Comments on: Hi, My Name Is Jenna and I’m an Alcoholic?

By: Do you know about the Harm Reduction Network? | Drinking to Distraction

Do you know about the Harm Reduction Network? | Drinking to Distraction — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:02:16 +0000

[…] the people and the themes that I find in the rooms, it’s just not me. I’ve talked about my initial experiences in recovery and realize that I very well could have used my rejection by other alcoholics as a […]

By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:12:28 +0000

And thank you for reading!

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By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:24:51 +0000

I was just talking about this with a friend. It’s a shame whenever we convince ourselves that we’re all so different. In this particular situation, it can be downright dangerous. I think a lot of groups/meetings are more inclusive and see the similarities over the differences; this was just one experience. I do appreciate your comment and thanks for reading!

By: Ramones

Ramones — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:22:55 +0000

Yes, I found that sometimes AA meetings dissolved into people one-upping each other who was the worst drunk. Because if you’re not living on the street, then you’re not a real alcoholic, right??

By: When Things Fall Apart « Drinking to Distraction

When Things Fall Apart « Drinking to Distraction — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:02:20 +0000

[…] 7, 2011 by drinkingtodistraction About a month after I took my last drink, my somewhat confusing outpatient recovery program behind me, things fell apart. I was dating the mechanic/bodybuilder/stand-up comedian who had […]

By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:28:17 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Kate. Part of me expected this sort of reception given the questions I had about my own “right” to be there. But I guess I was a little surprised by the level of judgment waged against me (and again this was only my perception). I hope that these stories serve to open up the conversation for several groups of people:
1. people in recovery – to recognize that people in need of help come in many forms and it’s not a competition
2. people questioning whether they should change their drinking – to make the gray area a little easier to navigate
3. people without a drinking problem – to demystify and remove the moral stigma of alcohol issues (and I realize that this is just as important for people in the first two categories)

Anyway, one day at a time, right? Thanks for reading.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:00:50 +0000

I am disturbed by the reception you described above. Some people (who, like you, are trying to survive in recovery) seemed to be denying you your truth. Perhaps in a group with many newly sober members, there is competition still — who had it the worst, etc. I’ve learned with time only to take my own inventory. How others have come to their recovery is not mine to judge.

Spiritual bankruptcy is what we all have in common. How unmanageability manifests itself in all of us is different. It is painful, and we lose hope, faith, dignity and more. You hadn’t lost a job, your family, or your health YET. You saw where the path was leading sooner than some others, you recognized your powerlessness and stepped off into sobriety. Brava.

The longer I’m sober, the more I believe that our unique spirit shines through when we are no longer ruled by our dysfunctional behaviors. When we share our choices, truths, stories, and recovery we become part of a fellowship that embraces a commitment to living sober lives. It isn’t always easy, but there is no denying that life is so much better!

Peace, my friend!
kate f.