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Rhiannon12866

(222,467 posts)
4. I need to find a post that I once made addressing just this issue.
Thu Jan 19, 2012, 05:37 AM
Jan 2012

I'm not religious, either, don't really get the whole "Higher Power" aspect, but AA has worked for me. "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking." That's it, nothing else is expected. I originally did, as was suggested, 90 meetings in 90 days. Some felt more comfortable than others and those are the ones I've stuck with. In a few days I'll have 33 months, something I never thought I could do. But, like you, I had more than one wake-up call.

I guess what's worked for me is "the power of the rooms." There's something about a group of people, all there for the same reason, that works like nothing else does. I never know when I'll hear something that I need to hear, that applies to me and/or is helpful. And it could come from the newest person in the room.

What really worked for me was One Day at a Time. Saying that you won't ever drink again is just too damn big and intimidating to deal with. I tried that, many times, and that includes medication from my doctor to help me get through withdrawl and a stint in detox. But I always went back, sooner or later. This time, I haven't, but it took me awhile to absorb enough to "get it." I may drink tomorrow, but I know that I can make it through today. Some of us need to break it down more than that in the beginning, an hour or even a minute. I went through that, too.

Also, I remember to "take what you want and leave the rest." If someone has a Higher Power that they call God, that's fine with me. Whatever works for them works for them. I've actually found a lot of people who share my feelings about this when the topic has come up.

The group that I went to tonight doesn't even close with the Serenity Prayer. We use the Responsibility Declaration at that one.

" I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."

You'll only know by doing what works for you, but it really does work if you make the effort, I promise. My life isn't perfect now. I still get scared, discouraged and depressed. The difference is that I know that I don't have to drink over it.

I lost my mother in September. It's been awful. It was an accident. She spent three weeks in intensive care and then she died. It's stll so hard to accept. But people from AA were there for me, to talk or to be with me when I shouldn't have been alone. But the most important difference was me. I drove over an hour, each way, every day for those three weeks, to be with her in the hospital. There's no way that I could have done that if I was still drinking. So that's one thng that AA has given me.

Let us know how you're doing. We've been there and we care...


The first step is admitting you have a problem Electric Monk Jan 2012 #1
It helps.... Tippy Jan 2012 #8
My daughter is in crisis...She is NA... Tippy Jan 2012 #9
Oh, man, that really sucks tavalon Feb 2012 #27
Very little you can do at this point... Love her and be an example. But surrendering to this busterbrown Jan 2013 #51
That simple mantra tavalon Feb 2012 #26
Your story sounds familiar. cordelia Jan 2012 #2
You are not alone.. Stuart G Jan 2012 #3
I need to find a post that I once made addressing just this issue. Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #4
The power of the rooms tavalon Feb 2012 #28
if you can Old Codger Feb 2012 #33
I'm not disagreeing but with my crazy life and a dearth of CoDA meetings, which tavalon Feb 2012 #39
If Old Codger Feb 2012 #40
Well, I guess in one way I'm lucky tavalon Feb 2012 #41
No harm Old Codger Feb 2012 #42
And speaking for myself tavalon Feb 2012 #43
To all who read your response...This guy has got it going!!!!!! busterbrown Jan 2013 #52
how do you know my story? irisblue Jan 2012 #5
iris, your wiccian faith is perfect NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #7
from page 10, 44 and beyond, how I did it NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #6
I have to believe in something more powerful than me, tavalon Feb 2012 #29
Do you want to hear the truth? If not, don't read this message. Tripod Jan 2012 #10
You got it Old Codger Feb 2012 #34
I'm glad you get it. Tripod Feb 2012 #36
I too Old Codger Feb 2012 #37
Simple but not easy tavalon Feb 2012 #44
Lurker here Vanje Jan 2012 #11
yes you can sit in the back and say nothing NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #13
I've found peace in the meetings and I'm very shy cally Jan 2012 #14
I agree with Cally. Every meeting is different. Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #15
They might ask if there are any new people tavalon Feb 2012 #30
Me too Fujiyama Vanje Jan 2012 #12
Well just figured I'd check in again fujiyama Jan 2012 #16
Thanks so much for letting us know how you are! Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #17
I'm glad you checked back in and did not drink cally Jan 2012 #18
For most people, just stopping drinking doesn't stop the alcoholism tavalon Feb 2012 #31
Seems to me Old Codger Jan 2012 #19
No alcohol for a week Vanje Jan 2012 #20
congrats. Going without drinking is a big deal cally Jan 2012 #21
I totally agree with cally! Kudos to you! Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #22
Congratulations! cordelia Jan 2012 #23
There are fantastic groups online tavalon Feb 2012 #32
Thanks for the good wishes and good vibes. Vanje Jan 2012 #24
Your higher power can be your 12 step group tavalon Feb 2012 #25
What I found Old Codger Feb 2012 #35
As an enabler, I have to chose to be different, not only with the addict who took me to my knees tavalon Feb 2012 #38
addict clean in NA monkeyofstick Oct 2012 #45
welcome to DU NMDemDist2 Oct 2012 #46
You've gotten a lot of good feedback since you posted this. jonpaulprime Oct 2012 #47
CON: You must define God. PRO: You GET TO define God dogknob Nov 2012 #48
“Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?” Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #49
You're IN DEEP TROUBLE.... and its only gonna get worse .Way worse. busterbrown Jan 2013 #50
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