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Post Info TOPIC: Hi Everybody
BeerIsMyPoison


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Hi Everybody
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Hi,

My name is Ty.  I'm 22 years old, from Burbank, CA.  I am an alcoholic.

I live in an apartment by myself in Van Nuys.  I have a good day job. You most likely would never think I'm an alcoholic, unless you know me.  I could be your best friend during the day, and your worst friend during the night. People love to be around me while I'm sober.  I'm coherent, outgoing ( in a good way), and humorous. 

At night(even during the day sometimes), my urge to have a beer kicks in.  I'll pretty much always come up with a reason to have a beer, even if the situation doesn't call for it:

Here are some of my Recycled reason's why "I could go for a beer":
1. I'm stressed out - I can't do anything about the stress until the next day, and want to just forget and feel better
2. it's been a long day at work, time to relax
3. I'm bored, getting drunk will make it fun

And it's not only when I'm in a bad mood I drink.  I'll drink because it's a nice day.  I'll drink because we're having a bbq, I'll drink because I had a good day.  To celebrate something small, as a way of a pat on the back to myself. 

Pretty much,  I (ab)use liquor as a means to forget.  Forget what?  I don't know, my problems. Once productivity ends for the day, my temptations to drink kick in.  I drink everyday, about a 40oz or  2 a day.  I've accepted that fact that I am an alcoholic, and rarely do I stop drinking once I start.  When that last sip is taken, and I put that cup down, it just makes sense to me to fill it back up, and once that buzz has kicked in, I don't keep track of how many drinks I've had or how potent they are.  I'll almost always have a drink in my hand.

The night usually ends me with being drunk enough to fall asleep easily, without thinking of stress or problems while I try to fall alseep.  Usually, I'll have music playing to, which also takes my mind off things.  I'll then wake up at like 2 or 3 am, because the music woke me up, and turn it off and go back to sleep.

I hope to overcome these temptations to drink.  Drinking has caused me to lose friends, and even family.  My family also has a history of alcoholism, which is the reason why I don't live with them. 

This is me, and thanks for reading this.
Ty

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StPeteDean


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Hello Ty and welcome to the board.  I can relate to what you shared.  I was a daily drinker from about 15 year old on, and drank beer mostly.  Have you considered going to an AA meeting? 

Dean

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BeerIsMyPoison


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I'm thinking about going to one tonight. I've been to NA/AA meetings a few years ago, however they were court ordered, and rather uncomforting. I didn't take those meetings "serious" either because I was in denial at the time.

The meetings I've found are all in the evenings on Sundays, so I will decide when the time comes I guess.

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turninggrey


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Hey BIMP,
The younger the better! Its great that you are looking into this. I was fortunate enough to get on the wagon early in life, and now that I am the downhill side of the curve, I can tell you I am so thankful that I caught it young. Really, try and get to a meeting. Look at the "big book" online and see if you connect with it. Keep us posted!
Tom

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cramcj01


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Hey Ty!....sounds like me.  Actually in some way or another, you'll find that we all kind of sound alike : )  When I started to see a counselor for my drinking....they would always ask, 'what are your triggers', or 'what makes you want to have your first drink??'  I could never answer.  Everything was a reason to drink.  Like a nice, sunny day out.  It no longer came down to good or bad days.  And, I didn't have some horrible life to blame it on.  In fact, I came from a pretty average family.  So it goes to show that you actually have to be an alcoholic, to understand an alcoholic.

Keep your head up.  It will get better!  Get to some meeting and use all of the resources that are available to you.

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BeerIsMyPoison


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Hey guys,

Thanks for your support.  I've spent the entire morning reading past articles, and they have encouraged me to go to a meeting.  I'll be going to a newcomers meeting tonight, which is kind of ironic  biggrin


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toni baloney


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Hi Ty,

Just wanted to say hi, and Welcome.

Hope you enjoy that new comers meeting, there are so full of good energy!

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Toni

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Jane05


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Welcome Ty!!  Glad your here!

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BeerIsMyPoison


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Hi all,

So I went to the meeting, but it was closed! I must have gotten some old information offline.  There was however an old woman parked infront of the place.  It was her first time at the place too, and she was waiting by to see if others came.  We waited for about 10 minutes, and then we decided to leave.  She gave me another AA meeting to attend at 7, and the address.  She said that it was hard to find meetings in the area.  I told her/wrote down how to find them online using google.  We then said goodbye, and I drove home. 

The reason why I chose not to attend the 7pm meeting was because she had mentioned it was located at a big church.  I do believe in god, but I'm not much of a church go-er.  I felt that it may be overwhelming for me.

I am however now at home, sober!  I'm proud of myself for realizing the truth today.  Just going down there and meeting that old lady was worth it!biggrin

Ty

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kkotz401


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Welcome to the board. I am sure you will find it helpful. I too am 22 years old and an alcoholic. Try going to some meetings and getting involved in some sort of organization. It will help you meet new people and take your mind off of drinking.

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toni baloney


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Hi Ty,

Just my own "two cents" here. When meetings are held in Churches, and a lot of them are, you never go into the Church part of the building, usually just a little room with an "AA Meeting Here" on the door. Maybe just try one, and if you don't like the feel, find another.

Hope you have a good day, and am afaid I am going to show how not smart I am by asking you, does that Bat really have a tail, or is it superimposed on the picture?
See I told you this was going to be a dumb question.biggrin.gif

Toni

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StPeteDean


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toni baloney wrote:

Hi Ty,

Just my own "two cents" here. When meetings are held in Churches, and a lot of them are, you never go into the Church part of the building, usually just a little room with an "AA Meeting Here" on the door. Maybe just try one, and if you don't like the feel, find another.


Yes Ty, this is correct.  The AA meeting is merely renting a room (Has No Affiliation) from the Church. It's just a convinient place to have a meeting.  AA is not allied with any sect or creed (not religious).  The meetings in the churches are usually the better meetings because they are older and more established.  Some are more than 50 years old!   All AA meetings are structured the same, only the demographics differ usually because of geography (location).

 



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BeerIsMyPoison


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lol, it's actually a picture of a Flying Squirrel. A real animal I guess.  I found it for a member named FlyingSquirrel because he didn't have a picture set on his profile.

I had to spend 4 hours at the dmv today! the dmv said my registration was suspended, but the office who suspended it said it was unsuspended. 3.5 hours later, it was resolved, and I got my registration renewed!

Typically, at this time, since I'm not working today, I would definitely be saying " I could go for a brew".. but I'm not going to drink. I'm going to embrass sobriety!biggrin

Ty

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FlyingSquirrel


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Or perhaps let sobriety embrace you!

wink

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BeerIsMyPoison


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True that! takes 2 to tango lol

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StPeteDean


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B.I.M.P. so when is your next attempt at attending a meeting?  Van Nuys (and the surrounding area) probably has  100 meetings every night.  biggrin You can call your local AA intergroup office to suggest or confirm that the meeting that you found online is still there.  http://www.southbayaa.org/offices.htm

A.A. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CENTRAL OFFICE
7417 Van Nuys Blvd, Ste. E
Van Nuys, CA 91405
(818)988-3001

 

I used to go to meetings at the South Bay Alano Club in Hermosa Beach, when I used to visit my friend out there annually.  Such Great meetings in Southern California, I wish the meetings here were so upbeat and fun.  I met a lot celebs of all kinds in that south bay area, had breakfest, lunch and dinners with them on the beach.  Pretty cool.







-- Edited by StPeteDean on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 05:52:45 AM

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joelo


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Ty, you're well on your way ... remember, all you have to do is worry about not drinking TODAY ... don't EVER think of quitting forever ... all you have to do is to not take that first drink TODAY, and everything else will work itself out.

God Bless.

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BeerIsMyPoison


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Thanks for that great advice Joelo! It's very true, and I will be keeping it in mind.

Thanks Dean for that info.  I'm going to call and find out when the next new comer's meeting is.  I think that would be the best route for me.  Today (though it's only 10AM) is going to be my third day sober!  If the beer temptation kicks in, I'll be going to a meeting instead of drinking.  I'm going to call right now!

Newcomer's meeting tonight @ 8smile


-- Edited by BeerIsMyPoison on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 12:36:35 PM

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