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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nolegirl23 on March 30, 2007, at 22:28:49
This is difficult for me. I have many issues, and I am dealing with all of them except my alcoholism. (WOW - even typing the words "my alcoholism" felt strange..).
I have always ignored the fact that my drinking was an issue. I always had an excuse, a justification, a rationalization for why my drinking was not an issue.
These justifications and rationalizations have gotten me through 10 years of alcoholism, 12 years of anorexia/bulimia, 6 years of drug abuse, a life full of shame, depression, secrets and desperation..
I choose not to face these issues, as the old saying goes "out of sight, out of mind." As long as I could push away the fact that I was/am an addict, the longer I could live in my drug induced bliss.
I went through years of drug and alcohol abuse, but I haven't touched any illegal drug since 2005. The problem is that I substitute alcohol for drugs. I drink WAY too much (bottle of wine every other night), and that is what scares me. I have to quit drinking, I can't tell anybody close to me b/c of my career and my pride, not to mention that my boyfriend hates alcoholics and would ditch me in a moments time...How can I discreetly quit drinking?
Posted by Kay-Len on March 31, 2007, at 7:37:06
In reply to Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by nolegirl23 on March 30, 2007, at 22:28:49
HI,
Have you heard of Alcoholics Anonymous?...It worked for me . and no one tells about who was there and who wasnt .....you could go to a diferent city if you were afraid of running into someone you know. It is a very spiritual programn NOTHING LIKE CHURCH IT IS NOT A RELIGIOUS outfit not at all!.....you will encounter people who are alcoholics some not as bad as you some worse but you will be understood by all..because they have walked in shoes just like yours. I have been without a drink now for eleven years...and thats not the big deal the big deal is I havent had a desire for a drink, if i did , i would be drunk, I can't recomend it enough. You will be among friends ..of course sober people can be jerks too . you will run ino real butheads but dont give up I know one thing if nothing else ,,,,i was so bad that I know if I can not want to drink ANYONE can get to the spot i am ...I wish you the best
OH and AA is as close as information or a phone book......dont give up!!!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>
> How can I discreetly quit drinking?
Posted by nolegirl23 on April 3, 2007, at 18:14:45
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP » nolegirl23, posted by Kay-Len on March 31, 2007, at 7:37:06
Thanks, I have thought about AA, but then I get scared about the thought of NEVER drinking again, never ever, not one drink..
It scares me.
Thanks for the support
Posted by scratchpad on April 4, 2007, at 8:14:07
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by nolegirl23 on April 3, 2007, at 18:14:45
> Thanks, I have thought about AA, but then I get scared about the thought of NEVER drinking again, never ever, not one drink..
> It scares me.
> Thanks for the supportYou don't have to think about tomorrow, (that's a good way to drive yourself crazy!) just today. Do you think you would want to try that?
I have been sober for a year and a half. I don't go to AA - it's not a healthy environment for me - but I get support through therapy, medication, and through the Women For Sobriety group.If you ever want to talk, feel free to babblemail me or post here.
Scratchpad
Posted by scratchpad on April 9, 2007, at 8:31:13
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by nolegirl23 on April 3, 2007, at 18:14:45
Hey, how are you doing?
Scratchpad
Posted by blueboy on August 21, 2007, at 12:05:44
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by nolegirl23 on April 3, 2007, at 18:14:45
> Thanks, I have thought about AA, but then I get scared about the thought of NEVER drinking again, never ever, not one drink..
> It scares me.You don't have to stop drinking to go to an AA meeting. In fact, if you decide you are an alcoholic and get into the program, as a rule, your goal will probably be not to drink for 24 hours.
The negative reaction that alcoholics have to the "thought of never drinking again" is a major barrier to recovery and a healthy, productive life. It's one of the many traps that you can learn to avoid, if and when you decide you are powerless over alcohol and want to do something about it.
Those corny, cliched little catch phrases like "one day at a time" really rubbed me the wrong way at my first AA meeting. Then I woke up.
Posted by rina on August 26, 2007, at 15:51:03
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by blueboy on August 21, 2007, at 12:05:44
nolegirl, i know this is an old post. i just wanted to know how you were doing.
Posted by nolegirl23 on October 8, 2007, at 21:50:43
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP » nolegirl23, posted by Kay-Len on March 31, 2007, at 7:37:06
Thank you guys so much for responding!
37 days ago I attended my first AA meeting, and I have been sober ever since. It feels great to have my head clear, and even greater to not be shaking every morning.
I am very new to sobriety; it was very easy in the beginning but now it is getting more difficult to ignore the cravings that I am having.
But, as the oldtimers tell me, "go to a meeting and don't take a drink."
Thank you all for your support!
~S~
Posted by nolegirl23 on October 8, 2007, at 21:58:06
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by nolegirl23 on October 8, 2007, at 21:50:43
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I have really been throwing myself into the program. I have gone to about 50 meetings, and I am only 37 days sober.. But, that's what it takes for me to not drink. I have met a lot of really great people in AA, and have discovered that there is a way of living that doesn't involve alcohol. Imagine that!!
I went out with some people from AA the other night and we laughed for hours, I couldn't believe I wasn't drunk.
People at work have noticed a difference in my appearance and in the quality of my work.
The only problem that I have had with AA is that it's not as anonymous as it should be. My anonymity has been blown numerous times, but if I let that bother me than I will be that much closer to my next drink.
Hopefully I can maintain this way of life, but it's all about living in the moment.
thanks guys (and gals)
~S~
Posted by oldschool305 on November 9, 2007, at 6:54:31
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by nolegirl23 on October 8, 2007, at 21:58:06
wow, reading your post was really motivating. i have a serious drinking problem... i am 27 and have been drinking since i was 13. my problem is that i get very ill after drinking, very very ill to the point where i feel i will die. paramedics had to come out last night because i was blacking out, shakes really bad (thought i was going to have a seizure), panic attacks, you name it! it's so bad, i can barely function anymore. i've lost over 30 jobs, i usually quit because i don't feel good. i've had great jobs too, making great money. full paid music scholarships to 2 well known schools, and i just threw everything down the drain because i was always drunk/hungover.
i went to one AA meeting years ago, and never went back. there was a woman speaker going on and on for an hour that she realized she was an alcoholic when she spilled a glass of red wine on her white carpet. she was not a heavy drinker at all, she actually only had 1 glass of wine once a month. i was like PLEASE!!!!! my issues are 10000 times worse, this is petty... i just felt so out of place and hopeless after hearing her story. i really felt hopeless and AA couldn't fix that. But here I am today, 3 years later.... doing much worse.. unemployed, 27 years old living with mom, fat, depressed, sick 6 days a week.. i think i am going to look into AA again. if i feel good enough to drive myself there. it's hard... really hard.
i am so happy to read your posts and see you are 37 days sober. that is AWESOME! keep us posted on you and i will keep you all posted as well sometime next week. going to look up AA online right now.
-oldschool
Posted by oldschool305 on November 9, 2007, at 7:00:36
In reply to Re: Alcohol - Addiction - HELP, posted by oldschool305 on November 9, 2007, at 6:54:31
i just realized that you posted this a month ago. how are you doing now? Still attending AA? I was wondering how does that work, do you get a sponser to help you? i need someone to help me because i know i can't do this alone.
right now, ofcourse, i want to quit drinking. but give it a week (if that) and i will have those urges again. some big party will happen and i will tell myself... okay, ill just have 2 drinks then go home but that never happens. i am always the last person to leave the party, don't remember driving home. i am the one that makes best of friends with everyone at the local pub, and the one to get kicked out of bars. i am the one who is the life of every party, but they don't know the real me. the me that is hungover for 3 days, severe anxiety.depression.panic attacks. they dont know how miserable i truly am. they always see me smiling with a drink in my hand. it's got to stop. what will i do for fun now? drinking is fun. where will i go on the weekends. do i have to give up all my friends now because they all party? this is scary.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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