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.
Hello,
I am new here - not new to this site but to this group. Four days ago I came to terms with the fact that I am an alcoholic. I've known this at some level for at least a year or two but always managed to stay in denial. I'm sure some of you know what I mean, looking at the screening tools and deciding they don't apply to me because I'm "different," or patting myself of the back for staying sober all week and then rewarding myself with a binge on Friday, thinking I'm normal because all my friends drink just as much (funny I used to have friends who weren't heavy drinkers...hmmm, where did they go?)
I laugh at myself as much as cry. It was literally on Friday that someone said something that woke me up and made me realize I could not lie to myself anymore. It wasn't even about my drinking, it was about his own (10 years sober alcoholic) that was piercingly familiar.
I have so many questions, so many fears, I am not sure where to start. I would like to try an AA meeting but I am so paralyzed by fear and don't even know what to expect - do I just show up and say, hi, I am here, please help me? How do I talk to my friends and family? (I thought at first they'd be shocked as I was a good hider... on second thought, probably not so much.)
I'm not really expecting all my questions to be answered right away, just had to share it somehow. I know this movie is overused as an analogy but I feel like I have swallowed the red pill and been yanked out of the Matrix. My life is not at all what I thought (or was pretending) it was, my world is scorched and barren and alcohol has been sucking the life out of me to keep itself alive.
This seems like a good group. Thanks for reading. Oh and yes I have been sober for 4 days.
I am new here - not new to this site but to this group. Four days ago I came to terms with the fact that I am an alcoholic. I've known this at some level for at least a year or two but always managed to stay in denial. I'm sure some of you know what I mean, looking at the screening tools and deciding they don't apply to me because I'm "different," or patting myself of the back for staying sober all week and then rewarding myself with a binge on Friday, thinking I'm normal because all my friends drink just as much (funny I used to have friends who weren't heavy drinkers...hmmm, where did they go?)
I laugh at myself as much as cry. It was literally on Friday that someone said something that woke me up and made me realize I could not lie to myself anymore. It wasn't even about my drinking, it was about his own (10 years sober alcoholic) that was piercingly familiar.
I have so many questions, so many fears, I am not sure where to start. I would like to try an AA meeting but I am so paralyzed by fear and don't even know what to expect - do I just show up and say, hi, I am here, please help me? How do I talk to my friends and family? (I thought at first they'd be shocked as I was a good hider... on second thought, probably not so much.)
I'm not really expecting all my questions to be answered right away, just had to share it somehow. I know this movie is overused as an analogy but I feel like I have swallowed the red pill and been yanked out of the Matrix. My life is not at all what I thought (or was pretending) it was, my world is scorched and barren and alcohol has been sucking the life out of me to keep itself alive.
This seems like a good group. Thanks for reading. Oh and yes I have been sober for 4 days.
You will feel much better for going, you don't have to share, just say hi my name is joe and I am an alcoholic, simple, you can do it. Don't be afraid, pretend we are all with you because in a way we are, we are always here for you and you are never alone here.
All the best and keep up the good work.
You have the right ideas. step 1 seems to complete. I took me a long time to see the difference between the wanting to stop drinking and having a DESIRE to stop drinking. My DESIRE pushes me to go to ANY lengths. My soberity comes first..before ANYTHING.
The person that opened your eyes with their story would be more than happy to go with you to your first meeting, I'm sure of it.The fear of walking into that room was there for ALL of us. Just put one foot in front of the other and go. courage is being afraid and doing it anyway!!
Good Luck, You deserve this!
Patty
You said you heard something on Friday that impacted you. Be strong and go to a meeting, you'll hear more, you may only have to swallow your pride by going. Thats better than the alternative. Drink.
i'm also at the "now what?" stage... although i have tried AA (a year ago, then i quit), and i am trying it again. that first meeting is hard to get in the door!! i actually went to a meeting place once or twice without even going in!! but, it will be fine... it is just one little thing on the path. you will be pretty proud of yourself if you do make it in the door, though!!! i heard so much at AA that could have been my story and that made sense... but i just wasn't being honest with myself that i really needed to be there.
congrats on your 4 days! that's 4 more than me, so don't get down on yourself!!
I am nervous about attending AA also and right now I dont feel as though I need that. This group helps me alot. But if I start to faulter I will find a group and go into it with an open mind.
Congrats on your sobriety. We are all here for you
odaat
kim
It's cool that you have come to some realisation about your drinking.
There is such a thing as a 12 step call where if you contact your local AA helpline, it can be arranged for someone to contact you and maybe meet up for a chat before you go to your first meeting. I guess they must do that where you live, we do it here in the UK.
Even if you have to take all your courage to go to your first meeting, try to remember that every person at that meeting will once have felt the way that you do!
Try also to remember that having come to some acceptance about your drinking, you now have the chance to recover and get on with your life!
If i can be of any help, please let me know.
Lyn
You'll learn a lot on here and you'd learn a lot in AA too.
It is great that you have had the courage to accept that you have a problem and to ask for help. It is a huge step for an alcoholic to reach the point of being able to do that.
Like others on here have said, I too was terrified to go to my first meeting but it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be and it turned out to be the best thing I ever did.
Let us know how you get on when you go.
Feel free to private message me if you would like to ask any questions about recovery, AA etc.
Also there is another group on here called Alcoholics Anonymous and there are lots of threads on there which might help you to understand a bit more about AA and reduce your fear of the unknown. Look for the link on my profile if you cant find it.
I just want to let you know that you just took one of the most important and scarey steps right now... admitting your problem. From here on out, it's about being honest, open minded and WILLING to do something about this.
I am available to you 24/7... please email me directly if you'd like. I sooooooo understand where you are coming from, my friend.
Hugs!
Go ahead and go to an AA meeting ~ chances are good that you won't be the only newcomer there. You don't even have to say anything if you don't want to ~ just listen. Their stories will sound SO familiar, and that will probably make you feel a little more comfortable.
I'm glad you're here. I hope you'll continue to visit us. Please let us know how your meeting went. God bless.