Don't feel I'll be taken seriously.

sunflower89 · 25th May 2009, 9:23 AM

I've been in counselling (on and off) since I was around 16 for various problems but mostly my drinking. I started drinking at around 14 with friends but quickly started drinking alone, often at school and before school drinking whatever I could manage to steal from shops or whatever my older friends would buy me. A local shop started serving me drink from the age of 16 and my drinking got a lot worse. Since then I've been arrested for being drunk and agressive, I've gone through numerous "group sessions" to try and stop drinking, and I've met a wonderful man who is trying to help me stop as well.

I want to tell my parents about my drinking, but I have a fear that I will be told that it's normal for a girl my age to drink a lot. I'm 19 and in my first year of Uni so obviously everyone drinks a lot, but not in the same way that I do. I drink early mornings and 99% of the time, I drink alone. I don't go to clubs or pubs unless I have to, so I'm not a party lover.

I'm just worried they won't take my addiction seriously.

Anyone have any advice? Or..well, anything really.

-Sunflower

anne1707 · 25th May 2009, 9:29 AM

Sunflower

Please don't take this the wrong way but of course it is not "normal" for someone of any age to drink the way you do. Unless there are other problems within your family then you really do need to talk to your parents and get their help in tackling this problem. If they love you then they will take this very seriously. You also need to commit to counselling to help you stop drinking and resolve the issues that are behind this problem.

If you still feel that you cannot talk to your parents, is there anybody else you feel that you can turn to for support and understanding (and maybe some tough love).

sunflower89 · 25th May 2009, 9:35 AM

Tough love is where my boyfriend comes in! He's quite a bit older than me and has a family member who struggles with drinking so he's been amazing.

I just worry because when I think "drinking problem" I think middle aged people, not young people. I know thats not correct and that plenty of young people have drinking problems, but still--I can't shake that feeling that I wont be taken seriously. A group session I went to consisted of me (having just turned 18) and 6 men, all over the age of 35--And I felt like a little girl who was being over dramatic.

Midas · 25th May 2009, 11:03 AM

Alcohol (ism) is an equal opportunity monster. It affects the young, the old, the in-between. I'm going to be ruthlessly blunt: You are the most important person to take your drinking issue seriously. What other people think, is of little or no consequence. Admitting you have a problem and need help is a huge step. I'll be glad to help wherever possible.

2sunny · 25th May 2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunflower89

Tough love is where my boyfriend comes in! He's quite a bit older than me and has a family member who struggles with drinking so he's been amazing.

I just worry because when I think "drinking problem" I think middle aged people, not young people. I know thats not correct and that plenty of young people have drinking problems, but still--I can't shake that feeling that I wont be taken seriously. A group session I went to consisted of me (having just turned 18) and 6 men, all over the age of 35--And I felt like a little girl who was being over dramatic.

when i am in an AA meeting and someone new is there and they are young - i get excited for them!

i see it an an opportunity for THEM to understand that there is a way to live a happy sober life if they don't drink. if i could tell them of the 30 years that i drank between 17-47 and spare them THAT misery - they would WANT to stay sober.

to live without alcohol is freedom. at first it was difficult to understand how i could possibly do that was a tough concept. i was used to having it ALL the time i was awake.

give it a chance. everyone in the room with you is there for the same reason - they all have a desire to be well, which means no alcohol. if you support each other it is helpful. don't worry about what they are thinking. they are probably only thinking "i wish i had known at a young age - and what i needed to do about it in order to be happy."

congratulations... and good luck. sobriety is awesome!

Ronni_W · 25th May 2009, 11:19 AM

Sunflower,
it IS possible that your parents will try to minimize/deny the severity of your problem. It likely will be their own self-protective thing much more than a message 'against' you...that you're too young to know when you have a "real" problem or whatever.

Perhaps you can ask a counselor for help with how to speak with your parents, and what you could say if you do feel that they are heading for denial?

At the end of the day, though, whether or not they can accept your reality it still is your reality -- do what you have to do to achieve your own goals for sobriety...and all other areas of your life, too

Congrats on being so obviously self-aware and wise, and best of luck with your recovery!

sunflower89 · 25th May 2009, 3:55 PM

Thank you all so much--I've taken what you've all said on board and I'll take what you've told me into my next counselling session.

Thank you again!

Sunflower

sugarmomma · 25th May 2009, 6:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunflower89

Thank you all so much--I've taken what you've all said on board and I'll take what you've told me into my next counselling session.

Thank you again!

Sunflower

Do you have a problem with your dinking? If so, you may be an alcoholic. You need to contact an alcohol treatment facility so that you can get the help you need. You can die from alcohol poisoning. Please call AA.