Any Friends of Bill W here @ AudioKarma

[motorstereo]

^^^^^Best of luck to you in kicking the demon alcohol out of your life forever. In my case years ago I had a similar relapse after abstaining for a little over a year. "I'm doing good" "I can handle a few now and then" etc and next thing you know I have a kegerator mainly for personal consumption. The kegerator is gone now and I'm coming up on 2 years of total abstinence. I'm also completely confident in feeling I'll never touch the stuff again. I didn't hit the bottom as I was a functioning drinker. But once I realized how much better life really is without alcohol tearing it down that made things a lot easier.

In my case I've never been to an aa meeting or felt the need to. But I do attend church regularly which has become an inspiration to live right. Good luck to you in your journey and like every journey this one also starts out with that very first step which you have already taken.

 

[zenith2134]

^^^^^Best of luck to you in kicking the demon alcohol out of your life forever. In my case years ago I had a similar relapse after abstaining for a little over a year. "I'm doing good" "I can handle a few now and then" etc and next thing you know I have a kegerator mainly for personal consumption. The kegerator is gone now and I'm coming up on 2 years of total abstinence. I'm also completely confident in feeling I'll never touch the stuff again. I didn't hit the bottom as I was a functioning drinker. But once I realized how much better life really is without alcohol tearing it down that made things a lot easier.

In my case I've never been to an aa meeting or felt the need to. But I do attend church regularly which has become an inspiration to live right. Good luck to you in your journey and like every journey this one also starts out with that very first step which you have already taken.

That's great man, you should be proud of your upcoming milestone. I hit a point this time where I just feel disgusted with the behavior, which is a good thing.

Plus, I have so many other ways to pass my free time while, in the process, making money and strengthening relationships with those around me.

I attend church but not as regularly as I used to. Should get back into that. It really means the world to me that I have support on here, brothers. You can never have too many friends, as they say!

 

[pfcs49]

You might find AA to be attractive and informative since you suffer the disease of alcoholism!
AA isn't about not drinking once you're abstinent, it's about how to live a satisfying and extraordinary life with that disease, and what is interesting and attractive is interacting with fellow spiritual warriors (interesting juxtaposition and true IMO) who are just like you although their journeys often look completely different.
I am an atheist and I can promise you a spiritual experience in that space! I'll say it is magic. Somehow the hole in your soul gets nourished.
It's one of those experiences that words cannot describe, but that those that have been there understand. You don't get it until you "get" it
I'll call that magic. Others may say it's a higher power. It doesn't really matter. But it brings you to a place where you may say "I'm giving back what was so generously given to me"
But, AA is not a program of promotion, it's a program of attraction! When/if alcohol has taken you down to places you didn't imagine, the hand of AA is there for you.
So, I'll get off the soapbox with one simple suggestion-try a meeting on, you may find it to be very attractive.

 

[zenith2134]

You might find AA to be attractive and informative since you suffer the disease of alcoholism!
AA isn't about not drinking once you're abstinent, it's about how to live a satisfying and extraordinary life with that disease, and what is interesting and attractive is interacting with fellow spiritual warriors (interesting juxtaposition and true IMO) who are just like you although their journeys often look completely different.
I am an atheist and I can promise you a spiritual experience in that space! I'll say it is magic. Somehow the hole in your soul gets nourished.
It's one of those experiences that words cannot describe, but that those that have been there understand. You don't get it until you "get" it
I'll call that magic. Others may say it's a higher power. It doesn't really matter. But it brings you to a place where you may say "I'm giving back what was so generously given to me"
But, AA is not a program of promotion, it's a program of attraction! When/if alcohol has taken you down to places you didn't imagine, the hand of AA is there for you.
So, I'll get off the soapbox with one simple suggestion-try a meeting on, you may find it to be very attractive.

I really should get involved with them. I have a friend who keeps telling me that. Maybe this weekend or Monday I'll go check one out. It is certainly nice to know that there are multiple locations available in my area

 

[pfcs49]

I've come to have a community of sober alcoholics that are now friends. For the Lone Ranger, that's probably helpful
But running in the background is that if I stopped having a relationship with AA, over time, I'd relapse. Alcoholism is a disease known for recidivism!
And for me, especially now, 78 yo/paralyzed? A sure formula for a premature death, spiritually and physically.

We call it keeping oneself green. The stories of our experiences, strength and hope, keep my disease from suggesting that I can have a drink.
I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but they say it's the first drink that gets you drunk. I think it's very true! Once I take my will back and take a drink, I may not get drunk, but I just gave myself permission to drink, declared that I'm not powerless over alcohol anymore. The next drink might not happen for a week or a month or longer, but once a pickle, always a pickle (alcoholism is an ism, not a wazzum!), and that first drink will lead me down that regression that totally sucks!

I suggest anybody that qualifies should try a few meetings. You'll likely get a lot of good information you'd not find elsewhere. Just as we have AK for vintage hi-fi info, we have AA as a repository of what works to transform a miserable alcoholic into a satisfied and valuable person, fully self expressed and fully enrolled in the hero's journey.

 

[meggy]

I really should get involved with them. I have a friend who keeps telling me that. Maybe this weekend or Monday I'll go check one out. It is certainly nice to know that there are multiple locations available in my area

Just do it. No one will ask or expect you to do anything you don't want to do. You don't have to sign up for anything or make any commitments. You don't even have to talk to anyone if you don't want to (you should try though). I've done a whole hell of a lot crazier things, than just going to an AA meeting. You probably have too. Besides, they have stale donuts and shitty coffee.

 

[tubemusic]

Yep. Friend of Bill W, Jimmy K and Jesus C.

 

[zenith2134]

Just do it. No one will ask or expect you to do anything you don't want to do. You don't have to sign up for anything or make any commitments. You don't even have to talk to anyone if you don't want to (you should try though). I've done a whole hell of a lot crazier things, than just going to an AA meeting. You probably have too. Besides, they have stale donuts and shitty coffee.

You're absolutely right. It isn't a big deal. I contacted an old friend who offered to go with me this weekend and I said yes. Tomorrow afternoon. Which is perfect since I am just under the 2 week mark, and the alternative is sitting on the beach watching everyone party it up. Feeling good though, getting a lot accomplished, sleeping better, and still feeling optimistic.

 

[zenith2134]

Went this afternoon with my buddy. It was a very welcoming group, and I didn't hesitate to explain my story. We were talking about the importance of having time-fillers. I really do feel fortunate that I have my work and hobbies, because my free time was dangerous. So I just double down on my hobbies instead of messing up and doing more damage.

At the end, two different guys shook my hand and told me to keep coming back. One of them told me that he has 20+ years under his belt. I need that to be me one day.

The coffee wasn't bad either. Came back home and had a relaxing dinner with my friend, listening to some tunes now.

Thanks for pushing me in the right direction w/these meetings.

 

[dcmfan]

Just popped in to express my gratitude for the folks at the Bridgeway treatment center who took my call on Oct 12, 1985 and invited me down to "have a cup of coffee and talk for a while."

One thing led to another and I wound up talking to them for the next 30 days.

Best conversation I ever started and am pleased to say it's still going on.

The coffee was forgettable, but at least I got to keep the mug. Considering what it took to get it this might be the costliest thing I own!

 

[Mr Boochie]

Considering what it took to get it this might be the costliest thing I own!

Consider yourself very lucky. Many folks never get that cup of hope.

 

[johnny_fever]

@dcmfan. Great Job. I love a good success story.

 

[oldvinyldude]

Consider yourself very lucky. Many folks never get that cup of hope.

Just popped in to express my gratitude for the folks at the Bridgeway treatment center who took my call on Oct 12, 1985 and invited me down to "have a cup of coffee and talk for a while."

One thing led to another and I wound up talking to them for the next 30 days.

Best conversation I ever started and am pleased to say it's still going on.

The coffee was forgettable, but at least I got to keep the mug. Considering what it took to get it this might be the costliest thing I own!

View attachment 3855494

 

[Fury161]

Just popped in to express my gratitude for the folks at the Bridgeway treatment center who took my call on Oct 12, 1985 and invited me down to "have a cup of coffee and talk for a while."

One thing led to another and I wound up talking to them for the next 30 days.

Best conversation I ever started and am pleased to say it's still going on.

The coffee was forgettable, but at least I got to keep the mug. Considering what it took to get it this might be the costliest thing I own!

View attachment 3855494

Great job, my dude. I'm proud of you for putting yourself first. If you're anything like me, you'll get good use of that mug. So much coffee these days.... lol

 

[Fury161]

Went this afternoon with my buddy. It was a very welcoming group, and I didn't hesitate to explain my story. We were talking about the importance of having time-fillers. I really do feel fortunate that I have my work and hobbies, because my free time was dangerous. So I just double down on my hobbies instead of messing up and doing more damage.

At the end, two different guys shook my hand and told me to keep coming back. One of them told me that he has 20+ years under his belt. I need that to be me one day.

The coffee wasn't bad either. Came back home and had a relaxing dinner with my friend, listening to some tunes now.

Thanks for pushing me in the right direction w/these meetings.

Somehow missed this so want to say congrats on taking the first step! How's the process coming?

 

[johnny_fever]

Today I am celebrating 32 years of sobriety. I got sober 2 weeks shy of my 38th BD. I thought my life was over. LOL. I didn't realize it was just starting. I'm not sure why I was an over achiever in all the wrong things in life. My drinking was way out of hand. I feel my drug use helped speed up the decision to do something about my problem. Only through detox and treatment did I stand a chance because I had no safe place. My family and girlfriend were a big part of my party circle. I really had to work on my AA foundation. I'm still doing the basics to maintain sobriety. I have a great Sponsor and a killer home group in a beautiful Log Cabin. Life is great.

 

[meggy]

Congrats jf.

 

[johnny_fever]

@meggy. Thanks. I picked up my coin at my home group. Then out for dinner with the boys. Now today will be an incredible day with lots of music on hand. Life is good.

 

[pfcs49]

@JF: what possibility! Put a door in that thing and build a deck/dock over the water, and don't forget to invite us over!

 

[johnny_fever]

@pfcs49. Good idea. We could have a speaker meeting with real speakers. LOL.