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.
I've been struggling with alcoholism for many,many years. My biggest problem is once I start drinking I won't stop until I pass out. And these situations are happening much more frequently. I've even stayed home from work just to enjoy a bottle of vodka for the day and "relax". I started hiding alcohol from my significant other and things were going down hill. I recently had an episode where I was flying home from a business trip and when my girlfriend came to pick me up- I was a mess! I don't even remember getting off the plane. She was so upset and called my mother to tell her she thinks I have a serious problem. I do recognize my problem has escalated a lot over the past 6 months. What do you suggest? I want to be able drink socially with friends (without over doing it). How or can I get that point? I'll take any insight or advice you might have so please share. I'm feeling ashamed, lonely and scared. :(Â
I do have alcohol use disorder but really did not want to stop altogether. What I did was drop very slowly from 2 bottles of wine a day (say 20 units) to 15,14,13,12,10 etc. I now have 2 units Monday to Friday and a bottle at the weekend in order to sleep (bad sleeper with 2 hours a night). The way I do it now is to buy one of the tiny bottles of wine each day and no more. I am happy drinking these 2 units slowly. So although I have a bottle or maybe 2 at the weekend, I am still over the weekly recommended limit, but way way better that 2 bottles a night. What I find is that the less I have the less I can take. Social events I am happy with a couple of glasses of wine and I find I enjoy the food/buffet much more without copious amount in me.
I have blood pressure and have for 20 years and take meds. Every single time I have my annual check at the docs it is always high due to White Coat Hypertension (it is lower at home on my monitor). I went last week for my usual bp check and it was normal. I did not feel anxious as is usual waiting in the waiting room. My doc was impressed with the reading and as I had 'fessed up' to her about my alcohol abuse, she said well something is working.
I know not everyone can do this, but I was determined to do it and have.
This is several months down the line and now I laugh when out with my mates and they wellie the wine and get drunk and I am fine.
It may be worth having a go so you don't feel a panic of whether you can or you can't, maybe like me you can - who knows.
I do know of a lot of people (now friends on another site) who have been extremely successful using a medication (not off the doctor, they won't prescribe). It has, without a doubt, saved their lives. I could have gone down this route but stubbornness took over and I was going do it my way and make my mind and body do what I told it.
Downsides - non Upsides - more money - no tummy - colour in my face again.
Hope your all keeping well - good having a chat.
G.
The heavy drinker can successfully apply willpower to the problem and get lasting results. The alcoholic has equally strong willpower but yet, where alcohol is concerned, that willpower fails time after time. The reason for the alcoholic’s failure of willpower is that the mind has become obsessed with drinking. The obsession for alcohol is so strong that it eventually overcomes a genuine desire to stay sober, promises to family and friends, health scares and all other reasons not to drink. It is only by finding some means of removing that obsession that an alcoholic can recover.
The second difference between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic is that the alcoholic has developed an abnormal physical reaction to alcohol. This condition may be likened to an allergy but whereas someone who is for example allergic to strawberries will break out in a rash after eating the berries, the alcoholic who consumes alcohol will develop a craving in the body for more. For such a person, trying to cut down on drinking would be like attempting to put out a fire by adding oil to it. The heavy drinker, on the other hand, does not have this bodily craving and can cut back if there is a strong enough incentive to do so.
Many alcoholics will continue to deny that they are alcoholic and will try all sorts of tricks to try and prove that they can control their drinking. This will only prolong the agony and sadly, many will die without ever getting the chance to recover.
The bottom line is that an alcoholic cannot drink safely, either now or at some point in the future. Attempts to prove that he or she is an exception to the rule will usually end in tragedy.