I currently have 34 days without alcohol. My story is a bit different than the ones that you hear in the meetings. I am a mother of three, two of which are under 24 months of age. I am a full time Realtor here in Atlanta with a team of three assistants under me. I'm married to an amazing man who is not an alcoholic but supports me in not drinking and being healthy.
I did not start drinking until I was around 25. My now, ex husband was a bit older than I was and he liked fine wines. That was how it started. At the age of 30, I thought it was normal to drink wine every single day and little by little I drank more and more each night until I was putting down a bottle an evening.
No black outs, no falling down, I don't even know anyone who gets upset when drinking and I've never gotten upset while drinking. I was the "stealth" drinker because no one around me would ever know I was drunk if we were having dinner.
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that drinking on a daily basis is not good for your soul or your body. Little by little I noticed that I was starting to feel bad in the mornings after I had drank the night before. The amounts started to increase, you get the picture.
So as of January 1, 2009, I decided no more. I am sick of feeling bad. Little by little my energy has increased, I am much calmer. Nothing is an emergency, and I am more present with my loved ones. Not to mention I am sleeping much better!
I too, thought I was different from other alcoholics. I felt more educated, no one knew that I was drunk (even though I was drunk nearly 100% of the time), I drank for the most part at home, and never got into fights, arguments, etc over drinking. I felt that way up until I had been to a few meetings. Then heck, I realized that I'm just like everyone else with a drinking problem. As of yet I have not met one person that I don't relate to in some aspect or another. It's kind of a good feeling to know that we aren't alone. Congrats on your decision! You'll have to get the advice from the experts on how to fit time in for meetings with a family at home. I have yet to start one, but I do understand time restraints due to a career. It's hard, but once I really started getting into the meetings, I just started making the time. I'm sure you will too. Congrats again!
I did not start drinking until I was around 25. My now, ex husband was a bit older than I was and he liked fine wines. That was how it started. At the age of 30, I thought it was normal to drink wine every single day and little by little I drank more and more each night until I was putting down a bottle an evening.
Hi Lauren, welcome to MIP.
You didn't tell my story, but you did tell my sponsor's Pretty cool, to again, realize we are not unique.
Congrats on 34 days. How many meetings have you attended?
Please, keep coming back.
(((hugs)))
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Welcome to MIP. It's good to have you here with us.
Congrats on 34 days of sobriety! And, well done on getting a copy of the Big Book.
I used to drink wine as I, wrongly, thought that I couldn't be an alcoholic if that was what I drank. But, drinking three or four bottles just wasn't normal drinking!
Then, I went to AA and that's when I started to turn my life around. It was the best decision that I could have made.
Please keep posting and letting us know how things are going for you, won't you?
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Quetzal- I think many of us out there assumed that wine was just "not as bad" and I think society is a bit responsible for this as well. Do you know I see reports on a regular basis that state one glass of wine a day is okay? In my opinion, one glass after a few years will trigger some cravings. I think it starts the ball rolling....... Thank your for the warm welcome.
Doll- I have attended four meetings. I found a group with some real wisdom in the room. I started reading the Big Book and I just can't get enough. It makes so much sense to me!!~~
StPeteDean- Thank you for the warm welcome
Cramcj01- I think you are right. I really do think that the more I go the more I want to go. To be able to sit in a room with others who understand the daily cravings is such a gift. We "get" it and that is a gift as well. I think the first thing you go through, or at least I am going through, is the disease trying to rationalize things for you. For instance the "I'm different from you" is kind of the first "mind response" that you get and then it rolls into the "you've gone this long, you are showing you have control." However, we know that that thought is another factor in the illness.
Doll- I have attended four meetings. I found a group with some real wisdom in the room. I started reading the Big Book and I just can't get enough. It makes so much sense to me!!~~
Yep! That's how I knew I'd finally found where I belong in this world.
Get to as many meetings as you can and if you haven't yet, get a sponsor, even if she's only a temp one.
Just keep coming back.
(((hugs)))
-- Edited by Doll at 19:35, 2009-02-06
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
I spent a lot of years comparing myself to others whose problem seemed far worse than mine and it made it difficult for me to accept some of the wisdom being offered. Now I realize that the only thing that differentiates me from the lowliest, skidrow, gutterdrunk is that I got out a little earlier.
I think that is just a defense thing for the disease. We all seem to do that first (or many of us do.) And I agree with everyone that the more you go, the more you do see that common thread. I see this over and over in The Big Book.
Pretty cool, to again, realize we are not unique.