If you're an alcoholic, as I am, that damn booze will come for your wealth, your health, your family and as you mentioned, your very soul. That's a hard reality. The good news is that through the application of the principles of AA one can learn to live without needing to drink or wanting to drink. I tell you this with 32 plus years sober in the program. The previous 25 years, I drank as good or bad, depending on your prospective, as anyone.

I second Petot's good suggestions. The man knows of what he speaks. All the best to you on your journey on the Road of Happy Destiny. Let me know if I can help. jew370@hotmail.com.

Think I am on day 30 of being sober, was planning on cutting back a little but every day just haven't felt like it. If I felt stressed I would grab my bible and/or Supercalm drink. There are times I feel like a beer like after yard work so I found some non-alcoholic beers to try. Plus only 25 calories compared to 250.

AA did a little for me when I went last year but in the end it wasn't for me. Plus I would see a few people in the class talk about being sober but saw them drinking at bars or at the grocery store loading up on alcohol.

My fiance bringing me back to God did more than anything, reading/listening to the bible calms me and makes my brain slow down. Before I was always on the go, she is the only person that has made me slow down and take care of myself. She does not drink that often anymore but said she will stay sober with me to make it easier on me. Think it also helps we don't hang around her drinking friends much that love drama which I can't stand.

This is my first time on this thread, but I am so grateful for all the encouraging stories. I am on day 55 of sobriety. The first 28 we spent in a rehab treatment facility. I was so ashamed walking in that place, but today I couldn't be happier. No more shame or guilt. Facing the problem head on changed, and probably saved my life. The support and encouragement from AA is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I wish I would have found this years ago, but I also know that I had to be ready to admit to my problem.

Good luck to everyone and keep the encouragement going!!

Quick update for those interested.

Currently getting all the required testing for liver transplant at St Lukes in Houston. Been in the hospital more time than home since February so really haven't had the time to attend any meetings. That said I heard there are online meetings, so I'll try to hit those up.

Last drink was January 15th, so at 3.5 months with absolutely no desire to drink. I do attribute some of that to just being sick, but also on God who I now call on regularly through prayer.

120 days

K Bo said:

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120 days

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My dude!!! Not many people know this but K Bo was instrumental in my decision to get sober over 7.5 years ago. He has been like a brother to me since college… I woke up one day and knew I had to make a change or my life was going to change for me in drastic fashion. I called him on my way into work and he told me, "turn around, go home, be honest with your wife about your problem and come up with a plan to fix it." Probably the best advice I ever listened to. Happy to see him on his own path now too.

God dang. I'm not crying, you're crying.

Sailor said:

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Quick update for those interested.

Currently getting all the required testing for liver transplant at St Lukes in Houston. Been in the hospital more time than home since February so really haven't had the time to attend any meetings. That said I heard there are online meetings, so I'll try to hit those up.

Last drink was January 15th, so at 3.5 months with absolutely no desire to drink. I do attribute some of that to just being sick, but also on God who I now call on regularly through prayer.

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Are you trying to go through a living donor? I don't mean to pry, but the last two weeks I have been going up to Dallas to get poked and prodded to make sure I am a viable candidate to donate for someone that I know. I find out Wednesday if we are a go. Hopefully I am and the surgery can happen this summer.

150 days!

92 days today, or 3 calendar months! I can't believe how good I feel physically, mentally, and spiritually. It's been a great ride. I just completed my first work out in years. It felt great but doubt I will be able to walk tomorrow.

100 days today!!

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of Group 1 in Akron Ohio. This is the group that traces its heritage right back to Dr. Bob's living room. Lots of AA history and memorabilia. Put this on your bucket list. You can also visit Dr Bob's house in Akron along with the Mayflower Hotel where Bill called the preacher. I think there are some time restrictions on that.

180 days

200

Friend of mine knew I had some issues in the past and reached out to me. In the end he always had an excuse for anything, last thing he said was I had no idea how difficult it was to stop. So made him a deal, neither of us drink for 6 months. A month in and he hasn't taken a sip and has lost 15 pounds, not sure if that is all alcohol or partly the late night drunken munchies but that is a lot of weight to come off in just 30 days.

I have noticed a change in my restaurant bills, my fiance and I ordering a drink or two each spikes that bill quickly.

Yeah, the savings is reason enough to quit!

5 months today!!

Doing it on your own is like masturbation. It feels good for a little while, but then you get to thinking it would be more fun if you had someone with which to share your excitement.

It's a sad thing to watch someone you care about destroy themselves with booze and/or drugs. Rehab is all well and good for taking a break, drying out, etc. If your friend has medical problems as a result of excess drinking and/or drugging these need to be addressed by the medical community.

The long-term solution won't come about until the individual in question wants to do something about it.

Don't beat yourself up over this, you don't have the power to fix him or her. You didn't cause it, you can't control it, and you can't cure it.

AggieJim,

Hopefully you and I can agree to disagree with respect.

I will celebrate 2 years tomorrow and have done it totally on my own.

Everyone is different. I have not needed anyone else to help me. No one can do it for me.

If I ever need help, I will look to prayer and the almight God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Again, I hope we can agree to disagree with respect.

Gabster43213 said:

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AggieJim,

Hopefully you and I can agree to disagree with respect.

I will celebrate 2 years tomorrow and have done it totally on my own.

Everyone is different. I have not needed anyone else to help me. No one can do it for me.

If I ever need help, I will look to prayer and the almight God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Again, I hope we can agree to disagree with respect.

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Jim is pretty set in his ways and that's completely understandable when you put yourself in his shoes. He has a LOT of years under his belt and through his service he has seen AA work not only for his own path but also for others. Additionally I am willing to wager that he's seen folks turn away from AA and struggle to maintain an alcohol free life.

AA is not THE path. It's a path. A really great one with a lot of track record. A lot if the absolutes that AA members speak in are absolute truths for them and imperative to their continued sobriety and that is awesome for that individual.

I've racked up almost 8 years without AA as well. I have no ill will towards AA, quite the contrary - I believe it to be an amazing service to all our communities. Something we should all appreciate and hope to replicate in our communities.

I guess what I am saying is Jim can be right (and possibly set in his ways for great reasons) and you can be right as well. Both truths can exist alongside one another

Great job on the 2 years. Keep it up!