I like to remember... I haven't lost anything YET.

Y.our
E.lligible
T.oo

Desire works for me.

The problem is that unless we know what the problem is, we will not be able to find the solution.

Those that do not have alcoholism do not need the 12 step programme in order to stay sober and will probably not have the willingness to do it but they will keep posting on places like this asking the same questions hoping for a different reply.

AA is not the only way to quit drinking as you rightly say, but I can only be of help to those who have what I have because I have found a solution to it.

I am sure many people on this board would love to hear from those who stay sober without AA, but where are they???

Actually, I was quite relieved to discover that I'm an alcoholic, because throughout my career as a misunderstood genius, I was always overworked and underpaid.

I am not sure yet.....part of me thinks its like having COPD or Arthritis.....we don't "clean" those things up

Are you ashamed of being an alcoholic? Many of us have been.

--

Then other part says....Ta drop the word Alcoholic... like instead of: Are you an alcoholic? to Do you have a drinking problem

yup, can see it both ways i dunt know

true i often complicate things rather than KEEP IT SIMPLE - but ya know it was a big deal for me accepting i was an alcoholic coz i fuckin love to drink even though destroyed me, i didnt want to see my life as a mess and me ill with alcoholism coz i wanted to beable to have my virtual reality of a life that was alright and where i could drink tonnes and be ok, but really when it got to the point of saying i want to die most of the time, life is shit! all i wanna do is drink then the choice was simple for sure i am an alcoholic who needs help to live life with out drink. But ya know when your so use to being in denial and dishonest to yourself and others speaking the truth does not come easily or naturally thats for sure!

As an alcoholic, what an injustice it would be to any addict for me to pretend to understand how to help them.

Lyn, I think the native's are just getting restless and wanting to stir up a little good ol' fashioned controversy!

Good points all.

I should have stated for myself... It IS SUCH a relief to accept that I am an alcoholic and know it for myself and even MORE of a relief to admit it to others.

...but it was easy for me. I wonder if all the people who aren't SURE just really can't relate to the stories or haven't gotten "bad enough" yet.

For me... hearing others name and explain the whole obsession and craving sealed the deal. That was my "coming home". Nearly brought me to tears when I started to relate to others with the same craziness that I had known since 15. WHAT a relief.

Ok, I think I get what y'all are saying. This post wasn't for me by the way. I was hoping it would help some of the people who aren't sure. Dunno.

Denial is a powerful thing

To me, I said the words I was alcoholic yet I did nothing about it accept keep drinking. I was powerless over that first drink and I had no understanding as to why. Surely it was drink number 6 that got me pissed??? Wrong.

It was only when I was prepared to surrender and then put the action in that my real journey began.

Today I will get to bed grateful and sober....today I have a daily reprieve :)

"The desire to stop drinking" is what I initially had. I didn't relate to the word Alcoholism at first. It was listening to the speakers in the rooms of AA that I first identified with my problem. That was both scary, and a relief. The sooner an Alcoholic can identify, the sooner he/she can set to work to do something about it. For an Alcoholic nothing will work short of total and complete abstinence.

HTL, it's vitally important an Alcoholic can identify and accept that they are no longer a cucumber, but a pickle. Serenity's opening sentence said it for me. "The problem is that unless we know what the problem is, we will not be able to find the solution." If you can't stop drinking on your own devices, then you are very possibly an Alcoholic. Only you can decide. We welcome your desire to stop drinking, and encourage you to listen, learn, and explore for yourself whether you are or not.

The sooner an Alcoholic can aknowledge they are one, the better. If your not an alcoholic, and just a heavy drinker, then your bloody stupid for abusing the substance of your own free will. Do something to curb your drinking before you kill yourself or someone else in the process. If you are an Alcoholic, then your own free will isn't working yeah. Either way, both require Action!! It's not whether you are worthy or not, but whether you ARE an Alcoholic or not. For one, a tap on the shoulder saying there there, it'll be okay won't cut it.

I knew i was an alcoholic years before I quit drinking.

I really don't think of myself as a recovering alcoholic now. You know me, HTL, I am an *Ex-drinker!* Woo hoo!

Serenity- there are people here who are sober without AA. I am one of them. You ask where they are? Quite frankly, this board is intimidating to people who got sober or are trying to get sober through other methods. When we post, we are typically ignored because in many peoples opinion we are setting people and ourselves up for failure. I come on here to learn and be around other alcoholics. I also belong to the non 12 step group which is a wonderful group of people. I believe the more methods one can learn the stronger they can be.

agree with ya Rick.

Too much of anything'll aint too good for ya.

Balance. PEACE

Rick, I've never seen you ignored? In fact, you used to share some great posts here on health. Can be like footy. We all support different teams, but love the game of footy itself. When I get to the footy here in Sydney, I'm outnumbered as I support a different side out of town. But I've learnt a lot about the Sydney teams gameplan.

Occasionally, one will pipe up and say "yeah ya mug, what are you doing supporting that bunch of losers' (By the way they are NOT lol), but that's rare. Didn't feel like that to start with. First time I sat amongst them, I did feel intimidated, but when I got to know them and see how passionate they were about their team, it was cool. I am about mine too.

I've also found sometimes that those who annoy me the most, sometimes have the most messages for me. Majority of people here are caring and considerate and will go out of their way to help you, regardless of what program they work. There will always be someone who irks you, but are they not a minority?. They only seem to be everywhere because we tend to let annoying people take up our headspace which makes them more visible than their numbers deserve.

Rick, I'd encourage you to post here on the board more. Especially love to hear from those living a joyous life in sobriety. It's what can lift a new member. Their program of recovery may offer hope to another. if there is someone here who is ticking you off, and you don't wish to hear from them. I recommend the Ignore button below the users avatar. But don't feel you are not welcome here by any means. This is an open forum for Alcoholism Support.