Any interest in the AA Thread?

[retteacher]

I've been wondering if there is any interest in keeping up the AA thread. The thread works best if there is a back & forth discussion of a topic. I would be happy to participate, as I go to AA regularly.

We borrowed the DVD "My Name is Bill W" & watched w/some AA friends. It was fun to see it again & to appreciate how AA got started. I also just finished reading the Dr. Bob bio. It's amazing how crucial one alcoholic helping another alcoholic was in the beginning. Bill W & Dr. Bob searched for active alcoholics to help...never giving up even after many of their people relapsed. I realize how important it is to coninuously help other alcoholics & keep up my AA friendships. It takes energy & committment but is very worthwhile.

I'm doing well but I know how important it is to constantly watch for complacency & stinkin thinkin. That's what got me into trouble last summer: "Maybe I'm not an alcohlic." "Maybe I can have just a little in order to fall asleep." Acceptance of my alcoholism is the answer to those mind games.

I still think about relapses, because they are a part of life. Last night a friend received his 6 year medaliion. He had been sober in AA during the 80's & 90's for 7 years & went out & drank. It took him a long time to come back & now just passed the 6 year point. This time around he is doing service & faithfully attending meetings. That's how it has to be for some people... myself included.

Hope all is well w/everyone.

Mary

[blondie]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Hi Mary

I do love reading this thread and your and others' insights, but as a non-AA attendee, I don't have anything to contribute.

Thanks for continuing to post.

[porqoui]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Hi Mary

Sorry to say I haven't visited the AA thread in quite some time.

I tend to stay close to my home thread and when "things" come up I deal with them there.

I've been lazy in my physical AA meetings too. However I did collect my 6 month chip last Sunday.

I am at step 4 and was hoping to use the AA thread to help me through it. Or at least have a place to turn to as the Daily AF Thread is not the appropriate place for that discussion.

But it is not fair to you to start the thread everyday and then not have any posts.

I just know that the minute you don't start the thread someone's going to post "Is there an AA thread here?" :H

So it's your call. Sorry I couldn't be more difinitive in my response....PPQP

ps..been wondering if you finished your 90 in 90?

[daisy45]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Hi Mary, I also enjoy hearing about your meetings and discussions even though I have never been. I feel the same as Porquoi - it really is your choice. It can be disheartening for you when you don't get a response.
Hope all is well with you!

[sian]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Hi Mary, I'm fairly new to AA and to this forum - where do I look for the daily thread?

[retteacher]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

The daily thread is right in this abs forum. It's usually the first one. If you follow it faithfully, you'll make friends & get support.

Yes, I did finish my 90/90 & am still trying to get to 5/6 meetings per week. It isn't always easy, especially in the winter, but very worthwhile. Last night's speaker meeting was wonderful. Two excellent speakers! I'm so glad I went.

I'll take this thread one day at a time. If there seems to be interest, I have no problem keeping it going. I'll check back.

Mary

[retteacher]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

MK: Any committment is perfectly fine. There are no requirements. I find that AA is kind of like that. There are ways of working the program that are suggested, but everyone follows it the way they feel comfortable. I try not to get too controlling about my AA involvement. I just do the best i can. There's a saying I like: "Take what you like & leave the rest." I don't like everything or everyone, but I know in my heart I MUST remain a member. Otherwise I will relapse. Thanks for the contribution. M

[TheSunFlower]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

I think it would be sad to see the thread disappear. I do attend AA, but sporadically. I don't have a sponsor or follow the steps. Maybe....making it a monthly thread would put less on you.

Because of my "less" involvement in AA.....I read...but, I don't feel right posting.

[retteacher]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

SF: I'll certainly keep this thread going as well as I can. Anyone out there: even if you don't attend AA meetings, you're welcome to share here on any topic. I try to make the topics general so that non-AAers will feel welcome.

Today, I had a breakfast w/some of my AA friends. It was like friend therapy...we talked for 3 hours about just about everything. It was that kind of intimacy that I missed when I was drinking. It was so isolating. I feel I now have friends who know me warts & all!

Take care everyone.

Mary

[porqoui]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

:hallo: Mary

We'll just continue this thread. :H

Got my 6 month chip at my home AA meeting last Sunday. It is a topic meeting and I volunteered Rewards as a topic.

I had been having an unusally up and positive week. After a succsessful work presentation I stopped to get grocery's and drove past the liquor store. Really wanted to go in and buy a celebratory/reward drink.

Have been driving past that liquor store for 6 months without even blinking, but that Saturday was different. Bought extra special fixings for dinner instead.

So I wanted to know how other's dealt with rewarding themselves and was quite shocked to hear some of the responses.

Apparently, only alcoholics feel the need to reward themselves.

Really? I thought everyone felt that way. :H Boy have I still got a lot to learn.

Isn't the "friend therapy" amazing. 3 hrs is like a blink of an eye and you just feel so grounded and grateful for...well everything.

Will be faithfully checking in...unless you start another weekly thread then will check in there.

PPQP

[retteacher]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

PQ: I used alcohol as my reward big time!
-If I got through a difficult week at work: drink.
-If I got through a challenging personal event: drink.
-If I cleaned the house, garage, basement, etc.: drink.
-You get the picture.

I drank to destress but really loved rewarding myself w/drink. Now, I have my books, my knitting projects, my relaxation as rewards. It isn't the same, because my mind doesn't turn off very easily. But, hopefully I'll learn that as I go along in sobriety.

I think non-alcoholics reward themselves...shopping, eating out, whatever. As long as it doesn't become an addiciton, there's nothing wrong w/rewards for a job well-done.

Congratulations on your 6 months of sobriety & on your excellent work presentation. Pat yourself on the back. It isn't easy juggling a lot of responsibilities & stay sober at the same time. Good for you.

Mary

[porqoui]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Thanks for validating my thoughts Mary..."I think non-alcoholics reward themselves" I didn't think I was that far out to lunch. :H

And congrats on your 90 in 90 so pleased to here of your success....PPQP

[retteacher]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Everyone:

I go to a BB study in which we read & reread the first 164 pp of the BB. Last night we read the doctor's opinion. A very lively discussion ensued...mostly about the phenomenon of craving which Dr. Silkworth describes in his letter in the BB. I don't get hit w/a craving now, but I do remember that warm glow I got from the first drink. In true alcoholic form, I continued drinking in order to keep that glow going. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. The more I drank, the miserable I became physically, mentally, & spiritually. I do thank God that I have AA to discuss these issues. Without that I would feel very alone.

Take care one & all.

Mary

[porqoui]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

Hi guys...woke up with Mick's cold...I'll be speaking to him later. :H

It was the hardest and the best thing I did to walk back into those rooms after going out and continuing to poison myself.

By the second or third meeting a lady offered to be my sponsor and I took her up on it. I think we got together all of once to get me started and then life happened.

I felt guilty about not doing the work/steps then got stressed out about having to face my sponsor at my home meetings. So I said so at the next meeting. What a relief.

I think there was just so much going on in my life, divorce, sick Dad, finding a job, a place to live...etc. that I couldn't concentrate on walking the walk in AA.

Throughout it all I didn't drink but I wasn't growing either. Now I feel it's time to get on with it. I really need to do my step 4 as I think it will help me settle a lot of the infighting going on in my brain.

It really helps being able to post an aw f**k it feeling and have instant support even if it is a kick up the arse.

I am looking forward to continuing this thread with you Mary and like Molls, I'll be checking in this weekend.

Have a great AF Friday....PPQP

[Solitaire]

Any interest in the AA Thread?

12 Step call

Hello friends,
Please think of me today:
I attend a BB meeting on Saturday from 9 to 10, and today I am going to visit a gent whos is in High Care in hospital.
He is in his 60's, intellegent like most of us, and VERY hard-headed, like most of us.
He had a sober period of 11 years, but relapsed last year, and can't come right.
He has never done the 12 Steps, but been to several rehabs.
He claims to be a Christian, can quote the Bible, BUT, he can't sober up.
So, in this last binge, he never took his Wafarin, was very lax with his heart meds, etc.
He has had strokes, bypass, etc.
H has been to 6 of my Monday meetings, and the 1 night PISSED, Drunk does not describe it well enough.
His wife contacted me, he thinks the world of me, since I spoke very firmly with him the 1 night.
He sent a text last night, asking me to be his sponsor. I replied only on "my" terms, hence me going to hospital....
We have organised a bed for him in a fab 12 Step rehab, I know many people there, but he reisists...
I pray for guidance. we hope to take him there directly from hospital when he is discharged on Monday.
Be loved
Sol xxx