HELLO, NEWCOMMER HERE

[NoMATTERWHAT]

...........My name is mike I'm 21 years old from new york city. I've made it back from an intense relapse and I have have 7 days clean. Prior to this relapse, I was clean for 6 1/2 months. I relapsed because there were definately reservations in my program. I was still 20 and I knew that there was no way I was going to be clean on my birthday. Pretty stupid Huh? I want to celebrate life by hurting myself.....Anyway My birthday was in May and I didnt make it back untill July. I spent so much money, hurt alot of importaint people to me, lost a great job and I have to rebuild a relationship with my girlfriend of 2 years. It's rough but at least today I can own up to this stuff and accept responsibility for whast I"ve done. Instead of rationilizing it or blaming someone or something else for what has happned. THANK GOD FOR NA
I've been making a meeting a day..I'm trying for a 90 in 90...I got a sponsor for the first time. I'm not really big on the phone...I just want to stay connected at all times. especially when I'm home alone with nothing to do but let the disease creep around in my head

Anyway, Ive joined this bored to talk with other recovering addicts and hopefully get some good advice on what I can do to make my program stronger. If anyone HAS ACTUALLY READ THIS LONG DRAWN OUT STORY PLEASE HELP ME OUT.................Thanks... MIKE

[janbear]

:67: Hi Mike. Congratulations on 7 days clean:1: :29: :cool: Glad you made it back after you relapse. I too have relapsed a couple of times but managed to make it back both times. It is wonderful that you are making use of some of the program tools, the 90 in 90, getting a sponsor is great.:29: I am aware of these 5 suggestions, 2 of them you have already done:
1. Don't use, no matter what
2. Get a sponsor and use them
3. 90 meetings in 90 days
4. Get a Higher Power and make use of it
5. Read the literature

I am sure there are tons more suggestions to be made but those are initial ones i was taught. Another suggestion i have is to work the Steps, beginning with step 1. Your sponsor will help guide you. And we are all here to support each other too. We all here share and post things all over the board. Make yourself home here at CyberRecovery and look everywhere. We also have online journals that several people have started located at the bottom of the forum index. If you are interested feel free to start one of your own. Thats up to you. Have a great day, Mike.:42: Don't use, No matter what:42:

[rooster]

:195: you r getting to meetings u have got yourself a sponsor u r asking for help. KEEP COMING BACK

:169: :73: :45: :51: :169:

[NoMATTERWHAT]

...I want to thank everyone who replied for their support...it feels really great ....I was scared that I was going to get alot of negativity because of wide range of people who can read these posts but, I guess thats just my disease working on me.....

[free2bunme]

Hey Mike

Welcome, so glad that you found us. This is a great place, lots of sobriety, lots of caring people. I got sober on this board, when i was still too scared and isolated to share in meetings or to make face to face contact with anyone.

I also had to get over the idea that using was the way to celebrate or enjoy life. now, after 11 months clean, i have found many other healthy ways to enjoy life.

I'm so happy for you that you made it back and proud of you for taking responsibility for what happened while you were out....

As you know, this is a progressive disease --- it will just get worse and worse. if you've had enough consequences, you never have to use again! you can get off the downward escalator right now and never have to get back on. sounds like you're using the tools to help you build upon your "moment of clarity."

i relapsed several times trying to quit on my own. every time i would think "i just have to be real careful now that i know that i have a problem." as im sure you understand, that mentality went out the door on day 2, every time. i am so grateful for aa and na too -- the connections i have made in the program help keep me on the beam.

keep coming back, looking forward to getting to know you!

frannie

[Prescott]

Hi Mike, welcome to our group. We're a recovery family and there are some great folks here. My name is John Alcoholic/Addict I grew up in Oceanside Long Island. Worked in Brooklyn for yrs. I have been in recovery 8+ yrs. I'm glad you made it back!!! Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on for the ride of your life. I can see your already doing these things and my hats off to you. I used to work in a program at the Veterans Hospital called Relapse Pervention (based on the 12 steps) and have seen how relapse can help kick start a very good recovery program. You now know what you had. and have seen where you could go and have made it back. While this is still fresh in your memory banks working the steps with your sponsor, you can come out the other side with very good recovery. I believe we go through every thing for a reason, and this could just be what you needed for long lasting recovery. "GOD BLESS" keep coming back.

[admin]

Hi Mike, :48: Congratulations on 8 days clean! :42: Some great suggestions have been made to you. If you don't have a sponsor yet then I suggest you get one and then work the steps. Please do continue to come here and share with us. We care! :42:

Love,
Tammy

[Just-A-Junkie]

(((((Mike)))))

My name is JAJ and I am an addict! I am really lucky to be sitting here clean today that is for sure. The reason that we use is because we are addicts and that is what we do. We don't get here on our best days, nor do we leave sobriety on our worse days. Usually when we start thinking that we are successful, that is the time that most of us relapse! Why? Because we have been programed in our minds how to handle diversity. WE never were able to handle success. So now we must program our minds, living the NA Way isn't just talking it, it is applying everything that we read into our lives. Nope none of us are perfect, but we strive to do better each day. Hang in there man it does get better.

Love JAJ

[dalin]

glad you are here man.we need open minded folks here to stay clean.keep coming back.

[Aprilskyzz]

Hello Mike. I know all about the relapse thing and ruining relationships. I was clean for seven years and went back out for a year. I was close to a month clean and relapsed again. I once again back to day number 4. Going to meetings is a much needed thing, at least it is for me. I hope they can do the same for you. Go easy on yourself and do what you need to do. Try not to stay home alone so much at first, I know that is when my mind goes haywire. Glad your back and congrats on your clean time. Best of luck to you my friend. Keep coming back. This site is wonderful and the people in here are the best.

April