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Posts: 4174
Joined: July 18, 2006
Posted: April 11, 2012, 9:14 AM
Someone once asked me if church would eventually be enough. I haven’t ever seen alcoholics get/stay sober in church, but I’ve seen a lot of church goers get/stay sober in AA. In MY case, I have to be around this disease regularly. Daily. It is then that I can walk with my Higher Power whom I call God daily. -------------------- Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. | ||
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 27, 2005
Posted: April 11, 2012, 10:36 AM
I used to think that way until I made contact again with my best old drinking buddies. One got sober in church, one got sober when her Mom got alzheimers and never picked up again. My husband got sober by just not drinking any more. They are all sober. Myself, I needed AA. There are many paths to sobriety. What works for one may not work for others. I think what help open my eyes to other paths was going to school and really learning about substance abuse besides what is taught in AA. My perceptions were changed once again.
I think the most important thing is getting help SOMEWHERE. It doesn't matter if its religion, therapy or a 12 step program, just don't try to do it alone. smooches to SKG -------------------- १२ सà¥à¤¤à¥ˆà¤ªà¥à¤ªà¥ˆà¤°! kat11100@comcast.net If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Mark Twain Just because the monkey's off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town Laugh because it shows people that you have what they want and what they need: a hope in things unseen, a peace that passes understanding, and a God of miracles who also has a great sense of humor. | ||
Posts: 9248
Joined: December 1, 2005
Posted: April 11, 2012, 10:59 AM
I'm one of the ones that needs AA. My GF's & I discuss this every so often and people do get & stay sober outside of AA all the time. I am not one of them, I tried that back in '97 and relapsed on pills.
I guess it all comes down to what you are looking for & how willing you are to seek it. Even in AA, there are people who are content to get sober & not drink. Me, I wanted more. I wanted to find joy & peace & serenity and I didn't even know this until about 2-3 yrs into AA. God had me exactly where he needed me to be to receive the lessons. I was a hopeless drunk, I never thought I could stay sober so when God removed the desire, I took it for granted & never gave anything back. This time, I try to take nothing for granted & give back more than I want at times. Today I give back, completely. I love my life & I love the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. What it has restored & given me back in my life is undescribable. I do understand people leaving the program, it works that way too, my Dad did it (even though he's ISM's are returning), I have friends (they had some time) from early sobriety who did it and what I see is some of them, years later returning for the spiritual part of the program, it was lacking. If I didn't have AA & so many commitments & meetings, I'd probably be sitting in front of a TV at night, unsocial & not interacting with society again and that robs my joy quicker than anything, those defects of character that pop up and try to dominate my life. I hear all the time, between the years of 5-10yrs of sobriety is the biggest danger of relapse if I'm not doing what I need to do to stay sober so, for now, I will continue to stick around. Besides, where would I find newcomers to help if I didn't show up to meetings. What would have happened if everyone got cured & there was no meeting when I finally hit my bottom. Now, that is a scary thought. -------------------- Happiness is not in the bottom of a pill bottle. It's inside you. | ||
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Posts: 4174
Joined: July 18, 2006
Posted: April 11, 2012, 11:19 AM
Well luckily, I only have to account for and share MY experience, strength and hope, and sobriety has to be more than quitting drinking to be of any value to me--or to others. I understand that there are plenty of ways to quit drinking--I've tried an awful lot of them, too. I have also had to watch alot of them fail. I've found a way that works FOR ME, and that's all I am responsible for today. That, in itself, keeps me close to the program.
I drank every single day. I go to meetings every single day. I practice The Principles every single day. I maintain a conscious contact with God as I understand Him every single day. Why? Because it works. And for a drunk like me? One Day At A Time means something more than just not drinking today--it means an opportunity to live the life I was intended to live all along. Kat, I respect your perspective--I even accept it (or I'd have a fresh resentment) as your ESH. For me, I am responsible for my continued spiritual growth and I can only do that through the methods given me be a proven program of action with proven promises and results. I have the opportunity to get better than just well, today. That is the miracle I've found--and I get to share that with newcomers every day. Hope. It's the gift that keeps on giving. :) -------------------- Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. | ||
Posts: 6374
Joined: January 5, 2008
Posted: April 12, 2012, 7:24 AM
I believe there is no right or wrong way to get sober .. The fact that one can get sober through whatever means is the main thing. What works for one may not work for another. we can only share our own ESH and what worked for us and if someone can take something from it and apply it to their own sobriety than we have shared the message and what works for us.. Either method that we use and if it works gives HOPE to the still suffering that there is a solution and it is possible to stop drinking and have a life without booze.AA was what worked for me so that is what I share ,others may share something else but either way we are supporting and giving encouragement to others to find a solution to their problem.
-------------------- Thank God for what you have. Trust God for what you need | ||
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