10 Weeks Sober And Still Hanging In

Alcohol
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It's been 10 weeks yesterday since I had my last drink. I am grateful for the time that I have been sober and for those who have stood by me. Like everyone who is recovering and getting sober I have had good days and I have had bad ones. This week has been particularly difficult because there have been a lot of family problems to deal with. I have not been able to devote the time to doing the steps as required but the well being of my daughter comes first and foremost before ANYTHING in this world. That is why I know I will NOT drink because I want to be there for her whenever she needs me.She has gone back to the city where her doctors are. It seems as if she might be hospitalized because of her sucide thoughts, flashbacks and severe depression.It is a very difficult time in her life and also hard for any parent to have to go through what we are going through as well. . Lately I have not posted to what I am grateful for each day because every day I am grateful for the SAME thing over and over.Every day I am grateful that my daughter is alive and that she did nothing to harm herself. Only those parents who have dealt with severe depression(PSTD in her case) of one of their children know how lost and helpless one can feel when faced with such a situation. Besides dealing with her mental illness there is the court case coming up that we are preparing for. Besides all this I have been ill myself and hospitalized.My sponsor has agreed that under the circumstances now is not the right time to do the steps if I am to do them properly.There is just too much going on at this time to devote myself wholly and totally to the program. we still keep in contact ( at least twice every day )and he is standing by me on this. He said the steps don't have to be done fast just for the sake of getting them done but to do them as one can to the best of their ability. I still intend to stay with the AA program because it is only through AA that I will stay sober. I still go to counselling and I still post here on the Board and go in the chatrooom. I have lots of support from this site and I am so thankful for the friends I have made here . I know I am a long ways off from finding the peace and contentment like some of the 12 steppers who have completed the program,but when I read about the accomplishments that have been made by you all it gives me great HOPE that I too someday will achieve it. Until that time I will do the best with what I have and with what I have to deal with. I am thankful for how far I have come and I am thankful that I am getting through all these problems without drinking. Thank you all for letting me share.God bless and be safe all
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H Pirate, hope you are doing better and that your daughter is too.....I've had many challenges with my youngest daughter while in sobriety...for me I have to remember to put my Higher Power and sobriety first because without sobriety I have nothing, but that's just me.....hang in there...let us know how you are doing. Geri
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Congratulations on your ten weeks Pirate! Isn't it lovely to be alcohol free!!?! Also, as you are dealing with a lot of stuff, you are showing how strong you are and how much resolve you've got because you aren't turning to the drink - well done.
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Just letting you guys know that my daughter has been admitted to the hospital. I would appreciate your prayers for her to get well please.
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Will do Pirate...it's heartbreaking I know....but for me, I felt a huge sense of relief when my daughter went in to the Hospital on a 5250. Be good to yourself.

PS - I had court stuff to deal with too and CPS as well. Feel free to drop me a line at vwgeri@verizon.net if you like.
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Pirate,

It dawned on me that you didn't get a 60 day chip yet, or at least I don't think so!

Congratulations!


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Geri
7
pirate you're doing brilliantly. You've got all that going on and you're staying strong and sober and doing the best service possible, taking care of your child. The steps are a means to an end, not an end in themselves....you're sober and behaving in ways that are loving and giving and compassionate and centred on the well-being and needs of another, the actions of a decent, kind and brave human being, dealing with life on life's terms.....surely the very opposite of hiding from reality in an alocholic haze.....I don't think God makes our children unwell to test us, but our children do become unwell and we can choose how we respond to that test....I wouldn't condemn anyone for collapsing under such a strain, but I reserve the right to admire anyone who copes....and you are coping, not running away or hiding from reality in a bottle.

So congratulations pirate....you are building your path to freedom. I pray that you and your daughter will soon be well and that you will be able to enjoy each other's company.
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Pirate,

Congratulations on ten weeks! Very very cool.

I will continue to keep you and your daughter in my prayers. Be comforted knowing that the professionals will keep her safe. I am grateful you are being proactive and getting her help. The depression and PTSD will be addressed and properly treated. Keep yourself safe, sober, and connected to people in the program.

Lovingly,
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Thank you all for your kind words and support.My daughter at present is still in hospital and have begun treatment. I believe that God is indeed answering my prayers. For now I know she is safe and free from self harm . When you guys write and reply I want you to know that you DO help. I get strength from this board ,from you guys ,from the chat room. Sometime it can be just one sentence in a post that make the difference in the way I think or the way I will cope with a situation. I appreciate everything you do for me. I am thankful every day for having met you all. Until the time when I complete the 12 steps (which I will) and can proclaim myself a surviour, I hope I will always have you all to give me advice and help me along the way. God bless you and be safe and Thank you Thank you for being here.
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The wonderful thing is pirate, you do it for me and no doubt others, too. God bless you and keep you and yours safe, well and happy.
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Pirate,
Congratualtions on 10 weeks. That's AWESOME!.
I am so sorry you are having to go thru this with your daughter.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both!

Take a deep breath and turn it over to the God of your understanding!
Thanks for all you contribute to this board and everyone's sobriety here.
You're in my prayers!
Stay Strong and take it ONE DAY AT A TIME!
Trimmer
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posted by pirate

QUOTE

I know I am a long ways off from finding the peace and contentment like some of the 12 steppers who have completed the program,but when I read about the accomplishments that have been made by you all it gives me great HOPE that I too someday will achieve it.


There is some good news here...and some bad news. I'll start with the good. Willingness, honesty and hope, looks like you are showing those. Good things for recovery, well....actually necessary things......

Now the bad news...I am not sure one "completes" the program, its more a template for life as it says in Step 12...

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we try to carry this message to other alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs

And as for the peace and contentment. Yup...that comes...and goes...its not really "Boolean" as in always there or never there. Its there...then its gone...then its there again. The real gem of the 12 Steps is the ability to handle either situation.....
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Gidday Pirate

Congradulations for 10 weeks and also the fact that you are there for others now, even though at times the world seems crazy you arent shutting it down with blackout via alcohol.

You are facing life and dealing with it sober one day at a time:)

That added with a hug, smile and a i love you will help your daughter and yourself everyday

light and love zac