So, I really do want to stop drinking, or do I? I've never had a dui, never had a morning eye opener, never called in sick due to a hangover, never had a blackout or anything like that. But I still drink everyday and look forward to it. I do seem to drink more and more. Wine mostly, red wine, cause it's suppose to be good for me, ha, ha. ......But to be honest with myself I probably drink half to 3/4 of a small bottle of wine a day. Sometimes not as much. I have the "Higher Power" part of the 12- step program. In fact my faith is a very important part of my life. And would like to speak with someone of like faith who has this problem. Can anybody help me?
The real question to ask here is: Do I want to do it? Do I have a sincere desire to stop drinking? Only you can answer these questions. Once you have, and especially if you answer yes to both of them, you will find a host of people willing to help you do so. The God thing also helps.
One thing that might help you with your question is to consider your drinking over the past few years. Mine got progressively worse each year. If you graphed it, it would look like those high school graphs of exponential growth. It went up very slowly at first, but then suddenly was off the charts. There was a time when I was never out sick, never even late, and i was well respected. that all went out the window as my drinking got worse.
I hope you find your answers sooner than I did. I didn't deal with my alcoholism until my mid-thirties, which may sound early, but experienced 8-9 years of drinking (from 27-35) that i wouldn't wish on anyone.
Another reason to stop might be this. In 36 years of life, during 19 of which I drank like a fish, I accomplished absolutely nothing. Since getting sober on January 20, 1996 I have received my bachelor's and master's degrees. Now the guy who was thought by some to be in the beginning stages of wet-brain (me) is working on a doctorate in education. I also have a wonderful sober wife, and a 16 month old daughter. Life is good. I say these things not to blow my own horn, but to relate the fact that perhaps you, too, will find a more productive and happy life without alcohol. Good luck and I hope to see more of you on this site.
Sorry for the long message. I'm kinda new here and just getting used to sharing. Mike L. Boston, MA
Prayers are with you during your awakening to discover what it is you need to do for yourself to be healthy and always remember that God brings us ALL resources. Lean on Him always an thank Him for what we have in our recovery process and He will make your paths straight. Take Care!
My name is Lauren I am 17 years old...and I hate to be blunt,but my mom is an alcoholic..she is 32,and had me young.She just started drinking lil by lil,and now she drinks frm morning till night.You should take the time now to get out of the disease.I know it is very hard.But I have faith in you.and you can do anything you put your mind to...
My name is cheri. I also never had a dui...I'd like to say I never drank in the morning or had a blackout, but I did. I never called in to work because of a hangover...I just sucked it up and went to work. I didn't think I had a problem with drinking for the 22 years that I drank. But when I realized that I needed to stop and tried to stop, I couldn't. Even though I knew I would lose everything that was important to me, I just couldn't stop. I kept drinking, knowing that it was going to kill me emotionally and physically. That's when I knew I had a problem.
Since you came to this site, you obviously have some questions about your drinking. John has a post here titled A newcomer Asks. I encourage you to read it, and see if you have those same questions about drinking. If you think you may be an alcoholic, try and get a Big Book (most libraries have them) and read the chapters More about Alcoholism and There is a Solution, chp.2 & 3. Attend an AA meeting if you like and ask some questions.
I'm Jen, grateful, recovering alcoholic. Like you, I never had a DUI, never lost a job, my house was clean, bills paid, kids fed, never drank in the morning, didn't drink everyday. Hitting bottom for me was realizing I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. And really understanding it was only a matter of time before I got that DUI, lost my job, etc.........
"can i do it?" you ask. SURE YOU CAN. If you want to do it. And we're here to help.
You're in my prayers.
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
Wow, if you got the higher power part, I would say from my stand point, that you have something very strong to work with, as I believe that the alcoholics are truly chosen people, to teach the real world how to live, including the religious...
For over 30 years, I tried the program without that part, and must say that the results were nil, until I did, and I have never been sober for any period of my life, without being in some kind of protected enviroment, because I was raised to drink (it was synonymous with our family name), and what has changed for me, was an implementation of both, and of course, the very special family in A.A. and the Church, and they are both Based on the foundation of Spirituality, something hard to find in the latter.
And the difference being--religion is trying to avoid hell, while the spiritual have been there, and don't want to go back, and in learning and accepting, I came to realize that drinking was ALL I looked forward to, but really wanted to live other wise, and when I tried, I went through some severe panic anxiety and depression, which led to more drinking, just to semi-function, and that's when they all came to my rescue-A.A. and the Church, and through much help and support and a vey understanding wife (sober 3 years at the time), a brief hospitalization (2 weeks), it was determined that I would need alot of help, and maybe some meds. , and of course my acceptance to go to any lengths, in trying to battle the transition to a non-dependant life and overcoming the associated agora-phobia with all the years of chemical dependancy, I have achieved something I only dreamed of, and that is a celebration of 1 year (actual) sobriety on 11-29-05, and a hard road it was, but now, my only regret, is that I didn't do it sooner, apparently, I wasn't done punishing myself; and what I really find interesting, is that I have never been able to successfully sign in to this site, so I gave up, and then I got a letter from John F., and thought, I'll try again, and there was this message from you that caught my eye, please believe that even without the legalities, there is a much better life to be lived with alot better things to look forward to than drinking (it will eventually lead to some kind of trouble), this I can say, because I have been Blessed beyond my wildest dreams in the past year, and am pretty much functional since implementing the program the way it was meant to be, and have became a very avid fan of the Church also, and as fate would have it my Pastor was also a 12 step counselor, and also, someone whom I grew up with; and my sponsor, well, some of the emotional issues, and to that, all I can say, is that is Divine Intervention, and if you are into it like you say, just ask yourself--Is this what I am here for???
May I recommend a couple of books--read some of the stories in the big book (and the rest when you are ready)--and another, if you haven't already--the Purpose Driven Life-By Rick Warren
I could just go on and on, because of my gratitude for these God given programs (although people are trying to change it--look out for that), and don't be discouraged, as you may just be looking for a reason (I usually was)...
I am also an avid fan of the history of all the above, because there is a relation to A.A. and the Bible, from the Dr. Bob & Bill days, which I have links to (The Good Book and The Big Book)
Something that I always think about is--The Father, The Son & The Holy Ghost as to Unity, Service & Recovery::Coincidence-I Think Not
