feeling alot of pain and shame these days folks. 5 years ago I celebrated 15 years clean time...I've been slipping and sliding since and, as you can all imagine, life is unpleasant at present time. Am heading back to meetings, after walking away for five years and wanted to reach out to you all too to help strengthen my recovery. This disease is a cruel one..leaves me with feelings of worthlessness,inferiority, shame and embarassment..anyone been there? :) Thanks to you all for being here for me
Hold your head up Stephen and thank your higher power for bringing you back alive.
You are older and wiser now pull your boots up you'll do fine just stay clean for right now and stay positive, I relapsed with over 5 years and I decided I was going to work on whatever its was that I missed, it was a tool to make this recovery even better then my last which by the way wasn't all that good I was very unhappy and had unmanageable areas that needed work.
So look at this as a fresh start a new beginning one that will be better then the last time that you had and hold your head up Stephen you have to look at this as a gift from grace.
A big hug to you, Stephen. I'm glad you made it back. I think we all have the feelings you described whether we're here for the first time or the second or the fifteenth. Give yourself some time. Follow suggestions. Be patient. And know that we all support you and will help in any way we can.
welcome back Stephen,, it works !! when all else fails,, just follow directions ! My suggestion of what works for me = be willing to take suggestions on a one on one basis and also to discuss the character that makes mischief with ones sponsor/ // close recovering friend ! Ive learnt tha recovery as experienced thru our 12 Steps is our goal and not mere physical abstinence. Basic issue is the thoughts= the thoughts that keep us away from the Fellowship the thoughts that tell us we can do it on our own the thoughts that tell us we are fully recovered are the usual "mischief thoughts". these when written down and shared one on one is the antidote ! No amount of service,Meditation,etc, can substitute for solid Step work. the Steps are recovery !!!! "The Steps are our soultion "says the Text ! Keep coming back ,no matter what,, we are here to help you ! An Online sponsor maybe a good idea too !
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Yup, been there my friend. Just came back 11/19/07. Had almost 3 yrs clean twice. Relapse sucks. But I have to believe we can find a way TOGETHER to change the things that need to change in order to live clean. Cheer up. HP loves you and brought you back for a reason. You are THAT SPECIAL. I too am dedicated to MORE MEETINGS and NOW.
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
WE CAN!
