Posted by Brenda on June 9, 2000, at 11:10:37
In reply to Brenda/Shar/Anyone - Did you see 20/20?, posted by Greg on June 8, 2000, at 13:53:42
> Did either of you, or anyone, happen to see the special on 20/20 last night regarding the alternative treatment (besides total abstinence) for alcoholism? I had to miss it as it was on past my bedtime, and the VCR is broken. Id love to know what it is. Doesn't somebody come up with something like this at least once a year? I could really use something to cheer me up today. Anybody with any info please let me know.
>
> GregGreg,
I didn't catch the show. Have seen/heard that stuff before. I agree with Kady's post - some people seem to have a "true" chemical addiction, while others are very heavy drinkers - without being alcoholics. Me - I'm an alcoholic. It sucks, but that's the way it is. The best thing for me was acceptance - like it says in the Big Book. First I had to accept my alcoholism. That was easy for me compared to accepting the fact that after 19 /12 years of sobriety, I still on occasion crave a drink. What I've accepted is that it's not the drink per se, but the relief - how be it brief - from depression and frustration. As long as I tell someone when the craving hits me, I'm usually okay. I do believe in the 12-steps, but don't attend meetings anymore. I started medicating with alcohol at age fourteen. Then drugs. By age twenty-five, I was so f---ed up, I'd forget where I left my baby, etc. Thank god back then the cops would just take me home instead of to jail! As long as I continue on my medication for depression and accept my limits in life, I've been able to stay sober. I KNOW I can never drink again - but I sure as hell sometimes want to. I'm grateful for supportive friends and family.
Back to your original question - for those folks who have a problem with alcohol and not alcoholism, those quick fixes may help them. That stuff is not the answer for me. One day at a time and being grateful is what works for me.
Hope this helps, Brenda
poster:Brenda
thread:36582
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/36707.html