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 encouraged by reading the discussions here. Thanks to everyone who has shared advice, thoughts, successes and even failures. It's time for me to quit. I'm ready.
I've struggled with alcohol most of my adult life, but these last couple of years have been the deepest and darkest part of that struggle. Like many of the stories here, I'm quite functional with a successful business, solid marriage and even good health. (I finished my first full Ironman this year.) But, I know the drinking is starting to take it's toll on me physically, as well as, emotionally.
My business has really taken off the past four years, and I've structured it in a way where I work less. But, I'm starting to see that that has most likely compounded the drinking problem, because I find myself bored with lots of time on my hands. It's a dangerous place to be. I miss being busy and productive like I was before.
Here are few things that have really inspired me to quit:
I saw this short animation last month, and it really hit home. I can relate. It's really how I feel right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUngLgGRJpo
Then, last week, I saw this quote somewhere, and it really got me thinking: "Im not telling you its going to be easy. Im telling you its going to be worth it." I really believe it'll be worth it. And, reading all of the stories on here are a solid reminder that it'll be worth it.
Some more encouragement came through my faith. My walk with God has really grown. I'm closer to him that anyone else, because he's really been the only one I can talk to where I feel no shame and no guilt. He constantly encourages me. When I think about quitting, the encouragement I "hear" is this: "Russ, you make the choice. I'll make you strong."
So, today, I choose to quit. I make the choice.
Yesterday was Christmas, and I've decided to give myself the gift of sobriety. I know it won't be easy, but it'll be worth it.
Thanks again to everyone for your encouragement!
I've struggled with alcohol most of my adult life, but these last couple of years have been the deepest and darkest part of that struggle. Like many of the stories here, I'm quite functional with a successful business, solid marriage and even good health. (I finished my first full Ironman this year.) But, I know the drinking is starting to take it's toll on me physically, as well as, emotionally.
My business has really taken off the past four years, and I've structured it in a way where I work less. But, I'm starting to see that that has most likely compounded the drinking problem, because I find myself bored with lots of time on my hands. It's a dangerous place to be. I miss being busy and productive like I was before.
Here are few things that have really inspired me to quit:
I saw this short animation last month, and it really hit home. I can relate. It's really how I feel right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUngLgGRJpo
Then, last week, I saw this quote somewhere, and it really got me thinking: "Im not telling you its going to be easy. Im telling you its going to be worth it." I really believe it'll be worth it. And, reading all of the stories on here are a solid reminder that it'll be worth it.
Some more encouragement came through my faith. My walk with God has really grown. I'm closer to him that anyone else, because he's really been the only one I can talk to where I feel no shame and no guilt. He constantly encourages me. When I think about quitting, the encouragement I "hear" is this: "Russ, you make the choice. I'll make you strong."
So, today, I choose to quit. I make the choice.
Yesterday was Christmas, and I've decided to give myself the gift of sobriety. I know it won't be easy, but it'll be worth it.
Thanks again to everyone for your encouragement!
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Dick Van Dyke’s path to sobriety was a turning point in his life and career. Here’s what happened:How He Got SoberStruggles and Realization: Van Dyke began drinking as a teenager, largely to cope with shyness and social anxiety. Alcohol made him feel more comfortable in social settings, but over time, his drinking spiraled out of control. By his mid-40s, he recognized that he had an addictive...
See the drinking is just a symptom... that is a hard thing for me to get even after 2 plus yrs off the booze.. I used the booze to escape from myself. I didnt feel worthy. I was happy when i didnt feel anything.
The way that I found this time was to go and chat with a group of other alchies and figure out the reasons why and work them out. also i stay close to the ppl and somehow I have managed to put together more time than I have ever been sober.
It is a weird thing but i thought that once I had cycled the alcohol out that i would be ok but it was just beginning. I still have to do some work each day and honestly i will admit i still crave that disconnect.
I too am the owner of a biz and have a great life, wife, and kids. But i am an alcoholic. That is twofold 1 ) i crave alcohol when not drinking and 2 ) when i drink, i want more and more. so today i try to short circuit my disease.
I pray for you to find good sobriety, dont be like me and be a dry drunk for years, unhappy and just having to drink. Choose a few ppl that have been exactly where you are and can help you learn how to LIVE sober.
Once the light bulb went off and I had enough time I realize how much better sober is. I honestly think i would be dead if i didnt quit back on that june 9...
Good luck and keep checking in!!
1is2many
He was referring to smoking; but alcohol is no different.
I think it's awesome that you came to this place.
I like to think of it as simple vs easy.
Sobriety is simple; just don't drink. Doesn't mean it's easy, though!
Hugs!
I can relate to 1is2many. It's relatively easy for me to quit after a hard night of drinking. You feel like crap and never wanna drink again. But, the craving always returns a few days later when I start to feel better. That's when it's the hardest for me.
And for fwd1021, it's my Day 1 as well. We can do this.
The common denominator in alcoholism does not rest on the outside.
I went into my first AA meeting Monday March 27th. On the outside it was all "great!" A very successful career, at least financially. More money than our family of 5 could want to spend. Family of 5 --- three amazing young children --- who were and are a gift. A husband who loves me, and a ton of friends. Big parties, vacations, social events. Fit? You bet. I'd run a 1/2 marathon at Thanksgiving, was working out daily, but with wicked hangovers. Blah blah blah.
No DUI's, no arrests, no sick days even for hangovers. So was / am I alcoholic? You bet. When I drank I couldnt drink in moderation and enjoy it, and almost every time I started, I'd get drunk. The few times I didnt something interupted me and it was very uncomfortable.
I quit too. Once for over a year, once the summer before I got sober for three months....often for weeks.
Hint -- NON alcoholics don't quit drinking. They just drink moderately or they don't drink. they don't "quit" like we do.
Anyway, I hope you stay sober. I hope you get help. It was impossible for me to live sober comfortably until I did. There is lots of help out there so why try to go it alone?
Perhaps think of it as giving someone else the gift of feeling useful and fulfilled by helping you?