Welcome to Cyber Recovery Fellowship!

[Ciapora]

My name is Alysia, I'm 24 just graduated collage and trying to enter the military ...I'm a shopaholic really struggling with this realization since I come from a family of alcoholics and drug addicts I thought I had kicked that addictive nature but it just came up somewhere else.

I just don't want to let this addictive nature run my life and I need some help.

[yukonm]

Hi Alysia
:67:

[francie21805]

:17:Welcome Alysia!! Glad you're here!!!

[CoffeeQueen]

My name is Coffeequeen. Signing in to say Hello.
Have a great day.
Love & Hugs,
CoffeeQueen

[jeff_f]

HI CoffeeQueen!! :17:

Jeff F :smile:

[zoomie]

HI and welcome everyone!!!

[yukonm]

Hi Coffeequeen
:67: We are alcoholics and addicts who are here to support and encourage one another on our journey through sobriety. There are many different forums, people post questions, suggestions and information. Mostly we just share our experience, strength and hope and encourage each other. I have made some friends here in cyber-recovery world and use the site to supplement my recovery program. They have online meetings and a live chat room also. Just let me know if I can help any further.

[Stephen Beal]

I found this forum by looking for a bit of AA wisom on the internet.
I've been working very hard to stay focused on who and what I am.
I pray constantly andthe miracles continue to astound me.

It's nice to know that there is a venue for me when I can't get to a phone or a meeting.
More to follow

[Stephen Beal]

Happy to be here.
How do I get my phot to popo up in my posts?

[thereishope]

Hello Stephen,
Welcome to CRF, so nice to have you here.
Go to the top and see where it says "user cp" thats your user control panel for your profile pge.
Click that and when you see "edit avatar" upload the pic you want.
Hope that helps you.
Please keep on coming back ok. We would all like to wish you much love and many blessings on your journey of recovery and discovery.

[yukonm]

:67: Steve

[edunf31]

hi im ed my new dos is 12/04/2008 this one will stick thru the grace of god. looking forward to be a part of this,thanks for having me.

[want2befreeagain]

Hi- everyone here who has some sober days is an inspiration to me. I've tried to quit on my own for over 3 years now- but I can't do it alone anymore.

[yukonm]

Ed and want2befreeagain :67: Glad you are here.

[little one]

Welcome...:42: We are glad you are here. One day at a time :):85:

[zoomie]

Hi and welcome to you both!!!

[Beckie]

This is my first day of being an alcoholic I have finally admitted it out loud for the first time in more than a decade of relyin on alcohol. I'm scared but am getting through each hour until my first meeting...

[WAREAGLE]

HI ALL.I'M AN ADDICT NAMED TOM.I LIVE IN GERMANTOWN,TN. MY CLEAN DATE IS 12-15-08.I'M LOVING ALL I AM GETTING IN RECOVERY.I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT LIVING CLEAN.I AM FEELING SO MUCH BETTER ALREADY,AND I PRAY THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE ME THROUGH MY LIFE.

[Friend_of_Bill_W]

My name is Mark, and I am a real, recovered alcoholic.

I “grew up” (refused to grow up - a spoiled rotten brat) drinking and doing all of the other hippie stuff rock-and-rollers did in the 60’s. I played keyboard in bands and sometimes the only “pay” we’d get for our performances was drunk and otherwise altered.

I got sent to “AA” on court cards and heard some bells going off, but I was far from ready back then. After spending too much of my life in jail from my 10 DUIs and hurting others I decided to get help. In March of 1987, with the help of my loving parents, I checked in to the Betty Ford Clinic. I managed to stay "sober" for the next 2-1/2 years going to a lot of meetings - sharing the same kind of generally unrelated stuff you hear most people share at most so-called AA meetings. I attended literally thousands of "AA" meetings and had Our Text practically memorized. I have this high I.Q. that has done me little good in life, and when it come to staying sober, I believe it is a major liability. I guess I was too smart to actually DO WHAT IT SAYS WE DO. I suppose I thought I was working the program (Not like I do today!) until I put something before it.

After being in and out of jail, hospitals, “recovery homes”, 10 detoxes, and all types of "programs" for the next 10 years, I was finally beaten into a sense of reasonableness until I just wanted to die. (I couldn't have blamed others if they wanted me to.) I had lost everything worthwhile in life and really had no other options (Thank God!). Everyone, including myself, had given up on me, and I miraculously ended up at a low bottom true Recovery Home - TheAABookHouse
Only there, and then, was I willing to follow direction from those in whom the problem had been solved and do it the precisely the same way those who wrote the book and others have been doing it for over 70 years.

I stayed for the suggested year required to build a foundation in AA - which is knowing that, and taking AAction like, this IS the most important thing in my life, and did the main things I was directed to do, which were:

Work the f___ out of The Program
Keep It Simple
Read and re-read The Solution (164 pages)
Get to a lot of meetings and get my hand up to share what I did today to stay sober - the MAIN reason to be at an AA meeting (at first - the ONLY reason to be at one)

What a concept!! If someone would have shared this, presuming we could actually hear and DO this, I and others may have recovered long ago. Perhaps many would not have to have died slow miserable deaths, like I had been experiencing, for some of us to stay sober.

To be open and honest, I didn't like any of it. What I LIKED got me wanting to die and worser. (That is not a typo . . . worser is a word that describes where many of us drank ourselves to.) I DO like the results!!

I did the same things I have done for over nine years (precisely what WE of AA DO) this morning that are, at the very least, largely responsible for my sobriety and new life. Before my eyes opened I asked God to direct my thinking - asking especially that it be divorced from self pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. I thought about the 24 hours ahead and considered my plans for today. I prayed the 3rd, 7th step, and Lord's Prayers, praying for alcoholics - especially those still suffering. I reviewed the previous 24 hours (in the morning - as directed on page 86 of the original manuscript), looking at where I was selfish, afraid, dishonest, and resentful and the rest of the current page 86, asked for forgiveness and what corrective measures should be taken. I concluded the period of Prayer and Meditation with a prayer that I be shown throughout the day and that I be given whatever I need to take care of such problems. Especially for freedom from self will. (How did they know my next step what going to be a problem?)

I'm not particularly interested in what alcoholics say they are GOING to do . . . we have a very hard time distinguishing the true from the false! I get my butt down to the local detox to try to carry This Message to those that still suffer (or certainly should be suffering!) Is it odd that I wasn't doing that when I wasn't staying sober?

I go through the day seeking knowledge of God's will for me and the power to carry that out - saying to myself many times "Thy Will Be Done". I'm trying to keep it simple and carry This (AA) Message and practice these principles in all of my affairs. I have worked all of the steps - more than a few times, and continue to work 3, 7, and 9 - 12 constantly.

Could it possibly BE that simple?? It seems to have been for well over nine years!! It worked for 75% of them 70 years ago, and still does for the few of us that actually do what they did. I have yet to hear anyone say they actually do what I, and they, did and do.

Simple but not easy . . . the only places I can think of where it refers to easy is:
Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. (What an order!) I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels (successes).
And easy to be vague about the matter of prayer.

AAction and more AAction!

I know now what my top priority is for the next twenty-four hours . . . and that is to stay sober and help others; especially alcoholics to recover, as I have, from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Thanks for letting me share!!

Thy Will Be Done!!!

[yukonm]

:67:

[schastain32]

hey, I am sarah, My addictions are the cause of the loss of both of my children, Child IN Need of Services or CHINS, and I am not going to lose them both, I MUST GET SOBER and stay that way

[zoomie]

Good morning. The best way to get your kids back is to get sober. How you get sober is go to a detox, or to an AA meeting. I come here too for support and you can too. Now you have to show people who are watching you closely that you can get sober and remain sober. It's a once day at a time program. Reach out to those who are trying to help you even the people who took your children away. I'm sure that they all want you to get your kids back,but they want your kids to live in a safe place. Keep us posted on your progress and good luck!

[Bob-J]

Hi Sarah
I'm Bob, Alcoholic! Here is a Version of the Serenity Prayer I use really Often.
"God Grant me the Serenity to accept the person I cannot Change.
Courage to Change the Person I can.
and the Wisdom to know that person is Me."

Love ya
Bob

[schastain32]

that is soo hard in a town with less than 30,000 My actual family lives in greensburg, and the rumor going around is that I changed my mind about the Voluntary parental right termination on my daughter, and what I'm getting at is in my home town just about everyone knows I intend to fight for her, and some of my family 30 miles north have heard this too!!!

If I fight her CHINS, that means I believed I could have taken care of her... but I know I couldn't, she was special needs, and she has more help where she is let alone as much as love as I could have given her if not more.

Now my son is a different story, there's not a **** thing wrong with him and I was told by my lawyer that if the rumor of fighting one CHINS, is acted upon as true, then what I actually said about not being able to handle her medical needs becomes moot, it then looks like I am unfit for both, because My cps worker had to INvoluntarily terminate my rights.


OMG!!! this is so tiring......let alone my arrest record.... telling the world I said that I was going to kill my OWN CHILD.

I feel like I'm Living a Lifetime network movie of the week:2:

[schastain32]

how very concise, thanks I think that will really help with all the horses-arses I must deal with daily !!! :23:

[Doraine]

You can do it one day at a time. Best wishes for your recovery.

[SonjaS]

Hi my name is Sonja.
I just found this site yesterday. Not exactly sure how it works.
My sober date is Nov. 9, 2006.
I live in Santa Cruz, CA. with my one cat Roy. I just lost my other cat Dutches on March 8th. How very sad I am.
On my way to work now.
Take care.
Peace & Love

[Bob-J]

Welcome Sonja, And Congrats on your ongoing Recovery!

[janbear]

Welcome Sonja.
so sorry for your loss. I understand the hurt of losing a pet. I love my dogs they are like my children.

[zoomie]

Hi and welcome! Sorry to hear the loss of your cat.

[mhull]

Hello, my name is Matt and I'm on the verge of losing my family as well because of alcohol. It is the last thing I want. I have 3 beautiful boys and a beautiful wife. I need to get help for their sake! I hope you all can help me! :)

[annalittlebit]

Welcome Matt---So Glad You're here!!!!!!! You'll find alot of very useful information here as well as support 24/7!!!! Please stick around--there's a Miracle waiting for you if you keep an open mind!!!!!!

[francie21805]

:78:-- Matt!!

So glad you're here! Have you checked out AA yet?

[yukonm]

:67:

[zoomie]

Hi Matt welcome!

[mhull]

:78:-- Matt!!

So glad you're here! Have you checked out AA yet?

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. :D

No, I have not checked out AA. I looked into it, but the nearest AA meeting is held about 45 miles away. I'm in Nowheres-ville, OH. Only about 14,000 in our city...so I'm trying counseling and this.

[zoomie]

Counseling and this is a good start! Too bad the meetings are so far away. Keep coming back and sharing!

[bakesolady]

Hi Im Kristin... Im here because I need to fix me and figure out how to deal with my old man's addictions to crack and herion. I dont know where to begin and where to end, so I guess Im pretty lost and confused here

[jobongos]

welcome to both of you , there is a solution .... keep comin !

[francie21805]

Welcome Kristin!! Glad you're here. This is a safe place to share. Lots of loving, caring people here who can try to guide you.

Keep posting, please, and let us know how you're doing. :42:

[zoomie]

HI Kristin, welcome!

[flick]

:67::42::42:

[Friend_of_Bill_W]

Hi Matt,

My name is Mark . . . and I'm a Recovered Alcoholic,

I am here to try to cAArry Our Simple MessAAge . . .

If you want what WE have - I highly suggest you DO what WE do.

After trying every imaginable remedy and wanting to die, I ended up at a low bottom Recovery Home. Only there and then was I willing to give up my brilliant, great ideas that had created the problem; and simply do what the first 164 pages sAAy WE DO!

It has been working for 75% of us for over 70 years - You mAAy want to try it . . .

[pattianna]

I'm happy to be here and look forward to the journey!

[Midas]

Hello & Welcome, pattianna!

[pattianna]

The quote reminds me of my sponsor...restaint of pen and tongue. Thanks!

[zoomie]

HI pattianna, welcome to the board!

[janbear]

Hi to all the newcomers to the board. We are glad you are here. Please make yourselves at home :11:

[Jlsunspot]

Hi All,

Just signed up this morning. Yesterday was the first day for me. Today will be my second. I'm so very tired of being sick & tired.

[zoomie]

HI Jlsunspot welcome to the board and congrats on day #2!

[janbear]

Hi Jlsunspot :17: Congratulations on your 2nd day. :85::1:

[whynotme_56]

Hello everyone. I'm Robert and this is my first time ant this.

[whynotme_56]

at this.

[zoomie]

HI Robert and welcome!

[paulm]

welcome. for and addict or alcoholic, one day without a drink or drug is a miracle. keep plugging away, I wish you the best on the journey.. It is worth everything you have to go through to keep the substance down, you'll experience a new way of living, Just don't pick up.:85:

[McGowdog]

Hi Everyone, I am Jan, I have been clean and sober with the help of AA and NA since Jan. 16th, 1996. Liivng in Okla. with my hubby.


Hi Jan. My name is McGowdog and I'm an alcoholic. I don't like to use my real first name if I don't have to in order to protect my uninoninymity for my family's sake if not my own.

I've been sober for over 5 years now and that's a freak...ing... miracle.

Thank you for having me here.

Oh, I like coffee and cake.

[zoomie]

Hi McGowdog welcome!

[JJJAKINS]

Hi my names Joe and i'm coming back. It's been 4 days clean and sober.....and counting. Thanks

[Jay Bee]

Hello joe, CONGRATULTIONS & WELCOME HOME :62::85:...Please keep coming & keep posting:195:...Let's start networking together

[zoomie]

HI Joe and welcome! Congrats on 4 days!

[lindakay1948]

Hello Everyone just finished registry so I am new here tonight,I have been in recovery since 1977,I am Linda Kay,Alcoholic,Drug addict~

[Jay Bee]

Welcome Linda Kay, Wow 1977...Im cryin right now...you giving me some hope...That it can be done (yes):15:...Welcome to cyber recovery:62:.Please oh Please keep coming & Please oh Please keep posting:15:...WOW:15:1977...GOD IS GOOD.

[zoomie]

A big hi and welcome to you!

[janbear]

:17: Hi Linda, and Welcome. Please make yourself at home. Keep coming back and let us get to know you better. :11:

[robw1992]

Hi all. My name's Rob and I'm an alcoholic from CT. My sobriety date is 12/14/1992. I just registered a few minutes ago. Looking forward to meeting both old and new friends here.

[pattianna]

Hi and welcome from Hauppague N.Y. I Recently stumbled upon this website myself... (pardon the pun, I couldn't resist)! My sober date is 08/24/05, and I am a recovering alcoholic.
Enjoy navigating through this website; the messages of hope have helped me a great deal.

[zoomie]

HI Rob, and welcome!

[senorrebo]

Heya everyone, I'm Steve. I've been clean for a year, three months, one week and a day. One of my most effective ways & means of getting the next one was online. Before I got clean, I had a counselor tell me that instead of checking out the sites I'd been going to, try checking out some recovery ones instead. It's 12:03, I should be sleeping. Instead, I'll stay up for a few extra minutes, type, listen to Thelonious & John Coltrane, and eat some ice cream. Who says you can't have fun being clean....

[zoomie]

HI Senorrebo and welcome!

[janbear]

Hi Steve and Rob :17: We are glad you are both here. Keep coming back.

You are so right Steve, We can have fun being clean. :1: I have heard for years in NA that if you arent having fun in recovery it's your own fault.

[McGowdog]

Hi Steve and Rob and Linda! Welcome!

McGowdog

[Doraine]

Hi and welcome.

[kimm]

Hi, I'm new. Been in aa a little over 4 years. Relapsed. Back 2 months. They wore me down with regards to "God" talk,flipped out over the name "Jesus", appointed an old timer to have me "tone it down".Being back, I pretend that oh yeah guess I was a little over the top,making fun of myself since I relapsed. But now it's getting to me again. I need and want aa, however there is a big part of me that feels like such a hypocrite. I never want to argue in the name of God,on the flip side I know I'm people pleasing. Help

[Mycool]

Yea, know the feeling. I'm an agnostic Buddhist in AA. When asked about the subject of God the Buddha was silent. He said only that he taught suffering and the end of suffering. So for me I can utilize my spirituality through Buddhim as a Chrian, Jew or any or no religion since like AA its a program of practice. Whe the Buddha was dying and his followers asked what they should do know, who they should follow he replied simply "Be a light onto yourself" So for me with AA God talk I just translate into my beliefs. The only truely important thing is my sobriety.

[Victoriana]

This issue comes up quite often. You do not have to be religious except about your sobriety. I know people who have Time, self respect, Good Orderly Direction ( see? G. O. D.) or even Sanity as their Higher Power. It does not have to be a recognized or symbolized being. The gist is that since alcohol is a Higher Power than you there must be a safer, saner Higher Power that you can reach out to.
Welcome to this supportive and caring community. Be well and post often.

[Mycool]

I agree "The spiritual jpurney involves going beyond hope and fear, swtepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may to just keep moving (one day at a time)."--Pema Chodron (parenthesis) added by moi. Higher power, God, Buddha, the spirit of my Grandfasther, doesn't matter--its all about sobriety and retaining it. I got my 2 month coin today, it burns hotly in my pocket. Thanks for the welcome.

[yukonm]

Welcome to our new members.
http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/4.gif

[BelindaS]

i just found this site today 6/10/09. i look forward to getting to know everyone. i am an alkie from las vegaas nv sober since 5/15/03. thanks for being here

[Victoriana]

Hi and welcome. Great to have you with us. Be well and post often so that we can get to know you.

[zoomie]

Hi and welcome!!!

[Chewi]

Welcome newcomers! Look around and find encouragement and support. Keep coming back. :D

[greenflash1775]

Hey everybody... Jeff, alcoholic staying sober on the island of Okinawa and everywhere else.

[janbear]

Hi Jeff :17: We are glad you are here. Please make yourself at home. Recovery Rocks :cool:

[zoomie]

Hi Jeff and welcome!

[Perry]

I want to thank u 4 being here 4 me and all the support that comes from AA

[zoomie]

Hi Perry welcome!!!

[nv6489]

My name is Dave from PA. I have 5 days clean. It is a miracle because out of the blue I received an email about this site. I was on it about a year ago but stopped coming to it. The higher power is looking after us.

[zoomie]

Hi and welcome back!

[janbear]

Welcome to all, and welcome back Dave

[subject]

This is a GREAT site. I'm so happy to be here. Im an alcoholic addict from Western, NY.14 months clean. since 6/6/08. The fellowship rules!

[Jay Bee]

:77:to cyber recovery:62:, Please keep coming. Also CONGRATS on your 14months:85:.

[yukonm]

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm133/sanemoms/Welcome/welcomeblinkie.gif

[Chewi]

Welcome, Patrick! Congrats and keep coming back!

[zoomie]

Hi Patrick, welcome!!!

[Mickee]

I am Mickee and a grateful member of Al-anon.

[zoomie]

HI Mickee, welcome!

[Mickee]

Thank You, Zoomie :smile:

[yukonm]

Hi Mickie,
Welcome to Cyber-Recovery. I am glad you found us. We are a community of people that support and encourage one another on our paths of recovery. Please take time to browse the different forums and don't hesitate to contact me if you need help navigating the site.
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu291/yukonm/Decorated%20images/Welcometothegroup.gif

[Doraine]

Hi and welcome Mickee.

[Mike G]

Thank you for your warm welcome and I look forward to using your message boards. I am the author of a new book entitled, "The Dopeless Hope Fiend." We are in the process of organizing our web-site and would like to include a link to your message boards. Please let me know if that's OK. You can review the book at:whoops... no urls till after 5 posts. I'll try again later
[ . I'll keep coming back.

[janbear]

Hi Mike and Welcome. Feel free to send the link to me personally, and i will get it to the appropriate person. We are glad you are here. Look around and make yourself at home.

[marc870]

Hello everyone, my name is Marc and I'm been cleaned for more than a year now..

[Doraine]

Hi and welcome Mike and Marc.

[zoomie]

hi Marc and welcome!

[dwharff]

Hi All! My name is David and yesterday was my first day in a very long time without a drink. I know things are going to get better for me. After the last few years, they can't get too much worse! LOL

[zoomie]

Hi David and welcome!

[Chewi]

:DWelcome David! Look around and read and share if you like!:D

[dwharff]

Well, after this weekend I have finally figured out that God wants me to live, not die, and drinking now seems as a really slow way of killing myself. If He had wanted me to die, he could have done it 5 years ago when I had a burst brain aneurysm. I'm well and with the exception of some memory problems doing fine. 2 years ago He could have taken me when I had a heart attack, instead, I got a stent and was out of the hospital in 3 days. He doesn't want me to die and has made me aware that I was slowly killing myself. I will pray daily and thank Him for that awareness.

[mrs.ippi]

Hi, Mark and welcome to Recovery.

[dwharff]

Well, Marc and Mike. Glad to see you were so accepted here. Don't know what I did to NOT be so accepted. Guess I just suck and won't try again. THANKS ALL!

[Jay Bee]

HELLO dwharff, :77:to Cyber Recovery:62:, please keep coming!

[Hazel]

Hiya - Hazel here, codependent I've discovered!

[zoomie]

Hi Hazel and welcome!

[yukonm]

:67: Glad you found us Hazel!!

[happy n free]

Hiya all- grateful to be here.....NA saved my life and gave me a new one!! thankyou everyone for sharing such wisdom.
Peace love n light to you all

[yukonm]

Hi happy n free,
:67:

[Chewi]

Welcome Hazel and Happy n Free! This is a good place to read and share and ask questions!

[zoomie]

HI Happy N free Welcome!

[Rockin Big Daddy]

Sharing our experiences heightens our joy and lessens out pain.

Not letting other people know what's troubling us cause the problem to trouble us even more. "Secrets keep us stuck," say the wise ones on our journey.

Sharing what's on our mind with a friend or sponsor gives that person an opportunity to help us develop a better perspective. On the other hand, staying isolated with our worries exaggerates them.

Staying isolated with our joys isn't helpful either. It minimizes them, thus cheating us out of feeling their full thrill. We deserve joy in our lives – lots of it – because we will have our full measure of pain. Perhaps we fear others will criticize us for being braggarts if we sing forth our joy. But our real friends will sing right along with us. Our joys are deserved; they offset our trials. Telling others about both will let all our experiences count for something.

I will remain open to my friends today, sharing both my worries and my joys.

[jmtcn]

I'm so happy to participate in this. I'm new at this so I'm not sure what to do next.

[mellotripp]

happy and free is the way to be
welcome to cyber recovery
a fellowship where all of us can share
the courage of which we had to become aware
for wisdom is just knowing
whether we can or not
and hope that we have not forgot
where it was that we all have come from
to be happy and free and joyous
for this life we have now come to enjoy us

[Chewi]

Welcome! Look around; do some reading. Share your story. Ask questions.

[zoomie]

HI and welcome!