PJ fans in 12 step Recovery

oona left

megatron wrote:

new summer plan. use money saved from not drinking to go to deluna for my first ever sober pj show.

I like this idea.

mickeyrat

well, THIS was a day to remember.

First, its been a year as a former smoker.
Second, I paid off my car today. It was the first time I had gotten a loan for something. I got it on my own with no cosigner. Things looked a little dicey all the way around back in the summer of 09 when the seperation and subsequent divorce happened.
But I kept moving forward. One day At A Time. And here I am. In a great relationship. In a profession I've always wanted to be in. The best part though is , I AM SOBER.

oona left

mickeyrat wrote:

well, THIS was a day to remember.

First, its been a year as a former smoker.
Second, I paid off my car today. It was the first time I had gotten a loan for something. I got it on my own with no cosigner. Things looked a little dicey all the way around back in the summer of 09 when the seperation and subsequent divorce happened.
But I kept moving forward. One day At A Time. And here I am. In a great relationship. In a profession I've always wanted to be in. The best part though is , I AM SOBER.

Wow, congratulations on the YEAR as a former smoker and paying off the car!!

Looks like the promises have been coming true for you

whispering hands

wow.. I was looking to find this thread and it's RIGHT here!! SO.... today is ONE WHOLE YEAR SOBER FROM DRINKING!!! SOOOOOO happy that I made it!!! in five days will be one year not smoking POT or cigs.. But I had no problem leaving those things behind.. it's the alcohol I miss.. don't know why.. but any how a whole year!! So happy I made it!! I have spent the money I saved by not drinking to go to school.. which is going good!! Yay.. still so ecstatic about making it a year clean!!

mickeyrat

way too long since I posted or anyone has posted in here.


Find myself at a year as a truck driver. Better odds of getting a better job with 2 years exp, but some will take 1 yr. Hoping to find something that pays better with more of a day schedule. Nights arent THAT bad but kinda wrecks home life somewhat esp since the GF is currently working 3-11 pm. Shes looking to switch to days.


Kinda nice have "normal" problems rather than the selfimposed chaos of my previous way of living!!

Hugh Freaking Dillon

whispering hands wrote:

wow.. I was looking to find this thread and it's RIGHT here!! SO.... today is ONE WHOLE YEAR SOBER FROM DRINKING!!! SOOOOOO happy that I made it!!! in five days will be one year not smoking POT or cigs.. But I had no problem leaving those things behind.. it's the alcohol I miss.. don't know why.. but any how a whole year!! So happy I made it!! I have spent the money I saved by not drinking to go to school.. which is going good!! Yay.. still so ecstatic about making it a year clean!!

serious congratulations here. not only did you quit, you did something good and productive with it too. that deserves a big

parintachin73

Bumping this thread because it's truly a great one.
Personally I got sober in 2006, after MANY years of abusing every substance I could find. I stayed clean until the fall of 2009 and then proceeded to relapse on and off for two years. It fucking sucked. I try to be grateful and think to myself that it gave me a new outlook on my recovery and such, but it's tough.
I celebrated a new year of sobriety as of September of last year and for that I am sooooo grateful.
And as of this month, it's been a year with NO cigs!!!

Keep coming back y'all. No matter how and no matter what it takes.
Peace.

donnaruhl

parintachin73 wrote:

Bumping this thread because it's truly a great one.
Personally I got sober in 2006, after MANY years of abusing every substance I could find. I stayed clean until the fall of 2009 and then proceeded to relapse on and off for two years. It fucking sucked. I try to be grateful and think to myself that it gave me a new outlook on my recovery and such, but it's tough.
I celebrated a new year of sobriety as of September of last year and for that I am sooooo grateful.
And as of this month, it's been a year with NO cigs!!!

Keep coming back y'all. No matter how and no matter what it takes.
Peace.

I think when you become sick and tired of being sick and tired, You're done!
The worst part about being sobber is that the shit is still the same.You're just more clear headed with the decisions you make.And yes there'll always be your stinking thinking.But you're able to recognize it.I'm proud of you for quiting smoking also

musicismylife78

So, I dont know if you guys watch Enlightened on HBO, but its a tv show with Laura Dern and she goes to this 12 step program, thats also just recovery in general. Its more a holistic recovery program in general. Anyways, I deeply respect the 12 step process, and im straight edge so Ive never been to 12 step, but ive used the program format in my life, and in my creativity and found it helpful. the whole "let go and let god" approach, the "one day at a time". "easy does it, but you have to do it (art)". Or I use it to console myself, I didnt do my art today, but every day is a new chance, so maybe tomorrow etc...

But, I had a question, the holistic program talked about on Enlightened, called Open Air, is there a real program like that?

I guess, essentially what Im saying is, I'd benefit and would love to explore the issues one would explore in 12 step or rehab, but Im not an alcoholic, or drug user, or any of that. I see 12 step as work on onesself, and i view that, and think the 12 step would agree, that this is the most important element in the process.

Are there 12 step programs more holistically focused? Can someone who isnt an alcoholic or drug user or addict attend meetings? Are their any programs more set up for what Im discussing, which is I guess, all the stuff you'd discuss at AlAnon or NarcAnon, but without the drug or alcohol aspect to it. Just maybe dissatisfaction with ones life, confusion in life, trying to sort out one's place in the world?

donnaruhl

Have you sat in on any meetings? That might not be the way for you. But I'm sure if you search the web, you might find Self Help Classes. Then just call and inquire within,and someone will point you in the right direction. Good Luck!

musicismylife78

donnaruhl wrote:

Have you sat in on any meetings? That might not be the way for you. But I'm sure if you search the web, you might find Self Help Classes. Then just call and inquire within,and someone will point you in the right direction. Good Luck!

I havent sat in on any meetings. Thats part of what i was curious about. Ive never been to a meeting, so i can only go on what ive seen in films. And in movies its either this speaker at a podium in front of a bunch of people, or a small group of people, sitting in a circle discussing their feelings and how they are doing etc.. And since im not an addict and never have used any drugs, i dont know if I could participate in any of it. For one, because many of the people there might think i'd break their trust because im just observing and im not an addict. And two, because my life hasnt been ruined or altered by either myself or anyone else using drugs or alcohol or other such behavior. The overall emotions, as I said, I would no doubt be able to apply to my own life and my own situation. For example, someone discussing being sober for 10 days and relapsing, i could relate to it in my own life but just not in those specific terms. I couldnt discuss relapsing into drug use because ive never experienced any of that. But i most certainly could and would love to explore issues of self doubt, the sort of zen like approach to things, the honesty aspect of it being honest with yourself "you are only as sick as your secrets". The spiritual aspect of it. I love all that stuff.

Self help might indeed be what im looking for. The one featured on Enlightened seemed more self help as well.

Reguardless, i definitely think i would benefit from a 12 step program. The basic tenets of them I use regularly in my life and artistic process. But i guess as you point out, maybe im looking for a self help program or something.

Quite honestly, i'd willingly sign up for such a program.

I think im looking for a rehab/retreat center where you work on yourself, and deal with my problems, and issues and work on my life. Almost like a monastary or something.

It was funny because last year when I first saw Enlightened, i was thinking how I'd love to voluntarily enroll myself in such a program.

mickeyrat

musicismylife78 wrote:

donnaruhl wrote:

Have you sat in on any meetings? That might not be the way for you. But I'm sure if you search the web, you might find Self Help Classes. Then just call and inquire within,and someone will point you in the right direction. Good Luck!

I havent sat in on any meetings. Thats part of what i was curious about. Ive never been to a meeting, so i can only go on what ive seen in films. And in movies its either this speaker at a podium in front of a bunch of people, or a small group of people, sitting in a circle discussing their feelings and how they are doing etc.. And since im not an addict and never have used any drugs, i dont know if I could participate in any of it. For one, because many of the people there might think i'd break their trust because im just observing and im not an addict. And two, because my life hasnt been ruined or altered by either myself or anyone else using drugs or alcohol or other such behavior. The overall emotions, as I said, I would no doubt be able to apply to my own life and my own situation. For example, someone discussing being sober for 10 days and relapsing, i could relate to it in my own life but just not in those specific terms. I couldnt discuss relapsing into drug use because ive never experienced any of that. But i most certainly could and would love to explore issues of self doubt, the sort of zen like approach to things, the honesty aspect of it being honest with yourself "you are only as sick as your secrets". The spiritual aspect of it. I love all that stuff.

Self help might indeed be what im looking for. The one featured on Enlightened seemed more self help as well.

Reguardless, i definitely think i would benefit from a 12 step program. The basic tenets of them I use regularly in my life and artistic process. But i guess as you point out, maybe im looking for a self help program or something.

Quite honestly, i'd willingly sign up for such a program.

I think im looking for a rehab/retreat center where you work on yourself, and deal with my problems, and issues and work on my life. Almost like a monastary or something.

It was funny because last year when I first saw Enlightened, i was thinking how I'd love to voluntarily enroll myself in such a program.

movies or television are poor representations of recovery in general.

I would suggest going to www.aa.org to start and find your areas intergroup office. from there you can find meetings that have an open format that allow anyone who is interested to attend.
Do some research other than movies for what you seek. The program itself isnt the sayings you have latched onto.

davidtrios

once again, i should join :?

mickeyrat

davidtrios wrote:

once again, i should join :?

ever been before? I suggest you also start at the aa website. Nothing saying you need to stop right now or at all really. But you could find a few meetings to check out. You dont have to say anything if you dont want to while there. OR give a fake name if you want. Try a speaker/lead meeting to start. Good one to sit in the back and just listen. If you do go, look for where you can identify with whats shared.

Available to answer any questions or just talk if you want.

davidtrios

mickeyrat wrote:

davidtrios wrote:

once again, i should join :?

ever been before? I suggest you also start at the aa website. Nothing saying you need to stop right now or at all really. But you could find a few meetings to check out. You dont have to say anything if you dont want to while there. OR give a fake name if you want. Try a speaker/lead meeting to start. Good one to sit in the back and just listen. If you do go, look for where you can identify with whats shared.

Available to answer any questions or just talk if you want.

thanks for the advice. ive always been a huge puss when it comes to getting help for my gambling and now my drinking problems. maybe now, i can find a place and just see whats it like

mickeyrat

just remember , EVERYONE had a first meeting once.

donnaruhl

I will be sober four years in July. I'm what 12steppers would call a dry drunk.I feel,You know when it's time. No one can tell you. No one can keep you there. You have to want to be there. And tomorrow, I'm going to buy the cartri dges for my ( blu ) Gonna try to quit smoking. Better yet, I'm gonna quit smoking!

STAYSEA

rainy day, a one-way ticket headstone
Occupations overthrown, a whisper through a megaphone

STAYSEA

The Steve Vai , Eric Clapton , type of freaks is what you should embrace. The all conquered addiction.

I'm not naming very many, any one, please help me out.
I still believe in recovery. It is possible. Some need many tools to get there.

They are not freaks, they just had more to offer people than being an addict.
And so what, they got Some Grammy's .... and stuff.

mickeyrat

donnaruhl wrote:

I will be sober four years in July. I'm what 12steppers would call a dry drunk.I feel,You know when it's time. No one can tell you. No one can keep you there. You have to want to be there. And tomorrow, I'm going to buy the cartri dges for my ( blu ) Gonna try to quit smoking. Better yet, I'm gonna quit smoking!

according to our literature you could/would be a heavy drinker that found sufficient reason to stop or moderate.
My dad called himself an alcoholic. He stopped and stayed stopped when I was around 6 or 7. He passed when I was 30. To my knowledge he never attended meetings or worked the steps.

I couldnt go longer than about 3 months. Being at sea or in jail helped greatly , but as soon as I was out or on land........