CG -
I posted this on another thread, but wanted to make sure you read it and it did not get lost in with the many other posts on that thread. So many others that love & admire you!!!
Pretty amazing.....
:-)
Oh, and I'm sorry it's so long!! Just had a lot to say - to you and the others that work the 12-step program. I thank all of you!!!!
cowgirl,
I really hope that you do not leave this board!!!!
I am not active here daily, but did see some bits & pieces of the NA/AA bashing (towards you mostly) that I am assuming is part of why you may be leaving here.
Even though many may say they do not agree with the NA/AA program of recovery, one day they may change their minds and find the serenity and TRUE RECOVERY that comes thru the rooms of NA/AA.
For a very long time, I myself thought that I could "recover" without NA. Well, I was able to not use for long periods of time. But I would always end up relapsing - cause I was determined to do it my way and not the NA way. I would again be able to not use for a while, then the same cycle again.
I WANTED WHAT YOU, TERESA, AND OTHERS HAD - TRUE RECOVERY!!!!
NOT JUST "NOT USING"!!!!
I have never said this here (shame on me cause I have meant to say many things for a while now!!) - I will say it now - - -
I FINALLY dedicated myself to NA and true recovery because of YOU, Teresa, Janet, Rachael, and the many others here that never stop trying to pass along the message of the 12-step program!!!!!!
Complete abstinance from ALL drugs (including alcohol!!!), going to meetings, working the steps with my awesome sponsor, learning & using the tools to dig deep inside of my soul to figure out the reasons I used and how to live without ever using again, continuing individual therapy with my psychiatrist/addiction specialist, reading & posting here, and most importantly having the f2f support from recovering addicts in the program are all SOOOO critical to my recovery!!!
If I had not heard over & over & over again about the NA/AA program from yourself & others here - and actually witnessed that success, I would NOT be where I am today!!!!!
I want you to know that you played a major role in saving my life!!!!
Not only is NA helping to keep me clean, it is opening my eyes to SOOOOO much more!!! Way beyond my wildest imagination!!!
I now have friends that truely care about me & my recovery!!! The REAL me - the open & honest & unafraid me!!! The me that I did not even know existed cause I had never been able to open up like I am now!! They are showing me a new way of life!!!!
I found these true friends in the rooms of NA - the place I would NOT have been if it were not for those of you here that demonstrate that the program WORKS!!! And continue to promote and talk about it, even when others do not like it!!!! I sure did not like it for a long time!!!! I hated hearing what I did not want to hear!!! But that is just me.....
If you do leave, that is your choice and I wish you the best in everything you do. I'm sure you know how much you will be missed here!!
I just wanted to let you know that I admire you SOOOO much!!!
And a HUGE thank you for the part you played in saving me from my destructive addict self!!!!!
Swizzle
swizzle,
thats a great testimony, thanks for sharing you are giving many here hopes and inspiration. it works if you work it.
terrianne
thats a great testimony, thanks for sharing you are giving many here hopes and inspiration. it works if you work it.
terrianne
Thanks boo
I am happy that NA is working so great for me
I know it is not for everyone, but it has certainly saved MY life!!
I am forever grateful to EVERYONE on this forum - each person has played a part in my recovery - just reading what each person posts helps in one way or another
(With the exception of the trolls!!!!! But I do feel sorry for them cause they are obviously very sick....)
I am happy that NA is working so great for me
I know it is not for everyone, but it has certainly saved MY life!!
I am forever grateful to EVERYONE on this forum - each person has played a part in my recovery - just reading what each person posts helps in one way or another
(With the exception of the trolls!!!!! But I do feel sorry for them cause they are obviously very sick....)
Dear Swizzle,
Nicely said!!!
I hope she sees it..........Shel
Nicely said!!!
I hope she sees it..........Shel
swizzle,
your sobriety is truly shining, you seriously set a great example for the board and your program. i am happy to see you so happy, that is what it is all about : ) keep shining your brights the board needs you.
terrianne
your sobriety is truly shining, you seriously set a great example for the board and your program. i am happy to see you so happy, that is what it is all about : ) keep shining your brights the board needs you.
terrianne
Swizzle, don't fix it if its not broke!! Your doing just FANTASTIC. Very inspiring story.
Thank you all so much !!! You've brought tears to my eyes !!
It is definitely hard work and I know that I can NEVER let my guard down !!
This board and the people here are the best !!!!
I think it's about time for me to post a bit more often .....
Love to you all
:-)
Swizzle
It is definitely hard work and I know that I can NEVER let my guard down !!
This board and the people here are the best !!!!
I think it's about time for me to post a bit more often .....
Love to you all
:-)
Swizzle
....
Dear Swizzle:
You are a true inspiration, sound very grounded and what is working for you - well, it's working. Can read in your words.
There have been 2 newcomers who used to go to meetings and it worked for them and I suggested that if they knew it worked, I would start back immedialely. One was really planning, someone else,had other matters to deal with, too, maybe you were the one who posted to them saying they could go ahead and start going to meetings before everything else had worked out.
If meetings work for some - I am really all for them. I'm sure they do - otherwise why would you take the time to go.
Our Church started recovery meetings this past Monday night. It is a big Church and I so admire the person who stepped up and went to the Pastor with this. I would never ask who it might be - doesn't matter - if it is learned one day, I will thank them. I also know I don't tell what goes on at meetings but able to say the following.
They sent out cut-outs in newsletters if this is something needed. I sent my form in. I feel very comfortable there.
We are feeling our way around and the Pastor along with a counselor are there for us.
It was a lot like group therapy which I like.
If someone thinks this is as serious as I think it is, I have heard on World News that prescription pill addiction is an epidemic, this was about 6 months ago, we need to do all we can to not only help ourselves but others as well.
Any group of people can start a meeting. It can't hurt and I feel safe there. It's such a big Church, I don't know e'one by name but by their faces anyway and we all walk out together.
I'm not glad there was a need but glad I have another way to "stay clean".
Very happy for you.
Jean
You are a true inspiration, sound very grounded and what is working for you - well, it's working. Can read in your words.
There have been 2 newcomers who used to go to meetings and it worked for them and I suggested that if they knew it worked, I would start back immedialely. One was really planning, someone else,had other matters to deal with, too, maybe you were the one who posted to them saying they could go ahead and start going to meetings before everything else had worked out.
If meetings work for some - I am really all for them. I'm sure they do - otherwise why would you take the time to go.
Our Church started recovery meetings this past Monday night. It is a big Church and I so admire the person who stepped up and went to the Pastor with this. I would never ask who it might be - doesn't matter - if it is learned one day, I will thank them. I also know I don't tell what goes on at meetings but able to say the following.
They sent out cut-outs in newsletters if this is something needed. I sent my form in. I feel very comfortable there.
We are feeling our way around and the Pastor along with a counselor are there for us.
It was a lot like group therapy which I like.
If someone thinks this is as serious as I think it is, I have heard on World News that prescription pill addiction is an epidemic, this was about 6 months ago, we need to do all we can to not only help ourselves but others as well.
Any group of people can start a meeting. It can't hurt and I feel safe there. It's such a big Church, I don't know e'one by name but by their faces anyway and we all walk out together.
I'm not glad there was a need but glad I have another way to "stay clean".
Very happy for you.
Jean
Swizzle,
Great post.You will give others the hope that they so desperately need in the early stages of recovery.You have done an amazing job.
DJ
Great post.You will give others the hope that they so desperately need in the early stages of recovery.You have done an amazing job.
DJ
I hope that you decide to start going to meetings Jean and if you even get a small part of what I get out of them, you will look forward to going again & again....
I feel so amazing after a meeting - I can't even describe it!! I do wish that I would have started NA much sooner but am just glad I am there now - I was SOOOOO against going for a very long time, I had every excuse in the world too!! The "I don't have time!!" was my biggest one!! After all, I am a single mom of 2 kids, I work f/t and more, I travel several times a month for business, AND I have a long-distance boyfriend!!! Where could meetings possible fit in?!?!?!
I learned that I am NOT unique!! Everyone else has a busy schedule too, but they are still able to put meetings into that schedule!! HOW?? Because it is important to me, they are part of my schedule - and somehow that time seemed to just work itself out......
I feel so amazing after a meeting - I can't even describe it!! I do wish that I would have started NA much sooner but am just glad I am there now - I was SOOOOO against going for a very long time, I had every excuse in the world too!! The "I don't have time!!" was my biggest one!! After all, I am a single mom of 2 kids, I work f/t and more, I travel several times a month for business, AND I have a long-distance boyfriend!!! Where could meetings possible fit in?!?!?!
I learned that I am NOT unique!! Everyone else has a busy schedule too, but they are still able to put meetings into that schedule!! HOW?? Because it is important to me, they are part of my schedule - and somehow that time seemed to just work itself out......
Jean, are those meetings going to be 12 step based? Or are they going to be based on the Bible?
bump for cg
Glad to see you posted on another thread
:-)
How are you doing??
Hey Swizzle,
Good post. I may yet go to a meeting when I get back, but at present I have managed to go 180 days clean on my own. Now, I only have good days and great days...couldn't say that two years ago. Anyway, it's 100% impossible for me to go to a meeting right now. I get off the bus at 6am work 16hrs, climb back on the bus and repeat the next day. I do want to see what it's all about though. I do, however, feel fantastic....challenged, but life without struggle isn't life. Later....
Good post. I may yet go to a meeting when I get back, but at present I have managed to go 180 days clean on my own. Now, I only have good days and great days...couldn't say that two years ago. Anyway, it's 100% impossible for me to go to a meeting right now. I get off the bus at 6am work 16hrs, climb back on the bus and repeat the next day. I do want to see what it's all about though. I do, however, feel fantastic....challenged, but life without struggle isn't life. Later....
