Posted by Tony P on April 5, 2004, at 2:08:39
In reply to Re: Alcohol and Recovery, posted by T_R_D on April 2, 2004, at 12:10:58
> Good for you! I am so proud! Keep up the good work...it's worth it in the end.
Hear, hear.
One encouraging thing.... Even though I believe all addictions are fundamentally related, one difference with alcohol in my experience is that the compulsion, preoccupation and craving for alocohol depart quite suddenly - and *quickly* - after a period of sobriety and association with a group of people in recovery.
Usually, I find this happens around step 2 or 3 of AA. You can do those steps and get their benefit to a great extent quite quickly, even if you take it just as a preliminary "cut" at them, or have a sponsor who wants you to work on the steps more extensively. I firmly believe that the most important thing in getting past the continual craving (and the risk of "slipping") is the belief that recovery IS possible with the help of some higher power - even if that just means your AA group.
I now like to say that "Today, I have the freedom NOT to drink".
Best wishes and good luck,
Tony P
poster:Tony P
thread:331203
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040130/msgs/332767.html