Our Sponsors are an important foundation of our online community. Please visit their websites.
Our Associate Sponsors provide valuable support to our community and help build 'The Wall'.
Our partners help move the Wired In agenda forward.
Join our community, create your own profile page, and communicate about what matters to you.
I’m 11 weeks into recovery and already I’m living a life beyond my wildest dreams (or expectations for that matter). It sounds a bit wacky, but it’s true.
Today, I woke up without a hangover. Today, I woke up not leaning over to take a gulp of booze to ease the shakes. Today, I woke up ready to face the world. Today, it’s all about living in a world on that world’s terms. Before, it was always on my terms.
I met Alcoholics Anonymous 10 weeks ago, and I’ve made it along to a meeting nearly every evening (and some afternoons) since. I’ve returned to work. I’m looking after myself. I’m grateful, for once.
Okay, so the fly on the wall might find it strange that a 22 year old lad would be sitting here on a Saturday night with no more excitement than a Chinese takeaway and getting geared up to watch XFactor. Not to mention copious amount of fruit juice and coffee he is consuming.
But for this 22 year old, for this alcoholic, I need to keep life simple. Anything other than simple would push me over the edge.
So, for me, it’s a day at a time. And when things are tough, I remind myself that I’m not alone.
Contrary to my screwed up thinking, I’m not unique. I’m not special. I’m just another alcoholic addict. And to that end, I’m grateful to my ‘Group of Drunks’ for living another moment sober.
Keiran, Edinburgh
Hello Keiran, keeping it simple is the key for me too, its what I always have to bring it back to when my head starts complicating everything! Well done for starting your recovery journey with such a positive and grateful attitude and for joining Wired In.
I’ve been struck down with the dreaded flu this past week or so and last night was my first meeting in 10 days and I was so glad to get back but having access to this site while I was ‘confined to quarters’ meant I wasn’t isolated from those I need the most – others in recovery.
You are right, we need never feel alone again. Good to meet you and best wishes, Noni.
Welcome to Wired In Kieran. I am always gobsmacked and awed when I hear of someone who has started their recovery in the community through AA without needing treatment. It’s brilliant.
You know what, a Chinese take away and the X factor sound a hell of a lot better than getting smashed and feeling that old groundhog day feeling again on Sunday morning.
Well done; keep us posted on your recovery ADAAT.
By the way, have you been to the Serenity Cafe in Edinburgh?
I’ve looked for the wackiness, but can’t find it in what you’ve written. It all sounds solid as a rock to me.
The slogans and phrases on these little cards in old fashioned writing at AA meetings used to both intrigue me and bug me at the same time. I was trying to understand the meaning, and yet felt frustrated by the glibness.
I can tell you, I’m a lot less cynical today, for there is an enormous amount of folk wisdom in the programme. The turn around in my life was amazing (and not just to me, but to those around me) and some incredible things have happened in my life in recovery that take my breath away.
Of course, life goes on and some days are plodding days rather than dancing days, but that’s okay too.
Now you can actually remember what happened on the X factor last night (though, come to think of it, that’s maybe not such a good thing).
Welcome to the community here and I’m looking forward to hearing more.
Welcome to the community Kieran!
Like noni, keeping things simple is the key for me too. One of the many phrases I’ve heard around fellowship is “It’s a simple program for complicated people!”; and boy do I love to complicate things at times with my over-analytical head. I’m fairly new to the community myself and only started blogging last month but I’ve found it very therapeutic at times. Look forward to reading more from you in the future and well done on 11 weeks. It IS an amazing life in recovery and so many doors have opened up for me because of it.
welcome Kieran great to have you and cant wait to hear more about your journey x
Welcome to Wired In. It’s always great to hear about someone else finding recovery in Edinburgh where the recovery community is growing.
If you get time, tell us how you are making your recovery.
Great to hear from you Kieran – sound like you ‘woke up’ all round. Keep it simple and please keep us posted on your recovery.
Pax
Great to have you on board Keiran. You must check out the Serenity Cafe in Edinburgh. I’m hearing great things about it, even on this side of the world.
Welcome to our community Kieran and thanks for sharing. Well done on today… the best ideas are the simple ones eh!
Wishing you all the very best as you continue your recovery journey. Keep us posted, Sarah
Hi Keiran,
I loved your blog and long may your recovery progress. For me,to wake into a day without terror was one of the first pluses.I had had no idea how much fear had ruled my life-what folk thought of me,what bridges did I have to attempt to rebuild after last night(although at the end my drinking rarely lasted into the evening as it started in The Scotsman Bar-looking the dogs’ in my suit and tie at 6a.m.!) God we alkies are expert at “As long as the surface looks good to the public…”,but,inside is a derelict soul.
Maybe see you around a meeting or two-stay well.
Alan
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
