Hi, My name is Lee, and I'm an alcoholic.... Anybody shocked? That's the way we talk in AA--but every alcoholic I know has changed his addiction for alcohol to a dependence upon junk food.
I've also been to OA, but after reading the Big Book, I can't see myself trying to eat SAD moderately--especially if I have to weigh and measure everything I eat and go to meetings where people tell me what I can say and do and eat!
Alanon is also a good place to listen to relationship problems, but nobody there seems to have any answers to food problems.
This group seems to have the answers to food problems, but I don't speak the language here, and I don't get the feeling that anybody here understands or relates to what I'm saying. One of my posts has been deleted, and no one has replied to the rest of them.
That's why I'm looking for a 12-step sponsor. That's what we call a support buddy in AA. I need some help, and I'd like to see if I can find somebody who speaks my language and has some familiarity with the Steps of AA.
Thanks
Permalink Reply by Luna Leaf on Hi Lee.
Welcome. I'm also a recovering alcoholic (6 weeks and counting).
I'm sorry that one of your post have been deleted, although I don't know of it's content, as it's difficult enough recovering from alcoholism without rejections along the way.
I started this diet because I've tried it in the past and it was the best I'd ever felt in my life. I wanted to get my body in the best possible shape in order for me to deal with the withdrawals. I'm not saying that I haven't relapsed because I have (read my post from earlier today - recovering alcoholic - relapse).
I feel that AA is not for me and a 12 step program seems too restrictive, as I like to do what I like and when I want. Obviously, as we are all different, different things will work for us. I feel I'm at a time in my life where I know myself and what I need to get the best out of myself to succeed.
If you are getting any suppot out of any group that you are attending, then that can only be a good thing as it will help you on the road to recovery.
When I first started detox I thought constantly about alcohol but now it's subsiding and I can go 4-5 days without thinking about it.
Although, like I said, I don't have any experience of the 12 step program, I'd like to offer you support on a human level so you can contact me when ever you need in order to support your journey to sobriety.
Please bear in mind that I am no expert and I'm experiencing what you are. I just thought that we may be able to offer strength to each other at our time of need.
I'm currently taking time off work to recover (have been for the past 5 weeks and have 3 more to go). What have you done to prepare for your journey? Have you got YOU time put aside - I feel that's really important in order to find the strength to accustom yourself to a sober life and deal with all the issues that are to follow. I thought (naively) that once the physical addiction was over (4-5 days) that I'd be okay. I REALLY wasn't expecting the mental issues. This was really quite a shock for me and I had to visit my doctors twice more to get additional time off work. As I don't like asking for help, this was, in itself, quite difficult for me, but I need not have worried as they were quite understanding.
Take care of yourself and don't judge yourself too harshly. Before I began my journey I accepted that I'd have relapses and that I wouldn't be hard on myself for doing so. It's a progressive journey and you can only take one day at a time.
Feel free to message me at any time.
Peace. x
Hi Luna Leaf. Thanks for the reply to my request for "like-minded 12-steppers." Sorry to hear that you don't like AA. I understand. Alcoholism is a very serious mental, physical and spiritual illness. It can destroy your job, your marriage, your family, your home, your finances...and your mental, physical and spiritual health. That's why I'm ready to quit drinking and address my alcoholism. If you're not ready to start your recovery from alcoholism now, then perhaps you may be ready after you have lost your job, your marriage, your family, your home, your finances...and your mental, physical and spiritual health. It's up to you. I suggest that you handle first things first and get the alcohol problem solved before you try the LFRV program. This program will not solve your drinking problems, in my opinion. Of course, only you can decide whether or not you are an alcoholic.
I'd like to be friends, and I'd like to continue our talk. If you want to talk about these things on the world-wide-web, I have no objection. However, I recommend that you find someone to talk with privately about your drinking, and related problems. If you don't like the AA meetings in your area, you can also find them online, in chat rooms, discussion groups, etc. AA is free, but you can also pay doctors, psychiatrists, quacks and scam-artists for advice too. However, AA is the most successful answer to alcoholism problems in the history of mankind, in my opinion.
I think you would be wasting your time to expect a LFRV website to solve your drinking problems. In fact there may not be a single person on this site who understands the "spiritual approach," which has been so successful in AA.
So that's my opinion. It's your decision, however. I will send you a request for friends. My email address is Vegan98204@gmail.com if you prefer to talk privately. In fact, you may call me at 206-390-4187 if you need to.
Lee Mack
After re-reading your reply, I would like to say that I don't believe your conversation about alcoholism is appropriate on this site. I think it could be traumatic for you and it could distract from your attempts to deal with some very serious problems that are much more important than a diet.
I have 5 years of sobriety. I have "recovered" from alcoholism and related issues, after 5 years work in Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon, and Overeaters Anonymous--all related 12-step programs. I'm now ready to address my obesity-related, chronic, degenerative diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and I think this site is the best place to do that. I was hoping to find another "recovered" alcoholic to sponsor me because I speak that language; I know that approach.
I can be a friend, if you like. We can talk about alcoholism, AA, LFRV diets, or anything you want. But my suggestion is that you put first things first and go to 90 AA meetings in 90 days. Sit and listen. Ask questions. Think about it. After 90 days, if you still don't think AA is the place, then I would be more comfortable talking with you. This is a life-and-death business. I hope you understand that--the sooner the better!
Lee
Permalink Reply by Luna Leaf on Hi Lee
Sorry, but you've really confused me. Maybe it's me? I thought you were looking for someone to support you in giving up alcohol. You've stated that you 'are ready to quit drinking and address your alcoholism' AND that you have '5 years of sobriety'. ??
It sounds like you've had a pretty hard time with alcohol and if you've lost every thing that you've listed, then I'm sorry.
I believe there is a particular path that each person takes when it comes to needing help and that you found AA to help you through that time is great.
I chose this diet as (1) I like to be in control of what I choose to do and (2) I my body and mind to be in its best possible health in order for them to deal with the changes.
One of the reasons I knew it was time to give up drinking was because of my health so, yes, I do understand the 'life and death' of alcoholism.
I also understand the importance of having a supportive network, especially those who understand what you're going through, so I wish you luck in your journey and hope that you regain your health.
Peace. x
Permalink Reply by Schare' Edmondson on 
Permalink Reply by dangermouse on I know that Greenmama was(is?) in OA. Maybe get in touch with her.
Permalink Reply by Raw Kim on Dear Stephen, Sounds harsh but I like your approach! Taking responsibility off of others and putting it on yourself... If only I were that honest there's probably many areas of life that would improve.
Permalink Reply by RawBenny on A commendable attempt at tough love, but it doesn't work like that. If no one needed a support system, AA would not exist, and would not have worked for millions of people in every major country. The "don't define yourself as an alcoholic!" argument is reasonable and worth entertaining, but unfortunately it's not an insight that has ever stopped an alcoholic from drinking, in the long run.
You misunderstand AA as being some sort of hand-holding pity club. I can understand why it may appear that way from the outside. But in reality, it's all about personal responsibility ultimately, but with the help of others along the way; an acknowledgement that we may not have the power to do everything alone. I'm not saying that type of personal power isn't summonable, but rather... when you're just starting out on your journey, why venture into the desert alone when you could go with a convoy. It's really that simple.
I've got five years of sobriety in AA, and I'm very confused by this conversation about AA! I think AA is definitely the place to talk about quitting drinking. I believe that this is definitely not the place to get advice about quitting drinking. That's not what I'm doing here, by the way. I'm pretty secure in my sobriety--but I'm still confused by this conversation!
What I'm doing here is trying to find someone who speaks my language (AA 12 Steps) who might be able to explain how I can stay 100% LFRV. I seem to be having some trouble with that.
In fact, I make it a practice not to talk with anyone about quitting drinking--unless they ask me to sponsor them in AA! In my opinion, outside of that relationship, all the talk about quitting drinking is 'just talk."
I'm not sure yet, but I probably think the same way about getting 100% LFRV. Haven't decided yet. However, I do see a parellel between abstaining from Alcohol and abstaining from the standard American diet (SAD). Why can't I use the same 12 steps to completely renounce SAD that worked for me when I renounced Alcohol?
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