Hi. My Name is......

[justanobserver]

While scrolling thru the threads, I just noticed that the Recovery Folder is now open to non christians. I for one greatly appreciate Erwin and Staff for this as I believe it will benefit those that have dealt with alcoholism; be it still drinking, been sober and want to chat or a dependant of an alcoholic or just to share.

There is no particular purpose for this thread except to perhaps welcome all to share if you so desire and say hello. You dont need to say your name.

With that said;

Hi. My name is Norm and I am an alcoholic, been sober since 5 Sep 2004. Just wanted to say hi.

may write more later but just wanted to get a thread started in this new folder.

 

[tkdjunkie]

Hi, I'm a recovering alcoholic. I was sober as of January 8, 2006, but I made a terrible mistake and drank two weeks ago So my new sobriety date is March 22, 2006. With God's help, it will be my permanent sobriety date!

I'm recommitting my life to God right now, so I joined the forums here for online fellowship. Thanks for this forum, and thanks for allowing me to share.

-----
Edit:

I just wanted to tell other people who may have problems with alcohol:

You might not believe it, but you don't have to drink today. You really don't have to. There IS a way out! There IS hope.

If you feel like your life is going out of control, feel free to post about it here.

Don't worry about your reputation. Alcoholism is a disease that many respectable people have. Society paints the portrait of the alcoholic as a "wife beater" or a "homeless bum". That is a highly inaccurate societal portrayal that prevents people from seeking help when they really need it. So don't let fear or shame prevent you from introducing yourself or asking for help.

Maybe you don't know if you're an alcoholic. That's okay too. The important message is that you don't have to drink today.

Thanks for letting me share (again) ...

~Allie

 

[justanobserver]

Hi, I'm a recovering alcoholic. I was sober as of January 8, 2006, but I made a terrible mistake and drank two weeks ago So my new sobriety date is March 22, 2006. With God's help, it will be my permanent sobriety date!
~Allie

hi! welcome to CF. sorry for 2 weeks ago but just remember that 2 weeks ago was then. today is today with tomorrow around the corner. as the adage goes - one day at a time. again, welcome to CF. hopefully mroe folks will drop in and say hello and share.

gotta check some other threads. laters.

Norm

 

[training4utopia]

Hey guys! I'm 24, married, 1 kid. I was addicted to weed for about 5 years. It controlled me so much I didn't feel like there was a way out. God delivered me from that, soverignly. Now I drink. It's wierd, I used to hate drinking. But now I drink everyday, Vodka and diet coke. I smoke cigarettes too. I want to quit, but simply am not able to take the bordem. To compound the problem I stay up late, can't go to sleep early. I'm left bored hours on end. I truly drink out of bordem. I truly hate sobriety. I know this is wrong, but I don't know what to do. I want to stop. Is there a such thing as Christian AA. I would like support groups to be Christian, based not secular based. Thanks guys

 

[LoG]

Is there a such thing as Christian AA. I would like support groups to be Christian, based not secular based. Thanks guys

Hi Training4, I believe there are christian based 12 Step based groups out there although they don't target specific addictions usually.

That said, there are a lot of strong christians in the AA program. That's why it works so well imo. I had similar misgivings in the early days of my sobriety but after I prayed that the Lord would show me the christians that were there I started to see a lot of them. Today I see AA people as either Christians or ones who are coming to accept it, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Can a program that has that much success really be operating without the spirit? I think not.

God bless.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

I wish it was still Christians only, because only god can keep you from drinking and using drugs, but I hope it helps you all do what you are tring to do.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Hey guys! I'm 24, married, 1 kid. I was addicted to weed for about 5 years. It controlled me so much I didn't feel like there was a way out. God delivered me from that, soverignly. Now I drink. It's wierd, I used to hate drinking. But now I drink everyday, Vodka and diet coke. I smoke cigarettes too. I want to quit, but simply am not able to take the bordem. To compound the problem I stay up late, can't go to sleep early. I'm left bored hours on end. I truly drink out of bordem. I truly hate sobriety. I know this is wrong, but I don't know what to do. I want to stop. Is there a such thing as Christian AA. I would like support groups to be Christian, based not secular based. Thanks guys

I want to start one, lol. I have strong feeling about this subject, and I think God wants me to do it. AA needs christ, without him, they will never be saved, they might not use drugs, but there is a bigger battle going on, Satan doesn't care if you use drugs or you don't as long as AA keeps you from Jesus, he lets you think that it is better.

 

[justanobserver]

Is there a such thing as Christian AA. I would like support groups to be Christian, based not secular based. Thanks guys

Hi. yes there is: there may be several different ones but the one I know of is called Celebrate Recovery - they have a web site where you can click for meetings in your area - its scripture based.

I wish you well with your sobriety.

 

[justanobserver]

I wish it was still Christians only, because only god can keep you from drinking and using drugs, but I hope it helps you all do what you are tring to do.

I am glad Erwin opened this up so us sinners/non christians in recovery can talk, relate to and interact with others in recovery here - be they christian or non christian. wouldnt it be kinda hard to reach out to the non christian when you dont let them in? had that happen once already by a church in my road to sobriety - it aint gonna happen again. am glad Erwin made this change.

But regardless of wishes in forums changes, if you feel led to work in a recovery ministry, I wish you well and hope you make a difference. there are too few churches IMO that want to work with the recovering alcoholic/addict - it is a needed ministry. Saddleback ministries/Celebrate recovery is one support site that has christian based 12 step programs in many of the states in the US. (I am not endorcing or promoting a plug for this group - its the only christian based outfit I know of that does AA type meetings - I been to one before so thats how I know of it)

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Yes, you are right, I think it was stupid of me to say that this should be only christians, please forgive me everyone

 

[justanobserver]

Yes, you are right, I think it was stupid of me to say that this should be only christians, please forgive me everyone

nothing to forgive. no worries!

you might want to check out the afore mentioned sites to see if they have something in your area that you can use if you believe thats your calling. I still have the whole step study series from Celebrate recovery with each step done with scriptures.

 

[justanobserver]

I was going thru some "folders" in my computer hardrive and found this copy of an email I wrote and sent to a friend back in '01. I had slipped again back into drinking after my release from active duty in '00 and was asked my opinion at that time about me being an alcoholic.

What all is written may not be right to anyone else's standards or personal views on alcoholism but at the time, it was the only way I could express it so the person I sent it to could kinda sorta maybe perhaps understand somewhat remotely what I was talking about.

The title on the email was "Musings"

The insanity that all alcoholics deal with affects each one different although the difference is similar to the whole. I do not seek pity (hate it) but a nod perhaps of an understanding that the mechanics of my behavior is sane in its own insanity. All the trappings that one would suggest be a mark of some success are long gone (twice): the loss of friends, the embarrassment to myself and my military command to be ordered to reside in a alcohol rehabilitation center, to have to stay away (my choice) from my younger 2 sons until I was clean and sober. My career and retirement are gone too ( 2 yrs short from retirement) - once being entrusted as a Sergeant in the Army for the care and lives of those under me. Now I cant manage my own life. The loss of the 3rd marriage, my younger children strangers as my older ones are already estranged to me. I would love to be able to point at past things and say this is what caused me to drink or that drove me to it but all it would do ultimately is to give me false confidence that I had the power to control something that for me was and still is uncontrollable.

My world now revolves around a 10 by 12 room in a house in a town where I have no desire to be. I am not in jail although it is may not jail in a physical sense but perhaps it is in an mental way. Sometimes I think perhaps this is His punishment and maybe someday when all penance has been exacted, He will smile once again and life can be good. The insanity of alcoholism opens ones thoughts to a sort of clarity as well as clouds the reality time to time in some things. It is a retreat for those who have no where else to go and it will play a tune we dance to that others would not know. It is a disease, as real as any other hereditary disease passed down through one's bloodline. It is passed to me and chances are of my 4 kids, at least one is a drunk waiting for his/her first drink. My oldest son has no use for me, and although I know that his troubles are not my fault, I still carry the blame that as a dad, I should/could have done something. A daughter that is on her own for the first time in her life, suffered through the indignities of a step dad force upon her by her mother's re-marriage. I carry a guilt and shame that I have missed the most precious time of her life and was not there when she needed a father - she is almost 19 and the last time I saw her was maybe 13??

So the inducement of failures and guilt to combine with the incurring depressions, one will resort to something that albeit temporary will remove the sharpness of the edge of the reality. As also in that as for me, the idea of closeness,be it a companion or a close friend is a desire that will bring a warmness but the reality of when one who gets in too close inside my imagined perimeter whether I allowed it or not, I recoil from the closeness and hide. I have no fear of any man - I been stabbed, had guns in my face and have shot back, even dealt with angry mother in laws but the thought that a good person being soiled by my presence cause me to escape and evade and run away. I have done enough bad to humans in this life, regardless of its being thru Uncle Sam or just thru my manipulations in my addictions. Perhaps I am being punished for my past sins. I am neither worthy nor good enough to be in the presence of something good - it is the logical order of things.

To some, this would sound crazy or maybe insane, well, I never said I had all my marbles in the same sack. But in its defense, the Big Book has a chapter devoted to the insanity of a drunk - insanity not as defined for institutionalism but from the norm of thinking. I don’t know if this rambling has made any sense, but this is the most I explained to anyone concerning myself. Perhaps there’s an absolution in confession, or maybe the admissions of one who has shook his fist at God and still wonders about the walk which one once had. But to sum this short story, yes, I am an alcoholic.
Norm


since this was written, I have stopped drinking, been sober since 5 Sep '05, have seen my daughter and have spent time with my older son as well as my younger ones. My time apart during those years was not due to court or legality in case some may think that, mostly I was too drunk when I was off duty to take the time to go visit or was deployed too far away to visit. Although I am also "dual addicted" - alcohol and drugs but alcohol was my main useage.

been clean for over 2 yrs now but the drinking was the hardest.

anyhoooos, sorry for the novel but felt like posting.

 

[FreedIntheLord]

Hi, here is a link for those that are looking for a good Christian recovery group

http://www.alcoholicsforchrist.com/

Hope this helps.

 

[Levi44]

I wish it was still Christians only, because only god can keep you from drinking and using drugs, but I hope it helps you all do what you are tring to do.

Hi Chris - I hate to disagree with you but, I feel, that if non-Christians can get help with their addiction here, then PTL - and maybe they will come to know our dear Lord and love Him like we do!
God bless you - Hedi

 

[justanobserver]

I came across this the other day and thought to share it here.


12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous & Biblical References

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... that our lives had become unmanageable.
"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (Romans 7:18)

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
"... my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
..for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.. (Phil. 2:13)

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him.
"... If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23**)

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40)


5. Admitted to GOD, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16)


6. Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character.
"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." (Isaiah 1:19)


7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)


8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24**)


9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
"Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38**)


10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you." (Romans 12:3)


11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Col. 3:16)


12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)

**The words of Christ

 

[cajunlady]

Hello justanobserver, my name is Sandy and I am a recovering alcoholic/addict...My sobriety date is December 2, 1997. I am very pleased to meet you. May God bless you....

 

[eyeliv4God]

Hi, my name is Gina... and although I'm not sure I'm an alcoholic, I definitely have a problem with drinking...

I was raped last month on the 29th, and ever since then, I've been drinking. It's causing a problem for my boyfriend and me, slowly tearing us apart. I want the alcohol, but I don't love it more than Jeremy (my boyfriend)... I just don't know what to do anymore...

 

[cajunlady]

Hi, my name is Gina... and although I'm not sure I'm an alcoholic, I definitely have a problem with drinking...

I was raped last month on the 29th, and ever since then, I've been drinking. It's causing a problem for my boyfriend and me, slowly tearing us apart. I want the alcohol, but I don't love it more than Jeremy (my boyfriend)... I just don't know what to do anymore...

Hi Gina, I am so sorry that happened to you. I will be praying for you. If you need to talk you can PM me anytime....May God bless you....

 

[justanobserver]

Hello justanobserver, my name is Sandy and I am a recovering alcoholic/addict...My sobriety date is December 2, 1997. I am very pleased to meet you. May God bless you....

hey Cajunlady. pleasure to meet you too. sorry for not checking in with this thread as I would like - somedays its all good and somedays, well, its all i can do just to muster up the mental/emotional energy to peruse the threads let alone try to express where my head and heart are at with my walk in sobriety. Some days getting high or drunk is the last thing on my mind and other days, well, you know what I mean.

But am happy for you in your being clean and sober and your continual walk in recovery.I trust it will only get better each day.

 

[justanobserver]

Hi, my name is Gina... and although I'm not sure I'm an alcoholic, I definitely have a problem with drinking...

I was raped last month on the 29th, and ever since then, I've been drinking. It's causing a problem for my boyfriend and me, slowly tearing us apart. I want the alcohol, but I don't love it more than Jeremy (my boyfriend)... I just don't know what to do anymore...

I dont know what to say except I am so very sorry this happened to you. Theres many thoughts runnin thru the squirrel cage between my ears but the only primary thing I can think of is please find a good counselor/woman's support group that deals with this and know you wouldnt be alone.

my heart goes out to you and I do hope you will find a professional that you can work with and help you get thru this.