YOUR FIRST TIME

[Mish]

YOUR FIRST TIME

rubywillow;987881 wrote: Mish, I ADORE you! You know we worry to much about what others think about us, and I'm NEVER cruel or hurtful, only my lame attempt at humor. I forget our skin is thin sometimes. :huggy

Oh Ruby, I'm sorry...I was pulling your leg and you took me seriously. You are a sweetie and I would never think you're being cruel or hurtful.
I learned a long time ago not to be a tomato, but rather a pumpkin...mish,mashpumpkin...:H:H
:h Mish :h

[rubywillow]

YOUR FIRST TIME

Well, we'll make pumkin pie!!
Come on, long timers! Share your experiences with the newbies, lurkers. There are SO many who are afraid, don't know where they fit in. I SO remember how nervous I was, how scared I was. It's the weekend, and everyone's busy, but your experience may help someone. Thanks, friends.

[sunshinedaisies]

YOUR FIRST TIME

Umm, I found MWO when i was googling Naltrexone as I had heard it was good for helping to stop AL - I had a Doc appt and was going to ask him about it. Found MWO and downloaded the book and decided on Topa instead. Can't remember where I first posted but I do know that I was amazed at the support I got - then one day went into chat and found so much support there - then one day when I was feeling really low, posted and rog (Tirgs) asked what was up - and I have been here extremely firmly ever since!! The support and understanding of this forum is incredible - we are just one huge family looking for Our Way Out and everyone is so eager to help. It is an amazing place and anyone lurking who is worrying about posting - dive right on it! the water is lovely.

hugs to you all,

Sunshinedaisies xx

[mama bear]

YOUR FIRST TIME

I was hungover and missing work one day and Google alcoholism and found MWP. it was my 49th birthday and I was miserable. The first person to respond was Lavamde and then Stirly Girly. I stumbled around and stuck to the Newbies Nest for a while. Somehow I fell into The Journey thread and have made that home. I surf all over bc I learn everywhere I go and i have friends all over the site.
now I feel guilty if i dont let my family know where i am. This place, along with the support of my wonderful husband and one good girlfriend, have pulled me back from the brink.

[Popeye]

YOUR FIRST TIME

I first came here about four years ago, just after my grand-daughter was born.
I'd been drinking solidly and at every possible opportunity for about twenty years. I'd tried inumerable times to stop but only made it two or three days and eventually I reached a point where I didn't care about anything or anyone. I regularly blacked out and woke up in a pool of vomit with the place a mess and my knuckles burst wondering what the hell had happened. I drank heavily most nights and never missed my work, so I guessed I was doing OK.
It was a Sunday morning and I Googled 'alcoholic' and this place popped up. For about a year after I was drinking and quitting on a weekly basis, just kidding myself on really. Then one day it just clicked. I logged in to say that once more I'd caved and a very good friend who's not on much any more, but who I keep in touch with gave me a good telling off and told me to stop behaving like a child and just do it.
I stopped for about nine months then started again, believing myself to be 'cured' and I was alright for a bit, but then my world caved in and I was right back at the bottom again.
It could have went either way then, but with the help of this place, my doctor and some serious effort and determination, I've managed to stay sober for a year and nine months.
It's taken a whole shift in thought and a change of lifestyle and attitude, and while life still provides all the usual worries and problems, I'm in a much better place to be able to deal with them. For a while, I really didn't care if I lived or died, but that's changed and I honestly look forward to every day and everything that happens, good or bad.
I'm in charge of me and I'm enjoying getting to know myself without being drunk.

[paguy]

YOUR FIRST TIME

Thanks for starting this thread, Ruby!

I first came across MWO on New Year's Day, 2007 as a result of a Google search looking for self-help approaches to alcoholism. Yes, it was January 1 and I was making New Year resolutions and I really wanted to stop drinking. I purchased the book and all of the supplements and I think I may have lasted 2 months or so. When it came time for vacation, I quickly went off the wagon and started to drink again. And, for the next 3 years, my drinking escalated to a level that I had never experienced before. Drinking every day and blacking out at least 3 to 5 days a week.

In June of this year, I started thinking more about tackling this demon - I hated myself and I was just living my life from day to day, completely bored and feeling worthless. So, in July I woke up one day and said enough is enough and I came back to MWO where I have been hanging out every day. I have been AF since 7/13/2010 and it us the best feeling. The support this on-line community provides is phenomenal and I am thankful and grateful for all of the friendships I've made here.

Thank You!

[rubywillow]

YOUR FIRST TIME

Thank you friends. This is NOT about me, it's about those out there searching, afraid, hurting, hoping, like we were. Look at the views vs the posts. If this thread helps ONE person, it is worth our time, and again, I encourage you all to come in from the cold. What do you have to lose? Anything more than you lose every day you drink into oblivion, hide it from your family, fear discovery, or more loss? You are ALL welcome here, but you MUST ask for help, talk, post, and everyone here will welcome you, probably give you more information than you ask for, but never judgement you get from the 'outside' world. I was no different than you, or the others, probably worse, and about to lose a wonderful life. It's your choice. And if you can't get a response, PM me. It may take me a while, but I'll reply.
Rubes

[Topsy-Turvy-Tracy]

YOUR FIRST TIME

To be fair, Ruby, the title of thread looks intriguing in a rather sordid kind of way. That could account for some of the hits.

But love ya for starting it. It's my favorite thread right now.:l

[rubywillow]

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Anything to get people looking, Top! :H

[Choochie]

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Ruby, thank you for this thread. As you know, if those of you who have been having success here didn't share your stories, we newbies would never have a chance. It is only because you're willing to take the time to post that we are able to find things that inspire us to keep going.

I found the site accidentally - was always researching about alcohol and how it was impacting me. Really, it was like finding an oasis in a desert for sure to find MWO. All of these people saying exactly what was going on in my brain. A true revelation. I felt so alone.

I posted a question and a few members responded. I bought the book and the meditation tapes for people who wanted to abstain from drinking. I had already tried moderating. Was just tired of not sleeping and feeling treacherous every day. I had some personal issues that really sent me into the drinking abyss and I knew I wanted out of that horrible vicious cycle of drinking.

I am only 19 days AF but feel like I'm going to make it. I haven't been in a lot of situations yet, though, that I know will be challenging. I carry with me at all times, a letter to myself that outlines my drinking life in excruciating detail. When I feel tempted, I read the letter. I read and post here every day. It is what makes the difference - I had tried to quit/moderate a couple of times with no luck until MWO.

This site has given me quality of life and a different way of looking at the world and my place in it. Thanks to all of you for being open and sharing your stories.:thanks:

[tlrgs]

YOUR FIRST TIME

well when i was 12 or 14 and WOW she was great ...her name i cant remember but the way she looked at me and the way i looked at her it was magic all at once and i have to say i was so nervous at first wasn't sure how or what to do or if i would do it right ...
oh oh wait wrong story... first getting sober i was going to AA surfing all the websites and then i type in dating heheheheh ..
just kidding really i was looking for on-line support and then MWO POP UP and really i like what i was reading and saw alot of what i was going Thur and i just stay here and made so many good friends here and help a few on the way to the long road getting sober ... and i just really would like to say its been great ... and just know if you think you cant..think again ..just give it your best and with the help of people on this site we can all make it together ...

ps im 43 single male oh wait sorry have a gf,ex-wife two boys and one cat... living life on lifes terms

[rubywillow]

YOUR FIRST TIME

You lovely dawg, you!! You've changed lives, you know!! :huggy

[sick of being sick]

YOUR FIRST TIME

TLRGS, you are amazing and so funny! RUBY, this is a wonderful thread! I enjoyed and was so encouraged by all the stories. For me, I had been drinking with my husband for the last 10 years, but when we left the kids and moved to the country 5 years ago, I became very isolated and depressed and I drank atleast a fifth of vodka every night. I NEVER could remember the nights the morning after. I was so miserable and depressed. I can't drive because I can't see, so I was not able to find a source outside my home so I went to my computer and googled AAA meetings and came across this site. I've been here 9 months on my journey to quit and stay off alcohol and even though I have slipped up and drank several times, I am happier today without alcohol. I have tried to get my husband to stop drinking, but I have not been able to. No one will ever quit drinking alcohol unless they really want to! I have made so many amazing friends on this site. I nestled into a wonderful family with Tlrgs and Ruby and have met so many wonderful people here where there is no judgement, only encouragement. I thank God every day for this site and the many wonderful people on it! Just dive in some where and you will be so thankful that you did! We all love one another and try to help and encourage one another.

[rubywillow]

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And so glad you're here,Vick. You will live longer, and happier, I truly believe, and you are such a loving person. Now take care of YOU!

[Ringing Cedars]

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neva eva;987938 wrote: Oh, goodness. Great thread, Ruby. Seriously, you astound me with your thoughtfulness.

I have posted inappropriately, self-consciously and self-righteously. Also, while drunk, sober, hungover, desperate and elated. I appreciate that a lot of my indiscretion (or self-absorbed insecurity) has been overlooked. There is NO way I could be where I am on this journey toward freedom without MWO. And one of the things I appreciate is how many versions of a way out there are here.
I don't think there are cliques so much as history. It's hard to be an interloper on a thread that has existed for well over a year. It makes me feel a little voyeuristic. But it's also an inspiration that there are so many here who have made this a way of life.
I hope others can find a place here if they need or want it. Jump in. It's worth it.

I hope you don't mind me quoting you Neva but I think your post pretty much says it all from my perspective. There are a lot of very special people here. Too many to name. But I thank you all for your support! And will never give up the journey. xox