I'm not sure if I'm quitting drinking, I've always been good about just having a few on the weekends. It's become more frequent lately due to a high level of stress.

I might start small and just try to go without alcohol for the next two weeks.

Appreciate the insight, I'm more determined to abstain for a while now

I appreciate you reaching out.

I am still looking for a home group around me so that's a rewarding adventure in itself.

I drill once a month in San Antonio so I will definitely take you up on that offer.

GeorgiAg said:

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Thirty days.

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Congrats my friend. That's huge.

Does anyone have a loved one who has joined al anon and done virtual meetings with success?

Thanks for sharing this.

Saw this video earlier and it made me think of this thread. It's about dopamine addiction and how other additions like substance abuse are impacted by dopamine.



Warning, it's a 2 hour interview but it does have an index for the talking points. I felt like the parts around the 56 &158 minute points were especially relevant to this thread.

Any Austin area people have a home group they enjoy?

I'm new to the scene and so far bounce back between Galano Club and Northland. Both 16mins away from me in North Austin. I have been to boulden and PPG as well.

gratitudeandacceptance said:

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Does anyone have a loved one who has joined al anon and done virtual meetings with success?

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I am sure it can be done, but unless you are limited by geography or some other reason, I would at least start in person. I think virtual meetings can be effective, but trying to build a foundation would be harder. There are meetings before the meeting, meetings after the meeting, coffees, meals etc that really build relationships. Those are hard to cultivate remotely.

But virtual meetings are certainly better than nothing.

Just my two cents.

Work work work

Clubs..... If you're picking up a chip on Friday 01/24/25 congratulations. If not, have a great day anyway.

Would a 12:15 or 5:30 meeting fit into your plans?

I can probably swing a 5:30. I'm out at Camp Bullis.

Probably depends on the location.

We meet at 1201 Oak Street in Schertz. Thats a half hour +/- from Camp Bullis around 1604. If I KNOW you're going to be there Friday, I'll alter some plans and be there. There is no 5:30 this Saturday as it's birthday night.
We have potluck at 6 and a meeting at 7. You can get a ninety-day chip at the meeting. That leaves Sunday. We also have an 8:30 am and a10:00 pm. Those are not my regulars, but again if I KNOW you're going to be there, I'll be there too. Please advise.

If there is a meeting at 7pm on Saturday night, I will be there!

Thanks for sharing this. Thanks for being vulnerable.

Sounds like they hit you with the big book pretty good!

I was in rehab last October/Nov. one of the best decisions I've ever made in life. I'm sure you are well aware, but make the arrangements now before you like the pink cloud/bubble. Setttling in back to normal life can be hard for some.

Friend/acquaintance in the San Antonio area is a retired Army Sniper and had his second hear attack, this one being the widow maker, and is probably around 46-47. Several DWIs, on several drugs, and just had a kid. Sad on how much of a pool alcohol has.

Know of a Jim in Schertz that lost his kid in a divorce battle and still is blaming everyone else, once again it is amazing how much pull alcohol has. Get sober or never see your kid again, drinking has only gotten worse.

I think one of the main things is surrounding yourself with people that support you. Some people think I am crazy for going sober and others don't drink around me as they are trying to drink less. I have no cravings or desires to drink, been to several business events at bars and I stick with water or NA beer.

And San Antonio is crazy to me, so many freaking bars all over the place. Wife has a lot of friends down there that know they need to drink less but it is all they know.

If you are struggling with addiction and been to AA don't think AA is a end-be-all thing. I went to AA and it did not work for me. What worked for me was God and having someone at my church I can talk to. Zero desires and tomorrow is 5 months.

As others have done on here there are medical options as well. I think AA has around a 20% success rate but AA and a prescription is around 80%. Addiction is not chemical or mental, its both. To stay sober long term you need to check both boxes.

Congratulations on your 60 days and your progress thus far. While I don't doubt you've done it, I'm amazed that one can complete all 12 steps in 60 days. I was almost two years sober before I did my first forth step. I was too much of a badazz to ever share my story with anyone, so I tried to see how miserable I could be a not drink. I don't recommend that to anyone. I thank God for an old-timer that took the time to work with me until I could get with the program.

I've been to AA a few times in the past and it's not something that worked for me.

Did Dryuary last year for about 60 days. I told myself I had shown control and was good. Started out with beer, then fell back into the Vodka.

started this Dryuary last November or so and I'm at 75 days today. I know I can't go back.

One of my motivations is I've told myself I DONT have to go to AA as long as I don't drink. But my new rule is that if I start up again, I will have to go. It's a weird motivation, but it is working so far. I hated the AA meetings I've been to. I don't want to sit around and listen to people talk about how they F'ed up their life. Plus I'm not religious so that aspect of AA does not work for me.