I think even people who don’t do AA should totally do step 1. From what I gather it helps so much more than just white knuckling it.
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I don’t participate in AA (yet, never say never) but I have the big book (this time) and realise now that I would not be succeeding this time where I failed before without acknowledging step one
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The way I see it I was at the mercy of alcohol, so changing that to be at the mercy of sobriety has to be so much better.
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“why would you test your Sobriety?”
I wouldn’t, I would lose, 
. No point in trying, I don’t do failure well (anymore).
When I start to let alcohol creep in my mind I know that’s when I need to find what the real issue is that I’m trying to avoid and pretty much face it head on. Reaching out to others and getting the words out about what’s really going on is a great first step.
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This is where my misstep has been each time. Not putting a H.A.L.T. , not getting feedback, encouragement, or even a good kick in the a$$.
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You know the saying about the barber shop, I’m pretty sure it’s not even close to as deadly. When we start THINKING about the alcohol is when a possible relapse starts, not the second you put it in your hand. This is proven over, and over, and OVER! When I first started this journey I really thought I would go back and see my favorite bartender after I had a bit of clean time. Lady was like my grandmother. I haven’t seen her since 6/17/17. Probably never will. There is zero reason for me to start scrawling the writing on the wall, no matter how small it is.
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Went twice for AA, wasnt something for me.
I dont know the steps.
To each their own. I know better than preach my own way in a sobriety forum. I did my time out there after my first 45 days last year. I needed time to think if i wanted to be sober or moderate or whatever. After a few start and stops i made it here and decided to be sober.
Im sure the AA steps helps for the general public. Im also sure theres a lot of people who have to test themselves. Maybe they have something to prove, maybe they dont want to be scared of a substance.
I dont bash anyone, i know theres more than one route.
I listened to someone before that i trusted and it cost me my first 45 days. I wont ever listen to anyone again. Right or wrong, the choices will be mine with no one else in my head. Right now, im sober, if ever decide to not be (before my first drink), ill leave again than preach moderation.
Just wanna say thanks to everyone so far who has been behind me 
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I recall pretty much everyone here telling you moderation wouldn’t work. You told everyone that you knew better than us. Yet here you are. Maybe you should listen to people who preach sobriety rather than moderation. You’re own thinking got you here. Lotta sober people here who don’t use AA. Maybe you should listen to them?
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Youre right. Thats why im here. To get good info from you all. I take what i can use. Thanks 
The question of testing was asked. I answered. No offense taken or meant. Just thoughts is all.
We all have to travel our own path and discover truths on our own, unfortunately. For years I’ve been telling people at work, "your lives would be so much better if you’d all just listen to me!
This is your practice run for fatherhood 
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Getting sober is the easy part, staying sober is the hard part. Until you are able to feel whole without the need for booze you’ll be in danger or testing the waters again. Thats where AA is so valuable to many of us, it gave us a way to live. It was a blueprint for a life, without booze.
The mouth has a mucous membrane, so even only tasting wine and spitting it out may allow alcohol to enter your blood stream. And it may not be enough to get a buzz or anything but it can definitely awaken cravings so I’d be awful selective of what I tasted, because my SO wanted too. You could just as easily gone and not taste tested.
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Good to know! Thanks!
Ahahaha exactly how i feel sometimes in my home, that’s when I really have to step back and say- yeah they gotta live their own lives and who am I to say what works better for them.
However you and me both know what’s up lol
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Very true! For me learning how to live sober was a bigger challenge than not drinking. It was pretty easy to hide from the booze, but I couldn’t hide from life. That’s the real test.
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Blockquote
Great sentiment Cap’n. For the first time in my life, I am feeling this. And I am really enjoying that feeling.
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Ugh, I can never do the damn quotes right 
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Yes! I too soley drank while at home, especially the last 4-5 years. I rarely went to bars/clubs even in my 20’s (decades ago). I liked to drink at home, and not have to worry about how I was going to get home, and have to deal with people. So now that I’m sober, I have to make sure my weekends and evenings are filled with non-alcohol related activities. Being bored, with no plans while home is a huge trigger for me. I’d be safer having lunch at a restaurant with friends (where alcohol is served) than home alone doing nothing.
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You got thIs Bootz. As long as you are trying, theres no shame
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We’re always right! Too bad we don’t listen to our own advice😁
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Thats super interesting! Whats the tie in? Steroid use for recovery and pain tolerance?