Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
In my job as an Infectious disease nurse I work with patients with HIV who are often addicts. I had the opportunity to accompany one of my patients to a crisis addictions appointment. Normally would not go in with the patient, was requested to do so this time. So glad that I did because I heard the best quote ever! When the patient continued to argue everything the counselor suggested with rationale like "I really want to quit, but....." The counselor gently stopped her and said "Everything after but is bullshit!". A simple and profound statement!! I started thinking of myself and when I would try to justify drinking. "I know I don't need a drink, but it's been a hard day and I need to relax". May seem too easy or simplistic to the group, BUT it really is powerful (and that's not bullshit :-))!!! It's worth a try when those excuses start forming in your head.
Interesting -- I always heard it as "everything before 'but' is bullshit."
A non recovery example would be, "She is really pretty, but her crossed-eyes and wart on her nose are not her best features."
So when you say, "I really want to quit BUT I am so upset today..." or "I know I should quit BUT I have to drink on my birthday!" you aren't committed to quitting.
I like your point of view that it is the excuse after the BUT that is bullshit. Because that is all it is, an excuse. When you have a drinking problem there is no good reason to drink, it is all bullshit that we tell ourselves to justify picking up yet-another-drink.
Other excuse used is the yeah but , and I know, Another funny saying is have you ever heard "you have so much potential" A guy I heard what that means in real terms "is you haven't done shit yet"
Billy