14 years ago today I didn't drink at my last bartender shift

[NMDemDist2]

I went to a noon AA meeting the next day and by the Grace of God and the fellowship and program of Alcoholics Anonymous I haven't had a drink or drug since.

:woohoo: :bounce: :party:

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Woo hoo!! Congratulations!

That is truly worth celebrating. Defeating alcohol and drug addiction is one of the biggest battles anyone can ever face. Kudos to you, and may you remain sober in perpetuity!

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

[NMDemDist2]

6. thanks so much! it's pretty amazing to me hehehe n/t

[progmom]

2. 14 years!!!

This is spectacular. Congratulations. :hug:

[NMDemDist2]

7. thanks so much! what a trip it's been n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Way to go!!!

That is something to be extremely excited about. :bounce: Yaaay you! :yourock:

[NMDemDist2]

8. thank you!

:blush:

[Richardo]

4. Excellent work.

Congratulations!

And Happy 14th 'Birthday' :thumbsup:

[NMDemDist2]

9. thanks! n/t

[Rowdyboy]

5. Thats really kickass! Congratulations

:thumbsup:

[NMDemDist2]

13. thanks Rowdy, how you doing?

:hug:

[Rowdyboy]

30. I'm on a natural high right now.....

I started my first-ever "exercise program in early January and have lost 19 pounds in in just over 7 weeks. I'm still overweight. but I've basically cut my problem in half! Big changes in exercise and diet, but I know its worth it.

Now if I could just join you and stop drinking I would really be one unstoppable 50 year old stud! (yeah, sure, right....)

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

31. LOL, just keep trucking RB if you want it bad enough

you can do it! :hug:

[skygazer]

10. Congratulations!

That's something to be truly proud of. :applause: Feels good to beat those demons, doesn't it?

[NMDemDist2]

15. yup, especially once I figured out the "demons" were my own mind

terrorizing itself

:spank:

[FormerDittoHead]

11. But.... Penn & Teller say that AA is "BS"

Sorry to yank your chain, because I know the good that AA does. I'd love for your take on this:

http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/topics.do?topic=12
"There's no proof that AA or any other 12-Step program is any more effective than going cold turkey, doing things in moderation or getting medical help. And there's a debate raging whether alcoholism is even a disease! The quasi-religious 12-step groups have America brainwashed into believing that a higher power will take care of everything. Whatever happened to personal responsibility?"

Here's a quote from the Penn & Teller message board:

5% WITH AA MAKES IT
5% WITHOUT AA MAKES IT

NO DIFFRENCE

So it's fucking useless... statistically

[NMDemDist2]

12. LOL, I don't claim AA is the only way and since I'm not a Christian

the whole "GOD" thing was interesting for me

HOWEVER it is always good to surround yourself with a support system when trying to change habits and one thing the 12 steps do give me is a way to deal with conflicts, trials and tribulations.

what is sad is that the numbers (5%) are about right. It's just a shame that our pResident doesn't practice the 12 steps esp #'s 5, 9 and 10

:rofl:

[Gormy Cuss]

46. 5% is better than nothing

Congratulations!

As for the low overall success rate, it's still a 100% success rate for you and for the others who found the 12-step approach to be right for them. Some AA successes that I've know are down right annoying in their fixation on the AA mantra but I'm still glad that they're sober and feeling good about themselves.;)

[NMDemDist2]

71. you know, i almost never talk about AA outside a meeting

but it takes what it takes you know?

thanks!

[skygazer]

14. I never used AA or NA or any 12 step program to quit anything

And I have quit things. Cold turkey. And it's been many years. However, that doesn't mean AA doesn't work. Everyone has different ways of doing things and I see no problem with offering those ways. The more options the better, right?

Not everyone can do cold turkey and not everyone can manage the group thing. I couldn't manage groups but I could cold turkey. To each his own. If it helps a person, how can it be bad? And if a person feels that's what helped them, then it did.

Bottom line, people should use whatever means they can to get back on their feet. And by choosing to go to AA and making the decision to get clean, they ARE taking personal responsibility.

And who cares what Penn & Teller think anyway?

[NMDemDist2]

16. LOL

And who cares what Penn & Teller think anyway?

right you are!

[XNASA]

17. That's ace.

I don't know how you do it, but it's great.

[NMDemDist2]

19. one day at a time (sometimes it was a second at a time) but before

I knew it, here I am!

[swimboy]

18. That's effin' great, man!

:applause: Congratulations! :applause:

[NMDemDist2]

20. why thenk yu, thenk yu verry much!! n/t

[underpants]

21. Wow good for you

My brother is trying. He slipped pretty hard a few months ago but he CLAIMS to be doing better now.

Good for you Congrats

[NMDemDist2]

22. thanks UP and best luck to your bro

it's tough those first few months for sure :hug:

[kwassa]

23. Congratulations! Expect a miracle, and it happens.

[NMDemDist2]

25. thanks, it feels like a miracle

it seemed so impossible that night 14 years ago........

[no name no slogan]

24. Happy Birthday!

Congratulations! :bounce: :party:

[NMDemDist2]

27. thanks! even with my business closing in a couple weeks

this day reminds me that miracles do happen :bounce:

[blondeatlast]

26. Good on ya, neighbor!

This points up the need for a "pat on the back" smiley!

[NMDemDist2]

28. hi BaL!! how ya been?

:hug:

[blondeatlast]

29. I've had a rough few months (mom died within a week of the meetup)

and then I had a couple of very minor TIAs, but I am very happy to say I am well on the way to a full recovery.

It feels SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to be healthy!

[NMDemDist2]

32. glad to hear things are going better, after all we need you all healthy

to kick Kyl's ass in the fall right??

sorry about your mom :hug:

[NaturalHigh]

33. Great job!

Reward yourself with a big, juicy steak and ice cream for dessert.

[NMDemDist2]

36. mmmm ice cream!

fear, fellowship and a high sugar diet will get you thru a lot, yanno what I mean???

:rofl:

[cally]

34. Congrats!!

What has been the hardest part about remaining sober? I'm glad you found the way to take your life back from addiction.

[NMDemDist2]

37. the hardest was the first 22 days and then a 90 day period at 5 years

the rest has been pretty darn good!

[KitchenWitch]

35. Congratulations fellow traveler!

:woohoo:

Thank you for being part of my recovery!

[NMDemDist2]

38. and you mine, dear KW

:hug:

[radwriter0555]

39. Right ON, PROPS and HIGH FIVE. Well done, big hugs, congratulations,

and mazletov.

Takes a lot of guts to admit you have a problem, take the steps to resolve it, and keep up the hard work for so many years.

*SMOOCH* too.

[NMDemDist2]

40. ahhhhh

a smooch too???

:loveya:

[radwriter0555]

41. Oh hell yeah.. a big wet one!

:party: :yourock: :applause:

:*

[NMDemDist2]

44. ....

:blush:

[bettyellen]

42. wow, that blows my 37 hours without a cig out the water.

but it is inspiring.
good on you!

[NMDemDist2]

43. wellllllllllllll nicotine is an entirely different story

it is my last addiction (along with caffiend)

:evilfrown:

[bettyellen]

45. it is a tough one. and i need to keep away from coffee, beer, half my

friends for a little while till i'm over this hump.

[Scout1071]

54. Hang in there BettyEllen.

I'm with you. I quit at the beginning of Feb. Haven't had a smoke in 3 long weeks. But, each day is getting better.

I should note that I am taking Wellbutrin and it's been highly effective in helping me resist. It still takes a great deal of willpower, but it's been beneficial (at the lowest possible dosage) for me.

Hang in there.

AZDem - Congrats. 14 years is awesome and you are to be commended.

[bettyellen]

56. thanks Scout! and congrats....

i have a script for wellbutrin, but so far i'm feeling okay.
i smell better already too! LOL!

[Scout1071]

57. Don't be afraid to fill that script!

I'll tell you that I tried Wellbutrin years ago and had a very negative experience. But that was when it was only available in one dosage. My doc talked me into trying again, this time on the newly available much, much lower dosage. It's working fantastic.

Just be careful going cold turkey. I did it last summer and became rather depressed and agitated. My doc said that the chemical change is so powerful that it definitely can create serious depression/anger/rage. If this does set in, I'd recommend calling your doc asap. I'd been very leary to go down the anti-depressant route, but I have to say that I don't regret it for one second. I feel great and I'm not smoking.

Hang in there. Keep me posted!

[bettyellen]

60. good advice, i have been tapering off on the type of cigs i smoke for

almost 6 weeks now from very heavy menthols all the way to super ultra lights i could feel no buzz from. so i've felt some serious withdrawl pangs the last month, i tell ya.
i slapped on 1/2 a patch today just in case. but i read "the easy way to stop smoking" and i think it's helped alot with my frame of mind too. they don't suggest the patch, they want you to go cold turkey, but i think it'll be fine. it is a frame of mind thing, i feel ready, and happy about it.

[auntAgonist]

47. Fantastic!

May you continue in good health and recovery!!!!

Best wishes to you and congratulations!


:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[NMDemDist2]

48. thank you so much! n/t

[Mikimouse]

49. Congratulations!!!! Keep coming back...n/t

[NMDemDist2]

61. thanks miki! n/t

[Dora]

50. Wow, that's great.

My husband and I were out to eat once upon a lovely summer's night when he suddenly started and asked, "What's the date?"

I told him, and after some chewing and thought he replied, "I forgot my birthday this year."

He'd completely forgotten his 13th year birthday. Ever since then, we have stopped counting.

Congratulations!

[NMDemDist2]

64. that's so funny, I missed by 13th too!

and yesterday I noticed the date and it was "wow, tommorrow's my birthday" :rofl:

[UrbScotty]

51. Good for you

;-)

[NMDemDist2]

65. thanks! and psssst

I hate the GOP too ;)

[UrbScotty]

83. Doubly good for you

;-)

[u4ic]

52. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

That is wonderful! :bounce: :toast: :bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

66. thanks! hard to believe it's been that long......... n/t

[eleny]

53. Happy Anniversary!!!

[NMDemDist2]

67. thanks dear

:hug: for one of my favorite DUers!! :bounce:

[Shine]

55. Good for you!

:thumbsup: :yourock:

[NMDemDist2]

68. aw shucks!

:digtoeintothedirt:

but thanks!

[bigwillq]

58. Good for you!

Congrats! Nice job! :hi: :bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

69. thankie thankie!!! n/t

[zanne]

59. Okay, I just have to rain on your parade...

27 years here! (Of course, that just means I'm old). Congratulations, pigeon!

[NMDemDist2]

63. ROFL

unfortunately somebody beat you to it. I found out today that a very dear friend (and ex lover) died Friday. his daughter called me today.

shit! :cry:

but life goes on yanno??

PS my dear hubby will be 21 in august but you know what they say, who ever gets up the earliest has the most sobriety (I got up at 4:20 MST) :P

[Renew Deal]

62. I can certainly drink to that.

:hide:

Congratulations. You should be proud!

[NMDemDist2]

70. you can have my share even !!

:rofl:

[Nutmegger]

72. Congratulations!!!

:hug::grouphug::hug::grouphug:
:grouphug::hug::grouphug::hug:
:hug::grouphug::hug::grouphug:
:grouphug::hug::grouphug::hug:

[NMDemDist2]

73. ooooo mega hugs!!!

:woohoo: :bounce:

[Misunderestimator]

74. That is SO excellent!!

Congratulations! :bounce: :party: :bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

75. thank you SO much!!

:evilgrin:

[Misunderestimator]

76. Ha!

Silly...

btw... if you wanna stop smoking... As bettyellen mentioned above... "The EasyWay to Stop Smoking" is an excellent book. It's what did it for me after numerous failed attempts. I went cold turkey before my 43rd birthday last June and haven't had a cigarette since.

[NMDemDist2]

77. thanks!! that's a great tip and once I close the store and get into my

new routine i may go there......

[WCGreen]

78. It's comuing up in year 24 for me....

March something or other....

It's been so long, I can't remember the exact date....

It was a Billy Joel concert......

[NMDemDist2]

79. LOL, I always say if i'da had a shot that last night

i'd be a leap year baby and would only have 3.5 birthdays so far :rofl:

[WCGreen]

82. Yea, that would be a gas...

A good opener for a Lead

[NMDemDist2]

88. a Lead? huh? n/t

[Maddy McCall]

80. That's something to be proud of, AZ!

:yourock:

[NMDemDist2]

86. thanks Maddy!

:hug:

[mongo]

81. Wow. Congratulations!!!!

Wish there was a chip-smiley.

so have you sponsered anyone else?

[NMDemDist2]

85. bunches

and some of them even stayed sober :evilgrin:

[Swede]

84. Nobody likes a quitter.

Way to go AZDemDist6.

[NMDemDist2]

87. ......

:evilgrin: