Member: Mike H
Location: Jackson Michigan
Remote Name: 68.76.54.197
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 10:46 AM -0500

Comments

When I first came to AA I got a call list but did not use it. I felt I wasn't worthy to bug people about my problems or that people were too busy to talk to me. Needless to say, I had nothing but trouble staying sober. Much later I finally got the courage to start using the phone and was truly amazed that people actually wanted to talk to me. I used to say I'm sorry for bothering you and they would tell me "thats why my name and number are on the list". Many times I am not able to get to a meeting or meet up with my sponsor to discuss something that is troubling me so I now pick up the phone and call someone. On several occasions this has made the difference between staying sober and getting drunk. Wishing everyone health and happiness. Mike H.


Member: AZbill
Location: azbill1172@cox.net
Remote Name: 68.226.19.133
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 12:34 PM -0500

Comments

Hi Everyone. Bill here. Alcoholic from Arizona. The very first sentence in Chapter Seven, "Working With Others" (page 89 Big book)states "Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics". I used to be one of those who just did not want to "bother" people with my petty gripes and problems.. That is until one day an old timer took me aside [They never corrected folks in public then :)].. and...I spent a lot of time in parking lots outside of meetings early on. Anyway he told me how selfish I was. How self centered I was. Not to give another alcoholic an opportunity to "insure his sobriety" by helping me. So pick up that 500 pound telephone. You will never know who you may be helping besides your selfish self. Love, Bill


Member: Stephen C
Location: North Stratford,N.H.
Remote Name: 165.121.145.172
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 12:50 PM -0500

Comments

Good Afternoon to everyone well telephone therpy is this weeks topic; well,Im allways doing phone therpy for alot of people and friends and ive got 9 months of soberity but at the end of each phone call i remind they that dont drink ask for help and makie it to a meet but alot of meetings are so far and alot of anothers dont understand this telephone therpy and did you really know why that people call and want phone therpy its because tjhey are good friends and it only takes two people to have a meeting so have a good week and if any one needs the help of aa my hand is allways here so you can reach me at fruitbomber20027@hotmail.com


Member: Miranda
Location: Vermont, USA
Remote Name: 198.115.160.167
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 01:55 PM -0500

Comments

Telephone Therapy: It has always been very hard for me to call people on the phone for any reason at all. I really just don't enjoy talking on the phone! This is a life-long thing for me, my aversion to the telephone. However, I have collected a few telephone numbers after meetings and I keep them. I don't use them very much but I am trying to get better at it.------- A while before Chistmas I was feeling very low... I called a woman I had never met outside of meetings, I had never called her before. I just asked how she was doing and we had a fairly lengthy conversation. The funny thing about it was, the conversation was all about her, we didn't talk about me at all or why I was feeling so low but after I hung up I felt a whole lot better!


Member: Netrepreneruer2004
Location: Washington
Remote Name: 64.70.24.171
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 04:54 PM -0500

Comments

I have been coming to this website for about 5 or more years now and I really like it. It helps me to hear all the comments and gives me a chance to express my own feelings without any interuptions or breathing any second hand smoke as it can be sometimes in a real meeting. I commenting on the early sobriety discussion today because I am restarting my sobriety again today. I would just like to say that the phone therapy can also work with email as well or maybe even better in some cases. Email me if you would like to be cyber sober friends I could use the input and friendship. Kevin Netrepreneur2001@yahoo.com


Member: Barry M.
Location: Alamogordo, New Mexico
Remote Name: 67.27.38.24
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 06:20 PM -0500

Comments

Hey Kevin I just got out of rehab, (again). Anyway,I've really been working on my spiritual issues with the help of the phone and I'm here to say, it works if you work it. Never quit quitting. God Bless


Member: Liz H
Location: chappaqua, NY
Remote Name: 205.188.208.101
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 07:59 PM -0500

Comments

Liz, alcoholic.....telephone therapy was very hard for me in early sobriety. People were kind enough to give me theri numbers but i was sooooo self-absorbed, so self-centered that i could not possibly think that i could in any way help others through a phone call. I was given a very good saying at that time - i had "the arrogance of low self esteem". Regardless of how many times i was insured that people wanted to hear from me, it wasn't until i got a great suggestion that i was able to break through the fear of phone therapy. I was told to give my number to some others and ask if they could give me a call since i was sturggling to make that first phone call. Once, i did that and received a few phone calls, i have beat the battle of the weighty phone call. And to this day, my phone calls have helped me as much as others.....So, let's keep reaching out and touching those other alcoholics.....


Member: Jerome K
Location: Seattle, WA
Remote Name: 67.168.74.225
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 08:48 PM -0500

Comments

I'm Jerome and I'm an alcoholic. I will have a year on the 19th of March! It's taken me 11 years to get 1 year. And in those 11 years that 500 pound phone weighed more like 1000. Which is why I kept going out. FEAR! The fear of missing something out there! I just wasn't ready. Even losing jobs, Apartments, friends, (the sober ones!) even being on the streets twice. Nothing stopped me, and using the phone (when i had one available) didn't do me any good! I was selfish, egotistical, self centered, in short I was frightened! Then a year ago when I realized that I was an impediment to a friends sobriety (I am only responsible for myself)I surrendered! I now have a relationship with my Higher Power. That phone is light as a feather! I don't hide from my sponser! I talk to members from my home group and other meetings I go to because they are my FAMILY. And I try to help others when asked. That phone has saved my hiney many times lately when I get that momentary urge. and the reason I don't drink is because I give tjat phone a chance! Thanks for letting me share!


Member: sonia
Location: england
Remote Name: 62.254.0.30
Date: March 07, 2004
Time: 09:43 PM -0500

Comments

Hello World As a single mother i wouldnt of been able to get sober without using the phone, I was and can still be very needy, and boy did i need to share when i came to this fellowship, i craved for three months solid and used the phone probably on average five times a day to various AA members, i spent a lot of time online, here and in other AA forums. I felt trapped in my house. On joining AA i found i had a place to voice everything. I did. And through that honesty i got sober. It took eight months in AA to get sober, but i did get sober, and i was and can be a bloody pain in the arse with it. But i had to put sobriety first, and that meant putting it before my embarrasment at asking for help, before my feeling weak and worthless for using the phone, and of course before my phone bill. I would never of survived all the feelings of early sobriety without having someone on the other end of a phone to help me through. It is still an essential tool in my reocovery, and i love being there for other AA members now. love and lightening sonia


Member: Ruby B
Location: In the mountains
Remote Name: 67.51.231.185
Date: March 08, 2004
Time: 10:07 AM -0500

Comments

Hi all just checking in. Been real busy. Got a new job last week and between work, school, kids and meeting have had little time for anything else. That's good for me though, idle time makes me think of drink so being busy is good. Things are hectic and at times probably insane but i am staying sober and that is what counts. As far as the telephone i use it every night i'm home. Meetings for me are an hour away so once the kids are in bed and the house is quiet my stinking thinkin starts and i pick up my phone and call list and pretty soon i'm laughing and enjoying being sober again. Well just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone. Stay sober and smile Love, Ruby


Member: Bill J
Location: Kingsville TX
Remote Name: 64.219.20.253
Date: March 08, 2004
Time: 11:13 AM -0500

Comments

So good to see so many positive shares on this site. I was slow to use the phone and paid for it is slipping and pain. The second time around after 16 months of slips I finely called my sponsor the first time. If you don't use a sponsor there isn't any reasson to have one. took me a long time to learn that. I still don't like to bother people but have learned that it is good for both of us so I do use the phone today. It like the computer can be a great aid to face to face meetings. I am grateful I'm not shut in and can make a lot of meetings. thanks for my soberity bj


Member: kelly h
Location: nj
Remote Name: 141.150.201.51
Date: March 08, 2004
Time: 05:34 PM -0500

Comments

the most elusive knowledge is self knowledge


Member: phil v
Location: arkansas
Remote Name: 216.152.13.81
Date: March 08, 2004
Time: 08:16 PM -0500

Comments

Hi, My name is Phyllis. Today is my 6 month anniversary. I live in a small town in the middle of the "boonies", with a home group of mostly men, (there is 1 woman and every now and then 2). I too find it hard to pick up the phone and call someone for fear of bothering them. Most everyone in my group have years of sobriety, and sometimes I feel awkward when discussing my fears. Today is the first time I have gone on-line to an AA site. Can anyone tell me if there is chat-room?? I really enjoyed reading what ya'll had to say


Member: Miranda
Location: Vermont, USA
Remote Name: 198.115.160.187
Date: March 08, 2004
Time: 09:05 PM -0500

Comments

Congratulations on 6 months Phyllis! There is no chat room on this site but you might check this link for listings http://www.aa-intergroup.org/directories/chat.html


Member: debbie c
Location: missouri
Remote Name: 216.41.158.53
Date: March 08, 2004
Time: 10:09 PM -0500

Comments

I am definetly new to sobriety, only 2 weeks this time. Longer periods before. I am yet to attend my first AA meeting in my town. I'll be there this thursday, lord willing. I love the phone more than my computer actually and I wish I had a phone list. right now I don't really have anyone to call. I can see where it could help someone to not feel so lonely. thanx for letting me share. Deb


Member: Adam H.
Location: New York, NY
Remote Name: 64.232.156.194
Date: March 09, 2004
Time: 10:28 AM -0500

Comments

Adam, alcoholic. My sponsor was big on telephone therapy when I was in early sobriety. He told me I had to get a lot of people's phone numbers and that I should call at leat one other person besides him every day. I was not warm to this idea AT ALL. It was hard enough for me to call HIM everyday! I had no idea what I was going to say to these people...or what HE thought I was should say, either. But he just kept on insisting that I do it, so finally, I started calling some longtimers in the program. And it's funny...the conversation often started out with me saying, "Hi, it's Adam from the Eye Opener Group. My stupid sponsor is making me call other people in AA, and today your it." And when the longtimer on the other end of the phone would laugh and ask me who my sponsor was, I would tell them and they'd start cracking jokes, saying things like: "Hey, if he ever get on your case too much you just tell him that I remember how damn cool HE was when he came in to AA, ornery and smelling like a winery." Not only did those calls help me learn to lighten up and see some humanity in my sponsor, but I got to know a lot of people at my homegroup because of it. Occasionally, people even thanked me for calling them and keeping me abreast of how I was doing working with a sponsor. It was a real encouragement. Thanks for letting me share...and before I forget, Ruby, thank YOU for checking in with us regularly. It's a good reminder to me of how critical it was for me (and for allof us who've been around AA a few 24 hours) about sticking with the herd so you don't get picked off by the predator. Love ya all!


Member: Stephen C
Location: North Stratford,N.H.
Remote Name: 165.121.146.91
Date: March 09, 2004
Time: 01:26 PM -0500

Comments

well congradulation to our friend phiyllis,keep up the good work and also thank you to miranda for the guideness for the chatroom and so miranda drop me a line when you get the chance and this goes to anyone else you can reach me at the following email fruitbomber20027@hotmail.com and allways remeber that when anyone needs the hand of A A Im allways here for you and it only takes to to have a meeting and forthat im responsible


Member: Kel
Location: Iowa City, IA
Remote Name: 216.248.124.43
Date: March 09, 2004
Time: 05:21 PM -0500

Comments

Hi, Kelly here. Hey I just got done making a website, and I would love for ya'll to check it out! Just highlight the link below, then put it in your browser. http://www.iowaonlinejournalism.com/online_journalism/KellyDevlin/Adaptation/picturescoping.html There are a few errors (pictures overlapping, and content in a single column) but I will soon fix it. Enjoy!!


Member: Les
Location: San Diego
Remote Name: 198.81.19.57
Date: March 09, 2004
Time: 07:43 PM -0500

Comments

))Kelly((, great site thanks for sharing it. When I was hesitant to use the telephone here is what I was told: You may be calling someone just as they are about to take a drink and thereby saving a life, which is a good thing to do.


Member: Jasmina L.
Location: Ohio
Remote Name: 67.241.10.184
Date: March 09, 2004
Time: 09:37 PM -0500

Comments

Hello all, Jasmina alcoholic. The longest I've gone without drinking is 7 days. This would be day number 4. I'm off work today so I read the big book all day. I wasn't really craving but I still had wine in the house and by nightfall it just sounded good. I think if I share on-line my thinking won't let me drink so easily...I don't know. The people I know people in the program are all male. I wish I could call them but I don't know that I'm ready for them to know that I have a problem. I've never been to a face to face meeting. If you're a female does your sponsor have to be female? I really have a lot of questions about the disease of alcoholism. I like the idea of not being drunk. I love the feeling of not waking up hung over but I have yet to connect these things with staying away from first drink or in my case the first glass of wine. I really don't GET what to DO to stay stopped. So far I'm open to suggestions which is more than I was before. Thanks for letting me share.


Member: Kelly M
Location: NH
Remote Name: 152.163.252.68
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 07:21 AM -0500

Comments

Hi Everybody, Nice reading you all! Phone therapy is very important but something I struggle with still. I just had a temp sponsee leave for Florida yesterday with 2 months sobriety in her pocket that taught me something about picking up the phone. She followed the suggestion about getting womens phone numbers from the start. She called me or I called her daily. In the beginning I thought I was helping her stay sober but then I called her about something bothering me and she helped me greatly. She was helping my sobriety as much as I was helping her. It is selfish of me not to call my sponsor and deny her that joy saying that I was bothering her! Jasmins congrats on trying so hard! Call the AA hotline and find a f2f meeting and go to it. The meetings are what got and kept me sober my first 3 months. They do suggest a woman sponsor and that is the best way for many reasons. Heck, I get called on sitting with men at meetings by my sponsor! She kindly reminds me that I am there to stay sober. Get a temporary sponsor and call her everyday you can. You can get one just by asking in a meeting. Give it a try and post back how it goes. I could not get sober on my own, I needed AA and the tools it gave me. Everyone have a great day unless you have made other plans! Kelly :)


Member: Ed
Location: VA
Remote Name: 68.100.37.88
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 07:57 AM -0500

Comments

Jasmina - You say you "had" wine still in the house. If you didn't mean that to be in the past tense, make it the past tense. I finally passed 50 days without a drink, but know I would not have made it if I kept alcohol in the house. Having to go out and buy it makes it just that much harder -- and provides more time for rational thought to kick in. If you're serious about not drinking, pour whatever you have down the sink -- this morning. Ed


Member: Ann
Location: Ohio
Remote Name: 205.188.209.42
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 08:01 AM -0500

Comments

Hi all. Well, I'm off to jail tomorrow for 6 days. I'm going to be taking it as a plus rather than a negative. I did get a DUI. And I had my son in the car. Bad, bad, bad. But I didn't hurt anyone, and I've been sober for 5.5 months because of it. Good, good, good. They say it is some sort of therapy, but I've heard it is actually some sort of political move by the politicians here in Ohio. In other words, take a good big book and use the time for the good! Jasmina, congratulations on 4 days! Those first ones are the hardest. Number One, get the alcohol out of the house! You don't need it that close. At least getting in the car and going to get it would be a step that would be harder to fight. Second, find a good meeting. I have found that at first women to women meetings are the best. I know you are in Ohio, but don't know where. I'm around the Cleveland area and there is a wonderful meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11am in Brecksville. Call the AA office and get yourself a schedule. I went to my first meeting in Brecksville and left with 25 phone numbers and a daily thought book for women. It really helped, and worked! Here's to another sober 24 for all, and I'll see you on the outside in a week or so. Love you all, Ann


Member: Nathan P
Location: Irwindale, CA
Remote Name: 198.81.26.74
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 08:49 AM -0500

Comments

I'm at four days sober now. Stopping seemed easy. Not starting again is tough. I have felt progressively worse each day. I feel good waking up sober, but having to endure work knowing that I am not going to have a drink afterwards is difficult. I hope it gets easier.


Member: jeff t41
Location: new jersey
Remote Name: 64.12.96.103
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 09:18 AM -0500

Comments

i my name is jeff im an alcaholic,i just wanted to say that my sponsor is good guy to lean on when i feel the urge and when i feel down .I went to thank those of you that take the time to help us that need it.thats all i have to say.


Member: jimr
Location: chicago
Remote Name: 64.109.136.4
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 01:45 PM -0500

Comments

Get connected!. I too had a difficult time using phone numbers when I first came around. I always had a hard time asking for help. Fear based on selfishness, self-centered expectations to control everything, or fear of losing control... False pride... what a sickness!... and all that crap (guilt remorse) that hindered me from really working this amazing program of recovery. Once I surrendered all that crap through working the steps of AA, I relied on the only thing that keeps me sober today, My higher power. Before that though, I NEEDED to rely on "what WORKED for others". Once I placed that first call to another member, I felt a sense of relief, knowing I didn't have to do this on my own anymore. (step 1) Once I did what was suggested (even directed at times) to me by others and I started WORKING the steps with my sponsor, I came to believe that the real work is what led me back to relying on God even more. (steps 2&3)That through my new belief and the work, I was able to see the real me for the first time in my life (steps 4-9) That through the work, I was able to accept that I NEEDED to change me in order to live a happy and sober life. That through the work that I WANTED to accept that responsibility for the first time in my Life. That through the work that I learned to truly love again. (steps 10-12) I still call many friends in the program, daily. They are my TRUE friends now and we have a frickin' blast together. Those who WANT this program will work this program harder than they ever worked anything in their life. It doesn't neccesarily get easier, but it does get better with time That's a promise. It's all in the work ethic. The gift is their for the taking, but remember there are instructions included with the gift, instructions on how to get connected, how to do the work! First let your fingers do the walking, use that phone, use the computer... use your friends at your locall aa meeting. Go to Face to face meetings in your neighborhood and meet the people that will be your new friends in recovery. You'll never have to walk alone again. We LOVE to help!


Member: KellyM
Location: WA
Remote Name: 216.204.191.62
Date: March 10, 2004
Time: 03:01 PM -0500

Comments

i thinking being able to call someone at anytime of the day or night when your feeling like you can't make it is essential to staying sober


Member: KimM
Location: Pompano Beach, FL
Remote Name: 64.118.241.84
Date: March 11, 2004
Time: 05:16 PM -0500

Comments

It was hard for me to pick up the phone and call someone even my sponser any time of the day. But I made it a habit(you know the ones that are hard to break). I got numbers coming out of the wahooze. I used to call hotline nubers that would take my number and someone would call be back. One time the person that called me back was my sponser. (What a shocker for me) So then she gave me numbers to call and that is how my habit of phone calls began. I know now that any phone call that I make to a man or a women in the program, may save their life and mine. Phone calls are more imporatnt to the one you are calling. We have a call list in our home group. Every one willing to get a phone call day or night signs up and believe me this has saved me many of times.


Member: Grateful to be sober
Location: Michigan
Remote Name: 216.86.80.12
Date: March 11, 2004
Time: 10:13 PM -0500

Comments

((Nathan P)) Hope you are still with us today, day #5. It does get easier I promise. It takes some time for the 'fog' to clear and during that time, the disease pulls out all the stops to pull you back into the mire. Fight it, use the phone, the computer, the meetings. Borrow our strength and hope until yours comes to you.


Member: Gage
Location: swamp
Remote Name: 205.188.209.42
Date: March 12, 2004
Time: 01:11 AM -0500

Comments

I'm Gage and I'm a sober alcoholic and loving it. I've read that in the early days of this fellowship, there were people who lived so far out in the sticks that their only contact with other AA's was through the mail and the "AA Grapevine." These lone wolves stayed sober using the 12 step program of Aa, which is how I stay sober as well. But I'm lucky. I don't have to go it alone. Neither do any of you. Pick up the phone. That's why they call it a fellowship. Peace.


Member: Leona B
Location: CANADA
Remote Name: 209.17.154.43
Date: March 12, 2004
Time: 01:49 AM -0500

Comments

i heard at a meeting lately about a fellow who would get in a canoe to paddle 5 miles to meet up with 2 other men....just to get to a meeting...so a telephone is a very handy tool...here in aa we're given skills and tools to use to make our lives better...and only up to us if we use them.....DO it....it really works....try using gods will....usually better results..."thy will not mine be done...thanks everyone for keeping me sober


Member: Joe P
Location: Chicago
Remote Name: 165.252.63.46
Date: March 12, 2004
Time: 09:18 AM -0500

Comments

My name is Joe, and I am an alcoholic. My sponsor said, "Call me every day" as part of his initial suggestions to me. So I did. And I still do. I look at it as being in the habit of picking up the phone and calling, whether I have something I need to talk about or not. My sponsee calls me every day. And we all help each other stay sober. Having some kind of accountability in my life is important. If my thinking is off, I know that I am going to be talking with another alcoholic that day, and I have choices. I can get some help with getting my thinking straight or I can wait till I call my sponsor and let him "straighten me out". If I am out of sorts, I usually take my own inventory and do some praying before calling, as it is easier that way. I usually only spend a few minutes on the phone with my sponsor, but I am much more likely to pick up the phone and call if I need to talk if I am in the habit of picking up the phone no matter what. Stephen C, Kevin, Barry M, Liz H, Jerome, Ruby, Phyllis, Debbie C, Kel, Jasmina, Ed, Ann, Nathan, and Jeff (and any others "new" here I missed), thank you for being here and for helping me stay sober. I remember in early sobriety it seemed like I had a thousand squirrels on a thousand wheels constantly running in my head. I just want you all to know that thanks to the Twelve Steps, a God of my understanding, and all of you in the fellowship, many of those squirrels have left, and the ones still in my head seem to be asleep for the moment. Joe - joep041699@mindspring.com


Member: Jean
Location: Vacaville, CA
Remote Name: 67.118.28.216
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 07:17 AM -0500

Comments

My name is Jean and I'm 24 hours sober. I havent been to a meeting yet. I dont know if I will ever have the courage to get phone numbers like everyone is talking about. It just seems so weak to me and I consider myself a very independent person. I have nothing to talk about and I depress anyone that I am around. I'm a mess anyway but the drinking and drugs make it worse. I want to be at peace with myself like how long time AA people are. I dont even know what my real personality is anymore because my binges have my mood up and down all the time. I will go to a meeting today and I know that to make this work, I have to reach out. I just dont know if I am going to be able to do it.


Member: Jenny
Location: Iowa
Remote Name: 12.218.224.42
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 09:40 AM -0500

Comments

Jean, it helps if I just go to a meeting and ask the women for help, and follow their suggestions. Why worry that it's weak? Am I so strong over here with my drugs and my booze all by myself? Why would anyone in AA judge you? WE ARE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE ARE ALCOHOLICS, we have all been through what you are going through. I am glad you will go to a meeting today. It might be scary, but so what? The alternative sounds like its not a whole lot better. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you.


Member: MJ W.
Location: Boston, MA
Remote Name: 68.160.144.87
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 10:24 AM -0500

Comments

I've known I am an alcoholic for at least 3 years now. I went to one AA meeting back in 2000 but felt it wasn't for me. I don't drink very day, and I don't wake up in the morning needing to drink. But one thing I recall from the AA meeting I attended is that it is a progressive disease. In the past four years it's gotten worse. My big problem is that I'm a closet drinker. I've done a fairly good job hiding my drinking from my friends and wife. Was anyone else out there a closet drinker? I also recall from the one AA meeting I attended that sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to "see the light." I don't think I've hit rock bottom, but I'm getting close. I think about drinking every day and can feel it taking over my life. Sorry I didn't stick to the topic of telephone therapy, but my main conern right now is I want to stop drinking and I'm wondering what steps I should take.


Member: Stephen C
Location: North Stratford,N.H.
Remote Name: 165.121.146.20
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 01:26 PM -0500

Comments

sponsership: well,hope this is a good topic for this week and so if you want you can reach me at the following and looking forward to hereing from everyone and i can be reach at fruitbomber20027@hotmail.com


Member: Carrie S.
Location: Los Angeles
Remote Name: 67.124.69.187
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 01:39 PM -0500

Comments

My name is Carrie and I am an alcoholic. MJ & Jean - I relate to you both very much. I tried AA before I was done and didn't think it was for me either. After four more years of drinking and getting progressively worse, I was ready to throw in the towel. I didn't drink in the mornings or black out everynight, but I had hit a point in my drinking that was bad enough for me. When I came to AA, I didn't skip in and embrace the program with glee - I went to AA because I finally admitted to myself that my drinking was killing me. At first I didn't believe all the things they said, I wasn't going to do all the steps and I certainly wasn't going to keep going to meetings the rest of my life. Well, here I am 1 year and almost 2 months sober and I am happy and I am doing the steps and I am going to go to meetings for the rest of my life. It takes more than one meeting to understand what alcoholism is and it takes more than one meeting to reap the benefits of this program. Go out there, get yourself to 90 meetings in 90 days - regardless of what you think or how you feel, and then decide if you are an alcoholic and if AA is for you. But more importantly, just do it for today. Love to you all.


Member: Melisse T
Location: North Carolina
Remote Name: 207.144.42.48
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 06:05 PM -0500

Comments

My name is Melisse, definately an alcoholic. I, too, tried AA on for size in 1987 and during the next five years accumulated a lot of chips- in all colors. Yet, I never surrendered and at that time I could NOT imagine a life w/out alcohol. Over the next 11 years I JUSTIFIED my drinking (if I didn't work for that sob, if my dog would act right, if the neighbors weren't mean, ect) and tried to CONTROL my drinking(only on weekends, only wine, only beer, only on days that start w/ a T, ect)until the things I said would NEVER happen to me or that I would NEVER do, I did, and they happened. In the end, I had to drink to get out of bed just to shake the shakes, however, my body could not process any more alcohol. I knew where I was-only this time I could not imagine my life with alcohol any longer. Today I know that was G.O.D. (gift of desperation) getting me to my jumping off place. It was that morning that I picked up the telephone and called someone I had worked w/ who had been sober in AA for some 10 plus years. I WILL NEVER FORGET that phone call-I was full of fear all right-fear of dying. Being so full of SELF in the beginning, it was not easy to pick up the phone but I found that when I get into ENOUGH PAIN - I become willing to go to any lengths to stay clean and sober. Using the telephone has not only saved my tale a few times but it has taught me a lot about HUMILITY and that I CAN NOT do this on my own. Today the telephone is one of my most powerful weapons when my stinking thinking kicks or when I just freak out. Sober love to all.


Member: Cheryl G
Location: Port Orchard WA
Remote Name: 66.119.33.135
Date: March 13, 2004
Time: 06:26 PM -0500

Comments

I will have 60days of sobriety on tues and have found the use of the phone to be necessary. I used to drink everyday after 3pm, and it's in the evenings when I'm sitting at my computer that I find that I really need to reach out and talk to someone. But I hesitate to call late. So instead of assuming (like I had the last few weeks)that it was a bother, I talked to my sponsor about it this morning and found that she's a late night person too. So that solves my problem. The various AA message boards are a help in the evenings too when I can't get to a meeting. But I am getting to know more people in the meetings and they are offering to take me to more meetings (I don't drive) and it's really working out. For the first time in many years I am beginning to feel good again. Thank you for all your shares...they help me stay sober. Cheryl


Member: Nathan P
Location: Irwindale, CA
Remote Name: 198.81.26.74
Date: March 14, 2004
Time: 12:18 AM -0500

Comments

So much thanks to "Grateful to be sober", Joe P., and all of the others who have been gracious with their kind words and support. I've been sober for seven days now, and it is helpful to know that you have all been through what I'm going through right now. It seems like I'll have a good day, and then I'll have a really bad day. The only thing I can do on the bad days is focus on getting through to the next day and hope that it will be better. Thanks again for your support.


Member: Kerry B 3/21/80
Location: Idaho
Remote Name: 24.117.81.139
Date: March 14, 2004
Time: 01:24 AM -0500

Comments

((MJ W)) I know what you mean about hiding your drinking from everyone around you - problem is, you cannot hide it from yourself. When I was drinking, I told myself that it was because of this or that, but what it really turned out to be was the fact that I didn't like what I had done and was still doing. All those other people, places and things in my life were not why I was drinking to forget afterall, it was ME I really couldn't stand. AA has shown me how to love and respect myself - the first step was admitting that I was powerless over the alcohol. The rest of the steps have taught me how to live in reality, without the need to escape myself thru the use of alcohol. About hitting bottoms, envision digging a hole. When are you going to hit bottom? How about when you quit digging. It is the same with alcohol if it is causing you problems. The telephone has saved my life many times, when I was new they called it the "life line" of the program. It still is.