Freegards, RobFromGa
Posted on 10/08/2005 7:33:57 AM PDT by RobFromGa
October 8, 2003 is the date that I quit drinking for good. It has been a great two years!
When I was drinking, I thought that life would be impossibly boring without alcohol. How can you enjoy parties, football games, vacations, weekends, etc without alcohol? I found out that not only is it possible to enjoy these things, that in many ways they are made better without the "buzz".
I haven't had a hangover in two years and that is a blessing.
I have occasionally had brief thoughts that I might be able to drink normally now that I have controlled myself for this length of time. But I understand myself better now. The fact that I would even consider such a question and action even for a millisecond is a sign of my lack of control over alcohol. My only sane solution is to keep it out of my body.
I urge anyone who suspects that they may have a drinking problem to find help and deal with the issue. I wish I had quit when I was 30 instead of 41.
Almost a year ago, I posted a thread on FR, If You Suspect You Might Have A Drinking Problem (An Open Letter). There might be some help there for you if you are trying to quit.
Thanks to all who have helped me to quit and to stay sober.
thanks back at you FRiend.
I'm on this train late! Was out of town.
Congrats, Rob. You have received a marvelous gift.
I found AA to be very useful for myself. For me, it gave me a focus for many years until I was able to deal with an underlying problem. I believe that is the case for many of us, even though we ended up drinking for no reason other than we were chemically dependent.
My second epiphany was finally being able to admit that stopping drinking was not enough for me. Working the steps was not enough either. I have an underlying neurological disorder, chronic PTSD, that no amount of group support or talking therapy was going to be able to alleviate enough.
I was technically 'sober' for a very long time, but certainly not happy, joyous and free. It was at the suggestion of another Nam Vet in AA who recommended that I get treatment for the PSTD. I finally relented to taking meds about 2 years ago. What a change!
I am grateful for AA in that it got me to put down the drink. I am grateful for the support that I got from AA all of those years waiting for my miracle to happen. I am grateful for people like you who will share openly about how it is possible to get out of that pit of despair.
I attend very few AA meetings anymore. I have the not drinking part down pat now. I continue my PTSD treatment, which will be a lifetime for me as it is treatable, not cureable.
The fellowship in AA is un-matched. It is not for everyone. If you decide it is not for you, however, you owe yourself a good look at why. Most folks go away because they are not ready to stop drinking (not all, but most). I'm not really talking to you Rob about this, but others who may be struggling with the booze issue.
For me, my drinking was but a symptom of a greater illness. I am well aware that most of my peers are dead, or the living dead. After over 21 years of not drinking, I am starting to feel the benefits of living, not just surviving.
Good luck to you, and may God Bless.
thanks for sharing your story, I hope it reaches someone who connects with your words. There are many causes for our addictions and sometimes they are deep, sometimes shallow.
I am glad that you found your solution and I also thank you for your service to our country. God Bless.
Congratulations Rob and thanks for sharing.
thanks friend
Then you wouldn't need Him, would you?
Congrats on the lack of a hangover. I get them from things besides alcohol. Lack of sleep mostly.
Excellent!!
I needed him to give me the tools, didn't I? And I acknowledged that.
I certainly did nothing to deserve much of what I was given: my health, a working mind, a healthy family, born in America, to loving parents, a good education, the list is long. He also might have intervened on numerous occasions to keep me alive.
I don't believe that I take anything away from God by taking care of some things using these tools he gave me. I don't intend it as disrespectful.
thanks for the bump.
You're welcome. Bump
Freegards, RobFromGa
Congrats on yet another year, Rob!
Congratulations...
I remember when I had 3 years.. well, actually, I don't.... I'd love to blame it on all the drugs and alcohol in the 60's, 70's, and 80's, but I'm thinking that being 53 may have more to do with the lack of memory thing! ;>)
/r4f
6/14/88
I am very grateful! And I can't remember the summer of 1991 all that clearly either!
Way to go ROB! ooouu rragh!
Isn't it amazing? I never thought I'd go a day, let alone a week without a hangover. After 24 years without a hangover..I can STILL remember how it feels.
WTG Rob..and WTG God:)
October 8 (24 Hours A Day) ..."In thinking of God, doubts and fears leave us..."
Crash Davis: It's time to work on your interviews.
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: My interviews? What do I gotta do?
Crash Davis: You're gonna have to learn your clichés. You're gonna have to study them, you're gonna have to know them. They're your friends. Write this down: "We gotta play it one day at a time."
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: Got to play... it's pretty boring.
Crash Davis: 'Course it's boring, that's the point. Write it down.
That was a great scene from a great movie. It's too bad that Susan Sarandon's and Tim Robbins' wacko leftism has kind of spoiled it for me. :(
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