I just had a question? I left a post about a young man I had read about in the local newspaper.
He was 30 years old and lost his battle to Alcoholism.. I am 32 and scared .. I have been drinking regular for the last 5 years and a twelve pack a night for the last 2 years..
My mother also died of cirrosis at age 42.. So I am worried that I have drank to much for my own well being .. I feel great inside just concerned about the long term damage.. Also I have been sober for 3 days....first 3 days I can remeber
hey james, if i were u i would not worry about what damage is done. but what the damage will be if you continue to drink.sounds like you are on the right track,just stick with the one day at a time thing. get to meetings and you will be just fine, welcome to recovery we are here for you. take care wagon
The healing powers of the human body are astounding- I would say, based on what works for me, get to meetings, find a sponsor, and a checkup/general physical at a doctor wouldn't hurt- You gotta be honest with the MDs and if there are any problems they can detect, they'll help you out- But the AA program and the friends you will meet there are crucial-
Welcome, sounds like you are in the right place. Have you been to an AA Meeting. That would be another, (and probably the best place) to talk about your fears.
They have an expressing I've heard, "No need to go to the basement, you can get off, on a higher floor."
Never really understood that one, I was one of those that took the elevator to the basement, stayed in an alcoholic Blackout for the last four years of my drinking days.
I had a total of over 10 years, as a prepetual newcomer to the AA Program. I just didn't get it!
I have had a few people tell me "Do you really know that you are a Miracle" Never know what that meant either. Other than the fact that We in this Program are All Walking Miracles.
by ONLY the Grace of God did we not go under the ground. We made it, and so can you!
It is heartbreaking, when I think of the people I've known, that never went to a Meeting,and there are those of us too, that stay in the AA Program for years, only to Return to drinking, and then die of Clirossis.
That is WHY it is only a Daily Reprieve, and a lot of us have had the Blessing of Recovery go on for many years. You can do it too, if you will join us.
I used to work in a general hospital, and I have seen all kinds of damage from alcohol, bloated bellies from cirrhosis, wet brain meaning a 35 year old with permanent brain damage resulting in that she was lost in a world of her own forever, DT's, throwing up blood from gastritis... alcohol is actually a poison. We poison ourselves to achieve that blotto effect, and when we do it enough times,, we get permanently blotto. Sometimes we do have physical damage that we are not really aware of... till later on when it is a full blown thing. It sounds like you have been doing a lot of constant drinking, and if you have not yet done yourself any permanent damage, then thank God and don't push your luck.
I'm glad you're here, and glad you are thinking that maybe you want to start taking care of yourself. Keep coming!
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
(((((((((((James))))))))) perhaps this person dying of alcoholizm will not be in vain if it helps you to stop drinking. I use to worry about my health all the time when I was drinking because I knew I was doing wrong. Tell yourself today that "I'm alive, I can still breath and I can still type", and that's all that really matters today. Part of recovery is that you heal in so many ways not just the physical. You learn not to worry over things that you cannot control. Perhaps you did do some damage (I am greatful to say after many years of drinking I'm still in good health),but you cannot do anything about it unless you go get checked out. Until then,just be greatful you are still alive and you seem to have all your brain functions. I'v been sober now this time for 16 months. I truly want to stay sober for a long time. Being I do not know what will happen the next day, I focus on today. What can I do to help me stay sober today? I write on forums,try to make a meeting every week (I use to go everyday until I got a job,so I come here or to the other forum), I pray, I talk to another recovering person, I read recovering material... I also just live life. I work now,so I focus on that too,plus I have kids. I also have seeked outside help besides AA. I'm trying to have all myself healthy not just the physical part. Try going to an AA meeting,then if you want get a sponcer to help you understand AA,then when your ready or your sponcer thinks your ready,try working the steps. Also james when I did first get sober this time, I wrote tons to help me fromt thinking about drinking. Your doing great (((((((((((James)))))))))
