I have a drink problem - Professional opinion

[Pawsitive Thinking]

There! Have finally admitted it and if I don't do something about my drinking its going to get out of control

[Cat's Meowm]

Please don't worry. And don't beat your self up. Just take one hour at a time - that's what I do!
And then it adds to 24's. It's okay to touch the bottle, as long as no one is hurt!
But it must be hurting you!
Now that you think something's wrong - Go to AA meetings; Al-Anon; church(?), a neighborhood gym; the library --- whatever delays the next drink for an hour! Those hours will add up!

[jenluckenbach]

You CAN get through this. Be strong. We are all behind you. {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} and prayers.

[catnapper]

We all have our vices, but with the loove and support of friends and family, we can break those bad habits and take control of adictions.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Oh Denise, What a brave thing to admit this here on the forum!! This is a big, even the biggest step to healing!! I have great respect for this!
My advise : try to find an AA- club or a person from whom you know he/she attends AA-meetings. AA is very good! They never attack you, they LISTEN,and help you all the way they can! I have 2 brothers-in-law who were heavy drinkers. The first one drank stuff like whiskey during at least 10 years. The other one was a heavy beer drinker. Always drunk! They both joined AA years ago now; they have been sober ever since!! I won't tell you it will be easy, but if you really want to do something about it, it WILL work, I promise!!
If you want to talk about it, you know where to find me

[Felix]

That was a brave step to take.Wishing you all the best in finding the help you need/want.

[beeniesmom]

Oh Denise,
We are here to support you. The second step is to find an AA group, as the others have already said.
Be strong sweety!

[JenBKR]

(((hugs))) we are all here for you. It was so brave of you to admit that here, and that is the first step. More (((hugs))) and prayers coming your way!

[Randi]

Denise, I'm sorry to hear you have drink problem, but I also think you have taken the first step of doing something about it.

Has it been sneaking up on you slowly, or did something happen when you felt it got out of control?

In any case, we're here for you if/when you want to talk. Know that you're not alone, there are more than you think out there with the same problem.

I really don't know the best way of dealing with it, but I'm sure others have some good advice.

I did know a guy years ago who joined AA, he was sober for at least ten years after, but I don't have contact anymore, so have no idea how he ended up.

Oh, I do believe that joining a gym, going for walks and eating healthy will help a lot.

Good luck!!

[Catty1]

Hi, Denise!

Catty1 here - I passed 10 years of sobriety last October.

The length of time doesn't matter - cause just like I was born with brown eyes, I was also born with an inability to EVER drink alcohol normally(whatever that is! LOL) I am always one drink away from a drunk.

Best news - it is an illness. You are not bad trying to get good - you are sick wanting to get better. And you can!

The reason AA is mentioned by so many is that it is a way of learning to live without alcohol. There is a BIG difference between being dry(will power and white-knuckling) and being sober physically and emotionally.

It's a three-part illness:

1. Physical allergy - alcoholics lack an enzyme or two, and the way we metabolize alcohol sets up a craving. Craving is unique to us. "One is too many, a hundred isn't enough."

2. Mental obsession - the ill thinking tells us that one won't hurt, or we haven't had a drink in so long that we are okay now - any number of rationalizations that put us back where we were, and worse.

3. Spiritual illness. Interesting that alcohol is also called "spirits", isn't it? This was my higher power, it solved everything and ran my life - and was going to kill me from early death from illness or suicide. It certainly wasn't LIVING at the best of times. Just keep an open mind on this, go to meetings and hear how everyone has worked this out in their own individual way.

Alcoholism is a progressive and fatal illness. Only YOU can decide if you have alcoholism.

Here's how I decided:

"If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if, when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic."

Even though I was BORED with it, I still kept starting up again.

I hope neither you nor anyone else here thinks my sharing is in bad taste.

Denise, feel free to PM me, okay?

hugs hugs hugs
Catty1

PS: AA is a 12 Step program - and you have taken Step 1 already! "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable." If this fits you - welcome to the club!

[caseysmom]

I am sorry you are going through this. I wish you all the strength you will need.

[moosmom]

Brody's Mum,

That's a big step, admitting you have a problem with alcohol. I've been sober since I turned 40 (13 years ago). Don't miss it at all!!!

The fist thing you need to do is call the toll free number for AA and find out where there's a meeting in your area. If you don't feel comfortable going alone, bring a friend. That's what I did. The more meetings you go to, the more you'll start feeling comfortable. Once you know everyone, you'll need to get a sponsor. Someone you can call when you feeling like taking a drink. It's like a buddy system to help you stay sober.

I've PM'd you with my phone number. Call me anytime!!! I mean that. I'll hang up and call you right back so it won't cost you anything. We're behind you 100% Denise. Anytime you feel like taking a drink, pick up the phone first!

Your biggest step now is to get to a meeting, stand up and say, "Hi, I'm Denise, and I'm an alcoholic. You may not do it in the first try, but that's okay too.

I'll be praying for you. It takes alot to admit what you just did. Take it one day at a time. It doesn't happen overnight. You'll have relapses (I did). They make you stronger. But it WILL happen, but for the Grace of God.

(((((HUGS)))))))))))

Donna

[Catty1]

Hey Donna. Another friend of Bill's!

I know a few folks who have had relapses - I haven't, and sure hope I don't. I just don't want Denise to get the idea that it will happen for sure, but that it is ok if it DOES too, and to just keep coming back!

The money I spent on booze now just goes on cat toys, cat toys, cat toys... LOL

[moosmom]

Catty1,

Oh yeah! We've been best of buds since 1993. My friends live in the "hotel", B and B where he was born, behind the bar. They've renovated it through MANY generous donations of time and materials. It's in East Dorset, VT and it is WONDERFUL!!! They have all homemade cooked food, fresh garden vegetables, "to die for" desserts including their famous Bread Pudding. I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Across the street from the Bill Wilson Homestead, is his childhood home. My very first cat, Molly Rose, is a Wilson House cat. She'll be 12 in May. We have a very special bond.

Mine is cat food, cat food, cat food.

I started a new thread "Cyber AA Meeting". Anyone care to join me??

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...18#post1448218

[RedHedd]

Congratulations, you've just taken the first step. I'm also a recovering alcoholic - Moosmom started another thread here as a cyber AA meeting. I've been sober a little over 19 years, however I know when you're just starting to admit that you have a problem, it's hard to conceive of someone not drinking for that long, but it has been possible for me and countless others through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA is listed in every phone book in the world and there are meetings everywhere.

Now that you've made the admission here, pick up the phone and find out where a meeting is close to you, go, raise your hand as a newcomer and let us show you how it is possible to live a happy life without alcohol. It's not easy. You've shown a lot of courage and strength just by posting this thread so I know you can do it.