Posted on 12/11/2004 5:37:20 AM PST by RobFromGa
Good for you and all who know you! I've been a friend of Bill's for 20 years now, and by the grace of God, clean and sober for the same.
Alcoholism is a progressive and fatal illness. We start drinking for most any reason. Then alcohol becomes our primary problem.
For me, it turned out that I was self-medicating my PTSD symptoms. When I stopped drinking, the PTSD symptoms got worse over time. The second epiphany took about 18 years of not drinking. Don't give up before the miracle!
I consider myself very fortunate. Most of my peers never let go of the alcohol. Most die on average 10 years earlier.
Blessings to you and yours. The most precious gift you can give another alcoholic is a year of sobriety, one day at a time.
Thanks for sharing & congratulations. You have accomplished something very difficult & should feel extremely proud - if it was easy, no one would be walking around with a drinking problem.
Good post. Well done Rob, good for you. The seed you just dropped may take root, even if it's just one.
A Friend of Bill's for 18+ years. It works.
"...I will write another letter tomorrow morning which describes these 14 months and what other tactics I have used in my sobriety."
Looking forward to the follow up.
I have a friend who is allergic to beer. He had to quit drinking it.
I knew there was a reason you've been in my prayers since I first met you 2 and a half years ago.
Thank you for the telling of a remarkable journey. May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly.
(((((Rob))))))
Microbrew used to give me horrible gas. I was more into hard alcohol, never really liked beer that much.
PS - Please ping us to part 2.
dansangel and .45MAN
14 mos. is an accomplishment, but your not out of the woods yet. There will be temptations!Most people that attain l.t. sobriety have a support group like a 12 step program, or church group,etc.Your 100% correct about not needing alcohol to have a good time or to socialize! You appear ahead of the curve it that respect. I assume part 2 is Sunday? 1/4/89
Don't kill yourself until you have been sober for five years,Or you will be killing a stranger! What was told to me,And what I tell others!
<<< robfromGA >>>
This is great news! I was the daughter of 2 alcoholics, and the havok wrecked on our family will never be undone. I eventually forgave them, but the past cannot be undone.
I am also a recovering alcoholic (hint, alcoholics shouldn't bartend!), my last incident involved throwing up violently in front of my mother-in-law. At least that's what they told me, as I had frequent blackouts.
I didn't drink for 2 years, and now I can have a beer or a glass of wine. I really have no desire to 'get drunk'. When I think how I act, and how I would feel in the a.m., and my kids and what I went through, it ain't worth it!
So <<< Good Job!! >>> and I will pray for you!
Kudos from another Georgian!
Rob,
Very inspirational story so far. I'm very interested in reading your future posts.
I encourage you to build a ping list. I'm sure many of us would like to hear more. If you do so, please put me on it.
It sounds like your story will likely apply more than just to alchohol. Many of us are fighting other addictive vices (smoking, overeating, drugs) to which your story may make the difference.
Thanks for your prayers! I look forward to seeing you and .45man again.
Congrats to both of you from another friend of Bill's (12 yrs. March 15th) The only line of your story that hit me a touch uneasy is the line of being totally confident you'll never drink again.
That's a very tough pill to swallow, maybe not today but there may be a day that it will be. Get into the habit of treating it as a daily reprieve. Keep it in 24 hour compartments. Practice that now when it's easier and if a day comes up on you that it becomes harder, you'll have the practice under your belt to just think "I only need to get through today...."
Keep up the great work!!
Dave
Pookyhead, are you, maybe, protesting too much?
This guy just wrote about successfully dealing with something that he had been vulnerable to for a very long time, something that could have ruined his life, caused the death of others, or killed himself.
He survived the risk and escaped from the trap of alcohol. He opened up and wrote about it and shared it with all of us. Folks are replying with messages of congrats, and a few are disclosing their own similar struggles and/or victories.
And all you can do is poke holes?
WHAT IS ***YOUR*** PROBLEM?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
what is your problem?
Any chance you'll be coming to FL? We moved (long story - involves an unexpected lay-off up in GA).
Seriously, if you travel south, please FReepmail us for details as to our location.
Its my understanding that it skips a generation.
In my case, my grandparents and parents were, and then my brother (who also quit and turned to God) and myself. I am ready to look for warning signs with my kids.
I admire your mental fortitude and hope to follow the same path one-day.
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