My Timeline: Sobriety Date January 14, 2017

Put in severe alcohol withdrawal lock-up requiring 24-hour medical supervision.

Symptoms included tremors, anxiety, fever, hallucinations and full-body withdrawals.

The State of Georgia determined that my symptoms posed a danger to myself during detox.

Placed in a 1013 mandatory mental hospital involuntary status.

Given a medical detox to prevent these fatal withdrawals.

My rehab facility was originally built on a 12-step philosophy.

My first AA meeting was at rehab where I picked up a white chip.

During my first share, I asked how to find asponsor.

After the meeting, my sponsor approached me and a close friend immediately and we started the Upon Awakening process with phone calls, meditations, and reading.

I purchased a Big Book

Residential treatment prodgram — structured environment, group therapy, and continued introduction to the 12-step program.

I continued the Upon Awakening process with phone calls, meditations, and reading pages 87–88.

Stepped down from full-time live-in facility to 3 days a week, afternoons only, while beginning the transition back to daily life.

Read the Big Book from the opening page through page 57 with my sponsor, including writing notes, underlining, and highlighting.

I continued the Upon Awakening process with phone calls and meditations, but now used the Third Step Prayer instead of pages 87–88.

Returned home and immediately committed to intensive meeting attendance.

Attended 80 AA meetings within the first 90 days back.

I worked Steps 4 through 8 with my sponsor.

Held a group-conscience position at my Primary Purpose home group — "The Speaker Guy."

Attended monthly business meetings and voted on group decisions.

I continued the Upon Awakening process with phone calls and meditations, but now switched to the Bible.

Continued attending meetings and working the steps. Focused on building a new life in recovery.

By week 39, I had progressed far enough to start sponsoring other men.

I continued the Upon Awakening process with phone calls and meditations, still using the Bible.

Alcohol cravings have been replaced by depression and mania.

I replaced my selfish old habits with healthy daily practices

Mental Health To Come