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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: QuantumMeltdown]
#23521877 - 08/08/16 12:23 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'm Jordan, an alcoholic.
Have you hit any meetings? It's fucking hard in the beginning man. It can also be one of the most rewarding times though, as improvement in brain function and general well-being moves at a fast rate IME.
How long ago did you relapse?
Don't let the fact that it happened get you down to the point of giving up, man! I think it's sad how the resetting of one's date can be a kick in the face to many people who relapse, when they are so much better off getting back into recovery as soon as possible!
Feel free to message me!!!!
I'm a recovering addict/alcoholic with 9 months sober at the moment. I considered myself hopeless and many agreed. I was using crack, heroin, alcohol, benzos, and hash oil every day for a couple years straight towards the end of my run. I never thought it could be done, or that it would be worth it, but sticking with it has shown otherwise!
Would love to hear more about the situation and any feelings you feel like sharing, my man! Much love!
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
Posts: 10,484
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: Memories]
#23521896 - 08/08/16 12:31 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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This thread is very cool! I actually moderated Other Drug Discussion for years while i was a raging drug addict, and recently resigned, because frequenting it as much as i used to isn't healthy for me with my newfound lifestyle. "What's Currently Active In Your System?" was my favorite thread on the site by far. 
Very glad i found this.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: QuantumMeltdown]
#23522374 - 08/08/16 04:27 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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@Quantum, I'm sorry for your misfortune, man. But as i'm sure you know, you have the power to make things better! I would consider giving some meetings a shot, man. Meetings and exercise are two very important tools i have for maintaining sobriety.
@TheFakeSunRa, I understand where you are coming from. It can sound painfully cliche when you aren't feeling AA/NA. I've found that when i get over how cliche a lot of these slogans can seem, they are actually quite spot on and helpful.
Trying to look beyond oneself for help when struggling to make it through on one's own willpower is a very reasonable and helpful suggestion i've found. If the whole higher power thing is daunting or unpalatable to you, using AA as my higher power has worked for me. Relying on a bunch of people's thinking who have been in a similar situation rather than going with the same thought process that often leads you back to the gutter was an easier pill for me to swallow.
As far as KISS, when i'm stressing myself out i am normally worrying about many situations outside of my control, when in reality, the best way of helping myself feel better is to focus on the little things i can do in the moment to improve my situation. It can be as simple as going on a walk, doing laundry, hitting a meeting, or engaging in a non-drug related hobby.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
Posts: 10,484
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Last seen: 3 years, 9 months
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: TheFakeSunRa]
#23522531 - 08/08/16 05:24 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I can relate to that sentiment.
But as i said, I find that if i try to get over how cliche the sayings seem, they can really be quite helpful most of the time.
I do agree that relying only on the cliches can come across as not being genuine though.
That's cool you're going to a meeting though. How long have you been sober?
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: TheFakeSunRa]
#23523791 - 08/09/16 12:25 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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A sponsor and other forms of a sober network are always great ideas. Once you have these though, i find you need to train yourself to let them know if you're really struggling. I tend to not want to "bother" them when i'm stuck inside my own head getting close to using again. It's something i need to work on.
I'm glad you're giving it a shot, TheMovement! That's truly awesome, man. Getting sober is one of the hardest, but most rewarding decisions we can make IMO.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
Posts: 10,484
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: RJ Tubs 202]
#23533469 - 08/12/16 01:09 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
RJ Tubs 202 said:
Quote:
TheFakeSunRa said:
How much consecutive sober time do you have?
About 10 years
Are you able to manageably drink or use now?
If not, doesn't this support the notion that it's a lifelong problem?
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: RJ Tubs 202]
#23542656 - 08/15/16 12:26 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Are you able to use controllably now?
@morrow, it definitely put me off at first with all of the talk of God. I just use the Universe as my higher power though, nothing mystical about it. AA is really starting to work wonders for me though.
@Cog, that;s fucking badass man!!! I don't know if you remember my posts much, but i was heavy on the heroin, cocaine, and xanax for years. Boy has life gotten a lot better! My inbox is always open if you want to talk. I don't mind giving out my phone number either!
I just wanted to say that i spoke at my first H&I gig today. We brought a CA meeting into a detox. It was fucking wonderful; it made me feel so good!!! And some of the people really appreciated me sharing which was awesome. I think a lot of them saw how young i am when i came in and were wondering what such a young guy would have to share that they could relate to, but fortunately or unfortunately, i progressed and bottomed out very quickly. 
I'm starting to feel the most amazing improvements in my life. The promises are really starting to come true for me it feels like, and i'm finding that being of service is so integral!
Much love!
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
Posts: 10,484
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: RJ Tubs 202]
#23542703 - 08/15/16 01:04 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
RJ Tubs 202 said:
Quote:
Memories said:
Are you able to use controllably now?
I make a decision about everything I put into my body. It's all about decisions.
Addiction is the delusion that one has lost control of their decisions.
Every behavior is preceded by a decision.
A 400 lb person make a decision before each bite of food.
That doesn't answer my question though.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: RJ Tubs 202] 1
#23546709 - 08/16/16 12:08 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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You said you had been sober for 10 years, so i was wondering if you can use manageably now.
I certainly felt out of control while using. I couldn't stop without help. I suppose you could call it being weak willed, but i don't think i could have mustered the will power to stop when i did.
And i don't want to defend AA religiously. I just know that it has helped me tremendously.
I would be interested to research these studies and books you bring up though. If you don't mind messaging me with some links, it would be much appreciated.
That being said, my life has gotten so much better i don't plan on changing my recovery routine for the time being, but i'm very interested on hearing different points of view.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: Cognitive_Shift]
#23559706 - 08/20/16 11:24 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Cognitive_Shift said: July 11
November 10, 2015 for me. Never thought i would make it this far, nor want to.
Who would have thought this could be better than being suicidal and smoking crack.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: TheMovement]
#23571499 - 08/24/16 01:12 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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If anyone would like a number of someone always willing to offer support in this struggle, feel free to PM me!
Much love.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: yogabunny]
#23574872 - 08/25/16 01:59 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
TheMovement said: aproaching the month sober.............. feel like a champion...
That's fucking awesome!!!!! 
Quote:
yogabunny said:


Seriously though, another amazing part of being sober; is not spending close to $500 per month on wine! I am actually saving money for the first time in a long time and it's wonderful.


Yes, once i added cocaine/crack into my daily cocktail of heroin, benzos, alcohol, and hash oil, i could easily blow 3-500 in a day. I was only able to really get right 1-2 nights a week, and the rest was struggling to maintain.
Oh how i loathed waking up broke and out of drugs, trying to keep my eyes shut for hours after my brain had woken up due to creeping withdrawals and then trying to satiate my various chemical dependencies in order of most urgency. First alcohol/benzos, then heroin, and lastly cocaine if i could somehow manage.
It's pretty amazing to wake up happy these days. I actually love mornings now, and never do i think of drinking/using upon waking.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: RJ Tubs 202]
#23595975 - 08/30/16 11:49 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Where did anyone imply money is more important than peace and well being?
Also, what is your alternative method for staying sober? It seems more productive to promote the way that you've found than knocking on a method other people are having success with.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: TheFakeSunRa]
#23649231 - 09/16/16 12:17 AM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I agree.
The universe is my higher power, and even though i still might classify myself as an atheist, i believe there can be huge benefit in prayer and meditation. I basically view prayer as a type of meditation. Saying gratitude prayers and praying for strength, love, and tolerance are basically mental affirmations that can be surprisingly beneficial.
As far as turning my will over to "God", i view it as my will was to use large amounts of narcotics in a way that left me non-functioning. Now i follow "God"'s will by living in a way that provides more happiness and fulfillment, like being sober, cultivating strong relationships, and helping others.
AA is open-ended enough to allow for interpretations like these, has a wonderful and wide-reaching fellowship, and has a guide book that is well-written with many precepts that have application towards improving one's life.
I'm over 10 months sober now, and life has truly never been better. The miracles of this lifestyle are really starting to show themselves, and my obsession and craving is dwindling more and more.
AA is awesome. 
Congrats on two months!!!!!
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Memories



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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: Ahab McBathsalts]
#23723457 - 10/09/16 07:58 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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I will have 11 months tomorrow.
Things have definitely been a challenge lately, though. School, working out, jewelry, and working my program are taking up almost all of my time. I guess that is a good thing, but i've been feeling real stressed lately, exacerbated greatly by the fact that i'm going through a break up with the first girl i ever dated who i've been with for over two years.
I moved to LA so i could be with her, and while i've definitely met a lot of people in my three months being here, i feel lonely a lot of the time.
I still have a sort of emptiness inside of me that i don't think has ever gone away. I think the girl was filling it to a large degree, but that obviously isn't sustainable or healthy.
Got to just keep on truckin.
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Memories



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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous [Re: Moonshoe]
#23775482 - 10/27/16 01:59 AM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said: The idea and belief that a higher power will deliver you from alcoholism and addiction helps a lot regardless of if the higher power is objectively "real". Just like how a placebo sugar pill has significant medical beneficial effects even though there is no actual medicine.
In the same way the belief that God will help you with your addiction gives strength, comfort and encouragement to addicts and alcoholics that actually helps significantly even if there is no God. I truly believe that there really is a God , but I also see that the belief itself is beneficial regardless of if this is true or not.
I agree. 
Also, I'm honestly still an atheist even though I'm in AA and coming up on a year. And i know other people who are this way as well.
We don't believe in any standard conception of God, deistic or theistic, but we can get behind the idea of having a higher power.
If i'm having to put a finger on what exactly my higher power is, i would say it's the universe and certain aspects of it. One aspect is love, and i try to base my actions in love for myself and others if i want to follow "God's" will.
My suggestion is not to get too hung up on the word "God". My sponsor told me Bill Wilson said something along those lines.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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I answered yes to every question. In rehab they would ask me similar questions and i always answered yes to them as well.
God damnit, i think i'm an alcoholic.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: TheFakeSunRa]
#23827637 - 11/12/16 11:47 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Hell ya, bud!
@yogabunny, looking great! I've gotten super into diet and fitness after getting sober as well.
I took a cake last night. I was super nervous, as i have bad social anxiety, and i had to get up and speak in front of over 100 people. I thought i was going to have an anxiety attack for a second. But i forced myself to do it, and it went great!
I also pulled a 425lb deadlift today, so the combination of things has me stoked! haha
Thank you to all who post in this thread. It's lovely to be able to have a little AA outlet on the website that i literally grew up on. Sometimes i wish i was still a moderator as i've wanted to add more recovery oriented features to the forums for people who are struggling.
Edited by Memories (11/12/16 11:50 PM)
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: Moonshoe]
#23832352 - 11/14/16 01:59 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Did you mean to post that in the lifting thread? 
Good job though, man! I weigh 199 right now. I'm trying to get closer to 190 so I will be at an ideal BF%.
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: Alcoholics Anonymous (Come and share thread) [Re: yogabunny]
#23861995 - 11/23/16 09:28 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I'm in Georgia with my bible thumper relatives as well.
I just don't input my opinion on things i know would make things heated.
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