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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by nolegirl23 on September 7, 2007, at 23:51:59
I have a serious drinking problem.. I've been an alcoholic for the past 11 years and I'm finally seeing that I am about to lose everything.
After I wrecked my car driving drunk I realized that I was either going to kill myself or somebody else. Not only that, but the drinking all day and all night plus my meds has to be doing a serious number on my liver.
I don't want to lose my job, my friends and my self respect. Because of this, I have decided that it is time to be sober, and this time for good.
I've quit drinking before, but it never lasted long. I'm that girl who keeps drinking WAY after it's quitting time, I'm the girl who drinks alone, while driving, at work, at home. I drink when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm angry, anxious or scared.
So, I've started to go to AA meetings. I have attended about 8 meeting so far, at least one everyday, and sometimes I go to two a day.
Has anybody else tried Alcoholics Anonymous? Has the program worked? And if it has, how difficult is the program to stick to? I asked somebody to be my temporary sponsor, but I don't get the "going through the steps" stuff.
Anyways, I guess I'm just looking for some feedback.
Thanks!
Posted by Harry Potter on September 8, 2007, at 7:03:39
In reply to Starting AA - advice on the program, posted by nolegirl23 on September 7, 2007, at 23:51:59
I have been attending AA for 5 years, and have been sober for only 2 of them ( I say only, but this is a miracle in itself). I am 30 now and happier than ever; when I first came to AA I was in a state and didn't appreciate just how ill I was. For three years I toyed with the programme and kept picking up again, immediately returning to the misery I had left. My life was crumbling around me and my health was poor. I suffered for some time with cravings everytime I stopped, yet I still didn't do all that was suggested to me in the rooms. I found it hard to get totaly honest with others, but I was the one who paid the price. I was put off by the mention of "God". I now understand the Higher Power and can truly say that i've had a spiritual awakening. It happened in spite of me. The only thing I did in the end was give up!! I gave up trying to drink sensibly, I knew that could never happen, I gave up fighting in my head and finaly accepted that alcohol had and would always beat me into submission it had always been that way. I never had any control over anything the moment I picked up that first drink. What I have found is a way of life that is infinitely better than I could have imagined. I didn't believe it though when I first went. The steps are essential. They are the tools for change, anmd change we must. I implore anybody who is suffering to have some blind faith. Get on your knees even if you don't believe it, how can it harm you? Keep going to AA meetings and listen only to what you identify with, don't look for the differences in people. There is wisdom and love beyond measure in those rooms the world over. You are no longer alone. God bless.
Posted by ClearSkies on September 9, 2007, at 9:20:56
In reply to Starting AA - advice on the program, posted by nolegirl23 on September 7, 2007, at 23:51:59
Getting yourself a sponsor as quickly as you can is the surest way to get the most out of AA. Go to lots of different meetings and put up your hand at ALL of them - don't take the first offer of sponsorship that's given. Finding the right fit with a sponsor is as important as finding the therapist or pdoc, IMHO. I had a couple of bad experiences with sponsors in AA - one was a woman who was intent on 13th stepping, and had me drive all over the county going to meetings in HER quest to find her next boyfriend. And as soon as she found one, they went "out" together, and I was left stranded. Then, another time, I had an inexperienced sponsor (who had 6 months' sobriety) and was less stable than I was. Her insecurities were infectious, and it wasn't long before she slipped, and I was left without a sponsor.
So be careful. The whole experience, spread out over 7 years and 2 states, put me off of the organization, but I know of so many people who have been helped by AA.
Good luck!
ClearSkies
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