I have a drink problem - Professional opinion

[Laura's Babies]

I want to commend you for taking the first step in your recovery! I am not a alcoholic but was raised by acholic parents. What I want to say to you is to GO to AA or find someplace, somebody, help, to help get you through this and can explaine the process as you are going through it so that you won't feel like you are "loosing it", "going crazy" and to help teaching you how to cope in other ways rather than turning to the drink.

There is so much more out there today than there was when my parents were alive, a much better understanding of it and tons of help.... all you have to do is ASK! May God be with you and help you through it!

I have had MANY non drinking alcoholic friends that I have really admired. My buddy Mike has just got his 2 year chip and I am really PROUD of him! We are here if and when you need us!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

To all of you who have replied and pm'd me - thank you so much! I will respond more when I get back to my pc at work. Hubby hit the roof when he saw this thread (teach him to snoop) although to be fair he didn't know I've been swigging out the vodka bottle at 4am..........

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

To all of you who have replied and pm'd me - thank you so much! I will respond more when I get back to my pc at work. Hubby hit the roof when he saw this thread (teach him to snoop) although to be fair he didn't know I've been swigging out the vodka bottle at 4am..........

Okay, will talk to you tomorrow then .
Didn't your hubby know about your problem?? I hope he will support you

[RedHedd]

We are SO good at hiding what we do. I stayed employed until the bitter end, "pulling it off" and just passint muster. The only person I was fooling was myself.

We'll "talk" tomorrow.

[odaat]

it's a good day to be sober! Every day is a good day to be sober. I remember the day I couldn't anymore. I HAD to drink. AA has changed all that.
As others have said, find an AA meeting. Cyber meetings are ok, but you really need to be face to face with others who share this experiences, and can offer you the kind of guidance and help you need. look in your phone book, sometimes your local newspapers list phone numbers. If you don't want to go alone, someone will pick you up. Stay in touch!

[carole]

Congratulations on taking the first important step to recovery, other's have given you great advice, i can only tell you from a different perspective, i have been the partner of two alcoholic men,and can tell you my personal experience, remember Alcoholism is a disease and it effects the whole family, they are ill too, so please for everyone's sake get the help you need .

Be honest with your husband and tell him how much you are drinking and that you want help and his support, I have been through it all with my first husband, the counselling, the drying out, the hospital care,the relapses etc, i never really blamed our split on the drinking and it is only today i realise that is exactly what caused it all,because it changes one's personality completely.

I admire your courage here and hope that you will beable to be strong and take the necessary steps to sobriety, I wish you well.

[kimlovescats]

Congratulations on your very bold first step! The first step to life without alcohol!!! GOD BLESS and keep you!

(((HUGS)))
KIm

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Good morning my dear, dear friends.

For the first time in a very long time I fell asleep naturally last night and woke up without that "morning after" feeling. Your posts and pms have given me so much strength - I was able to confess all to my husband who was shocked at the extent of my problem but is now being fantastic.

The bond between PTers gave me the courage to face up to my problem and find the determination to take control. Thank you all for your love and support

[jenluckenbach]

Just some extra hugs this morning.

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{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}


But remember, you may not be able to do this completely on you own. Seek help and take all the help you can get. Nothing beats support and empathy from those who have "been ther, done that". You CAN do this!

Have a great day!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Today has been brilliant so far! Feel so much happier than I have done in a long time. Went to the pub with my workmate today and we both had soft drinks - was able to explain to him exactly what was happening so I've got support here too............I'm so lucky to have so many people in my corner

[BOBS DAD]

God bless you and the very best of luck. I am so glad that you are having a very good first day of the rest of your life. What a way to kick it off!!! But please don't be fooled by your temporary boost of confidence. Take to heart all of the good advice you have received so far and continue on with your mission to gain control. I am so glad you have the support of those closest to you and that they will be there for you!!!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

God bless you and the very best of luck. I am so glad that you are having a very good first day of the rest of your life. What a way to kick it off!!! But please don't be fooled by your temporary boost of confidence. Take to heart all of the good advice you have received so far and continue on with your mission to gain control. I am so glad you have the support of those closest to you and that they will be there for you!!!

Knowing I've got you all rooting for me is such a boost too. I am sure I will have bad days but I'll know where to come for help Will also embrace the word "moderation" as this was my major downfall

[odaat]

Knowing I've got you all rooting for me is such a boost too. I am sure I will have bad days but I'll know where to come for help Will also embrace the word "moderation" as this was my major downfall

That's great that you are taking a few steps in the right dirction. If you are a problem drinker, this may be enough. but if you are an alcoholic, you have a disease, not "a few bad days" or "not enough willpower". Please keep an open mind to seeking help from Alocholics Anonymous. You might try going to a few meetings, just for information. There are many beginner's meetings, and what's called "open" meetings for just this purpose. (meaning it's "open" to anyone to attend, not just alcoholics) A lot of people go to these to find out more, to decide if they really are alcoholic.

Did you know that being an alcoholic has nothing to do with how much or or how often you drink? it has to do with WHAT HAPPENS WHEN you drink. Alcoholics react differently than non-alcoholics, even if you only have one drink. it is a disease, like an alergy.

Hope you have a safe, sober day today. Please PM me - I'd love to talk with you more and can maybe answer some of your questions. (((hugs))) Life is so good sober!

[Catty1]

PLEASE get to a few meetings just to check it out - also have a checkup with your doctor, and make sure you get a "liver function test" (part of the bloodwork).

I am SO glad you had a peaceful night - this is a taste of how sober life can be.

Please keep going from here...if nothing else, try to get a copy of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" (lovingly called the Big Book by AA folks) and read up more on the illness.

Maybe you are not an alcoholic. But just give yourself a break and check it out a little further - how wonderful that you have all the support!

hugs
Catty1

[Pawsitive Thinking]

and make sure you get a "liver function test" (part of the bloodwork).

I had one of these recently and everything is functioning as it should be - thank God. I think I have had a wake up call at the right moment.

If I don't have anything tonight it will be my first day in 5+ years without an alcoholic drink of some description. The aim is to stop drinking completely on week days and only have a glass or two of wine or a beer at weekends like I used to and not to drink every day like I do at the moment.

Have also bought a silly table top football game to play at work so on days when I have nothing to do at lunchtime I can challenge my colleagues to a game instead of going to the pub!