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.
Hi. I'm an alcoholic or at least a problem drinker. In my late teens and early twenties I was a hard partier. I not only binge drank, but I did drugs and dangerous and reckless things. Now that I look back, I think that's when my bipolar disorder started. The antidepressants I was given put me in a manic state. I was only recently diagnosed with bipolar spectrum disorder, but I am mild on the spectrum. But anyway. I got married and had a baby at 24. The only times in my life I haven't drank daily were when I was pregnant. It was hard at first, but I got used to not drinking. When my kids were little, I would wait until 6 pm and have two glasses of wine. I could stop at 2 until about five years ago. I went back to work and that along with the stress of my marriage (being married for a long time is REALLY hard) made me want to unwind with wine. It started seeming like a good idea to have 3/4 of the bottle or the whole bottle.
I have a master's degree and I'm a teacher. I have two great kids, a house full of animals, and I have a hobby I love, painting. I am not an unhappy person. I have problems in my marriage, but we are working on them. Everyone talks about drinking wine at work, but I doubt they are coming to work with a mild hangover most days. I want to drink earlier and earlier in the day and it seems like a good idea at the time to just keep drinking. I recently tried to go a few days without drinking and couldn't do it. I feel antsy and bored. One day I had one beer and was proud of myself for that. I don't want to stop drinking altogether, I want to get to a healthy limit. I'm mostly vegetarian and I exercise. Wine is keeping me overweight. It makes me more sensitive and contributes to conflicts with my husband. I don't miss work, but I could probably do a better job if I felt better. I worry about my health. I don't want to go to AA. I wonder if it's possible to have a healthy relationship with alcohol at this point. Thanks for listening.
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check out that smoke ring. It tasted really good. I smothered it with Maulls BBQ sauce which is Local to St. Louis and one of the best I ever had.....
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I was recently separated from my wife of 33 years and it's complicated. Anyway I rented a room about 15 minutes away and I see my kids about once a week. I see the people who own the house I live in once in a while but other than that I stay in my room where I do my cooking, wash dishes in the shower, read, color, and sleep. I get out at least once a day. I grocery shop and I attend 2 meetings...
Only you know if you are alcoholic. For me it was this simple - when I controlled it, I couldn't enjoy it. When I enjoyed it, I couldn't control it.
best of luck.
If you are still unsure if you have a problem which requires some sort of intervention, like AA, counseling, or outpatient treatment, then take a look at this and it will give you an idea:
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-abuse-and-dependence-symptoms
God Bless
I can only speak for myself because everyone has their own story and issues but my drinking tended to fluctuate with stress, loneliness and yes utter boredom. After being confronted I started looking at certain triggers that would make me want to drink. Things like talking to my mother lol so now I keep the conversations short and sweet. Finding ways to cope with the stress of a job and family is Hard! Try not to feel guilty!
I don't like using the word "alcoholic" because it takes control away although I understand some people do have the disease and if that's the case then it's highly recommended to seek help immediately but.. before you diagnose yourself perhaps look at it more subjective.
You have a hobby and that's fantastic. I find distractions and activities work wonders especially in the evenings. Take time for yourself, you have needs too and alcohol can quickly fulfill that gap.
For myself it can work to assign non-drinking days because it puts it within my control. Even if it starts with only a day or two a week and it's planned for I.e. "Wednesday I'm not going to drink wine while cooking dinner, I'm going to ask everyone to go out for dinner and I'm going to watch that movie I've wanted to watch for last 3 years" Don't be afraid to ask for support from those you trust. Best wishes.
One empowering tool I've found is the power of "No." I'm not sure what it's about being a woman and always feeling obligated to do everything for everyone all the time (at least in my case) but simply saying no to things has helped me immensely. You don't have to bake perfect cookies for the bake sale you know? :-)
I've cut back about 70% in last two years. I didn't set unrealistic expectations for myself and the point I was at was fairly severe so it took a while with the occasional falling down. I live in a household where alcohol is generally available but sometimes it even sounds gross and I opt for a soda or reach for a water bottle instead. I think that's the real challenge and determining factor of maintaining control, if you have wine in the house but can ignore it or distract yourself then you probably can wean off. If your issue is more severe than that I think everyone would advise to seek help. Just my humble opinion and have known others who finally just got sick of it too and it sort of sounds like your there.
You know the answer to your question is simple. Normal drinkers dont search out a forum for excessive drinking. Im an alcoholic and I have found there is not a way for me to moderate. If I start its on till oblivion.
The fact the question is even asked is an indication to the answer. But only you know if you can drink normally.
For me the definition of alcoholic is the fact that once i start i dont stop, and also the more important side is that when Im not drinking Im fantisizing of when I will be drinking.
Best of luck in your journey.
1is2many
God Bless
One of the greatest enemies of the alcoholic or problem drinker is ignorance of the facts so I would urge you to educate yourself about alcoholism. Once you understand the problem you will be in a better position to decide on what to do next. Be aware that denial is a conditions that accompanies the alcoholic state and it is common for alcoholics to convince themselves that their drinking is not really that bad or that they are not alcoholics at all.
If you decide that you really are an alcoholic, and your post gives strong indications in that direction, then you will not now or at any time in the future be able to have a healthy relationship with alcohol. It is not the sixth or the tenth drink that causes the problem for the alcoholic but the first one. It is vitally important for you to understand and accept that reality and the video at the link below describes it very well.
Alcoholism is an extremely serious condition so it is wise to keep all options open. I am one of the people who ruled out going to AA but when things got bad enough I swallowed my pride and went to a meeting. That was the start of a life of freedom and I have never looked back since that night.
The second link lists some alternatives to AA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMC62Y_5dyE
7 Popular Alternatives to AA
www.soberrecovery.com/addiction/5-popular-alternatives-to-alcoholics-anonymous-2/
Q: I ask you have you any idea how to eat an elephant? A: Very small bites
Don't overthink it. Just small little victories
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All these just magically disappeared when I quit drinking.
It was pretty amazing. Today I live in the middle, or sure try to. I still cycle ups and downs but I know they are coming and know they will pass.
Alcohol is a drug. It is a depressant. It is a coping mechanism. I was hooked. Today I didn't drink. I feel back in control. It's magic like. I feel normal again. Very amazing and I can't quite believe it's reality. It is possible.
C'mon!
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