I have never posted to this group before but I feel the exact same way you do. I don't drink everyday but I do drink about 3-4 times a week. The big problem is when I drink I don't stop until I pass out. It is becoming scary to me as I can't remember the end of the nights and I'm driving myself home. My mother and Father are both recovering alcoholics. I'm so afraid of what is going to happen if I don't stop.

Have you ever talked to a doctor about getting help? That is dangerous for you to drink and drive like that (for you and other people). Besides you could end up in jail and/or on trial for killing someone -- that would be terrible. I drink at home so my consequences aren't usually severe - except a hangover. At least drink at home until you can get some help.

That is the weird part. I never drink at home. Either at a bar or a friends house. I woke up with a pretty big scrap down my arm today. I have no idea where it came from. I'm so scared.

kemann,

It takes more than saying "I want to quit drinking". Do you have a plan?

I needed a plan, the program of recovery outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous.

That is scary. That should be a wake up call for you to stop what you're doing -- it could be worse next time. You are in the right place for help. Although I haven't tried AA yet but I need to.

ScarletAngel, yeah, a plan would be a smart idea. I need to get a book. Does anyone in this group sponsor people? I really can't get to an AA meeting right now and it might help me. I went to a online sponsor site and applied - no one ever wrote me back.

I have never even tried to quit before. Things have to change or I'm afraid the out come is going to be horrible. Today is the day!

"That is dangerous for you to drink and drive like that (for you and other people). Besides you could end up in jail and/or on trial for killing someone -- that would be terrible. I drink at home so my consequences aren't usually severe"

Due respect Kemann, that's part of the problem. We think we're in a fix but we keep looking at other people and saying "man, HE has a problem".

Nothing changed for me until this became a priority for me - no more excuses.

You're right - when I posted I thought that it was the "pot calling the kettle black." I really wasn't trying to minimize what I do...but I definitely do not drink and drive. I just wanted to prevail upon her that she should at least drink at home so no one gets hurt or killed...until she gets some help.

Right. I'm not judging what you said kemann, just poitning out that it's part of the problem in a very obvious way. I was proud of the fact I never drunk and drove. In fact I never learnt to drive, but that didn't stop me from comparing myself to others.

I was mostly a stay at home drinker - plenty of reasons to say I wasn't hurting anyone. Now, WHY did I drink at home, that's the question.

This never ceases to amaze me. This is a deadly disease, and you could kill yourself or one of my chldren, or someone else's with your blackout drinking.
Ths isn't funny or cute and it's no "big dummy" behavior anymore than homicide or cancer is funny.
Go get help. Please.

Hey Kemann, I was in the same position as you. I was a stay at home drinker and didn't drive drunk, until that one time when I woke up and felt fine. That was day I got a DUI and finally got help. 31 days inpatient, then AA meetings and group therapy. Today is day 84. Get help. The life you save could be your own...

I hate to think of the innocent people (especially children) who have been hurt or killed by drunk drivers. Alcohol is bad!

Heidi, sorry you got a DUI but it really helped you in the long term -- great job for 84 days of sobriety.

I had a professor in college who said it usually takes something like that for most people to quit drinking...it is sad but true.

It did not take anything bad for me...i just saw the writing on the wall. When I drank, I wanted to finish anything open and I started having blackouts again for the first time since college....so I stopped. about 6 months later I had a couple of glasses of wine and got the worst hangover of my life and realized that God (the universe, whatever) was giving me a message...so I stopped for good.

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the spectrum, my son got dui's in different states, got jail time, and nothing changed, until he was ready, and he went to a hospital for a medical detox, did rehab and is dedicated to AA and has over 3 years sober. He even says he is not sure I am an alcoholic....I know I can never drink again, no matter what you call it....
So either way you choose, or anything else you can think of...make the decision that sobriety is your most important priority.

Hello kemann,

Alcoholics nearly always mean it when they say that they want to quit drinking. The trouble is that many cannot stay sober without help and no matter how sincere the promises may be, they will drink again.

When you develop an obsession for alcohol it can become so strong that it will eventually overcome your willpower every time. There are people who will get sober without a programme or with a course in positive thinking and fair play to anyone who can do it. However, the stark reality is that most alcoholics cannot do it by using their own resources. Such people need help to bring about a radical change in their way of thinking so that they no longer have an obsession for alcohol.

Thankfully, the book has already been written and it contains all of the instructions. All that you need now is a tutor and you will find those at AA meetings.