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ROGER4314
Been Called "Flash" Since I Was A Kid!
Today, 5-16-2014 is a HUGE anniversary for me! Today marks the 33rd year that I was freed from alcohol and substance abuse! With your permission, I'd like to credit those responsible for that transformation.
First, I was into a lot of things but will not mention those things in the open forum because the "Blue Meanies" are listening in. Let it suffice that my life had turned to shxt, I was in despair and saw little of value in my existence.
I got into Alanon, a program designed for family and friends of alcoholics because my father was a drunk. Knowing that I couldn't work that program through a haze of chemicals, I stopped using anything of that nature. I worked that program for TWO YEARS before admitting that I had an abuse problem of my own! I couldn't see it, myself. That's why they call substance abuse "cunning and baffling."
So......I got straightened out because my dad was a drunk then finally figured out that I had some issues to work on myself!
I was fortunate as I was never arrested or charged with anything! My record is absolutely clean with no hiccups. I damned sure deserved to be slapped down but that never happened!
New members of 12 step programs are asked to speak to share their stories with others and they spend a lot of time on the "drunkalog". I'm not going to do that. Fill in the blanks and what you imagine will probably be correct.
Since May 16 of 1981, there have been many profound changes:
I trashed who I was and created an entirely new person. I am actually a composite of many people that I met over the years. I'd meet someone and think "I'd like to be like him" then I'd adopt his/her traits as my own. The 12 step programs taught me that I wasn't tied to the past and I could be anything that I wanted to be.
I returned to school and earned my Masters Degree with a perfect 4.0 from Oklahoma State University. Graduated with honors and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.
Became a teacher and worked in that profession for 23 years, helping many people find a better life.
Earned "Master SCUBA Diver" and "Divemaster" ratings and went diving in many exotic locations.
Traveled extensively all over the US by air, car and motorcycle.
Moved, lived and worked all down the center of the US.
Earned good money, spent a lot of it and made a wonderful life that started at ZERO as a baseline!
The use of substances was totally removed from my life. I never "slipped" and became a new person. I am 67 years old. Half of my life was centered on the dark side. Half has been centered on the side of, honesty, truth, light and enlightenment.
This thread is not about bragging or self congratulation. Someone out there may need to hear this story!
This transformation was created by my Higher Power and the wonderful people in the 12 step programs. I did NOT have sense enough to do this for myself. Thank God for delivering me from darkness and despair and lifting me into the light!
Flash
First, I was into a lot of things but will not mention those things in the open forum because the "Blue Meanies" are listening in. Let it suffice that my life had turned to shxt, I was in despair and saw little of value in my existence.
I got into Alanon, a program designed for family and friends of alcoholics because my father was a drunk. Knowing that I couldn't work that program through a haze of chemicals, I stopped using anything of that nature. I worked that program for TWO YEARS before admitting that I had an abuse problem of my own! I couldn't see it, myself. That's why they call substance abuse "cunning and baffling."
So......I got straightened out because my dad was a drunk then finally figured out that I had some issues to work on myself!
I was fortunate as I was never arrested or charged with anything! My record is absolutely clean with no hiccups. I damned sure deserved to be slapped down but that never happened!
New members of 12 step programs are asked to speak to share their stories with others and they spend a lot of time on the "drunkalog". I'm not going to do that. Fill in the blanks and what you imagine will probably be correct.
Since May 16 of 1981, there have been many profound changes:
I trashed who I was and created an entirely new person. I am actually a composite of many people that I met over the years. I'd meet someone and think "I'd like to be like him" then I'd adopt his/her traits as my own. The 12 step programs taught me that I wasn't tied to the past and I could be anything that I wanted to be.
I returned to school and earned my Masters Degree with a perfect 4.0 from Oklahoma State University. Graduated with honors and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.
Became a teacher and worked in that profession for 23 years, helping many people find a better life.
Earned "Master SCUBA Diver" and "Divemaster" ratings and went diving in many exotic locations.
Traveled extensively all over the US by air, car and motorcycle.
Moved, lived and worked all down the center of the US.
Earned good money, spent a lot of it and made a wonderful life that started at ZERO as a baseline!
The use of substances was totally removed from my life. I never "slipped" and became a new person. I am 67 years old. Half of my life was centered on the dark side. Half has been centered on the side of, honesty, truth, light and enlightenment.
This thread is not about bragging or self congratulation. Someone out there may need to hear this story!
This transformation was created by my Higher Power and the wonderful people in the 12 step programs. I did NOT have sense enough to do this for myself. Thank God for delivering me from darkness and despair and lifting me into the light!
Flash
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