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.

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Needhelp4me2quit 01/27/2015

Hello all,

I have gone from "I have a problem, I am completely fucked up" - to "well, I'm not that bad, maybe I can just moderate" - to - "maybe I can be dry for a few days, and then give myself a break" - to "I have no clue what to do."

Sound familiar?

So, I'm doing a progress update with myself. This is what I have learned so far. Posting because it may help someone else.

1. I am fairly certain that I don't have the "gene" or whatever that makes me go crazy the minute alcohol touches my lips. I have an issue with impulse control - yes - but it's not hard-wired in my brain. However, I do routinely drink MORE than I had planned, unless I have an "outside" obligation (e.g., I must drive someplace or talk to someone).

2. I can, and I have, given up alcohol for extended periods. Cutting out is much easier than cutting back. But I always, always, always come back. So far in my life, anyway.

3. I enjoy drinking in moderation.

4. I am not ready to give up alcohol once and for all time. Yet.

5. I need to really monitor my health and well-being. That's the main reason why I'm here. I'm not a pass-out drunk. I've never done jail time or lost a job. I'm "just" taking years off my life.

6. I am not alone. There are so very many people out there struggling with the same issues.

So . . . bottom line . . . I will keep coming here for inspiration.

Thank you for listening.

Aziemus77 01/31/2015

I liked how you feel you need to take responsibilty for your choices.My foster daughter is full blooded Native American Indian and both her birth parents drank alcoholically. After some scary episodes with alcohol she has learned to slow way down and is very careful about her use of alcohol.She still drinks on occasion but its not the driving force in her life like it was for me for so many years.I believe I had the alcoholic gene but I also believe that I drank myself into that state as well. Did I say that?Go figure. I hope you find what you need. Best wishes.

Sosa86 02/01/2015

What helped move my disease along and to a fully graduated alcoholic--no more promotion because the next stage was death--was the way I thought. That is the biggest thing to change: HOW one thinks. Rationalsing is an addicts best friend. Sounds like you get it, so now comes the courage to put it into practice and put a stop to it while you're ahead.
And from one musician to another, my growth and performances are so MUCH better on so many levels since I cut booze out.

JAYUS 02/02/2015

Personally, I dont know that any of us can say for sure whether or not you are genetically predisposed for alcoholism unless of course youve had genetic testing done on yourself. So your parent or grandparent is an alcoholic. You could argue the nature vs. nurture standpoint that you saw them do it and learned it was normal to drink and then trained your brain to be alcoholic. I dont see what the difference is whether or not we have the genes. Its not an excuse (well Im predisposed so I deserve to be an alcoholic more than you lol). If you have the genes that doesnt mean youll become one and if you dont have the genes it doesnt mean you wont. So what does it matter.

I'm with you though needhelp4me2quit - I had quit for awhile (6 or 7 months) last year before thinking maybe I'm not so bad and wanting to try to drink moderately. I was afraid though because I thought that as an alcoholic, I would take a sip of beer and go on a crazy uncontrollable binge. That didn't happen and not sure if it does with some people or if that was just some made up fear in my head (probably got it from TV or something.)

#2.) Cutting it out is easier than cutting back. Amen. I cannot for the life of me cut back. The only option seems to be cutting it out altogether and I am slowly learning that unfortunate fact. Funny how long it can take to convince myself that I really cant drink in moderationI know its a fact yet it doesnt stop me from trying.

Needhelp4me2quit 02/02/2015

I like this comment: "She still drinks on occasion but its not the driving force in her life."

That's what I want for myself. And by occasion, I mean Valentine's Day, or Memorial Day, or New Year's Eve. Not "it's the weekend."

Just like I don't eat chocolate cake every day, or filet mignon, why not put alcohol in the same category? Something to keep as a "splurge," once in a while, but not a daily diet. I "get it" that this is just not an option for some. What I don't know is if I can do that.

This year I'm going to need to consciouly cut out all alcohol for long periods, until I'm in a better place to start that experiment.

Perhaps I am still being naive. But that's where I am at the moment.

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