Sober Skaters

mattvon

Hi everybody...

First off, a little background--I'm 37 years old, been sober just over 10 years. I was a first timer in treatment/halfway in 1995, and went to AA meetings for a good number of years after I got out.

By about the fourth or fifth year or my recovery, I found myself going to fewer and fewer meetings. Not that there was anything wrong with AA or the Twelve Steps--just that I was feeling I was getting less and less out of them.

I suppose it was around that time I began attending church regularly, and got involved in a small group there.

I firmly belive the Twelve Steps and participation in AA meetings is the most effective way to maintain sobriety...I still attend a couple meetings per year. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience?

soberskater · Head Ex-Lush In Charge

Mattvon, I'm glad to see you here. I used to be very active in AA, and then found the same thing happening... Then I quit going all together, after some personality conflicts with the "Step-Nazi's" etc. About the same time, I had a crisis of faith, and left my church... Shortly there after, I gave in to the depression and feeling of lonliness and isolation and went back out, starting to drink and use again. This after 10+ years of sobriety and recovery... It's been a long hard road back, but here I am. Today is day 18 for me! I am using a different approach this time, I am not anti-AA, just needed something different this time around. I am a member of the SMART Recovery Program. I don't believe there is only one way to sobriety and recover, everyone is welcome here. I saw, keep doing what is working for you! Exclamation

Roger "Doc". Cool

ntron350

i have been sober since thanksgiving '95 and have gone to meetings pretty steadily since that time. i dont go everyday, but i am firm beliver in AA. i never went to rehab, and was 12 stepped by people in the program who had a good amount of time. i am also a firm beliver that one of the best ways for me to STAY sober is to help people who are new and struggling with recovery. it has been a long time since i have had a drink, and talking with someone new keeps it fresh. on my own, i will forget just how bad it was.

soberskater · Head Ex-Lush In Charge

ntron350, welcome Bro. It's great to have some skaters here with some long term sobriety and recovery. Keep coming back, we can use your advice and fellowhip... Wink

Roger "Doc". Cool

UncleMike · Professional Advisor Forum Moderator

Addict and alcoholic MikeH here.
40 yrs drugs and boozs.
Active in A.A. and M.A. and a counselor in Matrix using cognitive approach, not unlike SMART recovery. What ever method you use - USE IT, like they say IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT!

frigidair

mattvon- Same story here! Treatment center in 1995, AA for the first few years then I lost the desire to go to meetings. Miracle I'm still sober but I have a supportive wife and family. I have learned alot thru working the steps and helping others, and still attend a few meetings.
John

UncleMike · Professional Advisor Forum Moderator

John;
the story is typical, we get some time and the next thing we know we stop meetings or groups or whatever, 'cuse we are cured or think we can handle it. And along comes something and the next thing we know we are using/drinking again.
I know for my self, I probably have at least one relapse left in me, but I don't know if I have one more recovery, and that scares the living hell out of me. So I don't go too far from my support, my meetings, my sponsees, my sponser, my job (recovery counselor) and boards like this one. I mod a few other boards and usually it is the support forums.

frigidair

Mike-
Strange how things work out. When you least expect it, what one is needing the most, happens. Like this message board. Although I do not have the urge to use or drink, I had gotten away from what has kept me sober in the past. I need to keep my sobriety as my #1 priority because without it, I am no good to myself or anyone else.
John

jasonsk8

I am inbetween 4/12 yrs and 5yr mark and still go to at least one to two meetings a week, one of the earlier post said that they did not get anything out of the meetings after going for so long. I don't go to get, I was taught that I go to give, and I will never have a bad meeting. Don't get me wrong, if these other programs work for others I am all for it, I just found what works for me and I don't want to f it up. I also support the church thing, it tells me in the big book to see where religious people are right, I just don't want to get fanatical about anything. The alcohol/drug thing was what I concentrated on first, then I quit smoking cigarettes at about two years, and as a result of that put 50 lbs on, so I now am working on that, no wonder I can't do 8 ft bs airs anymore Very Happy

. I am just glad to be alive and been given the opportunities I have. I started clinicals this week for my nursing school and my first pt I took care of this semester had AIDS, I owe alot in life for all the years I took from society, so I just do the best I can with everything one day at a time.

soberskater · Head Ex-Lush In Charge

After my recent slip and falling on my head so to speak, I have decided to back to AA. I need the meetings, support, fellowship and someone to call me on my crap... I am still going to use some of the principals from the SMART Recovery Program in my quest for sobriety and recovery. But, I have to say I am a newcomer again, and pray this is the last bottom I ever have to hit, and the last time I have to introduce myself as a newcomer.

Roger "Doc". Cool

UncleMike · Professional Advisor Forum Moderator

Welcome home "Doc"
Glad to see your post here.
UncleMike

soberskater · Head Ex-Lush In Charge

Thanks Mike, and thanks for your support behind the scenes... It was great talking to you the other night. I found two great meetings near me on my nights off that I'll be hitting on a regular basis. I also found one on Sundays, but I am working double shifts on Sundays for at least the next month, at least I know it's there when the overtime ends (if that ever happens...) It's good to be back home. Razz

Roger "Doc". Cool