Welcome to the Alcoholics Anonymous forum at Recovery Talk!

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

I believe in Alcohlics Anonymous 100%. It has saved my life more than one time. I love it, and working with others on a day to day basis. Without AA I would not have found God again, and my life would definitely have been over several years ago. I was given about 3 months to live when I entered AA in 2001. At 5 1/2 years of sobriety, I am grateful to be alive and living a different life than I had been living before. I will be posting my story soon.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. I have heard everything, or experienced alot, so nothing surprises me. Most importantly, you are not alone. There are people who will love and care for you.
John

Hey guys. This is maybe what I need. I have been to treatment and of course to AA meetings but just go long enough till the trouble I'm in p%%%%es. The longest stretch of sobriety for me is about 4 months after treatment. I can't blame anyone but myself as I never do what is suggested in AA, like get a sponser, etc. I have a lot of respect for people that have been sober a long time. To me, quitting tobbaco was really hard in the beginning but after a few months got easier. When I try to quit drinking it seems to get really hard after a couple of months or so. Thanks for this forum!

Thanks for the post Tee.  I think this forum can help you and also give you some other form of accountability on your recovery.  You just keep hanging in there and keep us posted, especially when you're having a bad day so we can support you.  I know a LOT of people who do exactly the same thing and go back out after just a short time and only when the price tag gets big enough do they quit for any length of time.  And you are right about it being easy at first.  But when tough times come it can be harder and you will just want to take that drink and get some relief..  Don't do it though.  That is when you need to talk to someone...............  Which takes courage and humility.  And the only thing you sacrifice when you ask for help is your pride and that is only temporary.

God bless and best wishes.

Thank you for sharing Tee, and also Welcome to RecoveryTalk. I know also, as Corey mentioned many, many people who come to AA and when the heat is off, so are they. Most recently I have seen people with several years go back to their old way of thinking which is what got them in trouble before. My best thinking got me to AA(that is a joke) actually it was my best thinking got me into the trouble I was in, dug me deeper into a pit that seemed there was no way out. Happily, and gratefully, that pit ended when I came to AA over five years ago. And slowly, but surely that pit has filled up and my life is awesome today.
I sponsor a few guys and I tell them to just keep doing what they are doing, since it works soo much better than the way we think. I also ask them, if a star football player quits practicing if he has a winning season? I don't think so, he practices so he can continue to have  winning career. I know, it sounds corny, but it is true.
All I can say is, I know if I put AA first, and foremost in my life, I won't have to ever  worry about money, a job, or relationships ever again.I hold true to those promises that were made long ago, and they do materialize, just not always the way we had "planned" them. Usually, they turn out much better than I could have ever imagined. Hang in there Tee, you did come to the right place, and I hope you find many people in an AA meeting that have something you want. Peace and Serenity, it is found in good AA meetings, the kinds that push sponsorhip, and service work. My sponsors have saved my life, along with AA. I was blessed with 3 very good sponsors, only needing a change when geography changed and I moved or they did. They were the guides I needed to change my life so I can live this new life. Find one, and use them, they are awesome.... Wouldn't change it for anything, especially my old ways.
John

Thanks for the support the guys. I still have yet to go to my first meeting since my last drink, (Sunday) but am getting ready to hopefully go today. One of the problems I have at meetings is its hard for me to speak up as I get all nervous and just kind of studder and stammer stuff out. I know I am getting sick of this drinking though, and know it is not a question of if, but when something bad may happen, especially when I get behind the wheel impaired. Yes my thinking is screwed up as I think that "next time" I will moderate.....ha ha.....

 "I know I am getting sick of this drinking though, and know it is not a question of if, but when something bad may happen, especially when I get behind the wheel impaired."
There you go, that is all you have to say....and that you need help, it is your first time here. They will hopefully surround you and welcome you with all the help you could imagine. It is ok to be scared, I know I was, but I was more afraid of what would happen if I did not go. As far as the moderating issue, I know I tried that several times. Along with changing brands (beer or wine instead of whiskey) and changing the times I started drinking. None of it worked for me. I had to be willing to do or at least listen to what was being said.
The last night of my drinking (I was drinking all day everyday for about a year or more) I told God that I was done with this life. I took a bunch of Librium (pills) with the rest of my vodka, and asked him since I was afraid of the pain involved in taking my own life, to take me from this world in my sleep. I asked him to take me or help me. My sister showed up later (not sure how long I was out) and since then I have not had a craving or desire to drink. I went into treatment, and relocated to another state afterwards. That was in September of 2001.... And I am grateful I did not die, or continue to drink. The doctor gave me 3 months to live if I continued on that path.
So keep going, and try other meetings. You will find what you are looking for and it won't be that hard to find if you look. Keep us posted,
John

Hey tee..  Just make it to the meetings and you'll be okay.  Remember that it is okay to just listen too.  Talk when you are ready to talk. 

Peace bro 

Hi Tee!  I'm Loren, from Rapid City and have been sober working the 12 steps of AA for over 24 years.  IT DOES WORK, if you work THE program of AA.  Get a big book.  The first 164 pages tell you precisely how to get and stay sober. Go to some meetings and look for someone that has the type of soboriety that you would like to have.  Someone that is not afraid to talk about G O D !  It's not that scary.  If you would like there is a Round-up this weekend in Rapid City at the Ramkota starting at 4:30 PM on Friday and goes all weekend.   That would be a great start for you.   If you are interested let me know.  I will be there.  They even have a dance, speakers, meetings, fellowship, laughter and a lot of fun.  Cost would be $18 at the door, and if you can't afford it give me a call and I will meet you there to help get you started.  I will be anxious to receive your reply.  You can have a new life and start it all over again.  It's quite an adventure and gets better each and every day if you will let it work for you.   Call me at 721-9077 or 430 5459.

Feel free to use the calendar feature of this forum to post your Roundups or events...  Just an idea..

Hey tee... How you doing?

Tee, you are not alone. I have been struggling for ten years with this addiction. First in college then moving back home to "Fort Liquordale" and even in my travels across country. Make the meetings and especially dont drink and drive because you dont want to die today and you dont want to make anyone else die because that is always a possibilty.  Cool Runnings, Bretter

Hi...I am CAROLINE..and i think i am hitting rock bottem..i am scared..shaking right now..not sure if its the withdrawals..But my nerves are shot..and i am having a HARD time keeping it together..please tell me i am going to ok..drinking has effected my job..as i haven't made it to work in 3 days..told them personal issues..God..I just need to know that its gonna be ok..

Hi Caroloine.  It is TOTALLY normal to be feeling what you are feeling right now.  Shaking is definitely a sign of withdrawls.  Your nerves are definitely shot.  But you are going to be okay.  If your job is willing to work with you, that is great.  Be honest and try to keep your job.  Let them know you need to get some help for a week or so.  Because it will take you at least a week or so to get over the major part of the withdrawls.  In the meantime, please find an AA meeting to go to.  It will be humbling and it will take a lot of courage to go.  But if you do these things, everything will work out.  It might not hurt to go see your doctor a level with him.  He may be able to help you through the withdrawls and also make sure your health is going to be ok in the long run.  I'm glad you're here at Recovery Talk seeking help and please keep in touch. 

HI Caroline: I sure hope you found an AA meeting to attend. They are very helpful. I have been attending them since September of 2001 and am so grateful for that. It works, trust me and everyone that says it does. God will help you, more than you can ever imagine.
Hang in there and keep in touch, John

Hi my name is Jenny and I just need help and I do not know where to start drinking is a huge problem i recently got a dui and stopped drinking for a while then I started again because i wanted to party with all my friends.  Last night i blacked out and just need help and i dont know where to start or what to do i feel so lost and guilty for some of my actions last night.  I was wondering if maybe you could guide me in some sort of direction?
-Jen

Hi Jen,

I just wanted to take a minute to encourage you and let you know you are not alone.  I have been where you are at one time.  I could not imagine life with or without alcohol.   Today I live comfortably without drinking and it has been almost 10 years.  I used to drink and drive all the time and was darn lucky not to get a dui or black out and kill myself or someone else on the road. 

I was wondering if you have ever tried going to AA?  I would suggest going to a few meetings and giving AA a chance.  I'm sure you will find a lot of comfort in the meetings and from hearing others stories that are just like yours.  The rooms of AA are full of people just like you and people going through the same or similar situation.  It's much easier to stay sober and SANE with the help of others.  And you need people that can understand to help you through this.  Because if you ever want to get and stay sober, you'll need some support. 

Get a sponsor and try to go to at least 2 or 3 meetings a week.  You probably spend just as much time with your drinking so just be sure and replace it with your support program.  I promise things will get better and easier and much saner if you take these suggestions.

Best regards.
-Recovery Dude

p.s. - stay in touch and let us know how you're doing