I’ve been awake since 2 am because I passed out at 8pm. I have tried another app in the past but just spent over an hour reading really helpful discussions on here. I’m feeling motivated to set the plan and dive into the community. I clearly need to do more than I’ve done before. I just went 12 days less than a month ago yet here I am again.
My biggest fear is getting in the way of myself. I’m very well aware of, well…too much information. I’m always the “self aware” patient that doesn’t benefit from therapy anymore. I’m sure if I wanted to pay for it I would be diagnosed autistic, my daughter was able to get her diagnosis though! I just got my Masters last year (just because I love learning) and have a solid career. I’m lucky enough to work from home, and just genuinely have the kindest and funniest kids. I’ve worked really, really hard to break those generational curses and create a happy home. I don’t know how I am still in this situation when nothing else is wrong in my life only my struggle with alcohol (and the general state of the world I guess)
How difficult is this going to be for me if I genuinely could never bring myself to go to a meeting? I can barely make phone calls. I just do not like being perceived, can only talk to people in small doses, don’t even like responding to texts really. Random texts and having to respond feels like work. I communicate prefectly fine within “business hours” but after that I’m too drained to do more.
Anyone relate or have any advice?? I feel like this is going to be my biggest hurdle. Hoping an online community can bridge the gap…
Hi @Insomniac and welcome. You are not the only autistic person here on Talking Sober so you are not alone And even if you were the only autistic person, you still wouldn’t be alone, because sobriety is a journey of learning to be healthy.
Being healthy is sobriety. It’s basically that. It’s digging into the self and learning from people in recovery, then applying that learning, little by little, to change habits of mental and physical behaviours. (Which is basically a recipe for being healthy.)
Lots of autistic people find ways to learn to be healthy, and for the same reason you can find ways to learn to be sober (which for us means healthy).
There are some books and podcasts you can start with here:
Thank you! Excellent resource, I’m thinking I’ll “schedule” some of these things for myself on a calendar each day. That’s more than I’ve tried before so a step in the right direction.
Welcome!! Meetings aren’t essential for sobriety, tho lots of people have found lots of support at them. I haven’t been to a meeting. I find a lot of support here and in earlier years on other sites. There is way more information and support and access out there these days than even 10 years ago. There are also zoom meetings, where you can just listen, if the programs speak to you. Others can share more on that.
Idk if you enjoy reading, but in early days I found This Naked Mind by Annie Grace a good primer and place to start. I read a lot of books (as you can see from the above thread!)…which gave me a good base and a lot of knowledge of what worked for others, etc. Of course we all need to find what works for our unique self. I do think having community support and a place to turn is a vital component. This community can supply that.
I utilized a lot of tools in early recovery…various therapies…talk, movement, art, journaling…a lot of mind calming practices like yin yoga, meditation, breathwork…a lot of physicial activities…walking, hiking, running, fitness classes, gym, etc…eating healthy…and more…to work my way thru the early minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, etc. I gained many helpful tools from this forum.
Anyway, that is my long winded way of saying, you can get out of your own way and find the path that leads you out. It takes a lot of concentration and effort and is very worth it…you are worth it!!
When i got sober there wasnt any internet only face to face meetings but today there are as stated Zoom meetings maybe give them a try might help wish you well
Thank you! I love to read, two books from the list are arriving tomorrow! Between the things I’ve read today and my husband reminding it’s making the choice and sticking to it…I’m ready. I already like this app way more than the other I tried. I spent today taking care of myself, healthy foods, skin care routine, etc. Here’s to hoping I can sleep. Thank you taking the time to reespond.
Welcome! I’ve been at it for quite a while but even when I end up drinking I feel stronger each time I quit again. Forums like this one have been super helpful for sure. As others have stated above, read as many books as you can and listen to the podcasts, there’s tons and tons to choose from. I personally really enjoyed the book “The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober” by Catherine Grey and another one that I found really helpful in the beginning was “Alcohol Explained” by William Porter. He goes into the way alcohol effects your brain and how/why addiction happens from a scientific point of view but it’s very easy to follow (I sucked at science in school but I understood it lol)
As for the meetings, I also tried 1 or 2 and just didn’t like it. I’m not a fan of the AA model. But I’ve found many other zoom meetings online for other programs and most will happily let you just listen in with camera and mic off. It’s really helpful to just hear from others who have struggled/are struggling too. Recovery Dharma has been my go to for online meetings. At the end of the day, the more active you are in you’re recovery, the easier it seems to get. Good luck!
And even if you were the only autistic person, you still wouldn’t be alone, because sobriety is a journey of learning to be healthy.
