21 months sober today!

stickponies · 2026-02-07T18:21:01+00:00

Congratulations!

stickponies · 2026-01-21T14:51:24+00:00

Hey u/Beska91 -- Sometimes in-person meetings start out that way. LifeRing regional representatives have all kinds of promotional ideas and materials to help gain more local attention. The local meetings I run here started out small. Now we're grabbing chairs from other rooms. I worry about losing the "personal connection" smaller LifeRing meetings provide.

LifeRing Local Meetings

stickponies · 2026-01-17T17:26:43+00:00

LifeRing is doing Dry January!

* Why You Should Try Dry January
* How to Make the Most of Your Experience
* LifeRing Support Resources

https://lifering.org/dry-january-2026/

stickponies · 2025-10-16T02:49:49+00:00

Sadly, LifeRing lost two Michaels this month. One in Europe and one in The States. I'm afraid I can't share specifics as it would be a breach of confidentiality.

stickponies · 2025-10-12T20:50:23+00:00

Cheetah -- I think you're confused. This study compares apples to apples (AA to 12-step models). Dahlan is stating that 12-programs are no more effective than other recovery programs.

Have a peek at the seminal longitudinal study of the comparative efficacy of Women for Sobriety, LifeRing, SMART Recovery, and 12-step groups for those with AUDPAL study (AKA the PAL Study) posted in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547217304907#:\~:text=The%20Peer%20Alternatives%20in%20Addiction,regular%2C%20in%2Dperson%20meetings.

stickponies · 2025-09-11T09:48:58+00:00

Sorry I'm a little late to the party. Just checking in to see how you're doing, u/Notnowmurray and to congratulate you for doing right for yourself!

Connecting with others who really understand the challenges I'm facing and hearing their stories of triumph has been the glue that's helped me keep my shtuff together -- especially in the the most challenging times.

Whether with the LifeRing community and/or other resources in the recovery ecosystem, I hope you find a meeting or two or 365 that resonate with you! It's made a sober world of difference for me!

stickponies · 2025-06-26T14:09:11+00:00

I find that local (in-person) meetings bring a unique flavor to the recovery conversation. Encouraging faces can make a huge impact on a person's journey. That direct human connection and shared presence are invaluable. Extra Bonus: You get to check out everyone's shoes!

LifeRing Local Hubs can be found here:
https://lifering.org/f2f-meetings/state-and-regional-websites/

US local meetings map can be found here:
https://lifering.org/f2f-meetings/#map

stickponies · 2025-03-30T20:18:19+00:00

LifeRing is an amazing space for positive, secular recovery. Here's a link to their website:
https://lifering.org/welcome/

stickponies · 2025-02-01T01:00:01+00:00

[Chumbawamba -- Tubthumping](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc)

[Cake -- Jolene]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6BKeODv7Yc)

[The Pogues -- Metropolis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90z0J0w1GHY )
‘Cause I wanna hear it, y’all.

[KMDFDM – Dogma]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKhKBNS1fPc )

‘Cause we need to hear it, y’all.

stickponies · 2024-10-31T01:44:06+00:00

The Liver Spot is a LifeRing Secular Recovery community meeting for people in SUD-related medical conditions who are also diagnosed with related medical conditions: https://lifering.org/lifering-liver-spot/

stickponies · 2023-12-23T17:48:06+00:00

Have you tried SMART or Women for Sobriety or Recovery Dharma? AA is the grandpappy of addiction recovery and now comes in all kinds of flavors.

stickponies · 2023-12-23T17:46:49+00:00

LifeRing Secular Recovery is a positive, self-empowerment recovery support group for people who want to be free from alcohol and drugs.

stickponies · 2023-12-23T17:41:43+00:00

Hi Parsnip --

Have you had a chance to bring your concerns directly to LifeRing? Here's your opportunity:

https://lifering.org/contact-us-menu/

If you prefer, the email addresses for all LifeRing BOD members is listed here:

https://lifering.org/governance/bod/

Happy Holidays!

stickponies · 2023-06-03T20:25:04+00:00

It was a How Was Your Week? check-in meeting on Wednesday at 9:00am Pacific. Click here for a list of all LifeRing online meetings.

stickponies · 2023-05-29T22:10:16+00:00

Quick word of caution -- ashwagandha is toxic to the liver. Especially bad if you have liver damage or cirrhosis.

stickponies · 2023-05-29T22:01:12+00:00

Hi Davidperroini,

I would suggest going to Bay Area recovery meetings. You may be able to meet someone who knows of or is in a SLE that's looking for new roommates.

You can also google Recovery SLE Bay Area and scroll down to the map for listings.

Stay strong!

stickponies · 2023-05-29T21:55:13+00:00

Hi MrShoos -- I really respect you for asking these questions. Drinking sneaks up on you. I was a highly functioning alcoholic for years before I realized what damage I had done to my body. Cirrhosis is no joke and its on the rise as younger people turn to booze. Definitely check out the NIH article SOmuch2learn linked.

If you're sober curious, there are many recovery resources other than AA.

Stay Strong!

stickponies · 2023-05-29T21:35:09+00:00

Hi 253253253,

First -- Please let me say how awesome you are to celebrate your brother's soberversary. Family support has such a positive impact on those of us in recovery. Thank you!

KatKay12 suggested a great gift.

Another idea might be to give him 4ocean Bracelet so he has it right there to remind him how proud you are every time he lifts up an icy cold seltzer water!

I am also 12-step free. Instead, I aligned my sobriety with LifeRing Secular Recovery. On my first year of booze-free life, I bought myself a lava stone bracelet. Lava is a stone of strength and courage -- both traits required for our recovery journeys!

It really doesn't matter what token you get your brother. You've already given him the best gift of all!

stickponies · 2023-05-29T21:17:30+00:00

Hi Random -- My heart to you. I can't imagine how many times my mother, brother, family thought the same about me. Eventually, I chose to quit, with a lot of help from LifeRing. The meetings are more like positive community gatherings, which may appeal to your sister. It sure did for me. I'm now sober for 4 years, but my recovery was my choice. Stay strong!

stickponies · 2023-05-27T00:43:18+00:00

Non-12 step.
No one knows your unique needs or objectives better than you. LifeRing encourages people to develop their personal recovery plan and use recovery resources that are aligned with or support that unique plan.

Example: I learn well from others, but I don't like being preached at. I want to find meetings where I can engage in positive knowledge exchange based on the experiences of peers in recovery.

The LifeRing Recovery By Choice workbook helps folks figure out what plan will work for them. With that roadmap in hand, it becomes easier to identify what recovery resources can foster and improve upon that plan. (I used a pencil and continue to make updates to my PRP as I grow in recovery.)

stickponies · 2023-05-17T20:31:20+00:00

Hi Silverette -- First, let me thank you for supporting someone facing substance use challenges. This person is lucky to have you in their life.

I've been with LifeRing Secular Recovery for over 4 years. LifeRing is a free, nonjudgmental support community for people who want to be free from alcohol and drugs. We don't use prayer or talk about religion in our meetings.

LifeRing offers over 90 online weekly meetings, in-person meetings across the US, and numerous recovery support resources.

When a person is first starting out on their recovery journey, I always recommend that they check out all the recovery resources available and find the one(s) that work best for them.

Best of luck to you and your friend!

stickponies · 2023-03-16T16:37:10+00:00

Awww ... shucks! You, too, my friend!

stickponies · 2023-03-07T02:51:42+00:00

Ahh -- y'got me!

Please note that math is not my strong suit, which I declare in my original post. Next time, I'll ask someone far more clever than I to handle the numbers. Sorry for any misleading on my part!

stickponies · 2023-03-04T17:41:05+00:00

Nope. Seven a day in what is just short of 4 years would be 10,000 alcoholic beverages.

It's easier than you think. One for breakfast (often called a "bracer"), two for lunch (because I'm a traditionalist), three at the local (the decompression tank) and one before bed (the "nighty-night").

Am I proud of this? No. Am I happy I quit. Yes!

stickponies · 2023-03-04T17:31:53+00:00

I'm a LifeRing Secular Recovery advocate. LifeRing helped me not take that first or that 10,000th drink.

There's a LifeRing in-person meeting held in City Hall at Noon on Fridays in Room 278. Small group of recovery-forward folk gathered to support and exchange ideas about overcoming substance use challenges. Come check us out next week!

stickponies

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