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Post by jeyu0422 on Jul 22, 2019 7:40:35 GMT -5
Everydae, Congratulations on making it to day two. It’s a big deal. I was a functioning alcoholic as well, drinking 6+ servings of some type of alcohol nightly, then getting up and going to work the next morning. I quit many times over about 20 years only to talk myself into believing that I could handle alcohol “this time” and that I could start drinking again in moderation. Each time I quit and restarted, alcohol gained a little more control over my life. As TuTu said, take it one hour or day at a time, but realize that those cravings will return and hit you hard, especially during the next month or so. Speaking of getting up and going to work, I must go. More later. Contratulations again on your big decision! Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Jul 21, 2019 8:35:35 GMT -5
Hi everydae, I quit drinking about 5 years ago and my kids were a huge reason for my life changing decision. I had let alcohol control my life. I wasn’t there for them either physically or emotionally. It was the hardest thing that I have ever done, but the best decision that I have ever made in life. This place is not as active as it once was, but some pretty incredible people should soon see your post and will be happy to give you advice and support. Keep your reasons for quitting in mind and you can get through this. Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Jun 16, 2019 23:21:24 GMT -5
Hi All, Yes, this forum was a true gift! It is hard to believe that it has been more that 5 years now since I had my last drink and first found this place. April 22, 2014, a desperate guy trying to make it through the night without drinking. Well, that night turned into weeks, months, and years. I truly owe my sobriety to those on the forum who advised, supported, challenged, and yes even questioned my ability to break the grip that alcohol had on my life. I not only got my life back, but I made some lifelong friendships here, the above posters being among that group. Thank you all! Mark (Jeyu)
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 27, 2018 7:08:33 GMT -5
TuTu, It is always good to see your posts and to be able to witness sobriety in action! Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 23, 2018 19:17:19 GMT -5
“It’s the fellowship factor that’s effective,” says Kelly. “There’s accountability and monitoring over time. There’s 24/7 support. There’s cheerleading. It’s incredibly valuable, especially early on.”
Sound familiar, guys?
Yes, very familiar, PJ. Thanks for posting the link. Maybe it will help some of those coming here looking for answers and help in dealing with their addiction to alcohol. I check in here about once or twice a month these days, but I remember during April, 2014, I came to the forum numerous times during the day and night. Anytime, which was often, that I felt that I couldn’t make it another hour without drinking, I came here and found you, Mark, TuTu, Brett, Blue, and so many others ready and willing to share their experiences and support to shepherd me through the cravings. (I’m sure that was a big time run-on sentence). You (pleural) had found something that I wanted desperately to find for myself, sobriety, and the search for it both replaced and became my addiction. I’m in a good place in life. Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 22, 2018 19:33:57 GMT -5
“Reality, what a concept! Try it some time.
You are debating, more like improperly conflating and obfuscating, but I am not. I am just laying out the facts.”
Yes, I was debating, but I suppose I was the only one. Wow, 30 years; I rest my case. You may have the last word to attempt to prove your point as well as you have just proven mine.
Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 22, 2018 17:37:21 GMT -5
Soberinmi, How long have you been involved with AA?
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 22, 2018 11:09:21 GMT -5
Soberinmi, You are an excellent debater, but you make several inaccurate assumptions. I don’t overlook the AA keystone. In fact, I take it for face value as it was written, paying special attention to the tense in which it was written. The tense used is past, not present. It states that we “were” powerless over alcohol, NOT that we ARE powerless over alcohol. I feel that it is possible for some individuals to gain power over alcohol and regain control of their lives without AA or any 12 step program. I will never say that it can or will work for everyone, but it worked for me and for several others here. I believe in a Power greater than myself, but I believe that my Higher Power instilled in ME the ability to overcome my addiction to alcohol. This is not, rather was not (yes, tense matters) just a web site. It was a community of support that came to my need in one of the darkest moments of my life and showed me the path to sobriety. I was presented with many options, including AA, but I chose the Power in me to overcome my addiction to alcohol. I have lived this, so I understand it. Completely.
Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 21, 2018 20:43:49 GMT -5
Soberinmi, Another inescapable truth is that alcohol abuse and addiction existed long before the origin of AA and other 12 step programs in the 1930s. I have absolutely nothing against AA and I think for many, maybe even most alcoholics, it is the best choice to become sober. But I’m certain that some individuals were able to find ways to break the addiction of alcohol and live sober lives long before the origin of AA. I agree with you that this forum, in its present form, would not have provided the support that I needed at the time. I feel very fortunate that I found it when I did. I often wish it had the exposure and participation that the old forum had, but that does not negate the fact that this method worked for me and for several others who are still members here. Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 21, 2018 16:49:48 GMT -5
I came to the old forum over four years ago, desperately trying to find some help and encouragement to try to make it through the night without drinking. I had quit drinking on many occasions, and with conviction, only to start back that night or the next day. Alcohol was controlling my life and I felt that this was my last chance to escape its control over me. Over the next several months, I managed to make it through withdrawal and stayed abstinent from alcohol. I was certainly willing to try AA and read much of the literature, but found that the forum, in its previous form, was the support that I needed to remain abstinent and to make progress toward sobriety. I learned that there was a big difference between abstinence and sobriety from the people here. There were those here who had what I wanted, happiness and contentment in life without alcohol. I saw that it was possible for me as well and it has been. There were also those who had what I didn’t want; one can learn from both good and bad examples.
I attended my 45th high school class reunion recently and the alcohol was flowing. I had absolutely no desire to drink, even though most of my classmates were, some to excess. I enjoyed the evening socializing with old friends. That would have been impossible 5 years ago.
I am a better person now than I was when alcohol controlled my life, and I will be a better person tomorrow, next month, and next year than I am today. For many who posted once or twice over the years, then left, this place obviously did not work, but for several of us it has, and I will be eternally grateful for their help.
Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Oct 20, 2018 7:01:20 GMT -5
TuTu et al, I happened to check in last night for the first time in a long time. I was more that a little surprised that there has been quite a bit going on here. It reminded me of the old forum. Life is good for me. I sold my business, retired for a few weeks, decided that I was really not the retirin’ kind, and am opening another one. It is truly amazing what one can do when living in sobriety. More later; I need to get to work. Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Penguin! Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on May 23, 2018 9:59:01 GMT -5
PJ, It’s good to hear from you! You are absolutely correct in that four days was very much in question initially. You were/are very much a part of my path and I sincerely thank you. To a four year, but lifelong friendship! Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on May 22, 2018 20:15:05 GMT -5
Right back at ya, J. I hope things are going well for you. Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Apr 22, 2018 8:03:02 GMT -5
Yep, four years ago today I had one last glass of wine to memorialize the event, then started my path to sobriety. That was about 6 pm. By midnight, I stumbled upon this forum trying to find the will to resist giving in to the call of alcohol as I had done so many times before. I feel so fortunate that I found it and that the many members who were on this forum at the time found me and helped me gather the strength to continue first to abstinence from alcohol, then along the path of sobriety. It has been quite a journey, but one that I am so grateful they I finally began. Thank you to all of the friends that I have met here. You, collectively, have been my rock. Mark/Jeyu
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Post by jeyu0422 on Apr 16, 2018 20:14:16 GMT -5
Clu, I remember well those first days, weeks, and months as well. I went around all day long humming Michael Jackson’s song “Man In The Mirror”.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer, If you want to make the world a better place Take a look at yourself and change your ways.
(Those are all the words I remember, so I just repeated them over and over)
To anyone who might see this post, you can never become sober if you don’t make a commitment to change your ways.
Mark/Jeyu
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