Cyber AA Meeting...Come on down!!!

:cool: Hello ladies! You know me but I'm going to use another I.D. for the sake of anonymity- not that I care alot, but I just thought it would be a good idea, hope no one minds.
I'm celebrating my 13th AA anniversary tomorrow, Sunday March 26. Yippee! I think I drank alot to medicate undiagnosed depression, too. And it's been harder to accept that I have to take medication every day, than it was to accept that I couldnt drink anymore. My dad was an alcoholic, too, and I NEVER wanted to be like him, but...c'est la vie. I could do alot worse than be a recovering alcoholic! Thanks, HP!

Wow, I'm not sure what to say here but I applaud and admire all of you. You have gone through something I will never experience....I hope! I have to share some humour here. I used to play the pipes in a pipe band and there was one older piper who used to say "There are only two occasions when I drink. When I'm alone, or when I'm with someone." We used to laugh at that...sadly he died of cancer and refused to stop drinking or smoking. In fact he had a nip of scotch and a ciggie on the day he died. He was an alcoholic.

My Grandfather (on my Mom's side) was an alcoholic and frequently beat my Grandmother. When I was little I remember my GM showing up on our doorstep after having taken the bus over. She'd have black eyes and bruises all over the place. My Dad sent us kids to the basement, but we knew what was going on.

Me? I consider myself to be a social drinker although that was not the case years ago. In my twenties, I went through that "young experimental" stage but that only lasted a few years. Then, in my late 30's, I went though a really bad time and started drinking every night until I blacked out. It dulled the pain and that was a good thing. But when the pain came back, it was twice as bad as the night before. Was I an alcoholic back then? I really don't know because I never let it affect my job or other aspects of my life. I had control of it in the daytime, but at night at home, it controlled me. There was some other stuff happening as well but that's too personal for me to post here.

Finally I sought counselling and today, in my mid-fifties, I'm a much different person. I can have a couple of drinks and then stop. I count my blessings and thank my higher power for all that I have.

Congratulations to all of you celebrating anniversaries and thank you for sharing your stories with us. It took courage for you to do that....you are an inspiration to us all.

I also find it very ironic that this thread is in the Dog House...right next to the Thursdays cyber bar. Sorry, it's just my twisted sense of humour. :o

My entire family were alcoholics, on both my Mom and Dad's side. So my risk was very high. My father was an award winning photojournalist whose generation believed that going to a shrink for your depression, was admitting defeat. After my stepmother died in 1995, he became a recluse, not bathing, shaving, NOTHING, except drink and watch tv all day. His life, according to him, was over. He had nothing to live for and was just waiting to "cruise on outta here". I took care of him, made sure he had a bath, food in his fridge and clean clothes. I also bought him his vodka. :( I've had a hard time dealing with that part of it. I still, on occasion, have nightmares. I was an enabler. I enabled my father to continue his path of destruction. I'm not proud of it. But I was worried that he'd kill himself or a car full of people driving to the liquor store on his own.

2 1/2 years later my prediction finally came true (I told him that either he was going to die in a very bad accident that his drinking caused, or he'll be found dead in his apartment). There was a police officer at my door to tell me my Dad was found dead in his apartment. He was where he wanted to be. Not on this earth. :(

Odaat - One Day At A Time! :D:D:D

In the Wilson House meeting room they have license plates from all over the country. I remembered one that said ODAAT-1.

Slick,

Thursdays Cyber Bar is the only place where I can tie one on and wake up as sober as the day before. Lots of fun without the hangover!!!

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Originally Posted by slick

I also find it very ironic that this thread is in the Dog House...right next to the Thursdays cyber bar. Sorry, it's just my twisted sense of humour. :o

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Both are adult topics, topics that children needn't read or try to understand.

And the drinks in the cyber bar have no calories, and only imaginary alcohol, if that. Me, I tend to stick to my tea, even in Thursdays.

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Originally Posted by Karen

Both are adult topics, topics that children needn't read or try to understand.

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I completely disagree. Children should be very aware of alcoholism and should understand many aspects of it - from how to help yourself, to the fact that it's NOT their fault if their parents are affected, and how very serious it is. These are not subjects children should be left from, and I didn't think things were allowed on PT if not acceptable for all ages - or have the rules changed for the dog house?

If I had known more growing up it surely would have helped a lot of hurtful feelings.

Kay, I agree children need to know about such things, but Pet Talk is not the place for them to learn about it.

The Dog House, as originally stated, is for

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any post that is in some way controversial, upsetting, or just makes us go eeeew! In it are threads about the war, debates and arguments about religion, patriotism and politics, and the recipe for "poop cake."

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Alcoholism is upsetting, no matter what age, and in what form, you encounter it.

ODAAT! :) Yes I know you and sent you a congrats in that "other room" ;) 13 was a lucky year for me and I hope it is for you too.

Hey everyone...

As someone who has struggled with addiction, I can't say enough how important it is to have a support group. Lately my resolve has been tested, as my parents have completely abandoned me and I'm finding out very quickly how fickle friends can be. The only person I have on my side is my husband. Sometimes though, one person is enough.

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Originally Posted by DJFyrewolf36

Hey everyone...

As someone who has struggled with addiction, I can't say enough how important it is to have a support group. Lately my resolve has been tested, as my parents have completely abandoned me and I'm finding out very quickly how fickle friends can be. The only person I have on my side is my husband. Sometimes though, one person is enough.

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And don't forget us! We're always on your side, as we don't even know the rest of 'em! We're here if you need us. Pah, fickle friends are just not worth it, sometimes.

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Originally Posted by Karen

And don't forget us! We're always on your side, as we don't even know the rest of 'em! We're here if you need us. Pah, fickle friends are just not worth it, sometimes.

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Trust me, I am so glad my PT family is around. :D

And fickle friends are most assuredly not worth it!!!

You'll get REAL friends. And other people get scared...because you change and even become a mirror they don't want to look at!

Bless your hubby! You got a gift there!

Just for today, hon!

hugs
Catty1

In 1983 when I was 21 years old, I met a guy I'll call Scott. We met in a bar, we were both drunk, and we got along great! I was just out of an abusive relationship and truly on my own for the first time in my life, and I was going to have fun, and Scott and I spent much time in bars having a greatt time! We dated for 2 - 3 weeks when one day I got flowers, with a note basically saying "I had to go away, go on with your life and forget about me." I was heartbroken! I went on with my life, eventually dated other guys, and only months later did I find out that he had checked himself into Hazelden in Minnesota. He had gotten out of Hazelden and was living in a half-way house when he contacted me again and said that meeting me is what made him realize what a hold alcohol had on his life and how bad he wanted to break that hold....so we could start a life together. I was flabbergasted! Here was this guy who I had had a fantastic time with, who then dumped me like a hot potato, and after being completely totally out of my life (with no explanation mind you) was now saying he wanted a life with me! Well...needless to say I gave the guy a chance and we ended up getting engaged. In an attempt to understand his problem, I attended a few Al-anon meetings. I remember them talking about being an enabler and all that stuff, but I always thought most of what they talked about didn't apply to me, because my alcoholic was already not drinking and I really couldn't relate to the people who were still dealing with drunken rages and such.

Anyway, we got along great, and we even kept going to bars now and then to hang with our friends. I could never understand how or why he wanted to be in bars, but he still enjoyed the company of his friends, he just didn't drink like he used to. We were supposed to be married in September of 1985. Early in 1985 I realized I really didn't want to be married - had nothing to do with him, it was the whole idea of marriage and kids that I wanted to no part of, so I broke it off. I felt really bad because I didn't want to be the reason he started drinking again. Thankfully he didn't. Last I heard he was celebrating 3 years of sobriety and had met another wonderful girl he was about to marry.

That was all many many many many years ago, and I have no doubt that he is now about to celebrate his 23rd year of sobriety.

As for me, I like to have a drink now and then, and sometimes 2 or 3, but long ago I learned that that was enough. I can't take the horrible sick feeling the next day - especially as I get older :rolleyes: - and I can always stop when I want to. However, I have immense respect for those who have been able to conquer this beast. I can't even quit drinking Coke, so I can only imagine how hard it is to completely change your life and quit drinking alcohol. Congratulations to you all! :)

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How does one know if he/she is in trouble?

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I realised I had a problem when I couldn't remember the last day I had gone without a drink or the last time I had just fallen asleep naturally......I kept going home from "events", being very ill and not remembering most of the evening and my final wake up call was finding myself swigging from the vodka bottle first thing in the morning because I felt so dreadful from the night before. Drink was controlling me but now I am going to control it. I have an addictive personality - simple things like being unable to buy a single lipstick - I have to buy at least 3 so I guess I'm the same with alcohol

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Originally Posted by Brody's Mum

I realised I had a problem when I couldn't remember the last day I had gone without a drink or the last time I had just fallen asleep naturally......I kept going home from "events", being very ill and not remembering most of the evening and my final wake up call was finding myself swigging from the vodka bottle first thing in the morning because I felt so dreadful from the night before. Drink was controlling me but now I am going to control it. I have an addictive personality - simple things like being unable to buy a single lipstick - I have to buy at least 3 so I guess I'm the same with alcohol

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I can't say if you are an alocoholic, but what you're describing sounds like it is very probable you are - please check out this site to get help in the UK:

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

I know it's scarey, no one WANTS to be alcoholic, but if you are, you are. There's hope! Some of the nicest people I know are RECOVERING alcoholics!