mummasheesh

Momeekisses, I think that you are doing an amazing and wonderful job staying sober and helping others, namely your patients! You might be at a place in your sobriety where a change is coming. I've hit those places before, where I get complacent and itchy. On those days I ask God to show me what to do next, and I talk to him throughout the day and I keep it humorous. ("OK, God, if pudding scraping is what you want me to do, then pudding scraping it is!") Are you helping other sober women? Sometimes helping others helps me to get out of my own head and gets me out of the complacent mode. Also, don't discount he fact the the holidays are upon us, and they are STRESSFUL. Keep moving forward. You are a miracle. :redbeathe

..." i am not and never have been an addict." Did else see the humor in this statement? How about "I am not an alcoholic, but I was once" I dunno', guess it just struck me as a fabulously funny thing for someone to type in a recovery forum. Hope everyone is having a smooth 24.

Steelers RN, Somewhere in the recovery literature it states that we should look at the rest of the world as if they are all to some extent also sick. (This is a horrible paraphrase, sorry!) With that being said, maybe you can put your Nurse Manager aside, maybe even pray for her, and focus on what you can control, which is your recovery and your (gr)attitude. Sometimes the gifts of recovery come disguised. Maybe your HP knows something that you do not and is keeping you safe. Good luck living life on life's terms, and congratulations on your recovery!!!!!!

Spike, you have a resentment because the disease took your father away from you. My true sympathies for your loss. This disease take and takes and takes. It kills those that we love on a daily basis. The facts are, however, that meetings did not take him, the disease did. Kindly refrain from suggesting that people do something other than participate in their own 12 step treatment. Your suggestion that AA doesn't work just might lead others to their deaths. Also, I am a member of AA because I made a choice to join. I was not forced to go. I also chose to put down the bottle, because I was told that AA works a lot better if you don't drink. For you to use the phrase "most of them are forced to go" is stereotyping and judgmental, plain and simple. Again, I am sorry for your loss, and I hope that you are able to "hear" what I have shared here. I will keep you in prayer.

Thanks, UltraViolet and Sassy, for your heartfelt responses to the INSANE suggestion that meetings are a waste of time and that a hobby could keep us busy and therefore clean and sober. I had to walk away for 24 hours and restrain pen and tongue (and the submit reply key!) But here I go... First off, the suggestion is a dangerous and irresponsible one to make. Meetings are the medicine for alcoholics and addicts. Would the writer suggest that an insulin dependent diabetic stop taking medication and start crocheting? Secondly, I was taught "if you can't help another alcoholic/addict, don't hurt them." Not only is the suggestion to "hike or bike" hurtful, it is potentially fatal. Lastly, my mom once suggested that "if you don't have anything nice to say...." AA saved my life. It continues to save my life because I work my program by going to meetings, praying and HELPING others. I get to keep my sobriety and serenity because I give it away. If anyone who is newly sober hears advice to skip meetings and hike, please run ... from the person making suggestion TO the halls of AA and NA. Thanks for listening. (PS...I get to hike and bike BECAUSE I am sober)

Sounds like some pretty thick denial "moderating... convincing myself ... consequences". Why not try going to a few AA meetings and listening? Try to identify, not to compare. If you are an alcoholic, you are an alcoholic. (We don't really have "heavy" or "light" alcoholics.) P.S. Maybe you haven't had enough pain yet. Can you can HONESTLY say that the worst thing that is happening to you is shaking hands? Or do you feel shame and guilt? It's the shame and guilt that got me here. I hated who I had become. Good luck to you. Please let us know how you make out. There is a solution.

Morning recovering friends. I am amazed and excited about this forum, and thrilled that so much discussion was generated around the question of disclosure to the school on their paperwork for acceptance to clinical rotations. The paper, a Health Questionnaire/Physical Exam Form reads "please indicate any history of the following conditions" and alcohol or drug abuse is listed as one of those conditions. I checked yes, and in the space where it says Explanation I wrote "No alcohol since 2001". In the section that the physician completes, my doctor wrote the same. For ME ONLY, the issue is honesty. If I begin to lie about who I am, then I am in danger of picking up a drink. If I have to remember who I lied to and what I said, I am walking in the past and behaving like the woman I WAS. This Nursing career that I have began is one of the greatest blessings and gifts that I have received in sobriety. My sponsor says "Do not let what the program gives you, take you back out." For ME ONLY it is not a matter of DUI's or convictions, although I have none (YET!). It is a matter of being true to myself and not repeating past behavior. I am an alcoholic, and I have not had a drink in 7 years. I will go to any lengths to keep the gift. I have seen too many sister die of this disease because they did not work an honest program. I am grateful to them, and to all of you for sharing.

Lovelynurse123, Congratulations, girl! Thanks for sharing the gifts of sobriety with us here. The promises do come true...if we work for them. You worked it!

Sheilagh, Wow. The gifts of sobriety are always greater than anything that I can ever magine all on my own. They are truly moving, aren't they? Congratulations on the well deserved honor. Thanks for sharing some of the good stuff in your life with us.

Wow, you're getting some really good feedback here. Getting to a meeting is critical. One thing that I would add, listen with an open mind and try to identify, don't compare. Our bottoms all look different. Hopefully this is yours. God bless and good luck. Sober living is truly beautiful.

The legal consequences of not disclosing and being found out probably differ from state to state, but here in NH your license will be revoked. It is explained that they (The Nursing Board) feel that it (Not being truthful about past treatment for addiction) would reflect a pattern of dishonest behavior. The question of whether to disclose or not arose as part of the admission paperwork for clinicals, not for the prerequisites. It says "Have you ever been treated for drug or alcohol addiction". Pretty straightforward. The schools policy for not disclosing is immediate suspension.

Welcome. Isn't it wonderful to have a forum like this?? I found that I was asking too many humans for their opinion, when what I really needed to do was find the quiet and pray for the answer. I remembered what it was like to live a lie, and have to perpetuate that lie. I believe that I have to be willing to go to any lengths to stay sober, as it says in the BB of AA. Disclose I did! And slept like a baby, too! Thanks for helping, folks, especially TazziRN for your flat out honesty. :wink2: Goozgog, what's your anniversay date? I too am sober by Gods' grace 6 1/2 years. Mine is 1/9/02.

Please, please, please get to a 12 step program. One day at a time, things will get better. You are in my thoughts and payers! Keep us posted, OK?

I guess I knew that I should, and I will, but I am so afraid of being judged. Do you disclose your status as an alcoholic on any form that asks the question? Are there any exceptions? Could anyone out there share their experience? I think I need a good talk with my Higher Power on staying in the faith and out of the fear.

Hi all. I'm very glad to see that there is a place for recovering people here. I have a question, please. I have FINALLY been accepted to a 2 year program, and I am filling out the many medical forms that have to be turned in on day one of clinicals. On the med histotry form, the very first question is "Any history of drug and/or alcohol abuse." I am wondering if I have to disclose the fact that I am a recovering alcoholic? I am clean and sober 6 1/2 years. I am also new to this site, so hopefully I am doing this right. Hope everyone has a safe and pleasant holiday!