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. 
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand and strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!
--unknown
Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see
--Polar Express
Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
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.
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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.
Originally Posted by slick
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.
- 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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