I have a drink problem - Professional opinion

[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!

[Catty1]

Well...I hope this works. As someone said, you might only be a heavy drinker.

If you are alcoholic, you will not be able to have just one or two. You'll be back where you were sooner or later.

What's important is you find out what is true for you.

HUGS!

Catty1

[ramanth]

My step grandpa died because of the bottle. The damage to his liver was so intense that there was no helping him. I barely drink because I don't ever want to die that way.

I commend you for taking the steps to help yourself. *HUGS* You can do this!

[RedHedd]

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!

Hmm. ...good luck with that. It is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker to be able to control and enjoy their drinking.

As for going into bars while newly trying to stop drinking, it's been said that if you hang out in barber shops, you will eventually get a haircut. .... I think you can figure the rest out.

As others have said, do try to go to a few AA meetings to see how you identify. Keep talking! You've made a terrific start.

[carole]

Please Please get yourself asessed professionally, you really need to know are you just a problem drinker or an alcoholic, if the later you cannot just drink in the weekends, you have to stop for good, one drink and you will be back to exactly how much you were drinking before.

My ex was told to change his whole lifestyle really, it meant not associating with his drinking mates and going to pubs , at least in the early stages of gaining sobriety, it is only temptation.

I am thrilled you opened up to your husband and he has been so supportive, he is going to be your backbone from now on.

Remember this effects your whole family,they just might need some other support themselves to help you through it all,for me my experience has scarred me for life,but that does not need to be the case for you and hubby.

Many people think an alcoholic needs to be drinking a lot of booze, my ex only had two bottles of beer a week, hardly what you would describe as being a alcoholic, but he had to have that no matter what, even if we were broke, it came first, also because he was not getting enough for his habit, he was very bad tempered and hard to live with.

I don't want to put a downer on your progress, but it sounds like you might be in a bit of denial,i only come to that conclusion by your decision to drink weekends only, however as i pointed out you need to be assessed to see exactly what is what, good luck to you.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Hmmmmm.........some good points made here. Won't get into the mindset of "just the one won't hurt" because it will.

Went the whole of yesterday without having an alcoholic drink of any description! The biggest challenge was the evening when we normally have beer or vodka while watching telly. I treated myself to a big thick magazine to read and although I thought about a drink occasionally I didn't have anything! In fact after a while I was hoping my hubby would suggest one so I could say "not for me thanks"......

Apart from determination to get myself under control another incentive was to be able to come here this morning and say "I didn't drink yesterday!!!" and do you know what? I'm not going to drink today either!!