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.

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itstheshoes 08/23/2009

Thanks to everyone for sharing their insight. I've decided to go to my first AA meeting- it's not until Fri, but I work 12-14 hr days in an urgent care and the other meetings are during that time. It's a start. I'm really hoping to find out why I drink. I have a loving family, never been abused, have a loving husband that I adore, have a nursing job that I do well at, and have 2 dogs and 2 cats that are my wonderful babies. We have a beautiful home and boat, live in a wonderful community with great people. So, if I don't have "problems" per se, why am I like this? I've been drinking since highschool, but most heavily the past 5 or 6 yrs. Started drinking to the point of having blackouts- not remembering entire evenings a lot in the past two months. Have started having anxiety and panic attacks last six months, but they happen when I'm just sitting there without any stress. Anyway, thanks for listening. I know there's people with a lot worse going on, so I feel stupid for whining.

deleted_user 08/23/2009

A word of advice, please don't worry about "why". That doesn't change the outcome I don't think. Not everyone experienced a traumatic event in their childhood or their lives that made them a drunk. Alcoholism does not discriminate....it can attack the homeless person living under the bridge who had a horrible childhood just as easily as the wealthy debutante who grew up with everything in life.

Don't focus on finding out why, focus on finding out HOW to learn to live without it, that's the most important thing...

When you go to your first meeting, when they ask if anyone is there for their first meeting, don't be afraid, raise your hand so they can give you some phone numbers of ladies in the group, you will need them and you will find so many people just like you.

deleted_user 08/23/2009

This is truly a cunning and baffling disease. I would hope that you will find that answer thru the meetings and working the 12 steps. Get yourself a Big Book from the meetings and I would also suggest Freedom From Addiction by Neil T. Anderson, it will change your life.

I wish you the best and pray you stay the course. Take this one day at a time. The past is gone and we are not promised tomorrow. Live in today. :)

nickyj18022002 08/23/2009

I agree with holycrap focus on what you are going to do about it is much more important than the why. For a lot of us the why is as simple as "because we are alcoholic".

deleted_user 08/23/2009

A wish of hope for you, you will find that hope in the meetings. You have made a truly brave and wise decision. I wish you the very best. The whys will come later maybe 2-3 years down the line at the moment as HC says dont dwell too much on that, just listen to the similarities and not the differnces that you will hear

masher 08/23/2009

You didn't say if you huband drinks, But if you have alcohol in the house it's gotta go. For me AA was a good starting point. But you might want to consider an in house treatment center. But of course the first thing you want to do with any addiction is to first STOP doing it. That might be hard to do on your own that why a treatment facility would be a good Idea for you.
Peace.

deleted_user 08/23/2009

I am glad you are open-minded enough to go to AA and I sense you are still worrying about not having sunk low enough to hit bottom. This may be linked in with anxiety and panic attacks. Anxiety and panic attacks are common when we put the booze down, I found it extremely hard to cope when I experienced the same. The good news is that if you follow directions (i.e. the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and 12 Step programme of recovery with a sponsor) it will get better.

I sense you feel guilty for reaching out for help. The answer to that is to understand that by helping you these other alcoholics help themselves to stay on a track, they in their turn were helped by others.

Do not minimize your problem with alcohol, you will hear people say it is the only illness we have that tells us we haven't got it!

Let us know how you get on.

deleted_user 08/23/2009

I wouldn't focus to much on "why", make a decision if you are an alcoholic. IF so get to AA,and the rest will follow.
Congrat's on making a decision to go to AA.
If you don't feel comfortable with that meeting, try another one.

deleted_user 08/24/2009

Dear Shoes,

Talk openly and honestly with your husband. Perhaps he will go with you for support. Many new people find this support necessary and VERY comforting. But honestly, most everyone in the meeting are alcoholics.

I found it common for many alcoholics (including myself) to build up things in our minds to "mountain" status, when in reality, it is a mole hill all along! Walking through the stress and anxiety of going to your first meeting, will give way to new found hope and support.

You will find that you are welcomed with open arrms and hearts. These "strangers" will become the new friends that save your life. After my first meeting, I remember how energized I was and feeling, "Why was I so scared???"

Take care darlin'
Wayne-

deleted_user 08/25/2009

I've been to two so far, so I'm brand spankin' new, but I'll say it has been a great experience. I've already met some really cool people. Classes resumed for me today so I'm a little too busy (a good thing) to go all the time, but I'm looking forward to my next meeting. I'm going to try a new group on Thursday night on a recommendation from someone I was chatting it up with after the meeting on Sunday. I'm looking forward to it.

It's awesome we have a place to go where we can share our experiences and seek advice from others who have been there and done that, just like each and everyone one of us. We're not unique and we're not alone in this.

CoogeeMum 08/25/2009

Good on you shoes, keep an open mind, don't worry about rationalising the irrational, much does reveal itself over time. Keep it simple and let us know how your meeting goes. CM xxx

deleted_user 08/25/2009

Hi,
I always thought I had my drinking under control,but a few years ago it got out of control.Admitting that you have no control over alcohol is huge. With me it took a stay in a de-tox facility to realize somethings wrong here and I haven't drank since then,10 months ago.I was nervous going to my first meeting but once I got there I kind of felt relieved and the people there are all in the same boat you are.I didn't continue with meetings,but I see a private therapist every saturday and take meds for my depression/anxiety and also take CAMPRAL for the alcohol cravings.Don't worry you'll be fine.
good luck!!
Tony

deleted_user 08/25/2009

congrats on your decision that is the beginning please make sure that u get #s from other woman this way in your free time you can call someone in recovery over the phone and have a quick meeting then remember we can not do it alone so good luck and keep coming back bill b

darkhairedgirl1 08/25/2009

You're not stupid and you're not whining. I agree with HC. The why may never be explained. It's not called "Why it Works" it's called "How it Works" (a chapter in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous). Just focus on the how for now. Keep writing us on where you are at with it all. It helps to get it out and look at it.

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