Tried everything but AA - 5 years sober!! - Cyber Recovery Social Network Forums

Helen N. · 11-15-2006, 11:02 PM

I am enjoying a daily reprieve with God's grace fully operating in my life through the fellowship of AA and a wonderful sponsor. I am so grateful. I have 5 and half years sober this time and am living the life I was meant to for the first time in 50 years!

I started drinking at age 15 during the 70's and had not yet lost control during my high school years. Loss of control came in college and I was confronted for the first time about my drinking by my college roommmate in 1978. Many years of heavy drinking followed as a young professional social worker. I attended hours of training in chemical dependency and domestic violence only to become a case study in both areas.

I went through treatment for the first time for my employer in 1985. I white-knuckled it for the next 7 years only to relapse in 1992. This relapse launched my own personal nightmare for the next six and a half years: multiple treatments and two civil commitments.

I was completing a two year course of antabuse and only attended AA when court-ordered. My back was up against the wall - I had tried everything but AA. What was I to I do now? About the same time, one of my customers invited me to a meeting which has turned out to be a life-changing experience. I gained a sponsor, real friends, a real life, my soul amd my God.

Doraine · 11-21-2006, 11:38 AM

&

Helen! Nice to meet you.

mellotripp · 01-04-2007, 03:33 PM

Hi Helen, nice to meet you. Seen your post up forever, thought I could share with you the joy of sobriety that has come from me now truly working the program. When I first came to AA, I read the literature and thought I knew it all. Ten years later I relapsed lost the ol' ball and chain along with my lovely kids. Tried to get them back but can't. Now that I was forced to truly work a program, I realized that there were so many things I did wrong. Now I must face the fact that I am not guilty of what I did wrong, just responsible.

trish · 01-11-2007, 03:39 PM

Congradulations Helen!!!!
Life sober is great. I have 14 months now. I tried it on my own for years-never worked. But today with the help of God, Celebrate Recovery Meetings, positive people to share with I am clean another day. Hang in there. I'm sure that God can use you to encourage alot of people who are new in recovery.
Love & Prayers
Trish

*clean42day* · 01-11-2007, 09:45 PM

11-15-2006, 11:02 PM	#1
Helen N. Newcomer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 1	Tried everything but AA - 5 years sober!! I am enjoying a daily reprieve with God's grace fully operating in my life through the fellowship of AA and a wonderful sponsor. I am so grateful. I have 5 and half years sober this time and am living the life I was meant to for the first time in 50 years! I started drinking at age 15 during the 70's and had not yet lost control during my high school years. Loss of control came in college and I was confronted for the first time about my drinking by my college roommmate in 1978. Many years of heavy drinking followed as a young professional social worker. I attended hours of training in chemical dependency and domestic violence only to become a case study in both areas. I went through treatment for the first time for my employer in 1985. I white-knuckled it for the next 7 years only to relapse in 1992. This relapse launched my own personal nightmare for the next six and a half years: multiple treatments and two civil commitments. I was completing a two year course of antabuse and only attended AA when court-ordered. My back was up against the wall - I had tried everything but AA. What was I to I do now? About the same time, one of my customers invited me to a meeting which has turned out to be a life-changing experience. I gained a sponsor, real friends, a real life, my soul amd my God.

01-11-2007, 09:45 PM	#5
clean42day Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 1,770	__________________ Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, we can all start from today and make a brand new ending. ~Carl Bard~ "Live today fully, expressing gratitude for all you have been, all you are right now, and all you are becoming." Melodie Beattie

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11-21-2006, 11:38 AM	#2
Doraine Trusted Servant Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lansford, PA Posts: 1,308	& Helen! Nice to meet you.

01-04-2007, 03:33 PM	#3
mellotripp Devoted Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 263	Hi Helen, nice to meet you. Seen your post up forever, thought I could share with you the joy of sobriety that has come from me now truly working the program. When I first came to AA, I read the literature and thought I knew it all. Ten years later I relapsed lost the ol' ball and chain along with my lovely kids. Tried to get them back but can't. Now that I was forced to truly work a program, I realized that there were so many things I did wrong. Now I must face the fact that I am not guilty of what I did wrong, just responsible.

01-11-2007, 03:39 PM	#4
trish Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Jamestown,TN. Posts: 121	Congradulations Helen!!!! Life sober is great. I have 14 months now. I tried it on my own for years-never worked. But today with the help of God, Celebrate Recovery Meetings, positive people to share with I am clean another day. Hang in there. I'm sure that God can use you to encourage alot of people who are new in recovery. Love & Prayers Trish