Sobriety.... One year later... Please Read.

Thanks! I’m proud of me too! Never thought that it could happen after years of failing. I got there though, just had to get out of my own way and listen to the people trying to help that knew way better than I thought I’d ever knew myself!

 

AA never did proclaim it was the Only way. They even say that in the Book. There are so many underlying causes that manifest themselves into this condition. Dealing with those often requires outside professional help. Grab what you can & hang on during those early days. My heart goes out to those who continue to struggle in silence. It doesn’t have to be this way.

 

I was raised strict Catholic and walked away around age 21..long story I'll be happy to share in PM so I don't clog up here.

Short version is, higher power can be whatever you want. Doesn't have to be a deity.

 

I've been following a while, time to speak up.

I know people with long term happy sobriety without AA.

Dr Jung told Rowland Hazard to find a spiritual group. There was no AA to go to. He got sober.

AA is just one recipe.

Gravity is a power greater than me. (Not being sarcastic)

I like pg 55.

 

My friend had a problem with God because he didn't care for dealing with men. He created his own higher power..a tall redhead vixen, because he never had a problem talking to a pretty lady. Works for him.

 

I’ve read this^^cover to cover twice & still am no closer to understanding. But what I’ve got works for me. It’s a custom job too.

Special thanks to the Man for his contribution to the program though.

 

I quit for weight and cholesterol reasons and haven’t touched a drop in almost three years.

 

Ernest Kurtz: Not God
Is a good one.

 

I got one thing from it. (My interpretation, I am not smart enough for most of it.)
Everyone he researched had an experience of "Crying out for help".
Dr Harry Tiebout called it 'deflation at depth'. Also called hitting bottom.

 

The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley is good, too.

 

I can handle the Books interpretation. It IS or it isn’t. From there the evolution began.

 

I’m surprised how many of you have done this without a program. I’m very happy it has worked for you! I’m trying to get an understanding from a different perspective. I am in the middle of a seventh attempt, not mine, I’m one of the ones it affects.

 

I do a program. Have for decades. But, you do you.
Don't quit trying.

 

I'm in AA but haven't "done the program" in some ways. Never officially did the steps, though I've gone to step meetings and enjoyed them for instance.

 

Checking in here for the first time. At 49 days now.

Have done multiple stints of >3 months at a clip, a few closer to 5 months. First time I tried was summer of 2017. Always end up back on the sauce. Know I'm better off without it. Made this go of it through Halloween, the election, a friend's wedding, and some extremely stressful weeks of personal matters. Hoping to keep sobriety going and see if it sticks. This thread has been a big help.

 

Dr Silkworth article from 1949. Still appropriate today. A short read.
https://aainthedesert.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DR.-SILKWORTH-SLIPS-AND-HUMAN-NATURE.pdf

 

You have mentioned you’ve been sober for a bit, you still do the meetings, right? How long has it been now?

 

That is true, 22 yrs. Still go twice a week.

 

Best to think of it as one day at a time,I’ll party tomorrow,but tomorrow never comes

 

Breathe and be present in this precious moment.