Back on the recovery grind, this is my 3rd time trying, but I finally feel ready. I’m finally doing it for me.
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Doesn’t have to be a grind if you don’t want it to be. Hope you can give yourself a break then
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Just trying to actually give it my all this time instead of half assing it like in the past
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That’s a great attitude. I was told to ask myself what’s one thing I can do differently this time around? I heard this and was changed forever. I knew I had to do something completely different. And I’m constantly changing my life, who I really am is coming alive…
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What were the reasons you were doing it for in the past? Seeing the difference in those reasons versus this time, when you’re really doing it for yourself, might help it feel less like a chore/grind and more like an adventure/quest
You and I both! I’m doing everything differently this time , and it’s helping so so much !
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I was doing it for everyone else in the past so they would stop nagging. I don’t view it as a chore at all, anything I put my heart into is grind, it just means I’m putting the work in
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Love the investment in yourself! So grind is a good thing, right?
That’s awesome! I’m glad to hear. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous in chapter 1 Doctors opinion, says “we must under go a complete psychic change,”
Keep doing g what you are doing. One day at a time.
Half measures availed us nothing. Sounds so simple, right?
But with a lot of help from my sponsor, I finally understand what that means. It means my way didn’t work. No matter how logical and methodical and well planned and executed, my way resulted in me getting drunk 100% of the time.
So there’s another way. But it’s not logical. It’s not methodical. It’s not scientifically proven. The evidence is the results. That’s it. If you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it, do these things because they result in you being sober. Why it works is irrelevant. And if you hold on to your old way even a little, you’ll be operating under your will, and you’ve already learned that way doesn’t work.
It is a huge leap of faith.
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You can only get and stay sober once you and you alone decide to make that life change. All the best to you.
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You can do it !
Good for u! I totally understand feeling like YOU are ready, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. This is my third as well. I’ve learned so much each time and now I’m ready. And excited about it! This time everything is different 
What did you do different?
What I did differently this time was be honest, not only with my doctors but with myself. I participated in group therapy. I was determined to figure out why I would rather do drugs and drink and throw my life down the drain then to face my life head on. The next thing I did differently is attend NA, AA, life Ring and recovery dharma meetings. These meetings helped me a lot to stay sober. I was still very angry and confused early on in sobriety. After 47 days I couldn’t deal with society nor my life, so I was fortunate enough to go to a residential treatment facility for 30 days. This is where the magic happened. The first two weeks were tough as they pumped meds in me. The meds were lexapro and trazadone. Trazaadone wasn’t for me. Lexapro really helped me stay on a level plain. My highs and lows were leveled out. At this facility I was able to under go therapy once a week and group therapy all day with educational classes and activities. There was basketball, tv, outside meetings a few days a week, inside meetings, and daily reflection meetings everyday before dinner. All of this is the first time I’ve ever done something like this. I’ve tried to get sober on my own in the past with success for a couple years but I was still miserable person, selfish and self centered, egotistical and selfish absorbed. Treatment center also took us to church every Sunday. You had to go but had the option to sit out in the hallway if religion isn’t your thing. For me it wasn’t my thing. But something told me to just go inside and listen. I did. I actually got a message that day from the service. I went the next three services and each one I went to had a message from me. This was the start to a new way of thinking for me. Also, on Sundays, This wonderful Man would show up to read the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous to the group. This was a very pivotal moment in my sobriety as well. They way he explain the words and the program of AA I was hooked! I cried as I began to realize that this book was for me. It was about me. Its the exact same things I did not only drinking but trying to get sober then would relapse.
To sum up all this into a few words from the Big book, “we must under go a complete psychic change….”this is from the doctors opinion first chapter. That’s what I’ve done and continue to improve on, my attitude and outlook upon life.
To make changes to one’s life can be difficult, if we try to do to much at once our brains don’t like that and will fight back. However if we do one or two simple and small changes each week or every 66 days as I read once that this is how new habits are formed, that’s how we can over ride our fight or flight response system. I’ve learned to meditate, pray, take deep breaths as often as I can and to read books. I’ve read more books in sobriety then in my entire life. And actually enjoyed them, understood them, did more research on them when needed. There’s so much more I’ve changed in my life. Well I hope I was able to shed some light on your sobriety as that’s my main objective these days, to help another Alcoholic who wants to get and stay sober. Have a wonderful day filled with love and peace within.
Thank you so much for sharing . I stopped AA but i am going back to the meetings and the Big Book thank you for your reply 
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Welcome Jo! Thank you for asking. I’m so happy for you! You’re making a beautiful decision. Find a sponsor that fits your needs. It took me three sponsors. And remember it’s a we program. I’m here if you ever want to chat.
Kevin i really appreciate that. Out of the three programs you mentioned which was the one that worked for you or would you suggest i check them all out?
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Jo welcome. I love AA however I like them all. There’s no one way to get sober. As much as I would love to tell you to only go to AA that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the recovery world. What works for me may not work for you. I also attend church and go to a Bible study on Tuesdays. My suggestion is be open minded about the possibility that just maybe one of those programs including religious churches could be you golden ticket. Remember there is no easier softer way to achieve sobriety. It takes work on every level. It takes a support group made up of people just like you and me that range from newcomer to 30 plus years of sobriety. When I started expanding the wisdom in the program exploded in my favor. I’m now able to reach out to the old timers and ask for guidance on my challenges and then implement them in my life as well as share my experiences with the newcomer that’s my purpose in life. No matter what group you choose it a we program. Help others we want help and still struggle. Help ordinary people in public as well. Not to gloat but yesterday I saw a guy on the side of the road waving a flashlight as in for help. I pulled over, he ran out of gas. I drove to the nearest gas station bought a can, couple gallons and some fuel stabilizer per his request and brought it back to him. He only had 10 dollars cash on him. That didn’t matter. It’s when we get outside of our selves and help others we become this beautiful creature on earth that God intended us to be. And that I give thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous for the wisdom to make the change in my life.