Do you ever wonder?

[ibizan]

Do those of you in recovery who respond to the many questions from ppl here who say they have problems with alcohol/drugs wonder what happens to them when they post questions get good responses and don't respond back?i wonder if they just go on their merry way using or if they think about what we offer them!So much good advice given here and i am grateful to those of u who respond whith such helpful feedback!:)Thank You All so very much!

[rod44]

Hi ibizan, how are you my friend? Its good to hear from you.

For me It all about step 12, (Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs) giving it back.I got help when I needed it and now I am here for those just starting out in sobriety who need help
And
If they chose to stay out there drinking/using then so be it, if they chose to use the advice given then so be it.

There but by the grace of god go I.
My sobriety must ALWAYS come first, but I am here to help
Thanks
Rod.

[ibizan]

Ditto my dear ditto!i LOVE the sober/clean life....no hangovers drama money woes.....it has all gotten progressively better over the past 25 years!

[PixieNYC]

Both of you are completely right! Funny, I have also asked myself the same question as you, ibizan! Be good, people!/ Pia

[ibizan]

glad to see u aboard dear!keep posting back!:)

[Helpless123]

Initially I was really pissed off at your comments.  I went all out to find a 30 inpatient with detox facility.  I then watched "Intervention" and remember what that was like.  I am not paying all of that money to have someone order me around.

One day when I was half sober, I asked my husband to video tape me when I was drunk.  Boy ------ WAS THAT EVER A WAKE UP CALL.  That is not who I want to be.  I was totally pathetic. I have asked him to continue taping me if I fall off the wagon.  Today makes six days.  I asked him if that's how I look out in public - and he said sometimes.  

Then I remembered your message.  You were right all I was doing was making excuses.  I did see an addiction specialist.  I know AA, inpatient, IOP - these are all recommended.  But, I think I am going to try to do it my way this time.  It's amazing that my memory is coming back.  My husband said I sound crisper.  Granted I spent a lot of time sleeping those first few days.

I think my other meds are starting to work on my other problems as well.  I think I am trying to be kind to myself.  To start a positive loop in my head instead of the "I'll never quit" loop.

Thanks for listening.

P

[rod44]

Hi Helpless123,
Its good to hear back from you and in a much more positive mood as well, good for you my friend and well done.
Sometimes we need to hear and see and be shocked by what people think about our drunken behaviour be it as a practicing alcoholic or a “dry drunk” you needed a wakeup call, better hear it here than in a police cell or from a doctor in ICU.
Now I will honestly say that I am so happy that you are doing ok, I wish you well in recovery. AA is your choice.
Stay in contact
Ray.

[dominosarah]

I have wondered that alot.  I am on the Substance abuse forum as i am also a recovering drug addict.  I remember when i first came to the forum and detoxed i wanted to save the world.....now all i can do is be supportive of others and save myself.  I wish everyone well in their recovery and please dont forget aftercare...I am a firm believer in that as it has been vital in my recovery.  I have been sober for 7 yrs and clean off pills for 515 plus days.......One day at a time.........sara

[ibizan]

So nice to see u posting here...we need all the help we can get in this forum from ppl working a recovery program and abstaining from alcohol/drugs!Keep checking back with us and contributing..it is appreciated!:)

[rod44]

Hi Sara, congrats on your recovery…..as you say it is one day at a time…..one minute at a time if needs be.
well done again.
Ray

[Tink70]

I reckon they either get sober, stay a drunk or die or end up in an endless stream of institutions.  Those are about the only options.

[ibizan]

Amen sister..u r right and we know it!:)

[MGM1550]

Guilty here...as I've not posted in awhile.  Then I had to re-register, as I couldn't find my password, was given msg that my email wasn't right... geez...

[MGM1550]

Right.. I haven't posted in awhile but wanted you to know that I appreciated all the help and advice given to me by you good people.

I haven't completely stopped drinking but am no longer getting drunk, if that counts for anything.  I was drinking a fifth of vodka/daily.....I didn't have nearly the problems I thought I would coming off of drinking that much every day.  I don't get sick anymore, and that's quite a relief.  

I did get some bad news... my dad, whom I'm very close to, has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He meets with his urologist tomorrow to decide the course of treatment.  I realize I can't let this put me back in the bottle, but I'm very worried about him.  He underplays anything wrong with him, and I'm not sure I can trust him to tell me everything... but there's nothing I can do about it except go on what he tells me.

I previously posted under MGM155.

So.. I will keep you updated.  I've just not really known what to say.  So I'll just say thank you again for taking the time to share with me all you've been through.  

Maybe others just don't come back because they've not stopped drinking and don't know what to say...?  

I just figure people don't want to know if you're still drinking anything at all as that's a sign of failure.

Thank you all again.

[ibizan]

glad to hear ur alive drinking less....ur getting there...my heartfelt condolences regarding ur dad.....my dad gone from that in 2006...had bladder issues and enlarged prostate issues for years and ignored them.....a doctor and the WORST closemouthed patient around.......oh do i know what/how ur feeling!u r right i think many don't re-post cuz their doing their personal liquid/chemical research......most likely ashamed.....maybe forgot about us...but thank u for putting us in the loop!many prayers for u and ur dad!:)

[MGM1550]

I just heard this evening.  The docs decided due to his age that watchful waiting is what they're going to do, that it didn't seem to be a progressive cancer. So, a bit of good news is always welcome.

Yes,, I think that many are ashamed they haven't quit ....yet..  And so what's there to say.  I'm working on it.  I am weak, so weak.. there have been so many losses.  My twin grandsons... gone.. the fear of my dad hearing the worst.  I'm just very depressed,

I'm ashamed, too... and very sad.

[rod44]

That is some good news for you and means you get to spend more time with your dad.

I felt shame and guilt after the many attempts I made at trying to stop. It eventually hit me that I could not do this on my own, it was when I went to my first AA meeting the message I got from everyone was to surrender my addiction, accept that I could not drink today because it was killing me, look deep into myself and be completely honest with myself that this disease was going to kill me in the end. I did this and with the help of the many friends I met in the rooms I started to get through one day then another and now it has been a few years.

All you have lost should tell you how important it is for you to stop drinking, there is so much more of the same if you do keep drinking and no hope of fixing hurts that you may have caused if you continue to drink.
Think how different things could be eventually if you do stop.

Ray

[narla]

Hi my names Denise I've been sober now for 47 days and codeine free the same time,I found it great at first just to read other stories it made me feel I wasn't alone anymore.Now I'm enjoying been part of the forums and actually talking to people sometimes answering questions if I feel I know what I'm talking about.Many of the forums here I can relate to,so I watch about 8 different ones.Medhelp is the best thing I've found.  

[rod44]

Well done on your sober time. Any thing you have to say as a recovering addict is valuable so post away, some times we think when we say things that it makes no sense, so be it, if it makes sense to you then that is what matters, from experience though the things we say always make sense to someone, they get some identification, stick to your recovery program as it is working for you, keep life simple, if you are struggling or some thing is bothering you get it out there and get feedback be it here or in a meeting  
Ray

[ibizan]

Welcome Narla!47 days..keep going!life is so one day atta time....there is so much support here and we keep gaining momentum!

[ibizan]

that is a bit of good news! u r not weak..u just THINK u r!it sounds like u have endured many losses in ur life...that is not a weak person..that is a human person with endurance!Spend what time u can with ur dad...i did...and i still think of those times and so many that went b4!:)

[narla]

I didn't mention I'd been an alcoholic since I was 14 and addicted to codeine for 20 yrs taking 18 to 24 10mg tablets a day.It's hard in Australia because you can buy packets of 40 x 10mg codeine OTC for $10.00 and they don't register your name or anything.It's a cheap buzz.I now have liver damage,hopefully we've caught it in time where it can start to heal just have to have regular blood tests at the moment.

[ibizan]

damn!what easy access to codeine!sure glad that isn't the way it is here in USA...we have SO many problems with street and easy access  unethical doctors writing scrips for almighty $$$$$$$ for painkillers and benzos!And yes determination and perseverance will get u 2 where u wanna b!

[dominosarah]

Congrats Narla!!  You are doing so good!!  Nice to see you here too by the way!!

MGM.......as long as you have hope you will never fail.  Please dont be ashamed.  Noone here is ashamed of you.  Are you going to any type of aftercare?  You have experienced some losses that i cant even begin to fathom.  I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your grandsons.....Prostate cancer has gained alot of ground recently and many people are recovering.  I wish you all the best.......sara

[luvmykids29]

Hi there :)  I know that I have come here for help and support before. Yes, I went on my merry way when I got the lil pat on the back that I needed. But, I did post tonight with the need of true support and got nada :(  I am not giving up though. I plan on being here all day tomorrow. Ready to read some responses and read posts. Anything that it takes to not drink. JMO from a previous poster who went on her merry way and came back :) Hope to be in contact soon :)

[ibizan]

Please take urself to some AA meetings b4 the appt.u mentioned......u have to take the initiative here!

[luvmykids29]

Trying to take that bull by the horns. I am looking up AA right now :) I just so badly wanna step out of this fog and back into the light. Thanks :)

[ibizan]

glad to hear that....it is a good start....u need to be around sober ppl and those who have weathered this alcoholic storm and are still dry from the rain!:)