I've been trying to stop drinking. Something in me wants to continue. Something in me wants to stop.

[Firearms]

...tens of thousands of prayers, but I've no had improvement...

The wife and I haven't had, what I'd consider a 'good' relationship in many years....

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

This was brought to my attention while listening to this sermon some weeks ago: http://ia600700.us.archive.org/3/items/SERMONINDEX_SID22068/SID22068.mp3.

And then today I was listening to this other sermon, and it sort of solidified it: That Your Prayers May Not Be Hindered | Desiring God.

I think the condition of my marriage is likely the reason my prayers regarding my addiction have not seen the facilitation that I was hoping for. But I'm grateful that I started posting on a few forums to get free of this sin because God does hear and has heard from someone, probably several of the readers of the posts I've made.

Just something to think about for those who might read this that are in my situation.

And thanks again to all who've prayed for me. It has been working.

 

[chilehed]

I think the condition of my marriage is likely the reason my prayers regarding my addiction have not seen the facilitation that I was hoping for...

This is a good insight. Remember: addiction is a relational disease. Use of the substances must be stopped in order to recover, but the substances aren't the cause - they are a symptom. The cause is our inability to live as true human beings, and the substances are merely something we use to dull the pain of our internal emptiness.

Learn to live as a true human being, and the urge to use will go away. I just celebrated 30 years clean in NA; through working the program my ability to have healthy relationships is vastly improved and as a result it's been so long since I wanted to use that I have friends in the program who weren't born then.

So again, I STRONGLY encourage you to join AA or NA, get a sponsor, and work the steps.

 

[Colter]

Christianity doesn't work with alcoholism and dug addiction. The 12 steps of AA does.

 

[dmmesdale]

I think the condition of my marriage is likely the reason my prayers regarding my addiction have not seen the facilitation that I was hoping for.

Most of us have forfeited marriage, freedom, loss of relationships with children, self-respect, Drivers License, health, etc. for our addictions which only makes us weak and vulnerable. Subject to abuse by predators and they are out there looking for an easy target.

The addicted can beat their selves one moment and be guzzling cheap whiskey the next. It all goes with the territory. Your relationship with your wife and children are all dependent on one thing, and that is if you can stay away from one drink one day at a time. If you cannot then, they will be gone. Why should you be different?

I survived to old age (others did not), and the compulsion diminished enough to where it is manageable. As a result of continuous sobriety was able to hold down a job and work out of debt. Not being able to drive meant liberation from major expenses of owning and operating cars. That means I can typically save approx. 700 dollars a month and pay all my bills. Even though my multiple marriages ended up in divorce and there is a daughter out there who despises me, i do have the gift of sobriety. On this side, it is all contingent on sobriety and what one is willing to do to stay sober one day at a time. I was never willing to make that call to AA friends before picking up that first drink. Did not get down on my knees and pray. Did not get down on my knees and pray with another Christian. Too good for all that. There is a window time when one knows they are tempted and can do something and the point of no return when the addiction takes over, and all is left is picking up the first drink.

If addicted then the compulsion is going to come, and it can be under any circumstance. So it depends on what one is doing before the test time. When the temptation hits then one can have a plan to enact to ensure they can overcome. One is too many and a thousand not enuf.

 

[Firearms]

Golly, I didn't realize it's been over a month since I've posted here. I'm posting on more than this one forum though, but I want to update everyone here.

I'm still fighting my affliction and I'm winning most days. I greatly enjoy every sober day, especially the following morning when I feel rested, but in all transparency, I've stumbled. This is war for sure. I really do thank each and every one of you who've taken my cause to the Lord. He has definitely heard the prayers of someone because I'm experiencing freedom from this bond like never before. My wife and I must have prayed who knows how many thousands of prayers without change, but I'm grateful that my story came across the heart of some who prayed and was heard. I wish my prayers received this type of powerful result. I'm envious of the life so many Christians live, their spirituality, connection to the Father, how the Holy Spirit works in their life so visibly, everything.

I've noticed over the past months, and it wasn't a surprise to me, that I'm eating more everyday. I'm replacing one excess with another. I honestly would rather overeat everyday than to drink, but in God's eyes, I know they are both the same idolatry of trying to fill that hole in me with a gift He created for us to enjoy. I'll have to tackle that habit once the drinking habit is fully dead. That's probably how life works; one battle after another, nonstop struggle all the way to the grave. I don't like it, but it is what it is.

My father in law is in surgery right now as I type. Prayers would be so much appreciated for his healing. Thanks you all again.

 

[Petros2015]

That's probably how life works

http://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-10_howitworks.pdf

 

[Firearms]

I wanted to touch base in my thread here because I would presume that there might be some out there who check in to see how I'm doing, or if anyone reading shares my affliction, they can be encouraged to keep fighting against addiction as I continue to.

The over-eating this continues and I really don't like it. I envy so many Christians at my church, how they are able to avoid the idolatry that entangles me. I keep over eating in the place of drinking. I'm taught that this is an attempt to fill myself, trying to find peace in things created rather than in the Creator. I hate that idea and I've prayed about it a lot. I really do pray that the Holy Spirit would lead me away from this behavior, that God would work in me the will and the power to turn from trying to medicate in anything at all, whether it be alcohol, food, or sleep.

I've been turning to sleep as well, trying to get a lot of it. I enjoy sleep-filled nights when I lay down sober because passing out drunk doesn't give you good, well rested sleep even though you are asleep all night. My wife and kids need me to stop looking to these things for satisfaction. I really want to be a better man. I want to be like all those clean living, devout Christian men that I see in my church life. They are wonderful husbands and fathers, their marriages are something to be envied, and they live in joy through a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. I want that. I don't know why my prayers to be lead into that life are not being answered, or at least not answered with the YES that I want. The only thing I can conclude is that God doesn't listen to my prayers due to my shortcomings as some verses of scripture show is possible.

He definitely heard the prayers of some of you though. That's really the only explanation I have for why I was able to break the cycle of addiction in April. I would ask anyone to pray that this would be given to me; the bettering of my heart, marriage, walk with Christ, fatherhood, etc. May he hear such prayers and act on them.

As I mentioned previously, I've posted my outreach for prayer on more than one discussion board. I thought I would link to another one of them here. As my username would indicate, I enjoy a hobby of shooting and hunting. The gun forum www.ar15.com has a religion section that I have been posting in and those guys have been very involved with my recovery. For whatever reason, nobody here, nor on other Christian forums have done any more than post in my threads, but the guys at that gun forum have sent me private messages to include not only private encouraging words, but they opened their lives up to helping carry me through this season by providing me with their personal phone number and a welcome invitation to call them for any assistance they can offer. It was indescribably touching. There are others that keep at me, posting very regularly in my thread about their ongoing prayer on my behalf. It is that kind of companionship that carries me day by day.

Here's that thread: Getting sober = your prayers would be appreciated. - AR15.COM

I'm not going to drink today because I love my kids so much. I do not want them to follow the road I've been on.

 

[D.Hogan]

If you are not yet physically addicted yet, let that be enough motivation to get while the gettings good. Separation from alcohol is no joke and can kill you. It may be rough with kids (I know), but if you can't be alone and not drink, it might be worth staying in a sober living home for 30-60 days until the cycle of thoughts and drink are no longer your habit. Not a rehab, but a place where other alcoholics are holding one another accountable (we alcoholics, if you are one, are quite undisciplined) . look into Oxford house. Its nation wide, cheap, and the ones doing the most out there to promote sober living that I have seen.

I will be praying for you brother, and if you have any questions about Oxford and my time there, feel free to message me.

 

[D.Hogan]

This is a good insight. Remember: addiction is a relational disease. Use of the substances must be stopped in order to recover, but the substances aren't the cause - they are a symptom. The cause is our inability to live as true human beings, and the substances are merely something we use to dull the pain of our internal emptiness.

Learn to live as a true human being, and the urge to use will go away. I just celebrated 30 years clean in NA; through working the program my ability to have healthy relationships is vastly improved and as a result it's been so long since I wanted to use that I have friends in the program who weren't born then.

So again, I STRONGLY encourage you to join AA or NA, get a sponsor, and work the steps.

Happy belated birthday! I have one in a days!

 

[Marissa Katrin Maldonado]

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can lead us down dark and lonely paths, but there is a great deal of help and support around you and out there to lead us towards the light. When addicted to drugs or alcohol a medical detox and support is needed to help a person safely withdrawal and cleanse their body. It is always very important to seek medical professional advice before stopping cold turkey because certain substances such as alcohol pose an increased risk of seizures, which can be life threatening. I have been involved in helping people with addiction find there way for the past 12 years and we have created a network of inpatient and outpatient Christian Treatment Programs that incorporate both faith based treatment and medical treatment into one. Having the mind, body and spirit nurtured has shown to really help people recover and find relief from addiction. If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

 

[davidpat]

The gun forum www.ar15.com has a religion section that I have been posting in and those guys have been very involved with my recovery.

soberrecovery is another good forum for support throughout the day. They have monthly "classes" where people post all day and night about what day they're on, how they're doing and what they're thinking, helping keep each other in the game. I participated in a few of those and might be back, especially helpful in the first couple weeks to get you off the ground It's nice connect with others on a Friday night, talk about what you're doing instead.