Alcoholism Support Group

Personally i heard identify don't compare. If something is bothering you speak to someone about it. There is a wealth of knowledge to be had on getting a healthier attitude about ourselves and others. A bad example is as good as a good example at least I will begin to understand what motivates me . And the golden rule if you are alcoholic its the first drink that gets you drunk....you be the judge as no one can do it for you.
Welcome!!!
Billy

I can be different for everyone. I have other issues besides alcohol so for me I had to deal with them at the same time. But for me what is working right now is meds, counseling, AA meetings, a sponsor, working the 12 steps and giving up to my HP daily. It also helps that my husband is supporting me along with family and friends.

AA is the thing that has helped me most in respect of drinking. Going to my first AA meeting and then following the suggestions of the sober people in AA was the best thing I ever did.

Hey sunflower & welcome. This support group has helped me, the people on here are amazing & they convinced me to try AA, get a sponsor & work the 12 steps. My life has changed...stick around here and read some threads, ask questions if you have some, there's alot of good support here.

I am a 10 years sober woman alcoholic in AA and I drank like you - a blackout drinker and started drinking at 14 like you. I stopped at 32 in AA and have never relapsed. For me, the answer to your question about AA is unequivocal - Yes, AA works, if you go there with an open mind, look for the Similarities not the Differences in other people's stories, and give it a real go. You may need a Detox and Rehab stint and if you can do that, I would jump at it. I never took that opportunity, never knew too, got sober at home by myself (aside from going to AA meetings, and Boy was it rough).

As to meds, well I am a person with diagnosed mental illnesses - Bipolar and Panic and Anxiety Disorder, so I need meds. But there are some people who experience Depression due to drinking and drugging, even suicidal Depression, but once they get clean and sober the Depression eventually lifts - it was simply related to substance abuse.

The beauty of being sober is that you can explore which of those slots you fit into and if you DO need medication, either in the shorter or longer term, you can take medication knowing you are not taking it on top of booze).

As to your circle of friends, please don't be offended by this. But there may be a reason that your freinds don't see anything wrong with the way you drink. It may be because your own alcoholism has attracted you to people who drink like you - alcoholism is a very cunning thing - it influences our behaviours and our life choices in way we could never see until sober.

For God's sake, I purchased a flat (apartment) in a suburb filled with pubs, clubs and dives and lived there for years during my drinking and only realised WHY I had bought a flat in that area when I got sober!! LOL

If you do decide to get sober and go to AA, you will have the freedom to start to see how much alcohlism has influenced your life - and then be free of that.

AA and working the steps has changed my life immensely. I've only been at it a couple months but the change has been pretty amazing so far. Give it a shot. A better life is within your grasp. Welcome!

Thanks for all your replies.. I will be looking at going to an AA meeting in that case. I'm glad I have found this site :-)

Hey girl I can totally relate. Came back to this website again today as I lay in my hangover bed all day. It's beautiful outside and I can hear my kids playing happily without me. I am 38 and have been fighting my love and hatred of drinking for a really long time. I know I am wasting my time and ruining my health. I have no support because even though my family and friends think I should quit, they all drink heavily and won't abstain around me. It is humiliating and I feel bad a lot. Please don't drag this out another 10 years or more. I will pray for your strength and mine. Maybe this will be the last time I lay in my hangover bed. I really hope so.

Meetings worked for me. Why not try it? I mean what have you got to lose but a little time? It's free and it has saved so many. It has worked for me for 19 years.

Yes well 3 hangovers this week - mmm not to good at all.. My family abuse drink too - however i know the buck stops with me and I have to break the cycle - would absolutly hate for my kids to grow up and have to deal with this, so I need to make changers now. I'm going to go to my first AA meeting this week, hoping along with my therapist and this site I'll find the support I'm lacking - just need abit of will power now I guess.