I have struggled with drinking too much for years. have attended AAmeetings and never felt comfortable. I ahve studdied them on line and even read the info but I do not see how telling everyone about how I have messed up helps me when i pass a liquor store after 2-4 days without a drink. i don't club (anymore) I actually released a friendship when I realised all we did was drink together. So is there SOMETHING else out there besides AA to help me? I have considered hypnosis, acupuncture, locking myself in the home..I've actuall done that one B4..........
2006-07-19 09:50:56 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
AA hindered my recovery. The program is more about accepting their dogma than it is about quitting drinking.
Most people (80% according to The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Volume 12, Number 4, October 1995*) get sober on their own.
I could get sober, but was unable to maintain it in or out of the rooms, thanks to a lot of counter productive things learned in AA. I am not powerless, I don't have a disease, and AA is NOT the only way. Once I put aside all that nonsense and took responsibility for my actions, I've been able to stay sober for the last five years.
In early recovery, I spent a couple of hours every day on library computers in yahoo groups that were anti-AA or recovery based until I was able to afford a computer of my own. The support was good, but the decision to stay sober is ultimately yours and yours alone.
2006-07-20 04:58:50 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am sober 2 years now. AA has done wonders for me. Making friends and belonging to something is what we need as alcholics. I have freinds now that I can be honest with about my past and present. I don't feel so alone anymore. The main thing is to learn to resovle the past and find peace in your heart. This step thing is how to do it. You may think it sounds silly, but if you really want to get sober and stay that way, stick with it. Stop looking for the solution and start being a part of the solution.
ASK God to take away the desire to drink and to take you where you need to be to get the help you need. See it is already working.
The first thing you need to do is to decide that you are not going to drink anymore and that you need help. Don't worry about what every will think of you about your past. You aren't unique, we are all ashamed of that. There is comfort in knowing that you aren't the worst person alive. We are all alike, it is what we do from now on that matters.
Keep yourself busy even if it going to meetings all day long. Read one paragraph at a time in the 12 steps 12 traditions, borrow one from a meeting if you have to. Write about each paragraph on how it applies to you. Get busy get well. If you want to email them to me that is fine. Every day, You are worth it so stop waiting for aa to do the work, it is you that needs to get well.
Make a gratitide list: Very important.
You can email me for help anytime.
sueizenberg@yahoo.com
Good Luck
2006-07-19 10:06:24 · answer #2 · answered by Sue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Studying on line won't help. You have to jump in and work the steps. You may not feel comfortable at first, shop around, find a meeting you can call home.
AA has the best record of long-term recovery (over five years).
2006-07-19 10:01:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would answer this question but i just spilled a drink all over my keyboard.
Yes! AA has helped people....but only those who had it in them to quit within themselves already.
The standing up and admitting the drinking is supposed to be the affirmation that you do KNOW you have a problem. Its supposed to make you just a little more ashamed of having to stand up and tell everyone that you fell off the wagon.
But dont stop trying....life is hard enough without trying to go through it in a haze.
2006-07-19 09:57:03 · answer #4 · answered by werk2much2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ive probobly been to three hunred AA meetings I dont go any more , the more.meetings I went to the urge was to drink got stronger! got 3 DWI in a yr and half ..I ve been in treatment 7 times since I turned 21 Im 47 now.I wish you luck..some freinds of my swear by AA
2006-07-19 10:01:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use to make about $1200 a week, and about 700 of it went towards alcohol. I found out that it was my job that was adding to the need (Restaurant). Drink a lot of caffeine. It's been helping me a lot lately. Also, try hanging out with friends that dont like to go for drinks all the time.
2006-07-19 09:56:58 · answer #6 · answered by Frank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won`t feel comfortable until the obsession to drink has been lifted. AA can provide the repreive. It has worked for me for 7 years.
2006-07-19 09:59:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sinnistergrin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a sober member of aa for 2 years now, and i was the type of alcoholic that drank in the mornin , noon, and night, what helped me was believing everything they told me and doing everything they said, like get a sponcer and working the steps, the meetings are not a progam, the book is, my email is poboyman27@yahoo.com if you want to talk
2006-07-19 09:55:33 · answer #8 · answered by poboyman27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to help yourself.. I have not been to AA but I went to Alonon. I believe it helps to know that others are willing to listen and help when times get rough. Try calling an AA memeber when the urge gets strong. Always have someone to talk to. good luck!
2006-07-19 09:57:30 · answer #9 · answered by jingles_200 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should try to have a close fried of yours watching out for you and makinsure that your nt drinkin and have them stay over for nights and hang out with them during the day almost like a supervisor tryin to prevent you from drinkin but you know its only a thought im 16 and dont drink so dant get mad if im wrong...
2006-07-19 09:57:35 · answer #10 · answered by lance p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋