without warning

[Montauktammy]

Through ongoing recovery, we all find our addiction trying to regain control of our lives through the weakest point in our personal program. We may find ourselves, without warning, caught up in substitution - an extension of our basic addiction. It may be obsessive food, sex, vomiting, gambling or any number of combinations.

[dalin]

The big thing is staying aware of this.

[admin]

Seems like one of my first substitutions after I got sober was overspending on shopping. I have heard from many others who experience this same thing after they get sober especially during the first year or so.

I use to hear this oldtimer always introduce herself as an alcoholic. She would then say, "I am an obsessive and compulsive person."

[kaistevens]

It was very important for me to understand that Alcohol was a problem for me, it will always be a problem for me, and any time I put it back in my life, I can expect all the same problems that I had before.

However, what I eventually found out was--I am my problem, me. I soon started to see that I had handled just about everything in my life in the same sick and insane way, that I had handled alcohol.

I obviously had to get my mind and body free of alcohol before I would be able to make any changes is my life. Therefore, when I first came in, ALCOHOL was my problem, it stood in the way of everything.

But once the alcohol has been removed, and my thinking begins to clear, it is vital that my focus change from ALCOHOL is the problem to I AM the problem, because I don't have to put alcohol in my system to be very, very, VERY SICK.

[kaistevens]

It was very important for me to understand that Alcohol was a problem for me, it will always be a problem for me, and any time I put it back in my life, I can expect all the same problems that I had before.

However, what I eventually found out was--I am my problem, me. I soon started to see that I had handled just about everything in my life in the same sick and insane way, that I had handled alcohol.

I obviously had to get my mind and body free of alcohol before I would be able to make any changes is my life. Therefore, when I first came in, ALCOHOL was my problem, it stood in the way of everything.

But once the alcohol has been removed, and my thinking begins to clear, it is vital that my focus change from ALCOHOL is the problem to I AM the problem, because I don't have to put alcohol in my system to be very, very, VERY SICK.

Alcohol wasn't my problem, I had a living problem. Alcohol was my solution. And it was my 'solutions' that were my problem.

[craig]

I did love booze. Alcohol was my higher power. It eradicated all my fears. In the beginning alcohol worked perfectly as it removed all my thoughts,feelings,and emotions that caused personal pain. Then,when booze took away mind,body,and spirit, I surrendered to win. Thinking life's problems were gone,I was sadly mistaken. The aftermath was an empty sober shell of a dry person. I was alone ,left with myself;feeling worse now that I could not medicate myself. Now that the lower power was gone;I needed to find something to replace it. The sober folks told me to search and receive a power greater than myself that could restore me to sanity. I was the problem and the way I acted and reacted to life's situations were my problem. I had a spiritual soul sickness as I was maladjusted to life. Now I needed a spititual answer to my spiritual ailment. The spiritual answer for me was searching and finding a personal God that would do for me what I could not do for myself.

[clean42day]

if it makes me feel good I tend to want more of it....and that can include good things like good grades in school, shopping, money, flirting ect.....as with anything that I like - I can get to like it too much and when "it" (Whatever it is) begins to determine my behavior - I am out of balance and into obsession and compulsion again.....I agree with Dalin - staying aware is 90% of the battle or I will definelty get a rude emotional wake up call.

This disease doesn't just go away - The full blow obsession might have been removed but sometimes the underlying dis-ease - only switches lanes like driving on the freeway - my solution to balance is to let God do the driving.

light and love

Gail

[Humblepie]

We may find ourselves, without warning, caught up in substitution - an extension of our basic addiction. It may be obsessive food, sex, vomiting, gambling or any number of combinations.
as with anything that I like - I can get to like it too much and when "it" (Whatever it is) begins to determine my behavior - I am out of balance and into obsession and compulsion again
So this "stinking thinking" or "dry drunk" stuff that goes on in my head comes from a lack of balance in my life? This is news to me and it makes sense. Looking back I can see how if I didn't have something I was obsessing over I was discontent. Eventually I would bore of my obsession and have to find another to keep my head busy. I don't think I have ever been in balance. I have been playing with a marked deck of cards all my life and didn't even know it.

Easy does it makes a little more sense today.

Thanks.