Not sure I understand what you mean when you say "it makes me feel better to think that I'm controlling what most people can't rather than be one of the poor 10% who can't be "normal."

Most people don't have to "control" anything. They're like PJ54's friends who leave a half a glass of wine without even thinking about it. On the other hand, if you do have to control it, you are probably already on the path to becoming an alcoholic -- according to Mr. Carr, apparently. Keep it up, and eventually you'll reach the end of the continuum. I can see that.

Alcohol may classified as a poison, but wine isn't, and I very much enjoyed the taste (of the first glass, that is!) It's the only thing I miss. Many people enjoy the taste of various alcoholic beverages. If you think it's poisonous and tastes so awful, why do you ever drink at all?

Funny thing about "normal," the definition changes the more you drink and the bar gets lower all the time. Wonder where yours is today and where it will be tomorrow.

Save your sympathy for the "poor" 10% who haven't found recovery, and don't include those of us who are living happy, sober lives today. We don't have anything to "control" anymore.

I find myself nodding in agreement to so many responses here and Laura is spot on about not having anything to "control" that is part of the bliss of being recovered to me - generally leads to being happy, joyous and free!

As far as my opinion (and my friends) when we talk about normies we mean people who do not have the physical allergy or mental obsession that alcoholics have. That covers a wide variety of drinkers or teetotallers.

Not surprising but it seems like my point was completely misread/misinterpreted just for the sake of argument....whatever.....I'll stick to reading instead of posting.

What has been misread/misrepresented? Don't see anyone arguing - just some people disagreeing with Allen Carr's way of seeing things?

Claire,

It often happens that discussions turn and twist and wander down a new path as more people respond. I hope you don't think that is bad -- it might get off course from the direction you started, but it can still be an interesting journey.

For example, in this discussion I have found out that Antonia thinks I am a "normie," as I have no allergies and I am not obsessed with alcohol.

Sometimes things don't come across the way we want to here in cyberspace. If there was something muddied up in the translation, please let us know! But putting a blanket statement like was done at the end there dissipates any further discussion. There are many POV's here, so it's always good to beat the bushes and hear them all. :)

"Social drinker" is a joke. I watched both of my parents become alcoholics through their membership with The Elks Club. You cannot get any more "social" than The Elks. My folks are dead now but for the last 30 or so years of their lives they both drank like fish!

KK

for a million dollars, I would have just one drink.

People having different points of view is not a problem for me these days otherwise I would not be able to have a jdiscussion or learn anything new.

There is no need to take it or make it personal, that's how arguments can start - a simple fact I have had to learn in recovery, still learning because I am not perfect in any way and sometimes get it wrong which I am then required to make amends for on my spiritual path.

Thanks all for not jumping on me for being so snippy! You are totally correct, it is hard to get an emphasis across in cyberspace:)

I guess what hits a nerve with me is the "poor 10%" because once I see the light...that alcohol...any alcohol, even wine is dilute poison...and yes, I've seen the light a couple of times:) I just look at social or normal drinkers in a whole new light. That is, I have something that they don't....the realization that alcohol is a dangerous, potentially fatal drug that no-one needs and no-one should use no matter what the quantity...
I have more but now I'm rambling:)
Thanks all, I'm on day 18 and looking forward to a hangover free weekend!

As said in AA, "our program is suggestive only". I was at a networking event last night and having my club soda. It's amazing how many people a slurring just a bit after 2 glasses of wine.

You say you have something that I as a "normie" don't. And you use normie like it was a bad thing. Well, it's true, you do have something I don't - you have a propensity to abuse. In your case it was alcohol, in someone else it may be drugs, food, sex, even courtesy, etc. Whatever it is, it's considered a sickness by many. I tried, I put away as much JD, Jim Beam, Mad Dog, etc as most of you have, but I can always walk away from it. It never "consumed me". And I just can't understand how you think my failure to become dependent on it, is a bad thing. I did not become an alcoholic, but it was most assuredly not for lack of trying. Everyone has their demons to battle, be thankful there is AA to help with yours, some of us are just left to fend for ourselves. One might make the case that you were given the easy path.

Hello claired4,

Well done on day 18 and dont worry about ruffling a few feathers on DS. Keep posting and asking but be prepared for the fact that there will always be a range of opinions and one persons opinion is as good as the next.

Thanks, Claire. I appreciate your comment to clarify what you meant. This is a good discussion.

However, I still disagree that everyone who has an occasional glass of wine, a few beers while watching a ball game, or a cocktail while out on the town is on any sort of continuum to becoming an alcoholic. And I absolutely disagree that alcohol is a dangerous, potentially fatal substance that should never be used by anyone in any quantity. As we have cited in these posts, there are many, many people who can drink safely, occasionally, and take it or leave it. Alcohol will NEVER become a problem for them. We are simply not among them. We will never be able to understand what drinking is like for them anymore than they can understand what it's like for us. The best we can do is accept each other.

18 days is fantastic. Congratulations and best wishes for your continued sobriety, but a word of caution here. People out in the real world who have no problem with drinking will not appreciate your wholesale condemnation of alcohol in any form. It's really easy in early sobriety to look around and see potential alcoholics everywhere you look, and extremely tempting to point out the danger to everyone with a drink in their hand. I know I pissed off a lot of people by doing that in the beginning myself. Even if you are positive that someone NEEDS to quit, bite your tongue. If you focus on your own sobriety and set a good example, those who need to may follow you. As for the rest, leave them alone in your words and your thoughts. I admit to a little jealousy sometimes when I see how they're able to handle themselves. Maybe there's a bit of that in you too. Perfectly normal. You get over it.

Good Luck!