I think it could really help the ones who are in that place right now if we shared what our first steps looked like.
For anyone who’s been there… what was the very first thing that helped you get through those early days of sobriety?
6 Likes
I did 30 AA meetings in 30 days. I went when I didn’t want to go but that jump started my sobriety. Without those first 30 meetings I probably wouldn’t have made it.
3 Likes
I was in a psych ward for five days - seriously, best vacation ever - I was safe and very well taken care of - got the correct diagnosis for my mental disorder and was taken off all meds and of course alcohol - I’ll have 3 years Jan 1
7 Likes
I learned how to live my life 1 day at a time. Never looked back!
3 Likes
The hardest part of the first steps of getting sober is filling that void because you spent all of your time focussing on one thing getting one thing doing one thing never focussing on what comes after the hurt that it causes so you have to find something that fills your time in the beginning, I slept a lot We got on the methadone program and Suboxone program for my spouse. Spent about three months sleeping after being up for years with like seven minutes sleep sports. We had one relapse possibly too, but the most important part of recovery is forgiving yourself. That’s that’s the most important part because if you go into it with the mindset that if I relapse, it’s all over. I have to start over. You have to kind of go into the mindset of everybody is human. Everybody makes mistakes what’s important is to realize your mistakes and don’t let them trip you up for good don’t make a relapse of finalized. I screwed up so now I’m an addict again and in the times that come up later after you’ve got some time and you start to think about wanting to relapse again, just play the tape forward think about the last time that you used or the worst time that you used what happened After you got it did you feel regret realize that you’re gonna feel regret the minute you do it it’s not gonna be satisfying and the chances of you surviving. It are slim to none because most people in recovery that relapse start back as if they were using the entire time so play the tape forward think about the worst consequences that it could come higher. You’re gonna feel after we used, but don’t ever think that it’s too late or that you can’t do it because you can’t once you decide that you wanna live that’s your sober date. That’s your clean date the day that you decided I wanna get cleannot for someone else’s sake, but for your own for me, my rock-bottom was I can’t continue this way I don’t know the way back. I can’t see a way forward. I need help a lot of that NA groups and 12 steppers say like turn yourself over to a higher power I strongly believe that you are your higher power once you tap into that strength, there’s nothing you can’t do.
2 Likes
For me, I had to see a therapist personally who could work towards my issues and help me towards what I could do personally. However I realize I still needed help and I took it anyway that I could.
4 Likes
Being accountable to a sponsor and her support after coming home after a 30 day inpatient stay was necessary for me
1 Like
I started off with NA going to meeting working the steps building a support group of like minded people who understand what its like to be an addict then I also did an outpatient recovery program with my insurance along with theraphy and that is where I got alot of tools and grew as a person I was able to see what my destructive behavior was
2 Likes
I was in my 4th year in Law Enforcement and had an infant expire in my arms on Christmas Day 1988. Holding that lifeless soul in my arms and hearing that it was hit by a drunk driver. That drunk driver could have been me, that drunk driver could have been YOU. I dropped to my knees screaming out to God for help. I was living in the moment of the results of what alcohol can do to a person.
I have been sober ever since.
If I can do this so can you.
5 Likes
After a DWI, I detoxed myself for 5 days(don’t recommend). Went to rehab on day 6 for 28 days.
Rehab made getting sober relatively easy, staying sober after, that was the real challenge.
For me it was keeping busy, establishing a routine that did not involve alcohol, and finding new hobbies. Stayed away from some people, places, and things.
3 Likes
Getting sober is easy, staying there long-term is ALWAYS the toughest part
2 Likes
Meetings. Solid first step...sponser
2 Likes
I finally realized that moderation wouldn’t work and my option was a slow, painful, lonely death or sobriety and life and live from my family and friends. I chose the latter. The first weeks were extremely difficult but playing the scenario forward helped keep me on track. After 10 years of trying to stop in a 40+ year drinking career.
1 Like
I’m so sorry you had to go through this..: but I’m glad you are now sober. I got a DWI Nov 2023 and this really resonated with me so thank you for that. God Bless you!
1 Like
God… I quit cold turkey after leaving work in an ambulance because the withdrawal after another binge drinking weekend felt like I was having a stroke. being sober I no longer had a mask on.. I wasn’t smiling, laughing, joy riding. I was stuck with high anxiety and vertigo. I had to face myself, accept that at that moment, I did not love myself, and that I needed to heal from trauma that I could hide through alcoholism.. but, that was Aug 20 2023 and I am still sober. God was preparing me for something, and although I’m not completely sure of His plan, I trust in Him to lead the way.
Psych wards aren't as bad as they're thought to be. I've been to many over the years for detox psych stays. 3 hot meals of my choosing, private room w/bathroom, organized activities (art projects, CBT, DBT, mental health monitoring, TV room w/movies and games) I have also been to some with armed guards posted outside my room, strapped to a bed with a movement monitoring device under the mattress to alert the staff if I got up, 24 hr camera monitoring, staff would literally watch me change, shower, use the toilet.
By far, joining the rooms of AA, finding a sponsor and working the steps. I’m still a newcomer with 5 months 24 days of sobriety
I did 90and90 talk to sponsor
I spent 8 days in detox, 90 days in rehab. Then did 90/90 meeting. I was a mess, couldn’t sit still, couldn’t shut off the white noise in my brain. I was grumpy and stand offish.
I was broken, exhausted and lonely.
Step 1 made things a little easier, step 2 a little more easy. So I just kept doing the steps, with a sponsor. Then again with a group.
It was probably at 9 months I had a thought that this one day at a time had really changed my life. Looking back I barely recognize who I was then. It wasn’t easy, it’s not perfect. But I’ll continue to take the life I have today 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.