Thanks for all the support guys, it's taking me a while to get the hang of this site, but, it seems to be becoming a normal part of my life... I'm off to the VNL workshop this Friday in Sydney, then onto the VNL retreat the following weekend. I've never met any survivors for real, so should be interesting. I'm going with an open mind, and perhaps my heart will follow... thanks again.

WooHoo! Make sure you go to a meeting and get a chip even if you're not using AA its a nice marker for the occasion in the years ahead. Look up "Chip Meetings" that's a meeting where they celebrate everyone's time sober. It can get tedious but its worth it.

Wow Damien I am impressed, I remember how scary it was getting to VNL for the first time last year for me. With that in mind I applaud your effort to stay sober in the lead up to the 1day w/s and week end retreat, you are being pro active in preparing yourself.
I am really looking forward to meeting you at Maldon.

Dusty

What is vnl?

Damien, congratulations on your recent achievement. I don't know you at all, and I don't have a clue how problematic your alcohol usage was, but you're trying to better yourself, and there is certainly no harm in abstaining from mind-altering substances.

May I ask what compelled you to strive for sobriety? Life circumstances? Court Order? Wife yelling at you? Just curious.

Thanks guys,

Looking forward to meeting you as well, Dusty. It's becoming a bit more real in the last couple of weeks. In fact, I think this workshop and retreat will feel like the first real thing that I've done for myself. It's a tangible thing to do - IN THE WORLD - to help me heal up...

Hauser, VNL is "Victims no Longer" retreat for male survivors of CSA and/or incest. Designed and led by Mike Lew, the author of the book "Victims no Longer". I would recommend the book.

Yeah, the drinking. The last few years I would describe myself as a problem drinker. Definately got to the point where it started effecting my state of mind, my health and my ability to run by business. But, it did help me through. I don't think that is a delusion. Before "remembering" this stuff, I didn't drink much. So, I'm trying to get back to that. Drinking makes recovery almost impossible I think. Just the stress and the guilt and the feeling of not being in control mirrors the abuse. It's debilitating. Anyway I'm pretty confident that that is over.

It's time to process what I need to process. I don't care how hard it gets. I'm determined to recover and make a better life.

Thanks again, dudes.

Congrats Damien. This is awesome to see brothers here take control of their lives and move forward in recovery and in life. Woohoo!!!!!!!

Celebration.

I'll add to the congratulations. I'm starting to get there myself. My drinking goes back far. A temporary geographic shift really helped me see what I was doing to myself. I hope to keep at it. You are right, recovery is really hard when you throw in problematic drinking. Keep up the good work.

Eric

Congrats! From a person who grew up in a family that had an alcoholic I commend you!! It will be hard but worth it for you and anyone else involved in your life! Best of luck, just keep focused and positive!

Congrats Damien!

That is really awesome-Do you know the acronym for SOBER?

S on
O f a
B itch
E verything's
R eal

Peace,

Yeah, reality is a bitch, till you make it your own.

Peace Buck.

WORD!

Today I choose to make my own reality.

congrats on your sobritey! one day at a time my friend!