I could use some tips and help getting started. I’ve

Recovery
#1

I could use some tips and help getting started. I’ve dumped out what I had left.

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#2

First don’t use

1 Like
#3

Meetings help me

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#4

I constantly talk to myself that I don’t need a drink. Yes I got rid of all alcohol. I start thinking of the $ I spent on alcohol and how it makes me feel. Never realized how it truly changed my personality.

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#5

It was suggested to me that I go to 90 meetings in 90 days. What worked for me? Daily prayer - in the beginning asking God to remove the obsession to drink/drug. Then thanking Him after another day of sobriety. I got a sponsor, a man who was talking about how he got well by working the 12 steps of AA. I got a home group, and started greeting and shaking hands of people as they walked into our meeting. I met weekly with my sponsor, and did the work. I had to experience every ounce of pain that I went through, in order to do the suggestions of better men than I who had come before me. If you do this, and follow the suggestions of the people in the program, you WILL get well.

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#6

You have to be willing to change everything. How bad do you want to be sober? Are you willing to do anything it take? Can you answer the first step truthfully? If you are powerless over alcohol and your life is unmanageable? Then there is a way and it starts with the willingness to go to a meeting, surrender your will, get a sponsor and work the steps. It’s a simple program for complicated people but it does work if you want it. Just get through today and that’s he beginning. I have a 24 hour reprieve from a disease that wants to kill me. I respect that fact. I go to meetings almost every day so I can be reminded that there is no cure to my disease only a solution. And that is the answer. Good luck. You have to be sober just a little more than you want to drink. That’s the beginning. It’s so worth it.

4 Likes
#7

Here's you............................Here's alcohol n drugs.
Do the In-between

#8

Take inventory of your life and find out what’s hurting you the most.

#9

Hello Sarah. It’s all up to you if you’re ready. Think about the children and family.You hang in there and start the life. You will be happy you live a sober life. Going on 4 years and couldn’t be happier in my life. You can do this.

#11

Go to meetings start now and if it’s serious head to detox/rehab :pray: download The Meeting Guide app for meeting locations around your area. They also have online options

#12

Definitely get a sober network to encourage your sobriety at home, someone to be accountable to. You gotta want it. Meetings helped me in the beginning

#13

I had to make a few non-negotiable deals with myself. If I compromised even to the slightest degree, I bs'ed myself right back into the bar. Those deals:

  1. If a drink crossed my mind - even in a passing thought in early sobriety, I would say OUT LOUD, Wherever I was - John, you can no longer drink safely. If you want to stay sober, you can't do that alone.

  2. After surrendering those 2 insane thoughts to the universe - immediately find a meeting to attend.

Some people say 90 in 90. I did like 250 in 90 - because that's what I needed. That's how often the obsession stayed with me personally. Everyone is different. But if you can't be honest with yourself in the most simple manner like that, it may be hard to stay sober. If you are anything like me, I'm a master manipulator; a PdD in BS if you will.

Make your agreement simple, not.complicated. you must be unwavering.

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#14

I have to give you props for dumping out what you had left. I NEVER was able to do it. It didn't matter how much I knew I should, or even maybe wanted to.

#15

Get plugged into a community for support and podcasts as well

#16

Read ….. started with Allen Carr, Naked Mind, Quit Like a Women & Journal …. Pour it all out on paper…purge all the feelings…. Don’t think about it… write like no-one will ever read it… including you

#17

What works for me is surrendering or believing in a power greater then ourselves , a fellowship, working the steps, sponsor, staying in our lanes and truly working our sobriety just one day at a time.

#18

Get to a meeting, and just listen. Unless asked to share, just listen…don’t compare yourself to the stories you hear, try to see how you relate. Get there early and let some people know you’re new and struggling. Hang out for a little bit after and talk to some more people. That’s my advice. You can take it as you please. :slightly_smiling_face:

#19

You just got started yourself.. reach out to someone to talk to .. get to a meeting.. get the one day at a time mind set going.. each morning put your feet on the floor and say “ not today” and mean it!!

#20

I agree with Hank’s advice to read … especially Annie Grace & her 2 books called This Naked Mind & The Alcohol Experiment. Both excellent books & very enlightening. She has free videos on YouTube & a podcast. You can download the This Naked Mind Companion app on your phone for free. There are other apps like “I am sober” & Try Dry etc. There is a lot of quit lit & help out there!!! Look up Annie Grace for SURE!!! She can even help a lost cause like me.

#21

Joseph isnt lying when he says you gotta be willing to change everything. Just about at least and open to most all suggestions.

Get a program. Stick with it. Ive seen enough 2 and 3 decade sober "addicts" in enough rooms to know Im no stronger. If they feel the need to work the steps regularly after 20-30 yrs success, my little 1 and 2 yr stints pale in comparison. 90 in 90 is great. I did my 1st 90 in rehab.

Havent returned and honestly havent ever "relapsed" per se. My DOC is fentanyl so even a slip up is deadly. Same can be said with alcohol, however. Get behind the wheel... I gave met folks who are successful without a program. My gradpa for one. They are very very very rare IMO. Most of us need the supprt, fellowship etc. I do for sure.

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