Jeny why is AA not an option for you?? just asking. You can try S.M.A.R.T. recovery or lifering online. You have to put effort into any program you do. Good luck

Girl, I can relate with the DUI's! Had three of them suckers myself. One was over 20 years ago and the most recent almost 2 years ago. Jeny, if you're going to drink -- you have to know, you can't drink and drive. The laws are so tough these days, you just CAN'T. Especially if you need your license as much as you say. I'm assuming one of yours must have been a long time ago also. My third was actually charged as my second because of the length of time since the first one. I was warned by my atty and the judge about the third one being a felony. I don't know about you, but 10 days in the county jail was plenty for me. It's not a place I plan to go back to.

If you have to drink (I don't know much of your story and I didn't check your profile before I started replying) do whatever you have to do not to drive. Before I quit and after my last DUI, I made it happen. I planned to spend the night where I was drinking - with friends, I took a cab or I drank at home. This says nothing for who else you would be hurting WHEN you get another DUI. If you're drinking and driving, it's gonna happen. It's just a matte of when.

There are programs other than AA. You don't mention why you're opposed to AA, but there are other options. Google Alcohol Recovery and you will get TONS. Shop around, find one that appeals to you. Have you read any books about recovery? There's a post with suggestions in this group, or there's a recommendation section on this website.

We're all here for you. What can we do to help?

Jeny first of all calm down and look at this calmly your post sounds so stressed.

Firstly don't drink and drive we all know where that leads.

When you know you are going to need to drive plan to do things that will keep you busy and away from alcohol, ie if it's your mum go early to pick her up and spend time at hers rather than putting yourself in the position of being able to have a drink, cause if your like most of us one won't be enough.

If it's the vets try to get the appointments early in the morning.

If you look at past posts Randy (Hatman) has posted an awful lot of places you can go other than AA hopefully you will find one there that will be for you.

Post here when you have the cravings there is normally someone on line who will chat, give you encouragement or even just a friendly ear.

You do not have to go through this alone ecah and every one of us will do all we can to help.

Thank you all sooo much for your advice and suggestions.I am looking into some non-AA groups to join.It means alot to be able to talk to people like you guys who know what I'm going through. I can't thank you enough!

I agree with all the advice above. I was one that would drive drunk no matter how hard I promised myself I wouldn't and planned not to. If you still have enough control that you can stick to a plan not to drink and drive that's great. Usually our ability to make that choice diminishes over time as we continue to drink, though.

Whatever you do, don't do nothing. AA worked for me, and I'm an enthusiastic supporter of anything that works for YOU. You have to do something, and you have to be committed to making it work for you.

God bless you!

Well, there really nothing much to add except good luck!

I'm sans license now for my second DUI conviction in 01/08. In my weekend slap-on-the-wrist class, they told us about alcoholism and told us not to drink and drive. They specifically told us they weren't preaching not to drink because some were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, the multiple offender class was longer and the counselor there DID tell us not to drink. Most of us were problem drinkers or alkies by definition... if we continued to drink, we'd eventually justify driving at some point. After all - didn't we say after the 1st (or 2nd) that we'd NEVER do it again?

You've been there.. isn't it likely there will be that time you don't have as much as you thought you "needed" that night at home and need to run out and the liquor store is only a mile away? Or the time the idea of a cab totally exits your mind as an option? The time a friend was supposed to drive instead? I agree with Jan, if you continue to drink, you're going to get busted.

You sound like you need more than just online support if rehabs haven't worked. Then again, only you can make any program/rehab work by staying committed to not drinking. Your post makes it sound more like you're trying to find a way around the next DUI while still saying you're just destined to drink because nothing has worked.

I know how helpless this can feel. You need some other folks as support who are dealing with the same shit and nothing beats f2f. We're great and all :D, but we're still just anonymous online avatars. Nothing says you can't go to some meetings just to meet some other women struggling with the same thing. I did and for that reason only.

I personally think Individualized Recovery Plans are best because they're tailored to the individual. Have I taken the time to put one together? No. I'm lazy and disorganized but I do use the tools at Unhooked.com, LifeRing, SMART and others - especially in the beginning when we're most "lost."

I go away for a week and catch the ol' mouth diarrhea!