The first step

[Bkae321]

I have been depressed for a long time now. Ive been with my wife for 12 years we have a 9 year old son together. I started drinking which snowballed. Started counseling and it was good for a few months so i stopped. My wife feels like ive given up but i havent. Does anyone know of any zoom meetings or anything that i can do to inform myself until i get back in counseling?

[Isinatra]

If you need to stop drinking, AA is the place to go and continue to go in conjunction with counseling. Serious solutions for serious problems. Congratulations for taking those first steps.

[Bkae321 in reply to Isinatra]

Thanks drinking did alot of damage in my life im trying to stay as far away from any negative outlets.

[LilyAnnepuppy]

aa-intergroup.org/oiaa/meet...

[marsdream]

It was good that you recognized that you needed to return to counseling. Try looking in your area for local churches that have counseling or have celebrate recovery meetings for free until you can start to afford counseling. You can attend AA meetings, check in your area to see if they are being zoomed. You can do it!

[Bkae321 in reply to marsdream]

Thank you. Im scheduled for a behavioral health assessment on sept 8 so im just looking for something in the mean time.

[pam4him]

Kudos for hanging in there and seeking help. I agree with those before me, AA will help with the drinking. As for the temporary counseling, you could try bit.ly/2NrE2sl; talkspace.com; or text 741741. All have trained responders. Prayers for wisdom and guidance on your journey.

[Bkae321 in reply to pam4him]

Thanks for the kind comment i appreciate all the help i can get.

[DodgeDhanda]

Hi Bkae321.

How are the communications line between U & ur wife ?? I suggest to talk to her & be 100% open & honest with her & discuss everything & tell her what ur thinking & listen to her too as ur both hurting .

[secrets22]

so glad you are not giving up. I was once a heavy drinker and i did go to AA meetings which although supportive i cant really say that made me stop.I actually made a pact with myself that if i ever felt i was overdoing the drink,just to stop.And so now,i go weeks without a drink but do have an occasional drink socially ,but almost always leave half in the glass,and often drink a tonic water on its own,it looks like alcohol but is'nt,and so it keeps off the persistent people wanting to buy me a drink.

To sum up,i actually no longer even really like the taste and just 1 drink can last me all night.

You dont say if alcohol makes you angry,argumentative,looking for a fight or making you cheerful,for me the outcome is, it always made me cheerful,crazy and silly,but also anxiety would set in.We are all different and alcohol affects us all differently.

Whatever you do,i wish you well.

[Bkae321 in reply to secrets22]

The same i was a super friendly silly guy when i drank. I knew it was bad when i started drinking at work. Worked next to a liquor store and would go everyday. But when i had off and i wasnt working i wouldnt drink. So i wasnt addicted to alcohol it was just to cope with stuff which caused more and more problems. My last (drink/drinks) was the day before Thanksgiving 2020. But without the numbness alot of guilt and emotions i havent dealt with pushed me further down.

[Tara52]

If you are still drinking and stopped counseling it would be a sign to me that you have given up. Actions speak louder than words. You need to get yourself into a treatment program and your wife needs to get involved in Al-.Anon. Addiction destroys families, I hope you all find the healing you need.💗

[RH62]

Live well a free zoom online group. livewell-foundation.org/dep...

[Hidden]

Hello I’ve just completed a iapt course (interpersonal therapy by zoom it was great. It’s a pity your local Mental Health don’t offer the same ? I hope you get sorted soon! ((Hugs))