How many meetings is enough???

Been clean for 90 days tomorrow, but still struggling with my "obsession".  Not to use, but over analyzing little things that really don't mean anything to the big picture. It's difficult to rejoice in my sobriety and be grateful for the "gift" of today when my mind won't let me finish a thought.

Hitting 2 meetings a week, making the phone calls, and studying the text.  From my exposure to NA I've learned there is a wide variety of ideas on how many meetings one should attend.  It surprised me to learn even people with 20+ years clean time are hitting 3 or more meetings a week.  I understand "Meeting Makers Make It", but between my job, family, and a variety of other commitments it's challenging to make it to more meetings.

Any thoughts?

TIA,

Dazedandconfused1

as many as you need.

btw...welcome to the forum

some people replace using with meetings
some need one..some need more
some go to ten but need one!

just up to the individual to find the balance that works for them

for me i make two meetings a week and about maybe 4-5 calls a day
the phone has always been a hugh part of my recovery
i stay connected

the obsession to use goes away.

a question to ask yourself about time needed for a meeting i.e. work....other commitments etc...
ever not score because something got in the way? ever not find the time to smoke?

Thanks Lou.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I have found my Higher Power speaks to me through others.  A Friend I called last night invited me to the Chapters Turkey-Thon last night.  It was great.  I haven't been around enough yet to get as "plugged-in" as people with years of clean time, but I was able to be around others.  Got a hot meal, networked some, and sat through a meeting.  The topic was "how my clean living has affected my Family life".  It reminded me of how great it was to be a part of my kids routines instead of a part of the couch.

It's far too easy to get caught up in the day to day things to remember "progress not perfection".  Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to take a well deserved break and remember what's important.  It took a lifetime to become and reinforce my addiction.  Abstinence for 90 days is not going to change a lifetime of bad habits.  When my mind gets louder it means I've been slacking for too long on "Living".  This occurs when my old habits conflict with my new life.  It should serve as my first indicator that Daddy needs a "Time Out".

Happy Thanksgiving to all who read,

Dazedandconfused1

Hello Dazed and Happy Thanksgiving,

I'm so glad you've found the forum. I can truly relate to "over analyzing little things that really don't mean anything to the big picture". I've had 120 day smoke-free and about 90 days alcohol-free and I have to say that anxiety is what makes me think about using more than any other trigger.

So far, I have not made the commitment to practice Step 11, "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out."

I'm an agnostic so I have difficulty allowing myself to put my trust in God, however, I do believe that practicing meditation is something that would help give me some peace of mind.

Peace to you and your family this Thanksgiving. You are doing great with 90 days under your belt!!!

Thanks Blu.

I can understand having trouble with your 11th step. I would admit the word God is mentioned in the sentence quite a bit.  It is a very powerful word that means many things to many people.  It's not something I'm entirely comfortable with either.

 I am unaware of your background or affiliation, but I have been attending NA.  The local chapter I am a member of chooses to focus on the "as we understood God" part.  The 11th step in their text reads:

"We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out".

It is not as important to believe in God as it is to believe in something greater than ourselves.  A God of our understanding could be called our Higher Power.  Notice it's used in my second post in this thread.  This could mean something like the life force that binds us all, Karma, or whatever you choose to believe in.  I've found a pretty good explanation for you here:

higher-power-isnt-necessarily-god

Hopefully this helps.

Best to you and yours this Thanksgiving,

Dazedandconfused1

 "how my clean living has affected my Family life".  It reminded me of how great it was to be a part of my kids routines instead of a part of the couch.

Dazedandconfused1

-dazedandconfused1

finding the extraordinary in the ordinary....quite possibly one of the greatest gifts in recovery

the God thing for me is simple.
When I came in an old timer (33 years) said; Just say God, or higher power......don't think about it, don't analyze it
look around the room...no one cares if you believe or not.


the minute I try and fight an aspect I struggle
I'm fortunate in that I have never had a problem when being told something.
Never did I have to think or respond...you can't tell me what to do.
I am open and willing with a large helping of Blind Faith