"I’ve stopped, but now what? I don’t want to keep saying, 'Don’t do it'—I want to know what’s next. How am I processing things? How do we get through life?
I got sober mostly through SMART and one or two other online forums. I went to many AA meetings (I'm in NYC so there's a lot to choose from). But something didn't quite mesh between me and AA. I found a couple of groups in Smart Recover Online (which I believe has been discontinued in favor of in-person meetings?) and over time and lots of writing there I got sober. I'm still friends with several of my fellow smarties, although we've never met in person. And the other online forum I used a lot: the moderator died suddenly, but I frequently walk past a building she told me about working in and I say hi, Tanya. Anyway, it's been years and years now, and while it wasn't easy it was what worked for me.
This interview was just what I needed this morning, truly! My favorite part was: "I am a dog person, and my dogs truly saved my life that night." Oh yes, dogs are the best, & my life is exponentially better with them in it:) I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciated the part that you talked about taking medicine with alcohol in it. I took ZzzQuil to help me sleep early in sobriety, and it did its job. I've probably only taken it once or twice during almost 4 years of sobriety, but it's like I have to hide it from my AA friends. Why do I feel so guilty about it? Ugh. Plus I don't use the word alcoholic. Hence the reason I left AA for over a year. I only went back after being invited to a celebration event at a ladies' meeting. I discovered that I was missing the in-person connection, and I felt comfortable there. Now I go that meeting, once a week, and I keep in touch with my sober friends daily. It's what works for me today. I could also relate to and comment on the part of the interview where you talked about retirement and volunteering, but I think I've rambled on long enough. Lol Congratulations on 4 1/2 years of sober living, Dave!
AA literature says that it isn't the answer for everyone. It was for me, but I know many that have found other avenues to a happy and useful life. I'm so happy that those old-timers understood that there is a nut for every bolt, and it might not be in AA.
I got sober mostly through SMART and one or two other online forums. I went to many AA meetings (I'm in NYC so there's a lot to choose from). But something didn't quite mesh between me and AA. I found a couple of groups in Smart Recover Online (which I believe has been discontinued in favor of in-person meetings?) and over time and lots of writing there I got sober. I'm still friends with several of my fellow smarties, although we've never met in person. And the other online forum I used a lot: the moderator died suddenly, but I frequently walk past a building she told me about working in and I say hi, Tanya. Anyway, it's been years and years now, and while it wasn't easy it was what worked for me.
I’m glad you found something that worked for you! Thanks for sharing.
I also saw a serenity prayer on an older relative’s wall when I was a kid. No memory of whose. But I remember it decades later. Roadmap indeed.
It is so true. No one has all the answers. Blackout drinking was hell. Grateful to be sober.
This interview was just what I needed this morning, truly! My favorite part was: "I am a dog person, and my dogs truly saved my life that night." Oh yes, dogs are the best, & my life is exponentially better with them in it:) I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciated the part that you talked about taking medicine with alcohol in it. I took ZzzQuil to help me sleep early in sobriety, and it did its job. I've probably only taken it once or twice during almost 4 years of sobriety, but it's like I have to hide it from my AA friends. Why do I feel so guilty about it? Ugh. Plus I don't use the word alcoholic. Hence the reason I left AA for over a year. I only went back after being invited to a celebration event at a ladies' meeting. I discovered that I was missing the in-person connection, and I felt comfortable there. Now I go that meeting, once a week, and I keep in touch with my sober friends daily. It's what works for me today. I could also relate to and comment on the part of the interview where you talked about retirement and volunteering, but I think I've rambled on long enough. Lol Congratulations on 4 1/2 years of sober living, Dave!
I’m so glad you resonated with it! (My dog was also my lifesaver!)
AA literature says that it isn't the answer for everyone. It was for me, but I know many that have found other avenues to a happy and useful life. I'm so happy that those old-timers understood that there is a nut for every bolt, and it might not be in AA.
Dave's question — how am I processing things, how do we get through life — is what most AA meetings are about.
True, but there are several places to engage with those questions, and different people resonate more with some places than others.
I loved this! Thanks.