support network

hi, I am really hoping being a part of this community and putting myself out there can help with my habit of drinking almost daily now.

is there anyone to speak to who is interested in stopping drinking all together ?

[Isinatra]

Hello..☺️ Glad you’re here. I’m not just interested in stopping, I did stop. 2003. How long have you wanted to stop drinking?

[Hidden in reply to Isinatra]

hi, I’ve wanted to stop for years but alcohol has been a part of almost everything I do for years. That’s great that you have stopped since then.

I can go for couple of weeks when I am doing a health kick but then it creeps back up where I drink nightly through either boredom, stress and habit. I just need someone to talk to to help encourage my decisions to be better.

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

Ok. Do you want to stop drinking or control it and is alcohol causing problems in your life? I, too, experienced what you have been going through. I drank progressively for decades even though I knew I had a problem.

[Hidden in reply to Isinatra]

I think n be owes the time to say I want free from alcohol completely. It doesn’t cause problems as such…but I want better health, save money.

When I look back at most experiences in my life they all revolve around drink.

I am now seeing a therapist for past trauma but even her I’m afraid to speak about my drink habits…I don’t want to share with a doctor…I have children so I’m so afraid of thing being documented.

[SoberDrunk1 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Moon, I am alcoholic who drank obsessively. Just like you, I too would stop and sanity will return but then, I will just start drinking again until i reached a point I knew this has to stop for ever and reached out. My shrink suggested I take a spiritual approach and visit AA. So I did. The first step of alcoholics anonymous tells it all. We back to alcoholic everytime life gets tough and then the allergy kicks in and we remain in the abyss for a while. This goes on and on. Empower yourselve with knowledge and associate youself with liked minded people. Visit AA.org and find out meetings around you. Also read the chapter More about alcoholism from the book Alcoholics Anonymous. There are mini stories to illustrate the pecular mental twist that pecedes each spree. aa.org/sites/default/files/...

[Hidden in reply to SoberDrunk1]

Hi, thanks for the response.

Thanks for the chapter I will certainly give that a read. I don’t want to attend any face to face meetings or Skypes yet, I just want to know I can open up first up and admit that I can’t do it on my own. I’ve asked for help before but no one takes me serious.

I don’t have withdrawals but I think about alcohol most of the time. I spend alot of time on my own and use alcohol as something to do.

I have started to get hobbies but I need people who I can open to and not feel judged or laughed at when I say I need some help.

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

It’s good you are already seeing a therapist. Many people drink to self medicate. Your therapist can’t help you to her fullest if she (I’m assuming your therapist is a she) doesn’t know you drink. What is said between you and your therapist is private and only a court order can change that or you give permission to have your information shared with another. Therapists do not judge. I drank to self medicate because of social anxiety, depression and PTSD. I became addicted early on. AA saved my life. It teaches you how to live without alcohol. I entered the doors in spite of my other issues. Before that, I thought I could educate myself about my alcohol abuse. Do it myself. It doesn’t work for an alcoholic. It takes the whole experience that AA or a twelve step program offers. AA is there when and if you make the decision that you need more than books.

You’re opening up here and that’s a start. Opening up and finding the right people to open up to will get easier. When I first joined AA, I was a frozen person, now I’m a blabbermouth. 😉

[Hidden in reply to Isinatra]

thanks for sharing that with me. I am pleased the 12 steps worked for you and you are able to stay sober with (hopefully) ongoing support!

I have shared with my therapist that I do drink and said to her…if I am honest I drink more than I’ll admit to you… we are at early stages so hopefully I’ll feel comfortable enough to share as we go along. She had realised that there is a hell of a lot to pick through 🙈

I didn’t drink last night, and haven’t done tonight. I have thought about it but then haven’t. I hope I can do that tomorrow too.

I’d rather someone be a blabber mouth than not talk at all 😊

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

Oh, good then. You’re working on sharing more with your therapist. The relationship between the client and therapist does develop over time.

It’s good that you didn’t drink last night and I’m hoping you don’t have alcohol in the house. It doesn’t stop a person from drinking, but it gives more time to think about what they’re about to do.

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

This link is from AA. It’s a hotline for help when you need someone to talk to. alcoholicsanonymous.com/5-r...

[Hidden in reply to Isinatra]

thanks for this.