Aloha Jeff..."I have a desire to stop drinking" that is the necessary qualification for attending open AA meetings. You add a "but" which is the same "but" I had to get over...the justification to continue drinking followed that "but" for me. Don't do the hard stuff do the other alcohol stuff. It's all alcohol stuff...compulsion of the mind and allergy of the body...mind and mood altering chemical...not a food source etc. Those by the way are the awarenesses I learned so that I don't do any of the stuff and don't have to justify fulfilling the need for the stuff. I justified and at the same time what I drank (alcohol) almost ended my life three times...nothing other than alcohol and I. Am I alcoholic? Compulsion of the mind (including the justifications) and allergy of the body (almost died). Nuff said...let me sit and listen to recovering alcoholics most of whom are in the meeting rooms of AA.
Keep coming back with an open mind...you will find help. (((hugs)))
-- Edited by Jerry F on Monday 20th of February 2012 02:45:51 PM
I consider myself a compuslive overeater and have attended 12 step OA meetings on and off for 20 years. In the last few years I've become concerned about my drinking. I don't often drink to excess but even doing it once a month bothers me. On those occasions I can't seem to control it and I don't like the "pull" alcohol has on me. I have a desire to stop drinking "the hard stuff" but I would still like to drink beer which I don't think I have a problem with (I don't like wine). Is this good enough reason to go to an AA meeting? If I don't identify myself as an alcoholic? Thanks.
Like Jerry said, our only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking...that would include beer. There are open meetings of AA you can find in your local directory that are open to those who don't consider themselves alcoholics. Maybe it can help you to go and listen, hopefully it can help you with the issue you have and help you determine if you need to stop totally.
Take Care,
Rob
__________________
Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Only you can tell Jen. If my experiences have taught me anything, it would scream alcoholic for sure. But that's me. Only you will know if you have a problem or not, and if your experiences were like mine, then you probably are. My suggestion, take a glance back at your drinking history to see if there was ever a time where it became unmanageable. If it was, then you'll know. So, for now take it one day at a time. Then decide what to do later. It can only benefit you in the long term as long as you stay with the program. So please do, for now -until you decide that is. It is the best move, by far.
