Hello, my name is.....oh, never mind.

[Steven_S]

Glad to see the forum up and running and looking forward to posting with all of you.

Why don't you introduce yourselves.

[KitchenWitch]

1. Dang, I did not get to be the first one to post here

Welcome

I am KitchenWitch and I am a recovering addict/alcoholic.

[Steven_S]

3. I waited for you, sorry, you should have been the first....

after all it was your idea.

I'm also a recovering addict and alcoholic.

[KitchenWitch]

4. Hey, no problemo

Skinner still has to post the mission statement. You had the keys and opened up. Thanks for putting out the coffee!

I will do an official welcome thingy once the mission has been posted.

[demosincebirth]

2. Augie, here.

Sober today

I hope this forum will perform well!

[KitchenWitch]

5. Welcome

Glad to see you here! :hi:

[demosincebirth]

9. Ok, who wants to start off?

[yardwork]

6. I'm glad to see that we got this group!

I'm yardwork, alcoholic staying sober one day at a time.

[KitchenWitch]

7. welcome

Hope you feel at home here! :D

[yardwork]

8. Thank you! I feel at home wherever people in recovery gather

Thanks for starting this group.

[zanne]

10. Hi. I'm Zanne.

I've been in recovery from alcohol addiction for a long time. I used to go to AA meetings until they began to resemble prayer groups. I'm just not religious; don't mean to offend anyone, but AA stopped being a help to me. I really don't have an alternative, so I'd love to be part of this group. I drank alcoholically, for six years. Fortunately, my body couldn't take it anymore and I woke up in the hospital one day in a detox unit. Best thing that ever happened to me. Strangely enough, I didn't black out much over those six years, so I have alot of horrible memories to deal with, and alot of guilt, too. I don't even know how much a 6-pack costs anymore, but I still know about the guilt, and these things happened 26 years ago.

[BikeWriter]

11. 26 years? That's great, Zanne. Congratulations!

[KitchenWitch]

12. Welcome and congratulations

I totally get the "prayer group" undertones that seem to be at a lot of meetings. As a pagan, I refuse to go to meetings that close with "The Lord's Prayer", not because I do not like the prayer, but because it implies Christianity.

I KNOW I am not the only non-Christian who attends meetings. If I find myself at a meeting that does close with "The Lord's Prayer", I chose to stand silently until it is over. Over the years, I have had a few people ask why I do that, when I explain that I am not a Christian, people have for the most part, reacted positively, stating that they never thought about how closing meetings that way could be excluding non-Christians.

I have some memories, many of them are gone, since I was a black-out, pass-out kind of addict.

As an aside, I used to attend a lot of NA meetings, and at least in my region, it seemed like NA had less of the "Christian" feel than AA around here. However NA in this region is in a lot of ways overly politicized (within the meetings) and fairly intolerant of people who chose to call themselves alcoholics..."you are an addict, dammit, alcoholics go to the other program."

Sorry for my verbosity. You touched on something that I have encountered at meetings, and I wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

[JimmyJazz]

14. KW - I've got to tell you honestly that NOTHING made me want to

drink more than an AA meeting. I don't mean to make light of it. I know many, many people have gotten a lot of help from those meetings, but they just are not for me for a multitude of reasons.

You have been a wonderful friend to me and I'd like to thank you in public. Thank you :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

15. I will be among the first to tell people that AA is not for everyone

It can be very difficult to find a home group that one feel's comfortable attending.

JJ, you are very welcome. :hug:

[A-Schwarzenegger]

54. It took me months to even begin to feel comfortable.

But I wanted the serenity & wisdom & light-heartedness
& honesty and loving qualities that I saw, especially
in people with lots of time. I stayed and started reaching
out and opening up, slowly, slowly, the only way I could.
Just to be in a room full of other human beings while
sober was surreally uncomfortable for me at times. But now
I love it, for myself, for being able to give back to others
what I have received. That discomfort I think is an inevitable
part of getting sober, at least for the great majority, and
certainly at the start.

[JimmyJazz]

13. Hi!

My story has already been posted, so I won't go into detail here. It's nice to have this group. As someone who has been sober for fewer than two weeks, I'm going to have a lot of questions.

[KitchenWitch]

16. Feel free to ask away

That is what we are here for.

[JimmyJazz]

17. why can't I type for starters? I've had more typos and brain farts in

the past two weeks than I can recall having in the past nine months.

[yardwork]

35. Welcome, JimmyJazz and congratulations!

I'm yardwork and I'm an alcoholic.

I remember that my mind and body seemed slow and sluggish when I was in early sobriety. It takes a while to recover from the steady diet of poison!

I was kind and patient with myself and didn't drink. Over time, my mind and body recovered from the haze and then I started feeling better than ever.

Five years without a drink and my life has changed in ways I couldn't even have imagined. I'm happier than I've ever been in my life.

To folks who feel uncomfortable with AA and the "God" aspect - keep trying different meetings. It took me a while but eventually I realized that I am a Pagan and when I recognized that I didn't have to try to fit my mind around the Christian idea of spirituality, everything fell into place. Same with AA meetings. Some of them are not to my taste at all, but eventually I found meetings where I feel very comfortable.

[JimmyJazz]

43. Thank you! OMG - I thought something was wrong with me!

About mid afternoon, I go through this fatigue which seems to borderline on narcolepsy. I don't mean to make light of it because it sucks, but it's nice to know that is normal. I have been sleeping a lot, too.

Oh - and I'm absolutely ravenous ALL THE TIME. I haven't gained any weight, but I'm keeping an eye on things and I'm really hoping that doesn't get out of control.

Also, I really don't mean to bash AA - I really don't. I like many aspects of it, particularly the idea of having a sponsor. But, in my monster thread from the lounge, many people gave me other resources as well, so I will check those out, too.

Thank you so much for setting my mind at ease. :hug:

[smirkymonkey]

73. That is so normal for early sobriety!

All I did was eat and sleep for the first year - and that feeling of exhuastion in the afternoon was excruciating while I was working (luckily, I was laid off right after Sept 11 (my company was in DT Manhattan) and at first I was afraid, but it was one of the best things that ever happened to me -it allowed me to just focus on sobriety for a year or so and nothing else.)

AA saved my life, but that doesn't mean I don't have issues with it - luckily I live in an area where there are hundreds of meetings a week and you can always go to another one if you don't like the one you are at. I have major issues w/ the god thing, but there are a lot of athiests and agnostics in NYC so I have company.

As they say, take what you need and leave the rest. I found it invaluable for fellowship and just to meet other people who understood me and as a free (almost) support group it is wonderful. Best of luck and keep us posted on your sober journey!

[Mutley]

19. Congrats JimmyJazz!

[JimmyJazz]

24. You too, Mutley!

:hi:

BTW - there is a smoking cessation forum, too. I'd love to see you kick that habit. It's a nasty one and you'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel in such a short time. :hi:

[Mutley]

25. yes

i've been thinking about quitting smoking for years. i'll get to it one of these days. one thing at a time. :hi:

[JimmyJazz]

26. It's a tough thing to walk away from....

I know some people have success when they calculate the money involved. Put the money you've saved in a jar and see how fast it adds up and spend it on something wonderful for yourself.

[Mutley]

28. Oh I've calculated it and I was appalled...

but it wasn't enough to make me quit, lol. A friend of mine quit recently and he says the trick seems to be that you just have to wait until you wake up one morning and you're sick of it. He said every attempt he made to quit failed until that one day...

[JimmyJazz]

29. Your friend is exactly right.

At least that's what finally worked for me. :D

[Mutley]

30. So, that's what I'm waiting for then.

tick tock tick tock.

[Mutley]

18. Mutley here.

my addiction isn't with alcohol. it's with drugs. I used to have a horrible problem with it until about a year ago. I've smoked pot a few times since then, but it didn't make me feel like going back to the life. So, maybe I'm getting better with it.

I'm also addicted to caffine and cigarettes. I don't know if we count those in this group?

[demosincebirth]

20. The tone of this group is not conducive to staying sober and

to help others to do the same. So, I'll leave for a while.

[JimmyJazz]

22. Could you clarify that a bit, please? Considering how few posts

are here, I don't know how the "tone" could already be set. I would hate to think some one gave up on this forum so early in the game. Thanks for any input.

-D

[ralps]

21. HI you all, I'm ralps

and I'm a recovering alcoholic and addict. :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[JimmyJazz]

23. ralps - you and I have exchanged messages.

I am sooooo glad you are here. :hug:

Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I know I'm new at this, but I still have a pretty good set of shoulders. :D

[ralps]

27. Hi JimmyJazz, I hope you are doing ok

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[mourningdove92]

31. Hello People. Its little ole me, Mourningdove.

Recovering alcoholic, 11 years.

AA was not the way for me either. Not that I have anything bad to say about AA. I did find a group that I liked about 5 years into my sobriety, and I went off and on. For me, I guess I just have faith. Absolute, 100% faith that if I let myself TALK myself into taking that first drink, I will be right back where I started in no time at all.

That faith helps keep me sober. Works for me.

[JimmyJazz]

32. 11 years! Congratulations.

I'm not one to bash AA either. I know a lot of people who have stayed sober as a result of AA. I hope no one here thinks that is what this forum is about. I want to hear people's sucess stories, no matter the source of what is sustaining them.

I'm not even two weeks sober, so this is all very new to me.

:hi:

[mourningdove92]

33. 2 Weeks! Good for you.

You are off on a great adventure. One thing that I always try to remember is this.

The ONLY control I have, the ONLY choice I have, is to choose not to take that first drink. Because once I take that first drink, I no longer have any control or choice. The disease would take over. So I keep it that simple. Don't take that first drink.

[JimmyJazz]

34. Thanks for the advice. Since I quit smoking more than 4 years ago,

I am familiar with that mindset. It's the same thing - on the rare occassions I am tempted to smoke, I know it wouldn't be just one. I'm taking that same line of thinking with me into this as well.

[Taxloss]

36. Hi everyone, I'm Taxloss.

And I'm ... not really able to go into specifics right now. I'm sorry about that. Maybe later.

But I'm happy to see the forum up and running and proud to support it.

[JimmyJazz]

37. Would you prefer to use private messages to talk to someone?

I was thinking that some sort of "network" might not be a bad idea. What do you think?

[sandnsea]

38. sandnsea here

Just posting in.

[JimmyJazz]

41. HI!

I don't know how to change the color of my font or how to make it larger or I would post a really big HELLO! to you. :hi:

[sandnsea]

42. lol

Because of my LOUDER? That's my sig line, to reflect the fact that I don't think we need to get meaner or ruder, just LOUDER!

[RetroLounge]

39. Oh, what the hell, Hi everyone!

I'm RL, and H.P. Willing, and the Creek Don't Rise, I'll have 15 years Clean and Sober on June 1st...

:hi:

RL

[JimmyJazz]

40. 15 years! That seems so remarkable for someone on this side

of things. :hi: Can I throw some floaty hearts your way, just because I admire you now more than ever? :loveya:

[RetroLounge]

44. Feel Free!

I like floaty hearts. and hugs too...

:hug:

RL

[JimmyJazz]

45. I give really good bug hugs.

[RetroLounge]

46. I dig a hug with extra appendages.

:D

RL

[JimmyJazz]

47. Can I ask a question for someone else?

What do you say to someone who admits they have a problem, but can't convince themselves to take the next step - someone who has failed at attempts at sobriety.

[Steven_S]

48. I would have them make an agreement with me....

1. You will not drink today.

2. You will call me before you take that first drink.

3. You will come with me to meetings once a day for 90 days.

4. You will put one dollar a day into a jar.

After 90 days are up you will make a decision.

a. Come with me to a meeting.

b. Take the $90 and have fun.

Just try to have fun. :)

[RetroLounge]

50. Sounds pretty accurate...

We'll gladly refund your misery...

RL

[JimmyJazz]

52. I'm WAY too new at this to say those things. I think I will try to

encourage that person to hook up with someone with a few years of sobriety under their belt. Thank you. That is very helpful.

[Steven_S]

49. Do you celebrate?

Or just treat it like any other day?

My past anniversary went by with no fanfare, but I usually like to treat the family to dinner or something.

[RetroLounge]

51. I celebrate a bit

I take the family out to dinner or a treat.

I buy donuts for everyone at work, but don't tell them why.

I go to a meeting every day that week and share my anniversary with the group so newcomers know it can be done.

I call all my old sponsors and thank them for their service.

I kiss my kids and wife, because without sobriety, they wouldn't be here in my life...

RL

[JimmyJazz]

53. Wow. That's really awesome.

You are most definitely an inspiration. :)

[NMDemDist2]

67. LOL that sounds how I "celebrate" anniversaries. I still call the two men

who 12 stepped me every year and thank them :)

[Hawkeye-X]

55. My name is HawkeyeX

and I am a recovering Marijuana addict.

http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

[A-Schwarzenegger]

58. Hey, HawkeyeX.

Welcome.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

56. A-Schwarz here.

19 years sober last March 31. Thanks for starting this group.
It's good to know it's here.

[JimmyJazz]

63. Hi. It seems like we have a lot of people here who have been

sober for a long time. Good for you and it's nice to see you here.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

64. Thanks. Good to be here.

Good to be anywhere!

[vademocrat]

57. VAdemocrat here -

Celebrated 16 years clean and sober on March 1 - so incredibly grateful for the life I have today.

Happy to see this new group on DU!

Best advice I ever got: "just don't drink or use NO MATTER WHAT"

[A-Schwarzenegger]

59. Hey, VAdem,

NO MATTER WHAT is right.

[KitchenWitch]

60. One of the favorite pieces of advice I got from the oldtimers was:

"Even if your ass falls off, don't drink!"

[vademocrat]

61. I remember a similar bit of advice:

"If your ass falls off, pick it up and take it to a meeting."

It made me so mad - now I think it's funny and am glad I don't take myself so seriously anymore.

:donut:

[RetroLounge]

62. I have that saying on a coffee mug!

RL

[vademocrat]

65. What a cool mug!

Where did you get it - somewhere online or in a store?

[RetroLounge]

66. At a convention

We had them special-made...

RL

[NMDemDist2]

68. Hi all, I'm AZDD6

and I'm a recovered alcoholic

no flame wars on the recovered/recovering controversy. I go by the Big Book--" We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body...." I was hopeless and could find no way out on my own and my body was a mess. I am now totally recovered from that state of mind and body, just as long as I practice a few spiritual tools on a daily basis.

Glad I popped into the full groups page and saw this new group. I will be sure to add you to "My Groups" and hope to spend lots more time here once my moderator term is over.

cyber hugs to all and keep it simple one day at a time :) :grouphug: :loveya: :bounce:

[Wetzelbill]

69. I would be Wetzelbill.....

I'm not an addict in terms of drugs or alcohol or anything of that nature. I am a bad overeater, however. I really never said that to anybody or sought help for it. I'm not really overweight much or anything so it isn't an obvious problem. Hopefully, this will be a good start for me.

I have had problems with binge drinking when I was younger, I would go out and slug myself until I was totally out of it, but I haven't done that in years. I'm always aware of it, but I maybe only have a few beers once or twice a year and never more than a couple drinks.

Also, I plan to run for State Senate in MT, and I would like to write legislation for addicts, so I'm interest in this group for personal reasons and for policy reasons too. I'm looking forward to hearing all of your comments and everything.

[astral]

70. Hey, I'm glad to find this place

I don't know why I didn't see it sooner. I have been sober 16 years since December, and have to thank AA for that although I have backed off from the group and program over the last couple years, and have just begun going back I hope regularly.

Having found a natural belief in God that I don't consider to be Christian or of any other denomination, I don't understand how the prayer part of meetings is so offensive to some people. Some hold hands and just don't pray out loud with us, some stand back, some leave the room during the prayer, but however you want to handle it I don't think it messes up the program or its ability to help you. People in AA are not all Christians, and they're not all religious, though I dare to guess the vast majority have a belief in a Higher Power of some kind or another.

For some, the higher power is the group itself.

I think this thread is a very cool thing and will take some more time to read its posts.

To all newcomers--- my AA message to you is you don't have to do it alone. You don't have to subscribe to AA, either, but take what it can give and learn more, and remember, the only people who can REALLY help are the ones who have been through it too, so seek them out.

[KitchenWitch]

71. Welcome to the group and to DU

Glad to meet you!

[rhino47]

72. Hi I am Lindy recovering alcoholic 18 years

I was an alcholic from 87 to 89.I have been sober for 18 years.

[smirkymonkey]

74. Hi, I'm Smirkymonkey and I'm an alcoholic.

5 years sober. (2nd time around)

(If anyone is having relapse problems, I went throught chronic relapse for 5 years so I can offer some support if you need it.) :hi:

[jschurchin]

75. Hi All my name is John...........

and I am an Addict. C&S a little over 6 years now (sobriety date 1-14-2000), glad to see ya!!!!

[NMDemDist2]

76. Hi John!

:hi:

we're glad to see you too!

[KitchenWitch]

77. Welcome John!

Glad to see you. Grab yourself a cup of coffee! AzDemDist6 makes killer joe!

:hi: