On (06 Nov 95) Marge Clark wrote to All...
 MC> for those of you who read/receive The Grapevine, there's an article in
 MC> this  month's issue entitled "From Cyber to Sober"...the story of a 
woman 
 MC> whose > first encounter with recovery came thru an online steps and 
 MC> traditions study.
 here it is in full for those who do not have FREQ capability
 Mind you it is copywrited and is posted without Grapevine's permission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The following article is reprinted from the November, 1995 issue of
The Grapevine.  Copyright Alcoholics Anonymous World Service.
                     FROM CYBER TO SOBER
                                      
      I was one of those who was going to read and write
themselves sober; I even  had a  fancy computer to help
do the job.  It would be easy since I wasn't really an
alcoholic.  I didn't drink from brown paper bags nor did
I  fall down a lot.  Okay, I did lose my balance once or
twice, and I sort of hid my flask in one of those card-
shop flowery bags.  Nothing serious enough, though, to
actually go to those AA meetings.
      So I would read behavioral modification self-help
books and create spread sheets illustrating how I was
going to handle things in the future.  Problem was  I had
become a blackout drinker and couldn't retain anything
from one day to the next.  It was even more frightening
when  I would  run across one  of these long rambling
outlines for changing my life hidden someplace weird,
like the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.  These 
ramblings usually started out "you won't remember writing
this because you're having a blackout..."  I still
shudder when I recall how out of control I had become.
      Messing with my computer was the only other activity
besides drinking that I did  on a regular basis, and one
day I happened upon a  forum --- a computer bulletin
board where people exchange messages --- which consisted
mostly of people discussing  addiction and recovery,
Steps and Traditions.  I've tried to remember how  I
found that place within the on-line service I subscribed
to,  but I can't.  My  Higher Power, whom I call God,
works in strange ways and has no problem  with modern
technology.
      For a while I "lurked" that forum, which means I
read all the messages but didn't post any myself.  A
great deal of the experiences,  strengths, and hopes
exchanged there touched my soul and rang a bell.  I read
many stories and found myself silently saying  "Been
there, did that" and saying it enough to realize that
these people could help me.
      The first message I posted started with "Don't know
if I am one..." and asked a  lot of questions.  By the
time I finished asking the questions, I knew the answer. 
Of course I was one, but these gentle folks never laughed
at my naiveness.  On the contrary, they welcomed me home. 
Their encouragement came across my computer screen in
various words, but the bottom line almost always gave the
same advice: don't  drink and go to meetings -- live
meetings with voices and faces.
      I put the plug in the jug one day after I found that
sober place in  cyberspace,  and after more and more and
more encouragement, I pulled the plug from the computer
long enough to start my real recovery at AA meetings.  I
remember calling the local AA office and asking  for a
list of *live* meetings, t o which the volunteer said,
"*What* kind of meetings?
      The recovery forum  continues to add enjoyment to my
new life, and during the almost three years since first
logging on, I've had the pleasure of meeting some of my
forum friends as they travel through my town or I through
theirs -- from St. Louis to Dallas to Toledo to
Jacksonville and some points abroad.  It's hard to
explain what happens when you meet someone who helped
save your life and with whom you've shared all your
secrets.  Computer friend Ellen comes close when she
says, "It's like meeting an old friend  for the first
time."
      This medium can offer hope and help to those still
struggling, who might feel to shy to speak, but can
boldly hunt and peck on a keyboard.  It was the beginning
of my incredible journey, and  old-timer Ron nails it 
best when he enthusiastically zooms into  our forum,
spreading love and joy, and before leaving, says, "It
gets gooder and gooder."
      It truly does.
                           Joyce C., Summerfield,  FL
---- End of file-----
... "It's too much work!  It's boring!  It's slow!, It's the 12 Steps!"
--- PPoint 1.92
---------------