How do I stop my SOCIAL drinking? HELP

Lizzzz · Post by **Lizzzz** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:14 pm

I BELIEVE we can stop many things if we really need to or want to. especially things we can control like what we eat and drink. I am fortunate I guess that alcohol has always made me ill..just 2 drinks can make me so sick that I seldom ever drink anything but a soda or water when I am out. I have a great time and don't have to worry about making bad choices that come from over drinking. I really pray and hope that you will take a good hard look at your social drinking and see that it is not good in any way for you and I aggree about sitting in on some AA meeting before it's too late. You deserve to live a great life and I have never met a drinker who has that!!

God Bless and make you stronger than the drinking.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:35 pm

There is nothing more difficult than to admit to yourself and others that you may have an alcohol problem. we all have the stereotypical ideas of an alcoholic as a person who drinks everyday an often is lying in a gutter. the truth is that this is the sort of thing that happens in the later stages of the disease and at that point death may be imminent.The truth is ,most people who are alcoholic seem perfectly "normal" to everyone except their families. They hold down jobs,live in nice homes, pay their bills- for a while. You would never guess they had a drinking problem.
But But the disease progresses as person continues to drink. They begin to have problems with work may lose their job even their families and their health begins to deteriorate. These things will cause the person to drink even more and they are now on a downhill spiral toward DEATH. If they don't get treatment, they will die!!!!
I am very scared for you. Even though you are nowhere near what I am describing, you can get caught up in this so quicklyand before you realize it you are totally out of control. Alcohol controls you and make no mistake it wants to desroy you. I beg you, don't let this happen.
I also should tell you that my own dear husband has been struggling with alcoholism for over20 years and I can't begin to describe the pain we both have endured.WE both suffer anxiety and depression and I'm here to tell you, alcohol will destroy you, emotionally and physically. My husband has beenthrough inpatient treatment outpatient treatment and has gone to AA off and on over the years. He is currently seeing an addictions counselor and a psychiatrist and has beensober for 2 months- this time. I pray that this time he will be able to stay sober but to date, nothing has helped him stay sober for more than3 months.
So as you see, I do know about this horrible disease and knowing what I do, if I can say something, anything that might prevent you from suffering this miserable existence that alcohol has in store for you, I feel compelled to do it.
Please , please take care of yourself and let me know how you are doing. I care!!!!!
Gale

jess23 · Post by **jess23** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:14 pm

Hi all, I just started the program a few days ago and this is my first post. I suffer from anxiety and depression and I really feel this program is going to help. However, my biggest problem is that I drink way too much. I will drink a few days or a week in a row, then stop for a little while and then go right back to it. At times, I will binge drink heavily during these occasions. I have tried to quit several times and usually make it a month or two and then go right back to it. My biggest deterent is that everyone around me drinks. I'm real close to my family, and they all drink. My parents, brother, aunts and uncles, cousins, all of them drink whenever we get together, which is quite often. Also, my roomate doesn't overdo it, but he always drinks a few glasses of wine every single night after work. So, I am constantly around alcohol. I think my best chance of recovery would be too move out of town and get a place of my own, away from everything, at least for a little while. But I can't afford to do that right now because I have a decent job and my job is here. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me.

natalief · Post by **natalief** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:45 pm

Hi Time for a Change,
I am so very proud of you for admitting that you drink too much! It's the first step toward recovery. and yes you are absolutely right in thinking that it is not good for you to be around other people who drink, even if some of them are family.If you feel you are unable to relocate right now, at least call your local AA chapter and find some meetings you can attend. there are meetings all through the day and oftentimes late into the evenings every day of the week at many locations. I recommend you try to find a Beginner's Meeting to start with. You don't have to talk if you don't want to- there are lots of people who will be sharing their stories and you will no doubt identify with some of what you hear. These are the people you should spend your time with and you will find people from all walks of life there. I will warn you- your friends and family members will likely try to convince you that you DON'T have a drinking problem because if you have a problem that means they probably do too and they don't want to or won't admit it. But if you can say that you "drink too much" then it's most likely that you do. Stand your ground,get involved with AA as soon as you possibly can and think seriously about making a change- it may save your life! Take care and keep posting here! God bless!!!!!

Gale

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:41 am

Thank u guys for your help and support. Im glad Im not a bad alcoholic who has no control over my life. I go to school, I have a good job, alcohol has never interfered with any of that, I guess I abuse it to kill the mental pain, cuz once I have a buzz, oh the world is great and I think ill never be depressed or anxious again. YA RIGHT!

When I go see the psychologist on tuesday, Im going to talk to her to see what she suggests I do.