The idea of never drinking again leaves me in a cold sweat
I did quit drinking for about 1 year (this was ten years ago) and I didn't find it difficult to stop. I went to AA meetings, which were boring as hell, but the physcial act of not drinking wasn't too bad.
But then I decided that drinking was not my problem. It was just a symptom of other problems.
Since then, I have done a lot of things to get my life in order. I went to grad school and got a masters', have a good job, great BF, etc. But the alcohol...I just can't stop at one. I have driven drunk a number of times. When I am drunk I do stupid things and embaress myself. I hate feelign hungover. I hate wasting money on booze.
However, I love how alcohol makes me feel. I really love that feeling. When I am anxious, it's the magic that takes away the edge.
I am scared that the drinking will escalate over the years.
I have alcoholics in my family. I keep telling myself, there are so many reasons to quit.
I don't want to 'hit bottem' and have somethign terrible happen to make mre realize I need to stop.
Please, tell me your stories. I need to hear about other experiences in this area
I drink A LOT of beer. However, I don't drink and drive, I don't let it ever interfere with my work schedule (rarely taking a drink if I have to work the next day), I don't let it cut into my financial budget or mess up my time with my children. In other words....it doesn't disrupt what I have to accomplish in my life.
If it DID....I would stop drinking.
About 6 years ago, I went to work for British Airways. I was going to school and I knew if I drank hard liquor....I would fail the classes. (We had to memorize every airport code in the friggin world....NO JOKE!) I NEVER drank hard liquor again. To this day.....I only drink beer.
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks....this is based on how you see yourself and if you feel it's a problem.
I'm not trying to simplify the issue. I just think it's a call you have to make for yourself.
Originally posted by Arabess
Being an alchoholic has a be a personal call.
I drink A LOT of beer. However, I don't drink and drive, I don't let it ever interfere with my work schedule (rarely taking a drink if I have to work the next day), I don't let it cut into my financial budget or mess up my time with my children. In other words....it doesn't disrupt what I have to accomplish in my life.
If it DID....I would stop drinking.
About 6 years ago, I went to work for British Airways. I was going to school and I knew if I drank hard liquor....I would fail the classes. (We had to memorize every airport code in the friggin world....NO JOKE!) I NEVER drank hard liquor again. To this day.....I only drink beer.
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks....this is based on how you see yourself and if you feel it's a problem.
I'm not trying to simplify the issue. I just think it's a call you have to make for yourself.
Arabess, I like you and I sincerely do not mean to be confrontational, but I have a question. If you work full-time and you have kids, when do you have time to drink A LOT of beer without it interfering?
AA does take a hard line on this. That's why I said it has to be a call only you can make.
If you FEEL it is hindering your life and what you can accomplish....it's not worth it. If it's an additive to your life...like eating chocolate....then it's just a fun time you have when it is an opportune time to do so.
It's the 'opportune time' you have to weigh out.
I don't have to work tomorrow. I can drink beer tonight. It's an opportune time. BUT...if I had to do a 10-12 hour day tomorrow doing something serious (and the job I have now REALLY IS).....then I wouldn't drink at all.
You need to make a list...of when you drink....and what areas of your life you feel it hinders. IF it hinders anything....than drinking may not be for you. OR.....can you control it to the point of it not messing up other areas?
It's genetic, they have isolated an alcoholism gene. You don't ever have to take a sip of alcohol to be an alcoholic, and there's no way to ever get rid of it. You can control it, even conquer it, but you can never stop being an alcoholic. It's not about how much you can drink, you can drink like a sailor (Pardon me Arabess) and you won't experience the relationship issues and personal suffering of an alcoholic, or you can never drink at all--but still notice that an addiction to something else or some other way of acting out is harming you.
If nothing else will persuade you, think about your body and brain. Alcohol is a poison and it does damage to important organs. If you want to live a healthy life, then it's worth trading in the way booze 'makes you feel' for that.
A lot of people have figured out how to feel wonderful without booze at all. You could try that, as well. After all, booze clouds your perception rather than enhancing it - and most truly excellent experiences require that you be able to participate in them fully.
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I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creatures, let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
Here's a link that might be worth a bit of exploration (I didn't get to check it out fully - I've been off and on here tonight due to a project I'm working on). They may know of other local resources should they be unable to help you themselves. Certainly worth giving them a call.
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Originally posted by Dave1234, joy of joys and greatest LoveShack love toy.
I, Dave, hath chosen to also photo with long lense which protrudes from my camera of life force and shows falic symbol erected in direction of assembled love mass. .... but telephoto lense being hard and erect will attract many horny love-sturved babes to my shift before deadline and I will go into press room behind ink barrel to press lense into soft, velvet case and make love froever more. .....
I just want to thank you for the link. It was very helpful
Just to let you know, I have not had a drink in 2 weeks and I feel pretty good.
I would just like to be in control. Drink a glass of wine from time to time, but that's it. I hate being bombed, I really do. I used to enjoy it but now I don't
so true. thanks for saying so.
Alcoholisum is a progresis and FATAL disease. Please seek help if and when you need to and try to keep an open mind about 12 step programes. they work.
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Originally posted by dyermaker
Alcoholism has nothing to do with alcohol.
It's genetic, they have isolated an alcoholism gene. You don't ever have to take a sip of alcohol to be an alcoholic, and there's no way to ever get rid of it. You can control it, even conquer it, but you can never stop being an alcoholic. It's not about how much you can drink, you can drink like a sailor (Pardon me Arabess) and you won't experience the relationship issues and personal suffering of an alcoholic, or you can never drink at all--but still notice that an addiction to something else or some other way of acting out is harming you.
i seriously suggest you stop drinking now..it may help you feel better for a few hours or so but in the long run it will hurt the others around you. I live with an alcholic father and he makes my, my brothers and my moms life horrible, I know you dont want to hurt the ones you love so stop drinking
Set yourself a goal to not drink for a certain period of time, e.g. one week. Then drink once and make it one month. When you make it rare, you won't feel like an alcoholic and hopefully that will give you motivation to not drink, because you will actually feel better when you don't.
Also try not to drink before, say, 7 pm and after midnight so that you don't wake up with a hangover. And no more than 4-5 drinks for the evening.
Please note: The suggestions and advice offered on this web site are opinions only and are not to be used in the place of professional psychological counseling or medical advice. If you or someone close to you is currently in crisis or in an emergency situation, contact your local law enforcement agency or emergency number.
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