I was this type too. Although even further. I could drink 10-20 nights over 3-4 months and be fine, then I’d have that horrendous night.

I stopped drinking because I couldn’t control it every time.

AA worked for me. Sorry you didn’t like it. It changed my life.

thank you jeff , i will try it again , has anyone beat this disease without aa ?

Hello asthmasucks,

First of all, to answer your question, “but when i start it can go on for days, why is that always the case?”

There are well-understood reasons for this and once you understand those reasons, you will be a lot clearer on what you need to do. About one in ten drinkers become obsessed with alcohol and these people will always find reasons to drink. The type of drink doesn’t matter and drinking beer or wine is just as destructive as drinking spirits. Considering all of the bad things that have happened to you over the last few years as the result of drinking, it would be insane for you to consider taking another drink, but yet you go back to it again and again. This would suggest that you have become obsessed with alcohol, and this is one of the symptoms of alcoholism.

The other symptom of alcoholism is the inability to stop at a few drinks like most people would do. The reason for this is that an alcoholic develops an abnormal physical reaction to alcohol. When such a person consumes a small amount of alcohol such as one drink, he or she gets a strong craving in the body for more alcohol and each additional drink makes the craving stronger. The fact that you finish off a bottle with ease and that you go on drinking for days would suggest that you have developed this abnormal reaction, the second symptom of alcoholism.

An alcoholic cannot drink safely at all and the only safe option is not to drink at all. That is not an easy option for someone who has become obsessed with alcohol and such people often require outside help and support such as that which is provided by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholism is a progressive and an extremely serious condition and it should not be treated lightly. In order to recover from alcoholism, there needs to be a willingness to consider all options and to rule nothing out. You have been to an AA meeting and didn’t feel comfortable but I would suggest that you need to give it more time. Try it for a few months and try different meetings.

Although it works for a great many people, AA is not the only path to recovery from alcoholism. Take a look at the article at the link below for other options.

7 Popular Alternatives to AA

www.soberrecovery.com/addiction/5-popular-alternatives-to-alcoholics-anonymous-2/

Hi asthmasucks
I know what you're going through. I also drank only wine and cocktails or expensive shots and spirits so how could I possibly be a drunk?! Fact is I was definitely a drunk, I drank every day and easily a bottle of wine if not more. I hid my drinking from friends and family and made a mess of myself and embarrassed myself and my family. I simply lost control and became powerless over alcohol. I had a very bad night out and decided to quit. I didn't join AA as I see a counsellor and I've had amazing support from people I've met here but now I'd be open to AA so if I were you I'd give it another go. From what people say in this group it has helped so many people and there are many other similar groups if you really don't like the thought of AA. Either way support is the key and I wish you all the best in your recovery.

I've been where you are. I was delivered from my dependency on alcohol by prayer and my belief that GOD heals. I simply got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I've also heard great things about spiritual counseling for those who struggle with alcohol and drug dependency. I think the major difference is that aa says that once an addict always an addict which can make you think there's no hope for you. However, spiritual counseling says the opposite, 'If you're in Christ then you are a new creature. Old things are passed away and behold all things become new'. I applaud your courage for reaching out for help in aa or whatever source you choose to maintain alcohol abstinence.

Just in case there is any confusion about the “once an addict, always an addict” comment from monnieloves, the following may be helpful.

AA does indeed maintain that once someone becomes addicted to alcohol, they will always be addicted. This is based on scientific and medical reasoning that tells us that the body of an alcoholic cannot go back to processing alcohol like that of a normal drinker. In other words, even after being sober for many years, should an alcoholic take a drink, he or she is likely to end up back where they were during their last drinking episode. There is no cure for the physical component of alcoholism.

What AA tells us is that it is possible to RECOVER from alcoholism. Recovery comes from a change in the way of thinking. This is the very opposite of having no hope as it virtually guarantees that a person who follows the suggested spiritual principles contained in the Twelve Steps will recover from alcoholism.

This post reminds me of my mom's drink of choice which was red rose wine which ultimately took her life so when I walk by it in the supermarket now, I no longer see a pretty label enticing buyers to put it in their carts. Instead, I see a skull and crossbones because to me, that's all it is. It's a killer!

Alcoholism is a symptom of deeper emotional issues. It is treated as a mental health problem in the medical field. There is a good book called, "The 12 steps for everyone who really wants them" by Jerry Hirschfield and if you PM your address to me, I will send you a free copy.. It is the 12 steps of AA adapted to EHA which stands for Emotional Health Anonymous. It will walk you through each of the steps in easy to understand language with practical applications to help you heal the deep wounds that are triggering your addiction. I highly recommend.

Good luck on your road to recovery. May you find peace and happiness along the way.

God Bless

AA isn't for everyone. Research Naltrexone/The Sinclair Method and the movie on Amazon "One Little Pill". Also, take a look at www.ThisNakedMind.com

It sounds like you aren't physically addicted (shakes, needing a drink in the morning to feel normal) and you're already a step ahead of many. Problem drinking is a problem that you can overcome :)

thank you all for replying , wish i could message you individually and together to talk and support , and es ive had to have a drink in the morning to feel normal , and yes i need to try aa again , maybe a closed group or beginners group..there is many different components to me feeling this now , 1 is my father was a brilliant surgeon who died of alcoholism , but i thought i was stronger , y i dont know , i feel sad and pitiful , how did this happen to me ? y after a glass i need more , i associate my meals with white wine ...lots of seafood..my job requires me to host events a few times a week where there is nothing but alcohol, im usually strict on a 2 beer minimum but im just so over it guys. I am so grateful for people who understand, and send me private messages so i can speak to you..i was thinking of a 1 week detox ...has anyone done inpatient ? is this that serious , is it all in my mind ?

I don't love AA either. For me, everything new is uncomfortable, but I decided to go until I didn't feel uncomfortable anymore but I realized that I just didn't love the meetings I guess.

The 12 steps changed my life.

I am coming up on a year sober 11/16/17. I think everyone's different and what you need to stay sober might change as time goes on. But my advice, try AA until you get used to being there (until it's not uncomfortable) and then decide whether or not you like it. And definitely try a closed group.

Best of luck.

I just didn’t have the coping skills... I missed that day in school or something. I liked the way alcohol made me feel. I drank too much and too often. Eventually I was having pain in my back. My liver was being digested by enzymes that were building up. MY alt ( liver enzyme level was 155. Normal is 0-55. I still couldn’t quit , when the Dr told me I was in trouble the only thing I knew to do was go to the bar. Then I googled alcohol abuse , found this site, that was in 2012. I still drank for a few more months. Then I finally went to an aa meeting one Sunday. My last drink was in June 9,2012. I learned the ways to cope with life. I learned I wasn’t bad just sick. Alcoholism is a disease, and there is a cure. Aa offered me hope. I went today, why? Because it works to relieve my alcoholism. It’s like insulin to a diabetic. I have friends and tools today.

Thing is we are incredibly strong and usually extremely intelligent people. But it’s like trying to lift myself by my bootstraps... I can’t do it alone. I pull and pull but no lift. It took asking for help, that is a very difficult thing to do, and some ppl go on to their death because they can’t ask for help.

Today my liver levels are within the normal range. Life is happening. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows , but it beats a dirt nap

Why don’t you get a physical and see what your alt and ggt levels are... it took evidence to get me to ask for some help.

Cmon giddy up
1is2many

I can relate to this. I was a bottle of wine a night person for a long time... taking "breaks" for short periods of time to "prove" I didn't have a problem. But, of course, I felt awful most of the time... physically, emotionally, mentally. And I just got to the point when I knew that if I didn't stop, I wouldn't live. I was that depressed. I wasn't sure where to turn for help. I have severe social anxiety so the thought of AA stopped me in my tracks. I considered a therapist and made an appointment with my doctor to not only face possible physical side-effects of my years of drinking, but to also get a referral to a psychologist. In the meantime, I searched online and found a book that I started reading - The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home. It has allowed me to work through issues on my own and with daily chapters to read and action items that help me see things in new ways. I know that this may seem like avoidance - keeping myself isolated with no help. But I think this is a first step - control and stop the drinking, work through the checklist each day, make goals, change my thinking. As I'm going through this (I'm on day 7!), I am taking myself out of my comfort zone and spending time with friends, and I've realized that being social and sober is doable! And I am connecting with my friends who are in AA and I can see myself going to meetings after this month is over (or before) so I have a support system that is ongoing. But so far, I feel great! I am 100% committed to being sober so that internal debate about whether I will or won't drink is gone... it's decided, I won't. I took it's power away. My hope is that I continue feeling this strong.

I was very functional, but it was an obsession and I was lying about when and how much I had drank. It took me drinking so much that I couldn’t walk to the bathroom without the help of my 12 year old that finally woke me up. I knew I needed AA, but I almost stopped myself due to my social anxiety. I lucked out that my home group is my first meeting I ever went to. My sponsor pointed out to me that every one is different, but we are all united in our problem with alcohol and why we are there so there wasn’t a reason to be scared. I am coming up on 2 years and I am meeting the ladies tomorrow night for a girls dinner. Slowly I am figuring out how to socialize without the crutch. Message me anytime. All my best to you

I remember many years ago, the hospital where I live had a 30 day inpatient program but that was changed to a 3 week IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) If you have insurance, it is most likely, that they will only pay for out patient treatment. What I was told by my counselor is there is no statistical advantage to taking one over the other.

If using AA, then I recommend a beginners group. Get a sponsor and do the steps. There are all kinds of people willing to help but you can't be afraid to ask!

God Bless

I only have 72 days so far and it has been easy so far because I'm pregnant and don't want to harm the baby. I realise that after the baby arrives, thing may get a lot harder as I used to drink two bottles of wine a few nights a week. Sometimes four bottles which is just outrageous. My liver has come through ok thank goodness but I know if I start again that it will fail eventually.

I used to convince myself it was ok because I was drinking wine instead of spirits or because sometimes I could turn down a drink or have a couple of drinks and then stop. I conveniently ignored the above wine consumption as well as the concern from my partner, not wanting to admit that I was a drunk. But you've admitted you have a problem which as we all know is very important. As for AA, I will be attending online secular meetings as there are none locally and I hope they will be helpful. All I can say is do what works for you and keep doing it. Good luck!