2007-06-10 06:14:59 · 15 answers · asked by aamomkat 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
The only requirement to join AA is a desire to stop drinking.
Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
When I walked through that door the first time, I really had no desire to stop drinking. I just knew I had to. When I first said, "My name is Marcia and I'm an alcoholic," I really didn't believe it. I wasn't one of those homeless men who sit on the curb drinking out of a paper bag.
As you continue in AA, you will find that there are doctors, lawyers, carpenters, nurses, teachers ... I could go on and on. They say don't look for the differences, look for the similarities.
Most people walk through that door alone for their first meeting. If you feel you need help, you can call your local AA hotline and they might be able to find someone to pick you up and take you to a meeting.
I've been going to AA for over six years. You will never find anyone other than an alcoholic who will understand what you say and you will never be judged. The problem isn't alcohol -- it's you.
You drink for a reason. Be honest with yourself -- you drink to numb out -- to not feel -- to escape the realities of life.
There is nothing that will make a matter worse than having a drink.
I have found a whole new life and if I had known how good it could be, maybe I would have quit sooner. I chair two meetings a week and am secretay of the Steering Committee (and have been for four years).
Give yourself the gift of having a new life -- you deserve it!
The above is also applicable to drugs. Many NA people go to AA meetings because there is more sobriety. You may want to think about that.
My best.
2007-06-10 18:54:31 · answer #1 · answered by Marcia K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very difficult to change by yourself. Which is why it takes 'admitting you have a problem and can't do it alone' as the first step. It is something that is done a minute at a time, or a day at a time, but 'not drinking or drugging forever' is not possible to do.......a day at a time is.....and then forever is achieved. If your lifestyle is supporting your problem then you have to change your life. Where you live, or work, or friends, or what and where you go for recreation, if any or all of these things make it harder to stay clean then you have to let it go.....which may mean changing your whole life. See how involved it can be? It takes help.
2007-06-10 06:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by tlbrown42000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go about it by just not starting thouse things in the first place... The way I do this and make sure I do it well is I have made vows to my God and myself not to ever start them in the respect that I willingly know they are awful for my health and mind state, Other people close to me would not want me to take them if they knew I was gona, and I can gain the benifit they give by another sorce. If a drug fails any of these I will not take it. I can come up with some other reasons why I wont take an illegal drug or one that could harm me more then it helps but these are the main ones.
2007-06-10 06:46:49 · answer #3 · answered by magpiesmn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person whose life is ruined by drugs or drink has one excellent reason for being. They serve as an example for their mistakes. Talk to some of these people and see what has become of them. Their wasted lives are the result. That should help you to make a decision to not go down those paths. Check out some horrendous car wrecks. 50% are caused by drunken drivers. Check the old hippies. They were big time 'party' girls and boys. If they are not dead, many can relate their stupidity for going along with that drug culture. That is, if they can think at all.
2007-06-10 06:41:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Though I have not touched more than the champagne toast in years, and have never drugged to speak of (a bit of weed occasionally over the years), alcoholism does run in my family--and I've had friends who were addicts...
You have two choices in stopping drinking and/or drugging:
A 12-Step Program--which is extremely time-consuming, and asks a lot of you (though
they say if you had time to drink/drug--you have the time to do what they require now).
A counselor/therapist/doctor--With them, you may be prescribed medication to help with withdrawal--whereas in AA/NA--any medication is considered wrong. Also, if you are uncomfortable in crowded rooms, you can have private therapy (free-sliding-scale clinics are in nearly every city).
(Some doctors won't even prescribe meds--as they feel you might drink/drug with them OR substitute your former addiction with a new addiction to the medication). However, they have to do something to insure that you don't go into seizures from quitting...
There is a third choice: To quit on your own--this one would be the hardest. You cannot stop most substances suddenly--you need to reduce the amount consumed gradually, and keep it going down until it reaches zero. It would be helpful to have a friend/relative there for you. You could still phone a doctor/therapist anonymously for advice on this.
I wish you happiness, sobriety--and your life back :)
2007-06-10 07:00:54 · answer #5 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all you want to stop drinking and druging.
go to an AA meeting or a NA meeting. If you can't find yourself doing that alone call the hotline for help. Ask for help!
I know personally it is hard to ask for help, but for me the longer I drank the worse the problem got.
Ask for help in most places you can find help by looking in the phone book or in this case look for help in your State on your computer for help for your problem. It works, but you have to want it too.
I for one could never stop on my own. There are meetings all over the place, probably not far from where you live.
Save your self some heartaches and don't wait until you hit botton. "GET HELP NOW"
2007-06-10 06:53:06 · answer #6 · answered by irish 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
fore me I know what is good and not. From experience I know that people who drink stink and their clothes until they wash them and drink again. Drugging I don't do because its dumb and I would love a healthy life with out messin it up.
I also see what drinking has done to family. Like my brother. Who has Dt's bad from drinking and not drinking now.
2007-06-10 06:19:50 · answer #7 · answered by Koter Boters misses Rufus! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never start in the first place, and avoid being around people who do those things. Failing that, turn to faith and join a 12-step program.
2007-06-10 06:30:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
12-step groups like AA or NA work for a lot of people. Many need to go to a 2 or 3 week rehab first though.
2007-06-10 06:17:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Look at how much harm it has done to you and UR loved ones. Be strong. God does not place to much on ur plate you can't handle. good luck w/ rx
2007-06-10 13:13:56 · answer #10 · answered by Icandy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋