RED FLAGS 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

[Isinatra]

A recovering alcoholic, me, has to forever be aware of situations in life that throws temptations in my path. I’ve been stressed for way too long and I’ve been having too many fleeting thoughts of drinking. In AA, the program and the people in it that saved my life, taught me that red flags are a warning of something is going on in my life that I have to change. I did some serious soul searching and assessing, talked to other recovering alcoholics and to my therapist. I’ve been isolating too long and am working on changing that for if I don’t and succumb to alcohol again……well…folks….in a short time, my life will be over. And I’m not ready for that.

It wasn’t easy to ask for the right kind of help because my addiction was telling me I could stop on my own, but I found out the hard way that alcohol is a liar and it turns on you like all liars do. But when I did ask for the right kind of help, I was ready to do anything to stop. I tried everything to stop through the years and invented some new things, but I was just enabling myself to keep drinking.

So …..the journey of my sobriety keeps moving along until the last sundown…..🤞

🏄‍♀️🩵

[Jampacked]

Wow what a powerful post. Its so important to find connection and a community. Alcohol is out there but for many it's a side course but not the main event. My walking group, walking is the main event at the end of a long walk some rush to their cars and stations some go to the pub. About half have alcohol and half a soft drink. So many enjoyable things to do water aerobics, book clubs, knit and natter. Enjoy the life you have worked so hard to achieve xxx

[Isinatra in reply to Jampacked]

I appreciate your so kind reply. Yes….its important to connect with others face to face, not just on a screen or a phone. I know there are many who just can’t and can’t was my mantra for so long because I couldn’t. My brain was hardwired to believe it and it was easier. I’m learning there are things I can do because I have to. Testing the waters. One thing can lead to another and so on.

Yup, gotta get out of my house more and grab some of that life and going to the grocery store doesn’t count anymore. 😁

[LilyAnnepuppy Ambassador]

Thank you for your post. Yes, as a recovering alcoholic in AA, I have to be extremely vigilant. To get my daily reprieve from alcohol, I make sure I am practicing five actions: 1) Don’t drink just for today; 2) Make meetings where i share my experience, strength and hope; 3) Be active in a Home Group (providing service either in person or on Zoom); 4) Use a sponsor (not just give someone a label and not reporting my life to them), and 5) Work the 12 Steps to the best of my ability (although this is something only I can do, I need support from my peeps).

I have found this formula to work for 46 years now. But I’ve had to continually watch for those red flags.

[Isinatra in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

Yup, that’s how it’s done…..to the best of your ability. And those times that the ability isn’t enough, reach for those helping hands that are so giving. WE can do so much more than just I.

Thank you, Lily….