Angie, I saw on an earlier thread, someone quoted their sponsor saying "Just don't drink". That's simple! I don't need AA then, I'll just do as is suggested and not drink.

It is, in fact, not as simple for me as is sometimes stated. But then I can't can't keep it simple... I'm stupid!

I wish i had the answer but i am in the same position as you are in... i can't stop drinking either. i told myself that i would not drink this weekend and hit the books but that didn't happen. I have to say that if you think you have a problem than you probably do and it is really good that you are going to meetings.

Just dont drink didnt work for me either. If I could have just not drunk, then I wouldnt have had a problem and no need for AA as Dan said.

Thats what makes me an alcoholic - that fact that I cant just not drink - doesnt matter how much I dont want to, how much I know it is a very bad idea, how scared I am of what will happen - eventually the insane idea that this time it will be different will win out and I will be drinking again. Or I will be in so much emotional pain (spirtual malady) that I wont care what will happen, I will drink to try and feel ok.

That was until I worked the 12 steps which have worked for me. I was in AA for a while Sept 2000 to Feb 2002 and in a treatment centre during that time but I never really worked any steps properly and every so often I would get well and truly out of it.

After the last time I knew that I didnt want that to keep happening and also knew that if I stayed doing things the same way it would keep happening.

So that time I worked the steps and I havent had a drink since. Best of all it isnt an effort not to drink - as long as I do what is suggested in the program on a daily basis.

Nicky and Dan are right. For alcoholics "just don't drink" isn't an option. We try to quit and find that we can't. I wasn't a heavy drinker but I found myself drinking more alcohol and more frequently. I tried to give it up numerous times and was unsuccessful. In my mind that makes me an alcoholic albeit probably still in the relatively early stages. AA made all the difference in the world to me. Its so much more than a program to stop drinking.

I had exactly the same experience as Nicky in the last message. I am what is known as a chronic alcoholic. Alcoholism is progressive and therefore it is often quite difficult to decide whether you are actually alcoholic or not. in the early stages.
I congratulate you on taking notice of your warning signs and doing something about it.
Only you can decide if you are an alcoholic although the indicator quizzes can be helpful.
It certainly will be helpful to attend AA, you will only gain by your experience and learn a lot if you chat to one of the ladies one-to-one about the early stages. Ask the person leading the meeting to recommend and introduce you to someone.
Another thing I think bodes well for you is understanding that attending an AA meeting is a sensible and logical thing to do.
I wish you well.

after reading what you wrote you might want to really look at the patterns of your drining and see how it is affecting your life and the ones around you. I cant tell you if you are an alcoholic only you can make that decison but I would maybe keep trying like going to the meetings and see where things take you but from what i read it sounds like you might have a problem but that is only my oponion from what you read. this is a great site with alot of insight. good luck hun.

Hey Angie, I used to have the same problem, somtimes I would go to an AA meeting and think 'yes that's me' and the I would go to another one and think 'hmm, that's NOT me. I also used to be told 'just don't drink, which confused the hell out of because the 1st step says that we are powerless over alcohol, so how can I choose not to drink?!
When I made the decision to work the steps, I was able to stop drinking because I now had the hope and belief that I could get sober and stay that way for good.
Please keep going to AA meetings, hopefully, you will be able to decide for yourself whether you are an alcoholic or not.
If you can, it would be a good idea to get a Big Book because it contains good information about diagnosing yourself.
Please feel free to pm me if you need any help.
Best Wishes,
Lyn

I can remember going home from a meeting with an unopened bottle in my vehicle.For some insane reason,I thought if I had enough will power to not break the seal,I couldn't drink it,hence,I couldn't get drunk.I stared at it for an hour at least,thinking minute by minute I won't drink it.Somehow the seal broke and I wound up with a hangover.That's alcoholic thinking at work.We can outthink ourselves every time.Just don't drink is an oversimplification.Maybe get a sponsor,work the Steps,build a support group,read,learn,listen,be honest,open minded and willing,use the phone and some common sense and maybe you won't drink.You also have to want to stay sober more than you want to drink.Buying booze with no intention of drinking it won't work.That period of time that you fight with yourself as to whether or not you've got to have it is the worst.For me,that inner battle never ended until I was very involved in the Steps,probably around the time I started doing the 9th.

If you give it some time, the anxiety and headache will subside. That is only temporary-alcohol's way of getting you back on it. How you stop for good is an entirely different ball of wax..... Just try to get through the first week and then expore more I say

yeah I dunno I feel the same way...I really dunno