by annerocksgws » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:07 pm
Remember; it is easier to stay sober, than it is to "get Sober". So, once you go through the gruling part of detox and you are sober for a few days, you have won the first part of the battle. Congratulations! Now, you are left with your thoughts of " what happens now?" All you have to do is listen to what is suggested to you in the meetings. The first year I was sober, I did not talk at any of the meetings. I just listened intently to how other people worked at staying sober. Human nature tells us to question everything and fight against recovery. " Fake it till you make it." Get a sponsor right away and begin working the steps. Attend 90 meetings in 90 days. That's all you have to do. Whether you like this or not, just do it. At first, I was like a robot, I just did what I was told. And one thing that really helped me stay sober the first year was to show up every Wednesday night and make coffee for 60 people. I make the worst coffee on the planet; even tho everyone said it was fine. A lot of the time, I dreaded doing the coffee, but this task made me accountable; this was service work. And it eventually got myself out of my head. Fairly soon after, I began greeting people at the door; then I started listening to " their stories." I had plenty of time to address my own issues " later".The more I helped others, the smaller "my own problems" became. I hung out with several people that had 10 plus years sobriety because they obviously worked their program with much success. I stayed away from "drama queens ( and kings" and approached my recovery as I would say, taking a 4 year college program. I was educating myself and did not care how long it took. Five years later now, I still treat my recovery the same way. I am still in "AA college"; I just won't graguate (ever) it is an ongoing deal. The road to recovery is not always straight, but I keep walking that road. Good luck my friend! You are exactly where you are supposed to be. God has made sure of that.