I apologize if this has already been addressed, I looked over the previous posts and did not see any specifics.
I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to find it. Let me state that I am by no means against the traditional 12 step program that A.A. offers, I have just not had the best experience with it personally and was wondering if anyone could share experiences of long-term sobriety utilizing alterate methods/avenues of support.
Respectfully, Mr. Queequeg dear.mr.queequeg [at][gmail][dot][com]
> I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to find > it.
I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll be breaking my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are not a life long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every meeting .. the opening is "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and rehashing shit. Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move on.
>> I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to >> find >> it.
> I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll > be breaking > my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are > not a life > long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every > meeting .. the opening is > "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and > rehashing shit. > Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move > on.
> Good luck.
Hello,
Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, that's a pretty nice stretch of time. I just have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind. After attending rehab, did you continue with any sort of maintenance therapy or group work? How many times, if any had you unsuccessfully attempted to stay sober with the help of A.A.?
Personally, I've been to a detox treatment and then an 8 week outpatient program, which was surprisingly educational, but I always seemed to slip around the 3-4 month mark even while attending regular A.A. meetings. I agree that A.A. meetings are not a life, nor a substitute for a happy life. I do however see a number of people who attend meetings, do the work, and stay sober. I just don't happen to be one of them.
> >> I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to > >> find > >> it.
> > I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll > > be breaking > > my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are > > not a life > > long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every > > meeting .. the opening is > > "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and > > rehashing shit. > > Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move > > on.
> > Good luck.
> Hello,
> Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, that's a pretty nice stretch of time. > I just have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind. After attending > rehab, did you continue with any sort of maintenance therapy or group work? > How many times, if any had you unsuccessfully attempted to stay sober with > the help of A.A.?
> Personally, I've been to a detox treatment and then an 8 week outpatient > program, which was surprisingly educational, but I always seemed to slip > around the 3-4 month mark even while attending regular A.A. meetings. I > agree that A.A. meetings are not a life, nor a substitute for a happy life. > I do however see a number of people who attend meetings, do the work, and > stay sober. I just don't happen to be one of them.
> Thanks, > DMQ
Meetings & treatments are not going to "make" you magically stay straight. 12 step & other treatment modalities are a training of the mind with tools to help one cope. The ultimate guarantee to staying straight is how much you desire it on a daily basis. I've never used any alternatives other than AA & NA.........More AA than NA. I went for the first several years religiously, learned what I had to, learned some self discipline & moved on.
>> >> I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to >> >> find >> >> it.
>> > I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll >> > be breaking >> > my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are >> > not a life >> > long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every >> > meeting .. the opening is >> > "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and >> > rehashing shit. >> > Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move >> > on.
>> > Good luck.
>> Hello,
>> Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, that's a pretty nice stretch of >> time. >> I just have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind. After attending >> rehab, did you continue with any sort of maintenance therapy or group >> work? >> How many times, if any had you unsuccessfully attempted to stay sober >> with >> the help of A.A.?
>> Personally, I've been to a detox treatment and then an 8 week outpatient >> program, which was surprisingly educational, but I always seemed to slip >> around the 3-4 month mark even while attending regular A.A. meetings. I >> agree that A.A. meetings are not a life, nor a substitute for a happy >> life. >> I do however see a number of people who attend meetings, do the work, and >> stay sober. I just don't happen to be one of them.
>> Thanks, >> DMQ
> Meetings & treatments are not going to "make" you magically stay > straight. 12 step & other treatment modalities are a training of the > mind with tools to help one cope. The ultimate guarantee to staying > straight is how much you desire it on a daily basis. I've never used any > alternatives other than AA & NA.........More AA than NA. I went for the > first several years religiously, learned what I had to, learned some > self discipline & moved on.
Is it safe to assume that by 'moved on' you don't attend meetings with any frequency? I admit that the self-discipline part is primarily where I'm lacking on the physical side, but there are quite a few things that can catch me off guard mentally.
> >> >> I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to > >> >> find > >> >> it.
> >> > I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll > >> > be breaking > >> > my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are > >> > not a life > >> > long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every > >> > meeting .. the opening is > >> > "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and > >> > rehashing shit. > >> > Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move > >> > on.
> >> > Good luck.
> >> Hello,
> >> Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, that's a pretty nice stretch of > >> time. > >> I just have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind. After attending > >> rehab, did you continue with any sort of maintenance therapy or group > >> work? > >> How many times, if any had you unsuccessfully attempted to stay sober > >> with > >> the help of A.A.?
> >> Personally, I've been to a detox treatment and then an 8 week outpatient > >> program, which was surprisingly educational, but I always seemed to slip > >> around the 3-4 month mark even while attending regular A.A. meetings. I > >> agree that A.A. meetings are not a life, nor a substitute for a happy > >> life. > >> I do however see a number of people who attend meetings, do the work, and > >> stay sober. I just don't happen to be one of them.
> >> Thanks, > >> DMQ
> > Meetings & treatments are not going to "make" you magically stay > > straight. 12 step & other treatment modalities are a training of the > > mind with tools to help one cope. The ultimate guarantee to staying > > straight is how much you desire it on a daily basis. I've never used any > > alternatives other than AA & NA.........More AA than NA. I went for the > > first several years religiously, learned what I had to, learned some > > self discipline & moved on.
> Is it safe to assume that by 'moved on' you don't attend meetings with any > frequency? I admit that the self-discipline part is primarily where I'm > lacking on the physical side, but there are quite a few things that can > catch me off guard mentally.
> Thanks > DMQ
For myself my commitment to staying straight is the utmost importance. As I said there is no magic wand waved that releases you from the temptations, all the meetings & treatment in the world will not stop you from making that choice at the most critical moment, does recovery orientated dialogue help in that moment, yes, up to you to apply it. I went to AA religiously my first 3-4yrs, one of the reasons was I had nothing better to do & had no social life. I was in & out for the next few years I suppose, I've been clean almost 18yrs now. Don't get me wrong I've had my share of relapses & all that crap before I finally stayed stopped but those were mistakes I had to make & nobody or anything was going to MAKE me stop. I guess priorities in my life changed & being straight & staying that way become more of a priority for me. The damage using does does not appeal to me anymore.
So no, I do not go anymore at all, but that is for other reasons as well. Not because it can't help me but when does a person draw the line of self relience & discipline? I have come to detest the path 12 step has become in the years I attended, a "Keep It Simple" concept has become totally distorted by rhetoric, chronic repititious droning on of data & more personality than principle in the concepts & philisophies.
But by all means I would suggest still going though if you want. Its not an EVIL program, I'm very grateful to it believe me. But I got to a point where it was time to move on and have confidence in my own strenghth & ability.........;0)
> > I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll > > be breaking > > my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are > > not a life > > long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every > > meeting .. the opening is > > "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and > > rehashing shit. > > Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move > > on.
> > Good luck.
> Hello,
> Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, that's a pretty nice stretch of time. > I just have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind. After attending > rehab, did you continue with any sort of maintenance therapy or group work? > How many times, if any had you unsuccessfully attempted to stay sober with > the help of A.A.?
Thank you.
I was in and out of AA for about 2 years prior to rehab with horrible results.. actually my drinking got worse after dry spells, as did my behaviour.I was living this lie that I was not drinking in the eyes of many. I was reluctant at first to go, but I physically ill and mental sick of my 24hr/aday vodka addiction that I was looking at losing my liver if I didn't stop. For the year afterwards or more I went to AA weekly, then I got my life back , as they say. The interest dwindled.
> Personally, I've been to a detox treatment and then an 8 week outpatient > program, which was surprisingly educational, but I always seemed to slip > around the 3-4 month mark even while attending regular A.A. meetings. I > agree that A.A. meetings are not a life, nor a substitute for a happy life. > I do however see a number of people who attend meetings, do the work, and > stay sober. I just don't happen to be one of them.
How many times did this happen ? Why did you start after all that ? Did you call someone before that first drink ? Do you have anyone to talk to ?
If you are not throwing up every morning, chasing the hair of the dog for a hang over fix, mentally ill, physically sick, on probation from work, or the law, and your liver isn't swollen 2x , no wife, no kids, maybe you don't need AA or sobriety. You could just be a pain in the ass ! LOL.
PS. I forgot to mention .. My brother was a recovering addict too. He lost the fight and died at age 51 from a overdose the year I quit going to AA. If that doesn't keep someone sober, I suspect not much will.
> > I quit AA after going to rehab and being sober for over 1 year. I'll > > be breaking > > my 5th year of sobriety this summer. Contrary to hype, AA meetings are > > not a life > > long endeavor.. but it certainly can be if you want. At every > > meeting .. the opening is > > "Help others recover " ... but not stay in same dark rut of life and > > rehashing shit. > > Some folks become lifers, others return to bad choices, others move > > on.
> > Good luck.
> Hello,
> Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, that's a pretty nice stretch of > time. > I just have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind. After attending > rehab, did you continue with any sort of maintenance therapy or group > work? > How many times, if any had you unsuccessfully attempted to stay sober with > the help of A.A.?
Thank you.
I was in and out of AA for about 2 years prior to rehab with horrible results.. actually my drinking got worse after dry spells, as did my behaviour.I was living this lie that I was not drinking in the eyes of many. I was reluctant at first to go, but I physically ill and mental sick of my 24hr/aday vodka addiction that I was looking at losing my liver if I didn't stop. For the year afterwards or more I went to AA weekly, then I got my life back , as they say. The interest dwindled.
> Personally, I've been to a detox treatment and then an 8 week outpatient > program, which was surprisingly educational, but I always seemed to slip > around the 3-4 month mark even while attending regular A.A. meetings. I > agree that A.A. meetings are not a life, nor a substitute for a happy > life. > I do however see a number of people who attend meetings, do the work, and > stay sober. I just don't happen to be one of them.
How many times did this happen ? Why did you start after all that ? Did you call someone before that first drink ? Do you have anyone to talk to ?
If you are not throwing up every morning, chasing the hair of the dog for a hang over fix, mentally ill, physically sick, on probation from work, or the law, and your liver isn't swollen 2x , no wife, no kids, maybe you don't need AA or sobriety. You could just be a pain in the ass ! LOL.
PS. I forgot to mention .. My brother was a recovering addict too. He lost the fight and died at age 51 from a overdose the year I quit going to AA. If that doesn't keep someone sober, I suspect not much will.
Really. Get help. hopefully not from here either.
I am in my mid thirties now and I have been in and out of AA since I was about 25, but only gave it a real chance maybe twice. I've only gone through the detox/rehab once and I thought that would do it for me, I was wrong. I think it was about a month out of outpatient therapy that I slipped, but never really fell. I actually have a pretty solid support group, but I never seem to reach out at the right time.
As far as being an ass, I don't really see myself as such unless I've been drinking excessively (which is every time I drink). I *have* experienced the daily vomiting, pre-work drinking, physical sickness, DUI, divorce, and the one that really sucks, degraded relationship with my children. That being said, I can confidently say that these issues were caused or made worse by my alcoholism. I am glad to say that all of that is behind me, and I am taking a proactive approach to ensuring that it doesn't happen again.
I am currently attending meetings and regular therapy, and I try to seek out additional ways to find sobriety, thus finding this group. I wouldn't dream of relying on usenet for a builing block in my sobriety, but it's yet another tool in the box.
I'm sorry to hear about your brother. I have never lost anyone remotely close to me to alcoholism/addiction so I can't say for sure how that would motivate me to stay sober, but I'm guessing it would help.
>That > being said, I can confidently say that these issues were caused or made > worse by my alcoholism. I am glad to say that all of that is behind me, and > I am taking a proactive approach to ensuring that it doesn't happen again.
> I am currently attending meetings and regular therapy, and I try to seek out > additional ways to find sobriety, thus finding this group. I wouldn't dream > of relying on usenet for a builing block in my sobriety, but it's yet > another tool in the box. > Thanks again, > DMQ
You seem to be taking the right steps. Many people try to substitute the internet as a means to avoid reality , people, and believe everything they read ( really ! believe ME ! ) . LOL.
>> That >> being said, I can confidently say that these issues were caused or made >> worse by my alcoholism. I am glad to say that all of that is behind me, and >> I am taking a proactive approach to ensuring that it doesn't happen again.
>> I am currently attending meetings and regular therapy, and I try to seek out >> additional ways to find sobriety, thus finding this group. I wouldn't dream >> of relying on usenet for a builing block in my sobriety, but it's yet >> another tool in the box.
>> Thanks again, >> DMQ
> You seem to be taking the right steps. Many people try to substitute > the internet > as a means to avoid reality , people, and believe everything they read > ( really ! believe ME ! ) . > LOL.
> Cheers.
Many people believe it when they are told AA meetings are a hotbed of honesty!
-- Marioneta AA membership is like marriage - if you're at it for longer than ten years it is no longer for love. but out of spite.
On Mar 29, 9:04 pm, "Dear Mr. Queequeg" <dear.mr.queeq...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I apologize if this has already been addressed, I looked over the previous > posts and did not see any specifics.
> I am very thankful that this group exists and I am glad I was able to find > it. Let me state that I am by no means against the traditional 12 step > program that A.A. offers, I have just not had the best experience with it > personally and was wondering if anyone could share experiences of long-term > sobriety utilizing alterate methods/avenues of support.
> Respectfully, > Mr. Queequeg > dear.mr.queequeg [at][gmail][dot][com]
Sir. just for clarification. Do you believe anyone with long-term sobriety should even need pertinent support?
Bob.- who at a month sober was counting the days, but after a decade of sobriety, and recovered, stopped counting the years..
There are some who can stay sober without AA. Are they experiencing "Sobriety"? I cannot say, because it is not my place to judge. For the true alcoholic, one can take the drink away; though it doesn't change a thing. The alcoholic is no more happier or healthier, and they are simply "not drinking". They are called a "Dry Drunk". This statement is simply what AA has taught me, so that I do not judge or hurt myself. I am powerless over alcohol and it is not my fault. It is simply a matter of making another choice, today. Hence I do know for me, that without AA, I CAN'T have an enjoyable life.
Years ago, I thought I was "cured" and I relapsed because of this error. The lessons learns from my relapse, I do not regret. They helped me emensely learn about me and learn what changes MUST happen "for me" in my life. It has been a many 24 hours since and these lessons help me greatly still. I had to leave a romantic relationship yesterday, because it was a choice of living as a Dry Drunk (or leaving). The "Dry Drunk" won't have lasted forever, and I would have begun to drink again. For me, If i wished to continue living a "Sober and Sobriety Life", it was most definitely required for me to terminated the relationship. I am not telling you what to do or giving advise in any way, and hope you understand that with all my heart. In AA, we are to share our strength, experience & hope and not to give advise. It is simple for me, AA was my only hope and AA is still my only hope.
Now..... to move on.......... I do use other tools other than AA. Since I was raised in an alcoholics home, other resources are necessary. These other resources enhence my program and life in recovery.Trully, I could not be as content, today, as the HP has made it possible, without the other 12-step programs & self-help resources. Trully also, they all share some of the same messages, which are in AA too. There are lots of ways for help..........Tonight I am grateful to see you reaching out, and grateful to see your message today. You have helped me too, to read your message, tonight. Thank you.
Hence if your heart wishes to go exploring, go ahead. We will be here, and AA will be here, if you decide you need us or AA. We are here for each other and we all can be an inspiration for others. I hope you see this message, as it is almost mid April and hope you have a great day.
> There are some who can stay sober without AA. Are they experiencing > "Sobriety"? I cannot say, because it is not my place to judge. For > the true alcoholic, one can take the drink away; though it doesn't > change a thing. The alcoholic is no more happier or healthier, and > they are simply "not drinking". They are called a "Dry Drunk". This > statement is simply what AA has taught me, so that I do not judge or > hurt myself. I am powerless over alcohol and it is not my fault. It > is simply a matter of making another choice, today. Hence I do know > for me, that without AA, I CAN'T have an enjoyable life.
> Years ago, I thought I was "cured" and I relapsed because of this > error. The lessons learns from my relapse, I do not regret. They > helped me emensely learn about me and learn what changes MUST happen > "for me" in my life. It has been a many 24 hours since and these > lessons help me greatly still. I had to leave a romantic relationship > yesterday, because it was a choice of living as a Dry Drunk (or > leaving). The "Dry Drunk" won't have lasted forever, and I would have > begun to drink again. For me, If i wished to continue living a "Sober > and Sobriety Life", it was most definitely required for me to > terminated the relationship. I am not telling you what to do or > giving advise in any way, and hope you understand that with all my > heart. In AA, we are to share our strength, experience & hope and not > to give advise. It is simple for me, AA was my only hope and AA is > still my only hope.
“I found that I had to exert every ounce of will and action to cut off these faulty emotional dependencies upon people, upon AA, indeed, upon any set of circumstances whatsoever. Then only could I be free” – Bill Wilson AA Grapevine, January 1958
-- Bob There, thanks to the Grace of God, went I. Luke 18:11
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