Alcoholism Support Group

There are millions of us who had the same problem and we have found a common solution by talking to each other and not taking that first drink one day at a time.

denial guy, I don't think ya wana use the approach I took to overcoming denial... I just had to have something disturbing enough happen (which was very close to becoming tragic) which was totally out of character for me, to where it was no longer possible for me to deny that there was a problem. I quit after that. Anyhow, my advice would be to pick up a copy of the AA big book (I'm not endorsing AA as the best solution for every problem drinker out there, but their "Big Book" in particular is really worth reading, for an understanding of the problem)... the section that starts on page 165 (if I'm not mistaken) titled "they stopped in time" has a list of stories from alcoholics who were able to overcome denial and quit drinkin before they hit a super-low rock bottom point. There's gotta be something in there that could help ya out

I had denial for a long time, whether I was actually drinking or not. I came to see that my denial was simply the want to drink. Keeping the option wide open to pick up the next one. Once I admitted that to myself, I prayed for help. The denial was removed, and all the evidence of my alcoholism came up. Then there was a deeper acceptance that drinking is not an option. That was a moment of freedom. They say 'give in to win'.

Try changing your routine. Take a different way home or stop somewhere. Run an errand. Stress is the number one killer and it is very hard not to fall off. I'm right here day 7 and so far so good. You can do this and the first step is admitting u have a problem which u said. Keep as busy as u can and surround yourself with people who will be supportive and don't drink.

I would suggest that at 5pm you head directly to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. The thing is if we want to change the way we think we have to change the things we do.Instead of obsessing over a glass of wine go to a meeting.What you need to realize is that alcoholism is a disease and as such cannot be ignored. I found my solution in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. Try it swallow your pride and ego and learn how to live happy ,joyous and free from the addiction to alcohol
Greg

Hello HaveDenial,

The reason that your denial appears almost every day at 5 p.m. is because something in your mind kicks in that is so strong that you have to find a reason to drink. If you are an alcoholic or a problem drinker who is on the road to alcoholism you will have no defence against the thinking that leads to that first glass of wine. Eventually, if you continue to drink, the urge will probably come earlier in the day and the amount that you drink will increase. You can call it denial or you can give it some other label but the reality is that you are either some way towards being addicted to alcohol or you are an alcoholic.

What you describe as denial is often referred to as an obsession for alcohol and an obsession is an idea which overcomes all other ideas. Therefore, although you may go a week or more without drinking, the obsession will still be there except that you are using your willpower to keep it at bay. Eventually, something will happen such as the stressful incident at work and your mind will remember that a few glasses of wine used to fix things like that in the past. The obsession for alcohol will convince you to drink again and all thoughts about the bad things that happen when you drink will be pushed into the background. You will have no defence against the first drink.

Once the first drink is taken you will immediately crave another drink. You may try to space out your drinks over several hours but the craving will ensure that you will continue to drink after you take the first one. As time goes on, the space between drinks will get shorter and the amount will be measured in bottles rather than glasses. That is an analysis of where you may be right now or where you are likely to be if you continue drinking.

What then is the solution to your problem? If you have an obsession for alcohol which drives you to take the first drink and if willpower alone is not enough to overcome the fixation as seems to be the case then you need to find a means of removing that obsession. The alternative is to keep fighting against it as you are doing now and hoping for the best but based on the experience of many other people, this will almost certainly end in failure. Realistically, what you need then is a means of removing the obsession and there may be several ways of doing that. What has been proven to work for many people who have been where you are now is the Twelve Step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I have heard about places that you can check into for a while ... there they teach one how to drink like a gentleman.

I resemble that remark. I drank like a gentleman and I was very polite to everyone, including the state trooper who arrested me.

Finally ... someone with a sense of humor.

Sorry about that. I keep forgetting this is DS and not AA.