! I can relate to your journey. I too am only a couple of months sober after functioning well for 10 years. Then in the past couple of years I went downhill rapidly and got unceremoniously fired from my high flying rather well paid job. Was the final wake up call.
Thanks for joining us.
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