Is anybody here in alcoholics anonymous? How do you stay sober?

Question

I am a memeber of alcoholics anonymous and I have been sober for almost 2 years. I just wanted to see if anybody here can relate?

Answer 1

I just celebrated four years of being clean and sober at the end of July. I have been going to AA all that time. How I stay sober is (1) I don't drink, no matter what I think, feel, or hear; (2) I don't drink because I know alcoholism leads only bad places, nowhere good--as they say in AA, "jails, institutions, and death"; (3) I watch what happens to people who are alcoholics and who DO drink (they go to jail, they die, they end up in hospitals, their lives get messed up in serious ways); (4) I work the steps; (5) I help others who want to stay sober.

The program of AA is the steps--not the meetings, not the fellowship...but the steps. I had been sober for nearly six years before, without working the steps. While six years' sobriety is nothing to scoff at, I didn't have anything to give to other people who were struggling because my answer to how I stayed sober was basically, "Um, I don't know. I just do." Now, when people ask me how, I can take them through the steps. That is, I have something to pass on. And helping others does get me out of my own head and out of my own crap...which in turn keeps the desire to drink out of my life.

AA claims that a spiritual defense is what keeps alcoholics away from the first drink. I practice a spiritual program, which so far has kept me away from that first drink. In that, it is really simple: If I don't have one drink, I don't have to worry about the thousands that would follow. So I work on keeping away from that first one.

I don't know why you're asking the question. Are you struggling to stay sober? Or are you just wondering if any AA'ers are on Yahoo! Answers? If you're struggling, I would suggest working with others--especially newcomers. Find people who chair meetings in hospitals and penitentiaries, and ask if you can go with them. Take a good look at the results of active alcoholism on a regular basis. Also, work with a competent sponsor who has long-term sobriety and a life that you respect. Ask this person to take you through the steps. Get something to pass on so you're an active member of AA and not a bystander.

Answer 2

Yes and no.

Yes to the getting sober part, I just passed the 5 year mark.

No to the AA part. I tried AA several times and failed. I looked around the rooms and didn't see anybody that was"happy, joyous, and free", they looked miserable! And the longer they had been in, the more miserable they seemed. Have you ever seen an old-timer that fits that description?

I took responsibility for my actions. My sobriety is not dependent on anything or anyone. I took control of my life, I didn't turn it over or wait for my obsession to be removed. It was probably the toughest thing I've ever done, but also the most straightforward, I didn't drink, no matter what.

There's a little comfort in having insta-friends, but no real safety.

It's been my experience that many people in the rooms tend to get stuck there and never move on. I went out (not in AA terms) and grabbed hold of life. Tracked down an old flame and got married, went back to school, and started LIVING.

Answer 3

My husband has been sober for 5 years, and he is staying sober with the help of AA meetings and the friends he has made in AA along with help from his sponser and taking part in sponsership.. I truely believe in AA and NA and am happy that there is so many wonderful people in the program... Good luck with your journey

Answer 4

I'm a drug and alcohol counselor. You work the steps everyday, pray, surround yourself with sober people and keep going to AA. Two years sober is great - BE PROUD!