|
For Kim
Oct 26, 2015 11:34:16 GMT -5
Post by bethanne711 on Oct 26, 2015 11:34:16 GMT -5
Thanks, Kim. Great article....
Beth
|
|
|
For Kim
Oct 27, 2015 21:54:35 GMT -5
Post by Pam on Oct 27, 2015 21:54:35 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing that timely article Kim!
pt
|
|
|
For Kim
Oct 27, 2015 21:57:53 GMT -5
Post by Pam on Oct 27, 2015 21:57:53 GMT -5
Hi PT, Kim and All, I wouldn't worry about what people may think, in fact I think if we realised how little time people spend thinking about others, we'd be surprised. I've heard it said.. "what others think of me is none of my business" .. I'm trying to take that on board, I've been such a people-pleaser all my life and it only reinforces the "not good enough" feelings in me. I go to my meetings when I can and I go for me. When I first started going, I was conscious of only sharing what I thought others would benefit from hearing.. If I continued to think like that, I'd be going nowhere. My recovery has to be for me. I'm away from home for awhile and have been away from Internet connection. I'm looking forward to going home this week though it's been nice to be cold for awhile. Take care All, Jenn Hey Jenn,
How's it going? Just writing to say - "Salutations!!"
By the way, love the butterfly. . . absolutely gorgeous!
pt
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
For Kim
Oct 28, 2015 5:38:40 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 5:38:40 GMT -5
Hey Everyone, Just wanted to say that with the encouragement of everyone on here I decided to go to another AA meeting. It was really great listening to the stories and I felt at home. I ran into an old friend who has now been sober 12 years. Wow! If only I had got the message 12 years ago.
|
|
|
For Kim
Oct 28, 2015 6:39:51 GMT -5
Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 28, 2015 6:39:51 GMT -5
Hey Everyone, Just wanted to say that with the encouragement of everyone on here I decided to go to another AA meeting. It was really great listening to the stories and I felt at home. I ran into an old friend who has now been sober 12 years. Wow! If only I had got the message 12 years ago. Kim, Twelve years from now, you can look back and say the exact same thing or you can say "I'm so glad I took control of my life twelve years ago". The days will pass without regards to our decisions; only we can decide whether to live them or waste them. I wish you the best at your meeting! Mark/Jeyu
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
For Kim
Oct 28, 2015 13:07:18 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 13:07:18 GMT -5
Thanks Jeyu, I'm aiming to get the message for good this time with the help of AA. I've decided I'll go everytime I'm having a bad day for added support. Its true what you said, I will be able to look back and be glad.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
For Kim
Oct 28, 2015 21:33:51 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 21:33:51 GMT -5
Hey Everyone, One thing I must say about the meeting which has been playing on my mind. There was a lady who had acute pancreatitis from the alcohol and was still drinking. Her son brought her to the meeting to see if it would help her. Its sad to see the insidiousness of this disease that someone in such a bad state would continue to drink. I hope she finds the strength needed soon or it will be too late for her.
|
|
|
For Kim
Nov 7, 2015 16:12:34 GMT -5
Post by Pam on Nov 7, 2015 16:12:34 GMT -5
Hey Kim,
How are you? Are you still attending meetings? I've stayed at work fairly late recently and I haven't had the get up and go (energy) to get to a meeting. However, no regrets as I have spoken to Ron about the last few Steps of the program. It makes sense that at a certain point it's about reassessing our progress and eventually, helping others.
Hope your weekend is going well.
Enjoy!
PT
|
|
|
For Kim
Nov 7, 2015 20:13:19 GMT -5
Post by Pam on Nov 7, 2015 20:13:19 GMT -5
Hey Jenn,
Hope you had a nice day!
PT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 3:21:25 GMT -5
Hey PT, I attended a meeting last week but haven't been back since. I'm seeing my alcohol counsellor tomorrow. It is hard getting to meetings but as long as you are going well which it sounds like you are, then its all fine. I'm glad you are talking to Ron about the Steps. I need to get back onto my Step 4. Hope you had a good weekend.
|
|
|
For Kim
Nov 8, 2015 16:00:33 GMT -5
Post by yvan on Nov 8, 2015 16:00:33 GMT -5
Hi Kim. I remember the feeling to give in. I relapsed two years ago after nine months. I remember the strong feeling to want a drink to numb the pain and forget what was going on in me and in my life. I couldn't see changes, something to give me some hope, something to make me feel good, but drinking made me feel even more miserable. Numbing the pain with a drink didn't work. It was a nasty relapse. I woke up and nothing had changed. Writing this, I remember how the forum helped me, it was quite amazing to receive much love and support. I was responsible for the mess I created in my life, I could only blame myself, no one else. I understood it after my relapse and I stopped finding excuses for drinking. Feeling low, yes, part of the recovery process, but feeling low because we can't see an exit, then sometimes it's time to bring changes into our life. Nothing changes if nothing changes, I can't remember who said it, but it's so true. It's hard to believe in changes sometimes but they only happen if we make them to happen. I found a job four months ago after a break I could offer with my savings, then I was on benefits from the state, jobseeker allowances, it stopped when I went to NewYork, I had to claim again when I came back but I didn't want to. I wanted a job, be active and find something different to what I used to do. I needed some security. It took a while but it happened. I believed and I believe that the time was just right because I was ready and free to move on. I am back to the real world and I love it. I see many people in my working place, I see some of them after work, some are alcoholics. Almost all my friends drink, two of them were in hospital a few weeks ago. I don't know what next. I want healthy people in my life. I can't go on keeping those relations. It doesn't bring anything positive. It's draining trying helping people who don't want to change. In AA they say we need two years sober at least before we should start a relationship. I think of it sometimes, if it happens one day, great. I trust life. So far, everything that happened to me during those two years was a necessity. I learnt a lot through my bad and good times, I have no regrets, quite the opposite actually. Yes Kim, you will come out as well stronger from what you are going through at the moment. Don't drink, do anything that can make you forget alcohol. Some days are great, some are not. You are recovering, you need some time but always believe in better days. There will be more good ones than bad ones with time passing. You'll get there because you know what you want. You are strong and determined. Some work is a great idea, being busy will make you feel better. Don't doubt, doubts like alcohol are our enemies. Take care. Hugs from England. I didn't see a cow this morning. Just me running on the beach. Too wet and too windy for them!
|
|
|
For Kim
Nov 10, 2015 6:25:06 GMT -5
Post by Pam on Nov 10, 2015 6:25:06 GMT -5
Hi Kim,
Yes. I had a good weekend. Revisiting Steps. . . cooking, cleaning, watching movies, reading, teaching Kay (the puppy) how to catch her tennis ball.
The weather was nice. I never bothered to put up my swing. I just sat outside on the deck ... though it was chilly . . . and enjoyed the moment.
Hope you are well and having a good week so far. . .
Catch you later.
Pam
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
For Kim
Nov 12, 2015 21:02:20 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 21:02:20 GMT -5
Hey Yvan, Sorry it took me so long to reply. Been a bit busy. I can relate to what you are saying about numbing the pain. I feel like I am almost doubled over with pain over the past; loss of children, using exes. I agree with what you say that when you wake up the pain is still there. I can understand with how you can't keep going with relations with people who go to hospital. Isn't there a a rule in AA not to hang out with practising alcoholics? I know its hard if they are your friends. Atm I am faced with giving up the smokes due to chest pains. I guess its because its diagnosed but my alcoholism is not. How do you give up the smokes at the same time? Way too hard. Maybe I am just destined to die. I hope I'm not. Thanks for saying to believe in better days. That is what I need to do. Alcohol is my worst enemy; now I am starting to see smokes as equal. I need help to stop both at once. Not sure where I can get it. Anyway this is an alcohol site not a smoking site so I don't expect you to provide any answers.
|
|
|
For Kim
Nov 12, 2015 21:16:33 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by gwampa69 on Nov 12, 2015 21:16:33 GMT -5
Hey Kim I think this forum can be whatever related issues we choose. Alcoholism is oftentimes linked to many other issues so in my book, everything is on the table. Smoking included. That's rough giving up both at once. To me, the alcohol caused much more damage in my life than smoking ever did ( yep I used to smoke quite heavily and occasionally still have a smoke so I know what it's like). Somehow I gave up smoking (95%) while I still was drinking. And then years later I tackled the bottle problem. Sometimes one addiction at a time is best. I don't know. Have you ever tried the vapor cig thing? Not suggesting you trade one vice for another, but if doing both at the same time is too much, maybe there is a "healthier" substitute for smoking while you continue the push for sobriety. Just a thought.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
For Kim
Nov 12, 2015 21:48:34 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 21:48:34 GMT -5
Hey Brett, Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure what the vapor thing is. Atm I am using patches and nicotine gum to stop. Maybe I am panicking over nothing. I think alcohol causes much more damage because it affects the people around you. Maybe one addiction at a time is the best way. Its just that the smoking is giving me chest pains. Not really sure what to do. Seems like I have got myself into a big mess. Don't expect anyone to provide answers. Just a tough road ahead, just feel like I am not up to it.
|
|