I'm new here...

Kate11 · Member

I'm new here...

zzworldontheweb · Senior Member

Kate,

Welcome to our little forum. Not sure how to directly advise you because I was much further along than you (about 1.5 pints of bourbon a night). With 3 glasses of wine a night, you may not even feel any withdrawal symptoms. But if it's more like 5-6, you very well may. The common wisdom is to go to your doctor and be totally honest about how much you're drinking, and let him/her advise you whether any medical attention will be required when you quit (i.e. detox, medication to suppress withdrawal symptoms, etc.). Symptoms can include anxiety, sweating, tremors, etc.

Whether you experience any symptoms or no, the key will be figuring out how not to start again after you've quit. AA can help with that if you want to try it. So can some outpatient programs and counseling (usually covered by insurance).

This is all very difficult to do alone. VERY difficult. Most of us tried that and failed. Bring those you love into the process, explain what you're facing, and let them help you.

Bless you and THANK YOU for taking this first, huge, step of talking about it.

What do you think, will you call your doctor tomorrow? Maybe Google AA in your area just to see when some meetings are?

TwelveSteps · Senior Member

Welcome! I get my face-to-face support through AA, but this is a great forum to get that extra bit of a boost when you need it. Good luck, you can do it!

GG

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

Welcome...Kate. We'll be here to support you every step of the way.

-- Edited by Mr_David on Sunday 17th of April 2011 11:39:16 PM

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

I also do what GG mentioned. That is what works for me and I know others do the same thing with the same result. It's okay to reach out and ask "help me" from those who know how to do it. Welcome and keep coming back. (((hugs))) smile

mikef · MIP Old Timer

Hello and Welcome! Find it a blessing that you are aware of the unmanageability and the powerlessness that alcohol is evolving in your life.I can only suggest getting to a meeting,follow suggestions and direction,put the drink down and know you are not alone.We are here for each other,no Big I's or little U's,just one trying to reach out to another with their ESH(experience ,strength and hope).Stick around,you made a first start by showing up here.You can find a new and better way to live ,a day at a time!!! smile In support...........

Mike B. · MIP Old Timer

Welcome Kate! I hope you stick around and help us stay sober. I couldn't get and stay sober alone, but WE seemed to be able too. WE is the Fellowship & The Program of AA.

Just Toni · MIP Old Timer

Hi Kate,

Think everyone has put good advice to your question, they have a little brochure, 20 questions on Are you and Alcoholic...Most meetings have them on a wall...you might want to check that out. And just to repeat what I think has already been said, the answer lies in after your first drink, can you stop or do you have the ability to stay stopped?

JUST WANTED TO WELCOME YOU HERE TO OUR LITTLE MIP FAMILY (Miracles in Progress) all of us, no matter the amount we drank, our age, gender, time in the Program, it really is very secondary to our one day at a time Program. Truly a WE Program.....Always the real beauty lies in we are no longer along with our alcohol, we are here with each other, supporting each other....never alone again.

Hugs, Toni

happycamper · MIP Old Timer

Hi Kate, welcome to MIP !! Really glad you are here

I would highly suggest finding some AA meetings in your area and start going. Get our book, called:Alcoholics Anonymous and read the first 164 pages, read them more than once. See if you can identify with any of the members who share at the meetings and what you read in the book.

Stick around here, stay in touch with us. We are here to help. We know how you feel, we have all pretty much so been where you are. We have alot of experience, strength and hope that we want to share with you.

Take care of Yourself, give yourself the opportunity to live a really good life ... a sober life

Willy · Newbie

New to the DC area looking for a Caduceus group. I had my Ohio license PERMANENTLY revoked nearly 2 years ago. Have remained clean and sober ever since thanks to god and this organization. Looking for experience, strength, and hope! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-- Edited by Willy on Thursday 21st of April 2011 11:21:17 AM

Lauren27 · Member

Hello Kate, I'm new here also, and I truly believe this is a good place to be. Hang in there, go through the posts here and get inspiration. I didn't think twice about if I could stop at 3 or 4. The though never occurred to me, to stop. The power of we is so true. There is strength here.

TwelveSteps · Senior Member

Willy wrote:
New to the DC area looking for a Caduceus group. I had my Ohio license PERMANENTLY revoked nearly 2 years ago. Have remained clean and sober ever since thanks to god and this organization. Looking for experience, strength, and hope! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Willy,

Remember that this is a public forum and I would really caution you (or anyone) against posting personal details like your resume here. You just never know. Old posts can be edited, if you wanted to revise yours. Good luck in finding a group.

GG

Kate11 · Member

Thank you everyone for the advice. I did talk with my doctor last Thursday and haven't had a drink in eight days. I've been reading "The Courage to Change". I'm afraid to go to an AA meeting...I really want to but I'm afraid to for some reason. The only person who knows I have a problem and knows I quit drinking is my husband. I guess other people may know but I just drank in the evenings at home. I knew it was a problem because I was wanting to drink more and more. I also would think about it during the day. I'm worried because my husband and I are going on vacation to NYC in June and I know we'll be going out a lot. I keep going back and forth in my mind..."I can't drink at all...or maybe I can occasionally"...I'm sure you guys will tell me not to drink at all. I'm scared though. I would be happy to never drink again, but am scared of the fact that I may not be able to have one glass of wine on occasions.

Mike B. · MIP Old Timer

Kate, The feelings your having are very typical. Self centered fear is the root cause of all our problems as Alcoholics. Fear of going to a meeting is very common. I had fear myself. What it took for me was: the pain of living the way I was out weighed the fear of going to a meeting- we call this the gift of desparation. Going to your first meeting in fear is o.k. Everyone there has been in your shoes. They'll understand. You'll be met with open arms, compassion and love.

____

The only person who knows I have a problem and knows I quit drinking is my husband. I guess other people may know but I just drank in the evenings at home.

_______

The only person to be concerned with at this point is you. What do you want? To thy own self be true- you only have to be honest with yourself. Other peoples opinions don't matter. The people who care will be supportive and encourage you to do what best for you.

The diesase of Alcoholism is a mental obsession and physical compulsion once started. You mentioned both below. The diesase is progressive- it will only get woarse.

_______

..."I can't drink at all...or maybe I can occasionally"...

_________

This is the obsession of all Alcoholics. The second part is what we call insanity. We continue to try to drink like normal folks and continue to miss the mark. That insanity lasted many years for me. It took me getting beaten down enough to surrender and fully admit & accept that I was powerless of Alcoholic and I could not drink in safety. We call this a bottom. A low bottom is not a requirement.

Stay well and continue to post and let us know how things are going.