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.
Am I an Alcoholic Part 2.
So, I joined this group last week, and I am on my 7th day sober. At first I wanted to see if I could stop for a while and then see if I could drink moderately. I now know that I need and want to quit completely. Ive been doing a lot of writing this week, both on journal entries here, and a separate journal, asking myself if I am an alcoholic. I have also been doing a lot of reading about addiction. I have never been in denial that I have a drinking problem, but for some reason, I have a problem identifying myself as an alcoholic. Well, in my first week of sobriety, and being really honest with myself, I realize that I am an alcoholic. Here is a definition I came across about addiction: (from this website) http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/
There are different stages of addictions. The late stage is the non-functioning addict. They've lost their job and have to use every day. It's what people think addiction is like, but that stereotype is rare.
The early stage is the functioning addict. They still have a job and their relationships are intact, but their life is suffering because of their addiction. That is the most common scenario. You don't have to suffer major losses to have an addiction.
The consequences of addiction get worse over time. Addiction is a progressive disease. It's never easy to quit. But if you've already suffered negative consequences and don't want them to get worse, there's never a better time to quit than now.
I am in the second category. I am a functioning addict. I still dont feel comfortable calling myself an alcoholic, but for me, that is ok. I know I am an alcoholic, but I dont like labeling myself. I am a person who has an addiction to alcohol, and I am dealing with my alcoholism.
Someone on here commented to me on my first post the following from the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous), Chapter 4, page 42: If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. Its this second part that is me. I can quit pretty easily, but when I do drink I have little control over the amount I drink.
I had mentioned in a previous post or journal entry that I had tried AA when I stopped 4 years ago and I did not feel it was a good fit for me. I think my situation was unique in that I live in a small town. I had 2 problems with my experience: 1) It was hard for me to relate to others because I did not meet anyone who had a similar experience to me, even though I shared at every meeting. 2) If someone had relapsed, there was so much judgment and gossip. I dont like this at all. Hopefully this is not the norm. To me, if someone is there by their own choice, they are trying to fight their addiction and whether they have been sober for years or made it one day, they are doing the best that they can. I want to make it clear that I am in no way anti AA. I am actually using some of the literature from AA to help me in my recovery now. I may go to an AA meeting in the future to share again about how I am (was) in the functioning alcoholic category in order to support any others who may be in this category. I also personally know people with addiction problems who were able to recover with the help of AA. Getting and having a sponsor, doing the 12 steps, and getting the extra support of face to face meetings. For anyone here who is new and considering going to an AA meeting, I strongly encourage you to try it. When I went to meetings 4 years ago, I was very nervous at first, going by myself and not knowing anyone, but everyone was extremely nice and I instantly felt comfortable (besides my other experiences).
In my own recovery, I have been getting counseling to address the reasons why I drank. I also checked out the website for SMART, which I have not gotten into yet, but I do like the fact that they dont use labels like alcoholic. I have done additional work on other websites to help with addiction and recovery. There is work to do besides just reading. For me, the biggest source of help for me is the support I am getting on this board here at DailyStrength. I think the biggest help that I have found here is that there are people in both categories of alcoholism. Some quit, or are trying to quit now, because of severe negative consequences, and others (like me) have quit, or are trying to quit now, because they dont want to risk getting to that point, and their life is suffering because of their addiction. Part of me feels a little badly to be on this board because my alcoholism isnt as severe as others. In any case, I am very thankful for everyone on this board. Your support and advise has helped me make probably the biggest decision in my life.
So, I joined this group last week, and I am on my 7th day sober. At first I wanted to see if I could stop for a while and then see if I could drink moderately. I now know that I need and want to quit completely. Ive been doing a lot of writing this week, both on journal entries here, and a separate journal, asking myself if I am an alcoholic. I have also been doing a lot of reading about addiction. I have never been in denial that I have a drinking problem, but for some reason, I have a problem identifying myself as an alcoholic. Well, in my first week of sobriety, and being really honest with myself, I realize that I am an alcoholic. Here is a definition I came across about addiction: (from this website) http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/
There are different stages of addictions. The late stage is the non-functioning addict. They've lost their job and have to use every day. It's what people think addiction is like, but that stereotype is rare.
The early stage is the functioning addict. They still have a job and their relationships are intact, but their life is suffering because of their addiction. That is the most common scenario. You don't have to suffer major losses to have an addiction.
The consequences of addiction get worse over time. Addiction is a progressive disease. It's never easy to quit. But if you've already suffered negative consequences and don't want them to get worse, there's never a better time to quit than now.
I am in the second category. I am a functioning addict. I still dont feel comfortable calling myself an alcoholic, but for me, that is ok. I know I am an alcoholic, but I dont like labeling myself. I am a person who has an addiction to alcohol, and I am dealing with my alcoholism.
Someone on here commented to me on my first post the following from the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous), Chapter 4, page 42: If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. Its this second part that is me. I can quit pretty easily, but when I do drink I have little control over the amount I drink.
I had mentioned in a previous post or journal entry that I had tried AA when I stopped 4 years ago and I did not feel it was a good fit for me. I think my situation was unique in that I live in a small town. I had 2 problems with my experience: 1) It was hard for me to relate to others because I did not meet anyone who had a similar experience to me, even though I shared at every meeting. 2) If someone had relapsed, there was so much judgment and gossip. I dont like this at all. Hopefully this is not the norm. To me, if someone is there by their own choice, they are trying to fight their addiction and whether they have been sober for years or made it one day, they are doing the best that they can. I want to make it clear that I am in no way anti AA. I am actually using some of the literature from AA to help me in my recovery now. I may go to an AA meeting in the future to share again about how I am (was) in the functioning alcoholic category in order to support any others who may be in this category. I also personally know people with addiction problems who were able to recover with the help of AA. Getting and having a sponsor, doing the 12 steps, and getting the extra support of face to face meetings. For anyone here who is new and considering going to an AA meeting, I strongly encourage you to try it. When I went to meetings 4 years ago, I was very nervous at first, going by myself and not knowing anyone, but everyone was extremely nice and I instantly felt comfortable (besides my other experiences).
In my own recovery, I have been getting counseling to address the reasons why I drank. I also checked out the website for SMART, which I have not gotten into yet, but I do like the fact that they dont use labels like alcoholic. I have done additional work on other websites to help with addiction and recovery. There is work to do besides just reading. For me, the biggest source of help for me is the support I am getting on this board here at DailyStrength. I think the biggest help that I have found here is that there are people in both categories of alcoholism. Some quit, or are trying to quit now, because of severe negative consequences, and others (like me) have quit, or are trying to quit now, because they dont want to risk getting to that point, and their life is suffering because of their addiction. Part of me feels a little badly to be on this board because my alcoholism isnt as severe as others. In any case, I am very thankful for everyone on this board. Your support and advise has helped me make probably the biggest decision in my life.
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Dick Van Dyke’s path to sobriety was a turning point in his life and career. Here’s what happened:How He Got SoberStruggles and Realization: Van Dyke began drinking as a teenager, largely to cope with shyness and social anxiety. Alcohol made him feel more comfortable in social settings, but over time, his drinking spiraled out of control. By his mid-40s, he recognized that he had an addictive...
I couldn't stay sober for more than a couple of years on my own power and found the best solution for me eventually but I couldn't do that without the help of others.
Keep updating us. and to quits one thing, to stay quits another.
Best
1is2
Congrats on one week! You're doing great.
I can relate very closely to a lot of the things you've said. I, too, have felt out of place here from time to time, but I think I've gotten past that now. I said as much in another post. To paraphrase, the severity of your, my, or anyone elses (I give up on trying to find the proper English syntax for 'elses'!!) problem should not be used a qualifier for being and participating here.
The label 'alcoholic' does not bother me. Only myself, and perhaps some of the fine people on here label me as such. I am a semi-skilled carpenter, but I do not go around referring to myself as 'John the Carpenter', you know? :) Like so many other things in life, it is a trait. It has the potential to be a very negative trait. But it is one of many that make up who you are. It, by itself, does not define you.
Once I realized that, I got past having any problems being labeled or labeling myself as an 'alcoholic'. I am many things. Some good, some bad. I've identified my drinking as one of the "bad" ones, so I am taking the necessary steps to rectify the situation. There is no going back, only moving forward.
Here's to a successful week 2 for you!
I just completed a week without alcohol, too. I think my circumstances may be different than yours, but I was drinking more than I should, occasionally to excess. I feel a compelling need to know if I am an alcoholic and if "clarity" will come through. If clarity never comes, so be it, but if I never drink again, the rest is a moot point.