OT I'm an Alcoholic

[DerTroof]

ORIGINAL: Greybriar

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

After drinking for 30 years, I've recognized that I have an alcohol addiction. Now that I'm coming to terms with it, I don't know what the best treatment for me is. I don't think that the traditional route of joing AA is the best for me, as it is religion based....

Don't stay away from A.A. because you think it is based on religion. According to We Agnostics--chapter 4 of the AA Big Book--regarding the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous: "....Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem....." That means that it is up to you to determine what that "Power" is. Right now, booze it your higher "Power." I think you can come up with a better one than that.

Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people with their drinking problems. It is the most successful program for alcoholic recovery in existence. It can help you, too.

Whether you give AA a try or not is up to you. But I wish you good luck with your recovery.

I would like to echo what Greybriar says here. I have several family members who struggled with alcoholism. AA helped them get where they wanted to be: sobriety. These are once-heavy drinkers who have been sober for decades. Some still go to meetings, some don't. None of them are particularly religious.

I am not saying it is the only way. I hope you find a way that works for you.

.02

[sysrkm]

KG,

Tough thing to admit a failing or a fault. As many have said, you've taken the first step.

Having alcoholics in my family, I've had to deal with this first hand, and it's not fun.

One of the best things for some is to talk about their issue/problem/failing.

email me for my personal cell or just shoot me an email to

thanatos74@gmail.com

and we'll talk just about whenever you want.

Regards,

Rob

[wodin]

Thinking of you. I'm an addict also. Heroin and Crack cocaine. Been clean for four years now. Admitting you have a problem is the first big step. My ex is also and alcoholic and alcohol is the most damaging of all addictions. I'm hear if you need me.

[SLAAKMAN]

My ex-wife was an alcoholic. First time Id ever seen someone suffer DT's in person. She was only 22 when we got married and she did give it an honest try to quit but the agony was too great. Quite a tragedy when she fell off the wagon. Rather ironic since I dont drink much and never experimented with any drugs. Wargaming is vastly superior to any possible junkie high anyway. Shaddup MistaChicken. [:'(]

[wodin]

Oh yeah as others have said you can't just stop..you can fit and die. It's the only withdrawal out of all drugs that can kill. SO please be careful and seek out medical advice. Librium is a drug they give to help.

Good luck mate..sent you a PM.

[Gilmer]

Damn Wodin, congratulations on your 4 years of recovery.

[wodin]

Thanks mate...was on and off for 18 years!! Hopefully I can give some hope to KG..


I hope he is OK as the OP was his last post here...So KG if your around make a sound so we know your OK mate.

I'd say nearly every addict I've met and I've met loads has had some sort of mental health issue, the harder drugs or so called harder drugs like heroin and crack the more severe the mental health issue or issues where. The problem with Alcohol is you can just gradually fall into being an Alcoholic over an extended period of time as the odd drink to relax becomes more often. It's just a killer to kick as it's everywhere. I used to go away from where I could score for three months and come back fine for awhile but I couldn't kick it at all if I didn't go to where I couldn't get it..the cravings where just too strong. The problem though was once I went back home though I was fine for awhile eventually I'd relapse and fall back into it..this time though it's been better and is the longest period I've been clean since '97.

Anyway KG if your around just let us know your OK.

ORIGINAL: H Gilmer

Damn Wodin, congratulations on your 4 years of recovery.

[KG Erwin]

Yes, I'm still kicking, guys, and I do appeciate your support. No, I haven't quit yet, as the fact of the matter is I like beer. I used to do another, umm, mind altering substance regularly, but it is difficult to come by these days, so I simply substituted alcohol for it. Believe me, I'd MUCH rather smoke pot than drink, but I don't live in a state that has decriminalized it. I find it all rather ironic, as marijuana is relatively healthier for you than drinking all the time. I don't want to get into a debate about it, as I'd like to keep my membership active in this forum.

I haven't posted much simply because I'm working 10-hour days for now, and I have little time for anything else except trying to get some rest.

However, I find it interesting that in the last 10 years, the number of people who require medical care for depression, anxiety and various addictions has increased by 40%. I've simply become a statistic. This was reported on NPR earlier today.

[wodin]

Cool..take your time..it's a long slow process. Also get off it for yourself. Doing it for someone else never works, it must be because YOU want to.

Anyway as I said you've admitted to yourself you have a problem which can take a long time for alcoholics compared to other addicts of substances.

I agree aswell about the other...funny how the most dangerous and destructive drug is legal..well actually I ain't laughing.

As long as your OK alls good..got abit worried for a min there.

[vonRocko]

Man made booze, God made grass. Who do you trust?[8D]

[Duck Doc]

I don't know how to separate the serious from the silly on this thread but let's pretend someone does have a serious alcohol problem and is asking for help. In the first place, advice about stopping on will power alone while well-intentioned is actually not helpful. Most who are addicted will be unable to stop on their own. Secondly, alcohol addiction can be fatal. Thirdly, help is a phone call away. There are plenty of recovery or rehab centers or clinics close to most. Go to an ER or a clinic and they would be happy to show the way. The phone book or Internet have lots of leads if you search under alcohol and recovery. The best and easiest is to look up the number for AA in your area and call. Who ever answers will be happy to put you in immediate contact with someone who knows the disease (and fourthly, alcoholism is a disease) and will go out of their way to get you to the correct place you need to go and see the right people you need to see to get started. And lastly, anyone who admits they are addicted can stop with the right kind of help. I am appalled at some of the posts here. This can be serious stuff. People die from this disease. There are plenty of suicides which are alcohol related. Just ask the Army about it.


Or you can always PM me and I will be happy to help.

[Duck Doc]

Btw, AA is not religion-based.

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

After drinking for 30 years, I've recognized that I have an alcohol addiction. Now that I'm coming to terms with it, I don't know what the best treatment for me is. I don't think that the traditional route of joing AA is the best for me, as it is religion based. I've thought about trying holistic methods, or just going cold turkey. I already take a mild anti-depressant, so maybe I should talk to my doctor about increasing my dosage. Anyway, I am acknowledging that I have an addiction issue. Perhaps I do this to hide the depression, but my drinking makes me feel better. Yeah, this is a definite problem, and it's time that I admit it.

I'm posting this thread on every forum I belong to, as I think it's important enough for me to come clean about it.

[Admiral Stricker]

ORIGINAL: vonRocko

Man made booze, God made grass. Who do you trust?[8D]

It is an english proverb [&:] Weird

[Aurelian]

ORIGINAL: vonRocko

Man made booze, God made grass. Who do you trust?[8D]

Since He also made everything needed to make it, plus gave man the ability to learn how to make it.......

[Boomer78]

I could make a million comments about this topic, but I'll just keep it short and say that I will share a toast to myself in honor of this thread.

Oh, and that would be Shiner Redbird, a most excellent light summer beer with just a hint of grapefruit and ginger.

[Gilmer]

Keep up the fight, KG. You might want to try and give it all up, under medical supervision , of course.

Whenever you take one of whatever it is, if you're like me for anything, mostly food, you can't just take one but will go off on a bunch. I'm kind of obsessive that way. I used to be that way about computer games, but the only one recently that made me stay up and play and play was Victoria 2. I just kept letting that clock run.

[wodin]

H Gilmer that was my problem with drugs..be it LSD, Xtascy, Crack, Smack, Downers, Weed etc etc..always took the most always wanted to get really cained, sometimes taking wild mixes probably very few drugs I haven't thrown down my neck over the years esp when in my late teens early twenties, then the smack hit and became drug of choice..then a few years later crack aswell (which is the drug thats the real money eater being able to do ten or so a day but only if I had a bag or two of gear (smack)). Funny enough the only drug I couldn't handle "at all" was drink..half a bottle of larger I feel sick.

KG it's difficult if you still enjoy it and it's unlikely your ready to quit. One day you will wake up and know it's time..but until then try and drink moderately.