Alcoholism

[bsb13]

I have been struggling with this ever since I was 16 years old. MY Grandparents, uncles, cousins (mom and dads side) have stuggled with this and I do too. To be honest, I'm drunk while I'm typing this. I was just wondering has anyone dealt with this before or any kind of addiction, or had a loved one who has, and if you have, do you have any advise.

I know sometimes I come on this site and make off the wall post sometimes because I'm so drunk.

I want help, but I dont really know how to go about it.

This has been a true curse in my family and I want to be the one to break the cycle, but I am going to need some kind of help and I need to know where to start.

I cant hold a job because of it, so I cant pay for treatment but I was wondering if there was some kind of free help I could get?

I would like to do this on my own without anyone else knowing (For personal reasons).

Thanks for all help

[chilli311]

Re: Alcoholism

I am an alcoholic, and have been sober for 6 months, 13 days. I wish I could really offer you some great, life changing advice that helped me, but honestly, it took me almost losing my wife before I could actually come to terms with it. I went to meetings for a while, and it helped a little, but what did it for me at first was the fear of losing someone who meant so much. Now, My savings has little quadrupled since I quit drinking. My reason for not drinking now is that I see what it does to my friends and don't think it even looks fun anymore. I'll still have a glass of wine or two when I'm alone with my wife, but even that is rare, and I hate doing it for fear of bringing back the past.

My best advice would be to find a goal to achieve that will make you focus on something else. Don't get that confused with a vice such as smoking, or some other form of addicting habit, but a solid goal such as "I'm going to set aside this money that would be for drinking, and save up for a ______." Don't make it something outrageous like a new house or car, but something that you can attain in a matter of a few weeks. Once you've done that, do something a little bigger, etc.

Good luck. If you ever need some help, PM me.

[themush]

Re: Alcoholism

Well as a child I grew up with an alcoholic father, so I may be able to help you.

1. Do you need alcohol to have a good time?
2. Do you suffer from withdraws when you don't drink?
3. Do you drink every night regardless what you plan on doing?
4. Do you think about getting drunk when you are alone with yourself?

If you answer yes to any of the above you need to re-evaluate your lifestyle.

It's all about YOU. If YOU feel YOU have a problem then YOU probably do. There's nothing wrong with going out and having some brew or hard stuff but, if you plan your night around it, you need some help. Do yourself a favor and your family a favor and get help. There's nothing wrong with dealing with your demons, in fact that's the best thing you can do for YOURSELF.

Edit: I agree with Chilli, set a goal for yourself. And make it happen!!!

I'll be on here too if you need someone to chat with. YOU can do it!!!!!!!

[McLite]

Re: Alcoholism

The first step is always admitting you have an issue. A cliche yes, but it's true.

There are many free things online. Just type alcohol help in Google and pick and choose. Some of them even offer free numbers to call. Not sure how religious you are but you can always go to a church and talk with somebody. A pastor, elder, etc...

I drank a lot years ago and finally just decided I wasn't happy doing it anymore. Drinking 4 or 5 nights a week, mostly by myself, just got old. I got tired of feeling like crap. Finally one night I drank a 12 pack and wasn't even buzzed and I got mad at myself. From there I just made a conscious effort to do other things. At night I would go to the gym, or go shoot hoops, or anything where when I came home I would drink a ton of water or Gatorade.

[madscientist]

Re: Alcoholism

When I was in the Air Force, I was on the verge of becoming an alcoholic. It started out just being weekends, then after tests, then before tests, then every day. I was lucky, and I realized what I was doing to myself. It sounds like you may be past this point, but the advice I offer is this:

You've admitted to having a problem, and that is the hardest thing to do. Take yourself out of the situations where you feel like you have to drink. Throw away all of your stash, and don't drive or walk by any liquor stores. If you have to find alternate routes, it will be worth it. Find something to do to keep your mind off of needing to drink. Volunteer somewhere or get a job or two. You need to confide in your friends and family who are not alcoholics, as you will need a strong supporting cast. You don't have to be religous to speak to a priest or preacher. If they try to get you to pray, tell them you don't feel comfortable doing that right now (if you don't.) If these are not available or if you don't feel comfortable talking to these people, then you should join Alcoholics Anonymous. Sobriety is not easy, but I found that some of these really helped me. You are not alone! If you need anything you can always reach out to most of us here at OS.

[Pete1210]

Re: Alcoholism

I want help, but I dont really know how to go about it.

This has been a true curse in my family and I want to be the one to break the cycle, but I am going to need some kind of help and I need to know where to start.

I cant hold a job because of it, so I cant pay for treatment but I was wondering if there was some kind of free help I could get?

I would like to do this on my own without anyone else knowing (For personal reasons).

Thanks for all help

Call Alcoholics Anonymous and tell them you want help. They should direct you to a local meeting. It's free.

[bsb13]

Re: Alcoholism

I am an alcoholic, and have been sober for 6 months, 13 days.

I dont think I have went more than a month without drinking since I was 16, but I'm glad you are getting things back on track man. Keep it up, I wish you the best of luck.

Well as a child I grew up with an alcoholic father, so I may be able to help you.

1. Do you need alcohol to have a good time?
2. Do you suffer from withdraws when you don't drink?
3. Do you drink every night regardless what you plan on doing?
4. Do you think about getting drunk when you are alone with yourself?

Yes to all of the above, its been that way for awhile now.

Edit...I dont drink every night though.

The first step is always admitting you have an issue. A cliche yes, but it's true.

There are many free things online. Just type alcohol help in Google and pick and choose. Some of them even offer free numbers to call. Not sure how religious you are but you can always go to a church and talk with somebody. A pastor, elder, etc...

I drank a lot years ago and finally just decided I wasn't happy doing it anymore. Drinking 4 or 5 nights a week, mostly by myself, just got old. I got tired of feeling like crap. Finally one night I drank a 12 pack and wasn't even buzzed and I got mad at myself. From there I just made a conscious effort to do other things. At night I would go to the gym, or go shoot hoops, or anything where when I came home I would drink a ton of water or Gatorade.

Thanks for the tips man.

Find something to do to keep your mind off of needing to drink.

I think this might be the key thing for me. "Idle hands are the devils workshop" and I dont think that could be anymore true for me.



Thanks to everyone who has posted in this thread for the encouraging words/tips. I really appreciate it.

God bless

[Cyros]

Re: Alcoholism

No advice, but good luck man.

[USF11]

Re: Alcoholism

I have been struggling with this ever since I was 16 years old. MY Grandparents, uncles, cousins (mom and dads side) have stuggled with this and I do too. To be honest, I'm drunk while I'm typing this. I was just wondering has anyone dealt with this before or any kind of addiction, or had a loved one who has, and if you have, do you have any advise.

I know sometimes I come on this site and make off the wall post sometimes because I'm so drunk.

I want help, but I dont really know how to go about it.

This has been a true curse in my family and I want to be the one to break the cycle, but I am going to need some kind of help and I need to know where to start.

I cant hold a job because of it, so I cant pay for treatment but I was wondering if there was some kind of free help I could get?

I would like to do this on my own without anyone else knowing (For personal reasons).

Thanks for all help

You have to get a FTW attitude. There is nothing within reason anyone can't do.

[KingV2k3]

Re: Alcoholism

I've been drinking virtually every night for 30 years now...

Luckily, I've NEVER had a loved one or co-worker suffer any ill effects of my 'lifestyle' because I'm a 'responsible' alcoholic...I never do or say anything that I wouldn't do sober or regret the next day, which is rare...

I've been in various entertainment based carrers where, well, everyone has a much worse substance abuse problem than me, so mine seems more manageable by comparison...

I also, most certainly have altered my 'brain chemistry' over the years so things like anti-depressants and bi-polar meds, that work for others who are drinking to 'mask' an emotional disorder won't work for me...

I'd make sure you aren't masking a deeper issue, becuase addressing that with therapy and meds might take care of the drinking issue in the process...

Because I don't realistically see myself quiting anytime soon, I made two concessions that work for me:

NO HARD LIQUOR...I simply drink the lowest carb beer available (Miller Lite, Ultra) b/c I get a buzz, run up an appreciable bar tab and kill a lot of time, while avoiding hangovers, blackouts and regrets...

NO DRIVING...I walk, I take cabs, ride with sober-ish friends or stay home...yeah, solo home drinking is kinda lame, but once again, everyone I know does it...at least I'm not risking other's well being by driving and by 'keeping it lite' I just run out of stomach space and get tired before any real damage is done...

I'm not sure if this helps, but many of my rehab vetern friends say that the sucess rate of finding some kind of moderation works best for most people, cold turkey and staying cold turkey has only worked for one friend of the dozens who roller coaster on and off the wagon...

Some have had decent runs of sobriety with a combination of weed and trazadone, but once again, I'd just rather go with the lite's and not just trade one 'ritual' for another...

At any rate, no matter what you method you choose, don't be afraid to fail or try mutliple apporaches...

But once again, make certain that there are no emotional or physical (long time abuse leads to blood sugar problems that make you crave liquor) problems that need to be addressed...

A diet like they put diabetics on (nothing 'white' like sugar, breads, rice, pasta) and exercise will help whatever plan you go with that much more successful...

Good Luck!

[ubernoob]

Re: Alcoholism

First thing that you should know, is not to be ashamed of alcoholism. It is a disease, in the same vein that anything else is. If you don't want people to know that's fine, but don't tell yourself that something is wrong with you.

AA is free, and is a great support group.

Best of luck man. If you need someone to talk to, I've seen family members and a couple friends struggle with it and the best thing to do is have support either way.

[fistofrage]

Re: Alcoholism

Start to tell yourself you hate alcohol. Convince yourself that you hate everything about it. Every dime you spend on it could be used instead to better yourself or help others. Don't let something control you, man. Don't be a slave to that. If you can stop for a week, you can stop for a lifetime. Remember to hate it, and don't putyourself in a situation where you around things you hate. Find something you really care a bout, a purpose, and focus your energy there.

And if you have to, go to bed right after work for the first week. Once you make it that first week, things will turn around.

[heitkamp94]

Re: Alcoholism

AA is basically a religion based program, if thats something you are in to then it may be right up your alley it helps a lot of people but its just not the right thing for some as well. As for advice I'd just ask yourself how important are the things you're sacrificing for alochol. If those things are important enough to you then you'll find a way to stay sober. And like someone else said theres really nothing to be ashamed of, alcohol affects everyone differently. Some people can drink every night and have no significant negative effects on their life while others have negative effects everytime they drink.

[DocHolliday]

Re: Alcoholism

I wish u the best of luck kiciking the booz. But Im probably not one to give out advice.

My sig may be not well suited for the thread

[bsb13]

Re: Alcoholism

THanks guys, I am really thankfull friends.

I'm looking up too yall.

Thanks for the tip but I'm looking up to yall.