Becoming Sober (Page 17)

Day 3 Sober.

I just got home from a meeting, I told my sponsor what had happened this past weekend.  He was very supportive and wants me to call him everday from on.

He also is going to do the triathlon with me that I am doing in 2 weeks.  He said that he will do the whole entire thing with me....that made me happy

That's awesome!!!  

Good job, Tyler.  One at a time.

I have my second triathlon in July, and guess who's doing it with me ?  My sponsor!  It will be his first.  It's good to have a "Friend" to learn from. Keep calling him just to check in.  My sponsor had me call him every day for 30 days, and that was almost 150 days ago.  I still call him almost every day and see him 3 times a week.  Twice at meetings, and once to talk...

  I'm curious how those stats break down if you factor in alcoholics that recognize they have a problem and are actively working to attain sobriety. There are tons of people that blaze on, oblivious to their problem and drink their way to skid row/death/prison/divorce without ever trying to sober upor realizing why their life is a mess. I feel those stats probably slide to favor people like the ones working to sober up in this thread. It worked for me. I struggled for a loooooong time to sober up before I finally nailed things down, ten and a half years later and life is still good. It just didn't happen the first time I tried to sober up. Keep working at it is the message I was trying to convey.

  I think Tyler has clearly exhibited a desire to clean up and has recognized his problem. He's managed this thread like he's leading an AA meeting, another plus for him. He has recognized his problem and is actively working to get clean. I think the stats slide to favor his getting there. But, you are right that he needs to work harder and commit even more than he is currently doing.

No... the stats are pretty commonly thrown around, and they don't paint a pretty picture. I have heard the 10% stat for as long as I have been aware. The stat is based on those that are actually identified, and those that seek treatment. And the stat is for "long term". Recovery is a revolving door. And in this day and age, drug courts and rehabs are in every city. It's pretty hard to be an addict these day and not have been exposed to some form of treatment at some point.

I have no problem believing it. I have seen thousands walk through my doors, yet we have a small fellowship. People that have the same time as me are few and far between. Every day ten walk in, nine walk out.

The only difference is that a "stat" is not my "fate". This is the only disease in the world that actually comes with a choice of whether or not I allow it to kill me. Of all the fatal diseases to have, it's a good one. It's my choice which stat I want to be. Sadly, the vast majority are unwilling or unable to make that choice.

And one in ten of those in 10 years

And one and ten of those in 15 years.....and on and on.

Not long ago an "old timer" around here died.  35 plus years sober.  Drank rubbing alcohol and thats what killed him.  Cunning baffling and freaking powerful.

Day at a time my brothers and sisters........

A couple of years ago a guy with close to 20 died. Lost his leg, got clean, won gold in the Para Olympics, traveled the country speaking to kids. Could out bike any of us with two legs. One day he got curious... OD'ed in a flea bag hotel. That one really hurt. He was a really great guy. Complacency is the enemy...

According to the AA Membership Survey 

People  sober less than 1 year make up 31% of  AA’s membership, sober between 1-5yr 24%, 5-10 yrs 12%,  those sober more than 10yrs make up the other 33%.  And yet, as Mark pointed out. Long term sobriety in itself is no defense against that first (and often fatal) drink.  

http://aa.org/pdf/products/p-48_07survey.pdf

Those are members that took the survey. How many people in an anonymous program in their first year do you think took the survey? Not making any grand statement, just sayin'.

 The way it is set-up, a survey form is sent to a sampling of registered Groups. Not handed out to individuals.  Over the years it has seemed to be rather accurate.  Although there is certainly a margin of error. 

We do ours at conventions and on the world web site. We use the stats to help proffessionals understand the fellowship. We do state that these are only stats of those that answered and we have no idea what percentage of the true fellowship that represents.

I did an hour of run/walk intervals this morning.  While I was doing it I listened to a speaker tape of a guy from Texas.  In it one thing jumped out that I will use as my thought of the day.  

"I've been sober for fourteen years, and the longest I've had to go without a drink is 24 hours"  ..

Triathlynne - 2012-06-08 3:42 PM Drove straight to gym last night instead of the pub. Did a 2 hourish workout, came home, ate and went to bed. My 1st non hungover Friday in over a month. I have a 65 mile ride tomorrow which means I'll be too tired to do anything at night. I also downloaded the Big book onto my kindle app on my iPad, only 99c!!!! Once I finish the hunger games I'll start reading it. I decided to book myself a trip to Hawaii using all the airmiles I've accumulated in the past 10 years (yes they've NEVER expired!!). 8 months to go though but still something to look forward to, as long as there is no zombie apocalypse I should be able to make it. My new goal is to get into a teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini for this trip. Happy Friday everyone

Between you and me (no on else is reading this, right?) I'd suggest you put down The Hunger Games and read the Big Book. Much bigger payoff in the long run.

Triathlynne - 2012-06-08 2:42 PM Drove straight to gym last night instead of the pub. Did a 2 hourish workout, came home, ate and went to bed. My 1st non hungover Friday in over a month. I have a 65 mile ride tomorrow which means I'll be too tired to do anything at night. I also downloaded the Big book onto my kindle app on my iPad, only 99c!!!! Once I finish the hunger games I'll start reading it. I decided to book myself a trip to Hawaii using all the airmiles I've accumulated in the past 10 years (yes they've NEVER expired!!). 8 months to go though but still something to look forward to, as long as there is no zombie apocalypse I should be able to make it. My new goal is to get into a teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini for this trip. Happy Friday everyone

That's awesome!!!  I have been having a rough week, I have actually been having dreams about relapsing.  It has been a long time since that has happened.  I have been sober almost 9 years (2 weeks to go)!  I am not sure why, but I am pretty sure it is the stress of life right now.  I had a moment of weakness, and started the whole, "Just once won't kill me" speech in my head.  I went for a run instead, and then went straight to the Big Book.  I am trying to keep my run streak going so I am going to start focusing on that, and my diet.  I am also trying to get back to the pool in order to have time to meditate and clear my thoughts for the day.  

It's Friday, so I look forward to spending it with my kids, and maybe doing an impromptu triathlon at Fort Sam with my husband Sunday.  Going to stay focused.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!!! 

mrbbrad - 2012-06-08 2:49 PM

Triathlynne - 2012-06-08 3:42 PM Drove straight to gym last night instead of the pub. Did a 2 hourish workout, came home, ate and went to bed. My 1st non hungover Friday in over a month. I have a 65 mile ride tomorrow which means I'll be too tired to do anything at night. I also downloaded the Big book onto my kindle app on my iPad, only 99c!!!! Once I finish the hunger games I'll start reading it. I decided to book myself a trip to Hawaii using all the airmiles I've accumulated in the past 10 years (yes they've NEVER expired!!). 8 months to go though but still something to look forward to, as long as there is no zombie apocalypse I should be able to make it. My new goal is to get into a teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini for this trip. Happy Friday everyone

Between you and me (no on else is reading this, right?) I'd suggest you put down The Hunger Games and read the Big Book. Much bigger payoff in the long run.

+1 what he said

ecozenmama - 2012-06-08 2:55 PM

Triathlynne - 2012-06-08 2:42 PM Drove straight to gym last night instead of the pub. Did a 2 hourish workout, came home, ate and went to bed. My 1st non hungover Friday in over a month. I have a 65 mile ride tomorrow which means I'll be too tired to do anything at night. I also downloaded the Big book onto my kindle app on my iPad, only 99c!!!! Once I finish the hunger games I'll start reading it. I decided to book myself a trip to Hawaii using all the airmiles I've accumulated in the past 10 years (yes they've NEVER expired!!). 8 months to go though but still something to look forward to, as long as there is no zombie apocalypse I should be able to make it. My new goal is to get into a teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini for this trip. Happy Friday everyone

That's awesome!!!  I have been having a rough week, I have actually been having dreams about relapsing.  It has been a long time since that has happened.  I have been sober almost 9 years (2 weeks to go)!  I am not sure why, but I am pretty sure it is the stress of life right now.  I had a moment of weakness, and started the whole, "Just once won't kill me" speech in my head.  I went for a run instead, and then went straight to the Big Book.  I am trying to keep my run streak going so I am going to start focusing on that, and my diet.  I am also trying to get back to the pool in order to have time to meditate and clear my thoughts for the day.  

It's Friday, so I look forward to spending it with my kids, and maybe doing an impromptu triathlon at Fort Sam with my husband Sunday.  Going to stay focused.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!!! 

I had a rough week last week.  I am 9.5 years sober, and I was laying in bed with stressed out insomnia thinking....just a drink or two to get  sleep.  Not the fleeting thought sort of thinking.  Real hard core go get that drink crap.  That does not happen often, but it still does.  I just tell my self.. wait it out.  They feeling always goes away. 

I think the thing that gets me through it is knowing that the sense of relief I feel all the time while sober, would be gone in an instant once I start drinking.  Sometimes I am just lucky and am too tired to get out of bed and get the booze.

Anyway..feeling good now, and tomorrow I am going to beat the snot out of myself on my bike.

Hang in there everyone!!