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.
A recent comment by one of our regulars got me thinking. His comment was that he sees no problem with stocking his house with plenty of alcohol for holiday guests and actually buys alcoholic beverages to give as presents. My concern is in wondering how well vetted his potential recipients are in regards to their own drinking issues. That is to say, are there some people you refuse to serve/give alcohol to during the holidays because you suspect they are actually addicted to alcohol at some level? Are you really sure you aren't nurturing or reinforcing someone else's addiction to alcohol if you serve or otherwise give them alcoholic beverages during the holidays?
I am curious to hear how the rest of you all feel about this subject. Since I stopped using all alcohol I don't offer any of my holiday (or otherwise) guests alcohol and they need to bring their own if they want it. And I will not buy alcoholic beverages to give as gifts.
I am curious to hear how the rest of you all feel about this subject. Since I stopped using all alcohol I don't offer any of my holiday (or otherwise) guests alcohol and they need to bring their own if they want it. And I will not buy alcoholic beverages to give as gifts.
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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 know what you mean though in a small way - my FIL is an alcoholic (we only discovered how bad recently) and we used to give him a bottle of Scotch every Christmas as one of his gifts. That won't be happening this year. Not because I think he's going to miraculously stop drinking without our gratuitous bottle, but because morally I do not want to feed in to his addiction. I do give friends wine for gifts though as they are light drinkers and only partake occasionally. This does not offend my conscience as I know they truly enjoy their wine - responsibly.
I disagree somewhat with the statement; "I am the only person I can change". Actually, some of your comments on this discussion board have caused me to rethink and adjust my approach to gaining sobriety. You were the first person to let me know that there are other programs besides AA out there and that knowledge gave me the desire to look closer at the science behind alcohol addiction and find a better fit for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGtLv88qK5w&index=6&list=PL3Pnazt6x_6f2Y677i6ASIIqbvFVL2gdv
But I believe in reality there is no right or wrong answer, if a person like the other person said about alcohol presents etc wants to give it then that is their right.
If like you say it looks hypocritical as an alcoholic to give alcohol as presents then you are also allowed to not to based on your belief system.
I believe what is not right is when I try to impose my belief as the moral high ground, each of us have the right to make this decision based on their own belief system and to respect their decision.
G8
Booze worked for a long time, then it stopped working but the world was still spinning and I still didn't have the coping skills. I was a miserable dry drunk that would blow up and melt down.
So today I just accept that I'm an alcoholic. And work on filling the hole inside me with a good God and positive things.
I concentrate on the good not focus on the bad
I resent the guy that was drinking at the party I just left. But what good does that do me?
1-2
The focus is ALWAYS on me Buck. What anyone else decides to think or do, about anything, is their business. When I was a drunk, I tried to get everybody drinking like me...so when I stop, I should get them all to stop too? Ha :)
Seriously my friend, reading your replies in this thread is really enlightening...most people here are extremely comfortable and chilled with their own opinion. What's clear again is you have a need to have them fall in line with your opinion, for some reason it's really important to you and the denial around this is so strong you're projecting the same emotions on to everyone else.
I wonder...was it just you in your family with a drinking problem or was there someone else, maybe when you were growing up?
P
P
I am not uncomfortable with people having a glass or two of wine or beer etc..I am uncomfortable with people getting drunk in my house. I have a cousin whose wife is out of control. I was uncomfortable at Thanksgiving at someone else's house..it just made me sad.
I don't buy it, my husband drinks on occasion. I just don't like the smell anymore, and I am sad when I see people getting plastered. I feel like my home is MY sanctuary, and this is the first time in many years I am just trying to go with the flow...
It's not hypocritical for Alcoholics to serve drinks or store it.
I have an allergy to alcohol. I'll take your wife, your money, and your trust.
Alcohol isn't the demon, my genetic and psychological makeup demonIze alcohol.
There's a huge difference.
I'm going to a bar in an hour. I'm meeting buddies. One of my friends is getting a divorce. He needs support. Would I normally go to bars? No? But my friend needs me. I've been to bars and parties many times since sobriety.
I'm pretty much like a person who is allergic to shellfish. Everyone else can have it. I can't.
I'm also like a person allergic to bees. I don't choose to avoid the outdoors. I'm just aware of my surroundings.
What I don't understand is why some people feel the need to personalize every issue that we discuss. Post #25 even implies that I have some family background issues that are at the core of my even bringing up this topic. I find that personal implication very offensive. If you can't discuss a topic without taking personal slams at another poster you should hit the blue button and "stop watching the topic".
Billy