Alcoholics Anonymous

[Lady of Longbourn]

Are you doing the "HALT" action?

Cool, I found out what this means. It went over my head when you said it Bloom; I had no idea what you were talking about...Learned a bit more about it. HALT is helpful. But how to stop those thoughts...?

Therapist is using more AA stuff in therapy. I think he's enjoying that, he talks like there are things and references he's been dying to tell me. Lol. He's been in AA for over 20 years...

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I looked into women only AA meetings. I found two near me and will probably be going to one of them on Monday along with the one I am already going too. Both women's meetings only meet once a week, both on Monday's.

The thought of doing even more social things then I am now makes me feel a bit scared and nauseated but it needs to be done.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Yayyy! I just got my own copy of Alcoholics Anonymous in the mail. I have been using the library's and there has been so many things I've wanted to highlight and comments to make in the margins. Now I can. :)

Time to get out my many different colored highlighters. :D

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Anyone ever meet someone in AA and think "They are full of shit..."? I met someone like that today.

 

[The Albatross]

Yup I have, and I'm pretty sure some people thought that about me too. Like every group it's a mixed bag... that's why there's so many meetings. I tried a variety of them til I settled into a "home" group.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

There is a woman's group that meets once a week. I am going there on Monday, in addition to the group I already go too.

Therapist wants me to get a sponsor. :nailbiting: I assumed that sponsor were for people that are trying to get sober. I've been sober for almost 2 years. I guess that's not always the case then?

 

[BloomInWinter]

A sponsor is a resource person.

They can answer any questions you have, concerns, etc. They can tell you who's not safe and who is working a good program.

They can be a friend to vent with so we can let off steam. This helps us learn how to handle our emotional self so we don't get so angry we drink.

You can ask someone to be a temporary sponsor while you look around. :)

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Thank you Bloom that was very helpful. The sponsor part sounds very helpful. A mentor.

I am still new to it all and feel like I still need to get to know everything first. The meetings are started to feel more safe because I know what to expect. I need more adjusting time but will start thinking of a sponsor.

 

[BloomInWinter]

Go easy on yourself. Sponsors are just people who began their journey before us.

You're never stuck with them. It's always your choice to move on if you don't find that person is a good fit. I've had several sponsors over the years. Even co-sponsors, so I didn't feel like I was bugging someone all the time. :>

A sponsor is also someone we can practice the basics of communicating. That was essential for me.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I chickened out at the woman's meeting. It is in the same place has the other meeting but the thought of going into a room full of woman. I don't know why but group's of woman make me very nervous. I am usually much braver then that.

 

[Whitneys story]

Ayesha, Congratulations for acknowledging why you are sober. You have not been doing this for you. I call this a huge step.

I was raised with a violent alcoholic father. Generally it will skip a generation. My oldest son was in counseling at 13 hopefully to avoid the genetics. So many things are rooted in "addictive personality".

Please do not feel shame, it is an illness. I am excited for you. Having a therapist that is educated will be an outstanding bonus!

Take your time, be a fly on the wall! How you respond is your choice. I wish you much success with this journey. :tup: Whitney

 

[The Albatross]

AA has some pamphlets about what Sponsors do, and how to find a sponsor. Me personally I stuck to those with 5 years sobriety or more and those with experience with "co-occuring behaviors" if I could find one. Even before diagnosis, I knew apparently that some of my problems were "other than alcohol".