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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RobertDavid on June 9, 2006, at 1:18:56
I've stuggled with binge beer drinking about once every 5 days. Just couldn't get past that no matter how much I swore my hangovers would be my last, by day 5 I felt better and knew better, just had this voice in me that seemed to compell me to do it all over again. Like there was two of me, one of which I had no control over.
Anyway, AA never seemed to "take" for me. I just had a hard time with many of the concepts. I stumbled across Rational Recover and after reading a bit in their website signed on for a short memebership and did this internet crash course.
I won't go into all the details just to say that it's really making sense to me. I'm 8 days out now and am feeling confident I'm done drinking. Part of it had to do with making the decision "I will drink again and never change my mind." Anyway, for those that have had trouble quiting using AA and or 12 step programs I'd say going to their website and reading a bit may be worthwhile. There web site is: http://rational.org/
I'm not going to be one that says AA doesn't help others, just not me and I'm feeling much more confident and feel this program really makes sense to me. I know 8 days of sobriety is not much to cheer about, but more importantly it's how I'm feeling about my ongoing sobriety that I'm most optimistic about. Never felt so positive. Just another option to look at for anyone struggling with any addiction........
Posted by ClearSkies on June 9, 2006, at 20:00:55
In reply to Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by RobertDavid on June 9, 2006, at 1:18:56
It is just so great to have alternatives to the 12-steps. I too was not successful with AA, and I use Women For Sobriety for positive affirmations.
You sound relieved and happy - I'll glad for you!
ClearSkies
Posted by Phil on June 10, 2006, at 5:45:42
In reply to Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by RobertDavid on June 9, 2006, at 1:18:56
Good going, man.
Posted by AuntieMel on June 10, 2006, at 10:50:04
In reply to Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by RobertDavid on June 9, 2006, at 1:18:56
Great news.
You do know that you can follow that model *and* still go to an aa meeting or two for face-to-face affirmation, right? You don't have to choose one over the other.
Whatever it takes to work. We all find our own way - if we want it bad enough.
Posted by RobertDavid on June 10, 2006, at 13:51:43
In reply to Re: Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by AuntieMel on June 10, 2006, at 10:50:04
10 days out now and sober (and happy). Feeling no urge to drink. At the exact moment any feelings or thoughts creep into my head about drinking in any manner what so ever (which there have hardly been any) I know how to deal with it/what to think.
Strange, the desire has vanished. RR talks about 2 parts of your brain, one the mid brain (animal part - the part that seeks any kind of pleasure including eating, water, breathing including the pleasure of alcohol) which they call "it" and the "beast" and the cortex/top part of the brain that has reason and the only part that can actually take action to do anything. They call it "I". The "I" is who you are and is the ultimate dicision maker of what you do.
Anyway, the beast can send messages they call Addictive Voice that "I" can just ignore and recognize it for what it is. What's worked for me is referring to my beast as a dog that "barks" on occation. I just recognize is for what it is and move on. It's barking less and less.
Now all that probably doesn't make much sense to someone that doesn't know about Rational Recovery, but it's working for me. In fact I'm so optimistic about my full recovery that my name on their discussion board is "Idontdrink". I never would have made such a statement before and I'll be damned if I'm going to drink again.
I do think there is parts that is over the top about AA there and will use whatever tools I want from where ever I see fit. And for those that have success with AA I think that's great. This is just really working for me and wanted to share it, just another option for anyone that hasn't had luck with other treatments. Appearantly from their board it is working for many long term. It' certainly not for everyone.
I've just started reading one of the books they offer a chapter a night. The info, besides the AA bashing, is hitting home for me. I think it will be important for me to re-visit the material and interenet course they offer from time to time to keep me focused. Anyway, it's my plan to post a year from now celebrating my sobriety. It's been a long time since I got past 5 days without a drink.......
Posted by AuntieMel on June 12, 2006, at 17:55:53
In reply to Re: Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by RobertDavid on June 10, 2006, at 13:51:43
Wonderful job!
I've been looking at their web site and it's not the one I was thinking about (that I had doubts about.)
This one - and you - are actually echoing what I've told people. Watch out for that little voice in your head that says it's ok to "just have one." That voice is the addiction trying to suck you back in.
Keep it up!
Posted by kimcrazylady on July 6, 2006, at 16:45:26
In reply to Re: Having luck with Rational Recovery » RobertDavid, posted by AuntieMel on June 12, 2006, at 17:55:53
Congratulations. I have no use for AA, but the rational recovery program looks like a good one. I'm not ready to say I'll never drink again, but I sure would like to drink less. I'm slowing getting there and it is the program I plan to use.
Please keep us posted.
Kim
Posted by RobertDavid on July 6, 2006, at 17:34:32
In reply to Re: Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by kimcrazylady on July 6, 2006, at 16:45:26
I'm so happy to say I've been and stayed completely sober since June 1st. The understanding I've gained from Rational Recovery has worked for me. I have made the commitment that I've quit drinking and am never going to change my mind. Once I did that, there was never any "we'll I've been good so.... or on my next vacation I'll just have a few....... or whatever. It was the AA one day at a time that I struggled with, the thought that I was diseased and was almost expected to slip made it so I did do just that. I'm not knocking AA for those it works for, but RR is the only thing that has worked for me. I can honestly say that I will never drink again, I'm done, I'm not dry sober, I'm feeling great. I only throw all this out there for those who really want to quit, who have tried moderation and every other angle without luck, that really know they have to stop, but have not had luck with anything else. If you're interested go to the Rational Recover website and take the crash course. Anyway, I'm convinced I'm done for good and feel good about it. Never felt this way before. Best of luck to everyone else who has or is struggling with our "choice" to drink or not drink. It is a choice, you don't have to do it, just my opinion.......
Posted by AuntieMel on July 15, 2006, at 15:22:43
In reply to Re: Having luck with Rational Recovery, posted by RobertDavid on July 6, 2006, at 17:34:32
I'm so glad you're still wit it. Big congrats from me.
This is the end of the thread.
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