I'm assuming that DOS is date of sobriety?
First let me give congratulations to all of you who are overcomming this addiction. I have great respect for you all.
A couple of questions for everyone. Since you've been sober so long do you still attend meetings and how often? I know that there is a genetic component to alcoholism (Which fortunately I don't have - college would have killed me) but does the desire to drink fade with time? That is, I know that you know that you cannot drink, but does it get easier to not drink as time goes on?
How long did it take you from your first meeting to getting sober? Are relapses common in the beginning?
My maternal grandfather was alcoholic but I was too young at the time to understand what was going on. Just trying to educate myself (and perhaps gain a little insight on how to help/support others I may run into)
Thanks!
Many thanks for your kind words about those of us who have been given (and earned) the gift of sobriety. And yes, I did use 'DOS' as shorthand for date of sobriety.
You asked excellent questions. I'll try to answer them succinctly. It's always a good idea for alcoholics to attend 12-Step meetings. That has nothing to do with ones length of sobriety. No matter what, each one of us is only one drink away from a drunk and that never changes. In other words, we don't graduate from AA. Nor do we stop being alcoholic just because we've stopped drinking. There isn't a cure for alcoholism. But there are terrific ways to get it into remission and keep it there.
At the risk of sounding far more noble than I am, there's also another reason. There isn't a chance I'd be sober today had it not been for the countless, happening, smart, sober alcoholics who have helped me throughout the years. Going to meetings and talking w/ newcomers gives me the opportunity to try to "give back all that was given to me." That's reason enuf to attend meetings, wouldn't you agree?
And believe it or not, there are times when AA meetings are an enormous amount of fun. If you don't believe me, walk past a meeting some time and see if you don't hear laughter. There's a special kind of joy that comes with finding happiness and freedom from addiction in sobriety. I know, because I have the good fortune to live with it.
I don't attend as many meetings as I once did, but I'm always the better for it when I do. Once sober, I discovered I'm not just an alcoholic. I also had/have living problems, character defects, and can easily revert to negativity if I don't keep my program in shape. Meetings aren't just about keeping me/us out of bars and liquor stores, by the way. They're also about learning a new way of life that will allow us to live happy, successful lives free of alcohol.
Now for the best part. I have not had one single drop of alcohol since the day I attended my first meeting. There were certainly times when I wanted to drink, especially in my first year. Sometimes, the best I could do was get in my car and drive until it was time for a meeting. Never thought I'd make it long term, etc., and yet here I am. That has very little to do with me, and everything to do with the fabulous group of people who helped me. For once in my life, I was willing to take direction from other people. I frequently disliked and/or resented what I was told but let's face it, it worked.
My desire to drink left me sometime after I completed my first year of sobriety. Which is some kind of miracle of and by itself. I never thought THAT would happen. I honestly haven't wanted a drink since. On occasion, I attend business functions or parties where others are drinking, yet it doesn't phase me. Amazing, isn't it. Somewhere along the line I was told that whatever's in other people's glasses is none of my business. I leave it at that and it works like a charm.
Hope all this helps. Sorry about blowing the "succinct" part. Should have known my enthusiasm for sobriety would inspire me to go on and on. Just want you to know there IS life after sobriety. And it's a darn good one.