I found out that I was addicted to alcohol. It is a drug. I always would overdo it and get hurt or in trouble. I tried many things. Just beer. Drinking a glass of water every other. Not drinking until after five. In the end I was only able to quit by learning things from other alcoholics. I quit a million times. But would get to feeling better and then back to it... this time I decided to get some help. My last drink was June 9, 2012. I have found that I get the strength to keep going in a group of other alcoholics. I went today and just listened. Tonite I’m not drinking. I will try to do the same tommorow.
1is2many

There is a brief window that will not stay open, do something while you can.

Welcome, and glad your sharing. I will tell you that alcoholism is a disease, you were born with the pre-disposition for addiction. It's no different than if you were born pre-disposed for diabetes, or heart disease. You just are. The choice is the key, to choose to drink or not. It's a choice of living or dying. You cannot drink, period. There is no controlling drinking, whether you drink a bottle of hard liquor a day, or only a couple of beers. Whether you only drink after you get home from work, or only on weekends, only a couple of glasses of wine, if you are an alcoholic, you cannot drink, it will kill you, even though usually after liver failure, and bad health, or alcohol overdose, but it will kill you. Your not alone with this, your here sharing, and you can live a full like without drinking, many of us will tell you that, including me. And no, it's not easy, some days it's hard work...JUST DON'T DRINK.

Many people discuss their problem with their doctor. Alcoholism is a symptom of deeper emotional issues and your doctor will ask you some questions about your life to see if you suffer from any one of the common mental health disorders like depression or anxiety etc. You might need to take anti depressant medication for a little while, which will make it alot easier to stay sober with a program like AA. You doctor will discuss treatment options for you but in the end, it is your decision on which path you choose to take on your road to recovery.

You see, I tried to quit hundreds of times on my own and failed each and every time. I knew I couldn't do it alone so I went into detox through the emergency room where I was diagnosed with ptsd and depression. I received medication to help with that. Then I went through outpatient treatment for 3 weeks followed by more counseling but throughout all the treatment I had, regular attendance at AA meetings were a requirement.

That was 10 years ago. Today I live my life by the 12 steps and I have never been happier.

God Bless

Go to AA now, next, later and then go again. Do the same thing tomorrow.....

Until you accept your alcoholism you will not stay sober. Emotional non-acceptance of alcoholism i.e denial, guilt, fighting against or escaping the illness puts you at high risk of relapse even if you rationally accept the disease.

Feelings of anger or shame regarding the development of alcoholism and fear and self pity are emotions that will prevent absolute acceptance.

Your first step should be to speak with your doctor, they can provide you with a treatment referral for counselling should you need it and determine whether a medication i.e anti depressant is an option for you OR a medication that can help stop or reduce your drinking.

You need to seek strong family support which will increase your chance of maintaining abstinence ...... not everyone needs to know your business but those that are closest to you will want to help and support you,. Don't be ashamed to tell them, they probably already know or at least have an idea of how your drinking has escalated.

Finally attending a support group which provides peer support can be very beneficial.

In the end its important to remember that disease acceptances doesn't mean that you have to like the illness, condone it or ignore it. What it does mean is you are admitting your powerlessness and limitations - letting go so you can begin to heal and recover.

Stay strong. xx

Head to an AA meeting. Go early, stay late, meet people, get names, get number, be honest about your dire need for help.

It’s that easy. It’s frightening as hell. Hope you walk in an see someone you know. The “wow you are too, and you have your life together” feeing is powerful.

If you don’t know anyone, great. You will make instant friends who will care about you immediately - but that only works if you are honest and open about your condition.

I used the one day at a time philosophy. I will not drink today, maybe I will drink tomorrow but definitely not today. Repeat the next day.

I journal through the urge to use

Basically you might have a physical allergy, so the longer you go without the drink the easier the physical urge will get to overcome

Detox safely

Once sober and out your system you then have to learn to experience feelings and pain without a drink. Journaling confidentially will see you through painful reactions to life

Then some people in aa believe in a spiritual malady so invite God into their lives and live by spiritual principles. Because if you can't choose to stay sober your going to need some help

First, so sorry. We understand! You can beat this and it takes work. Hard work. Have you considered AA or a twelve step program like Celebrate Recovery, which is often offered through churches. WE are here for you and want to support you. Please keep posting and know that there is hope. Praying for you today!

Than you ALL for your words. This is very difficult for me because I want to quit, but its so hard. I looked into AA meetings in my county. I want to go. But like the fear I have discussing my addiction with my family, I'm worried I won't be able to speak in AA.

Walk in an listen. But if you share, help will come to you in all directions.

Alcoholism is complex and certainly solutions are not one-size-fits-all. And no matter what, there is hard work to be done on the road to recovery. My husband has benefited from Naltrexone and counseling. He did not benefit from AA - he is currently reading the Freedom Model for Addictions, (bought on Amazon). which has resonated with him. (St. Jude uses this book as the foundation of its Addiction Recovery Retreats.) In essence, it says to treat the addiction you have to treat the root cause. The success rate for this model is 78%, whereas I have read AA and inpatient rehab hover around 15% success. It is an alternative option worth looking into.
Anyway, my husband is 45 days sober, but excited about how he feels and more importantly, not having a craving for alcohol for the first time in years.

I understand. I was afraid, embarrassed, and skeptical the first time, too. And it took awhile before I felt comfortable opening up. For me, "others" include other people in the support groups, but also family, friends, and the Lord.

And, I also agree with "perseverance"...alcoholism, and any addiction, is complex and solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Nonetheless, taking ANY first step toward finding help and a solution is almost always worthwhile. Praying for you to take your first step:)

I had the same fears as you. I would sit in my car in the parking lot, scared to death to walk through the door with the handwritten sign on the door that read "AA Meeting Inside". so I had my own meeting by myself while inside my car. When people began walking out, I would go home and tell my wife that I went to a meeting.

After I did that 3 or 4 times, I finally worked up the courage to go inside which was the best decision I aver made. I sat in the back and asked the guy next to me what I had to do and he told me to just sit and listen which was all I did do for awhile. Now, 10 years later, I am often asked to chair meetings and my IOP counselor will sometimes have me go back to the Program as a representative of AA to share my story. which I am more then happy to do.

Working through my fears was something I asked my Higher Power to help me overcome. Just like with the decision to quit drinking. I knew I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. I had to trust in something I couldn't see or hear and I am far happier for having done so.

God Bless