Alcoholism Support Group

Hi everyone - see some familiar faces from the bp support group.

I'm Annie and I have been fighting to stay sober since May of 04 - I haven't had a drink since that time but relapsed in 06 with unprescribed drugs and pot. So, in November of 08 I finally made it two years with complete sobriety. See some of you that I know in the bipolar group - think we all know that fighting alcoholism/addiction while dealing with other conditions just sucks but it is possible with help from others just like us.

I have been around the tables of AA since 04 and can't imagine how I would have stayed sober without the friendships and support I have found there.

I'm so thankful to have found mdj - it is so awesome to talk to others - especially when I can't make a meeting like tonight.

Look forward to talking to all of you. Annie

Hey Annie. I'm a friend of Bill's, too. Yeah, addictions paired with bipolar is challenging to say the least, but not insurmountable. I've got some years of sobriety and drug-free living. Not going back. Dealing with bipolar is difficult enough, thank you very much. This is a place to turn to for sure.

I have seen so many people come around AA that are struggling with mental illness too. Wish I would have known long ago that being sober would make everything in my life much easier to deal with.

Like you, I will not go back but I said that a long time ago and then got sucked back in - just a moment of insanity and it took me a whole year and treatment to get back on track. Hopefully, that relapse taught me about the progression of this disease and maybe now it is through my thick head that "just one time" can lead to destruction for me.

The first time I tried quitting, I went into an inpatient hospital program, but locked myself in a restroom and tried to slash my wrists with an ashtray. Ended up in the mental ward for 3 weeks.Went into convulsions from withdrawal. Then was released to a halfway house for alcoholic women for 6 weeks. Okay, so you think I would have seen the light. But noooo...Within 2 weeks I thought I could drink a beer, maybe 2 and that would be okay (mind you, I was still doing drugs because I didn't have a problem with them--ha). It was only a matter of a couple weeks and I was right back where I was drinking to get drunk daily. 2 more years of that before I quit for good. Yes, just one time can lead to serious problems. I don't drink one day at a time. That's all you have to do, just one day at a time.

Hey Annie,

Welcome to the alcoholism group. Congrats on your sobriety. I'm so glad you made it through to the other side. AA and my sponser saved my life. I thought I was going crazy too after all of the drinking I did in the four short years I was active in my addiction. I am looking forward to your words of wisdom on how to deal with alcoholism.

Hugz,

Ange

who's this bill guy?

Ur kidding right, Terry???!!! He is the original drunk, the one who founded and started AA; the co-author of the BIG BOOK. He also started the number one rehab in the world Hazelden...the one who writes the daily reflections and so forth.... circa 1949--

Ange

Post edited by: AndysCandi, at: 01/10/2009 21:31

yeah i know bill. i just wish that the powers that be would allow the book to be updated a smidge.

I think it was updated a couple of years ago that has more recent testimonies. I have the 3rd edition that I like a lot.