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KG,
I have been clean and sober since July 2008, and I am here to support you in any way I can. AA helped me, but you have already taken the hardest step on the road to recovery, recognizing you have an alcohol addiction. I also sought counseling from a licensed practicing social worker who helped me greatly. Best wishes for you to find what helps you succeed.

Good luck in your fight against this addiction.

I hope you the best in your fight. We will pray for you.

Allow me to also wish you well on your journey of recovery. Keep your eye on the prize and ask for help, in whatever form that takes, when you need it.

Take Care.

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.

Having been sober for 4 years, I understand your situation and the troubles you will face. I was forced by my family to admit my problem with alcohol and stop drinking. Like others have said, see a doctor to help - the side effects of quitting can be really bad. Also as stated by others, AA is non-religious group. In my case I used my church and family to get me through, not really using AA. It is the best thing that has happened to me as I can focus on my other passions with a clear mind and head.

Good luck and feel free to ask for support

I would suggest self discipline. If you feel you need something have a cup of green tea.

If you have black tea or coffee that is extremely normal. Every time you are having green tea you know you are having a small personal victory.

And mark the days on a calendar.

.
.

KG,
You've taken the first step in your journey to wholeness and sobriety, well done.
Depending on your level of addiction DO NOT quit cold turkey, of all the substance abuse addictions alcohol withdraw is the ONLY substance addiction that carries the possibility of being fatal(granted in today's age it is rare)---just don't do it period.
Do seek out the advice of your physician, together you can plot a course of action that is best for you. I'm sure you're aware of some of the options; in-patient detox/therapy that usually lasts for several days to a few weeks, out-patient counseling: daily or weekly appointments and possibly medications to help ease the transitions. Again, don't just quit for the reasons already stated and also doing it alone is almost never successful.
Almost, but not all treatment modes recommend AA. The folks in AA know better than anyone else possibly could what you are and will be going through, how you feel, think, and act--- they've been where you are.
As for AA, yes some meetings are held in churches and they are deeply religious some are a-religious they just meet in churches but they also have meetings in many other places. As a previous poster said it is a "higher power" as you see it not as others think you should. Here is a link to AA where you can, if you want to of course, look for a meeting near you. Try an "open" meeting to get a feel for the program, talk to the people there, ask questions they won't steer you wrong.
Whatever course you choose, don't give up.

Hope you find the way that works for you...in my experience, if you keep looking for a way that works, eventually you find it.

Good luck...what you're doing is a lot more important than a lot of other things we talk about...

I'm an alcoholic.

I mostly don't drink during the day anymore, but I still occasionally feel compelled and fail in my effort.

It'll always be a struggle vs your very nature, my friend. The important thing is get back on the wagon and never, never, never, never, never give up. Even if you fail, dust off and get back up!

Ppl who've never struggled w/ it are clueless what you're really going through. It sucks. Hug on your friends/family and admit to them when you've slipped. They might not grasp it, but they love you and will do whatever they can to help.

Hang in there, brother.

I hope this thread isn't representative in terms of wargamers/alcoholism....

I hope this thread isn't representative in terms of wargamers/alcoholism...

I'd be more concerned about message boards. Going to AA several times, it's not rare for someone to share about sitting down to discuss things at bbs w/ a tall one. It does seem to go hand in hand.

I prefer NA(narcotics anonymous) over AA, both are drugs it makes no difference. But in AA ppl would 'share' about how great it was when they'd drink. They let them glamorize it. Not helpful (to me). At NA they don't let ppl talk about how 'cool' they felt doing drugs. Everyone in the meeting will tell im to knock that shit off and shut up, nobody wants to hear it.

Regarding finding a 'higher power' or whatever, that's not something SLAAKMAN will be able to help you w/. It depends on the person.

Also - if AA doesn't help you, stop going. They definitely tend to 'dwell' on the problem. It's helpful for some ppl, for other ppl it isn't helpful at all. Basically you have to fight a war inside your own head, whatever implements help you, use im; the stuff that isn't helping you - get rid of it.

The Egglayer- AKA t001001001,

Regarding finding a 'higher power' or whatever, that's not something SLAAKMAN will be able to help you w/. It depends on the person.

THATS ENOUGH BEAK OUTTA YOU! [:'(]

(MISTACHICKEN TOASTED AFTER ONE BATTLE IN "AGE OF MYTHOLOGY").

SLAAKMAN, of course, has no need for mind altering substances.

I'm coming to this thread a bit late, cloudy days during the Arizona "Monsoon Season" are not conducive to power generation adequate for hanging out online with a big gaming computer that sucks down 2-3 amps.

Glenn, so sorry to hear of this, but happy that you are recognizing and confronting your situation. My father was an alcoholic and I know the struggle and the costs that comes with it.

People are right about detoxing carefully. I saw my dad withdrawing numerous times, strapped down to a bed in a hospital while raving out of his mind. I learned that a regular hospital isn't the right place to detox. I finally got dad to agree to check in to an outfit called Koala (in Indiana, not sure where else). They brought him down and detoxed in 3 days, it was an amazing difference from his prior hospital stays. Dad thought he was going to detox and then "play along" till he was released, but their program worked! In 8 weeks he came out clean and sober and stayed that way the rest of his life. It did utilize the AA "12 step" program, and Dad went to meetings after his release. There, he found a support network of caring people and got a whole new social life going. Religion didn't seem to be a major factor... Dad didn't start reading the Bible and going all Holy Roller on me.

Anyway, rehab programs can work. Koala operates under a new name, here's a link to their website

http://www.thetreatmentcenter.com/drug-and-alcohol-treatment//#continue

Good luck dear friend, feel free to PM or email me if I can support in any way!

Again I recommend this highly successful God centered treatment program-
www.celebraterecovery.com

t001001001

These Chicken-Specials should be enough to whip your lazy drunk feathers into shape Beakwanker-

ORIGINAL: Neilster

ORIGINAL: wings7

Glenn, we all pulling and praying for you to beat this...keep the faith, you'll make it!

Patrick

Ummm...the dude's not religious man, so I'm guessing that you telling him that "we" are praying him is a waste of time. Anyway, speak for yourself.

Cheers, Neilster

Maybe you should take your own advice Neilster.

I'm assuming by "we" he meant everyone on the forum. I'm on the forum and didn't want to be included. I wish Glenn all the best but I think religion is made up.

Neilster

ORIGINAL: Neilster
I'm assuming by "we" he meant everyone on the forum. I'm on the forum and didn't want to be included. I wish Glenn all the best but I think religion is made up.

Neilster

Folks, we've all got our different beliefs and preferences but can we pick their nits elsewhere and just keep this thread on the subject of respecting and helping our colleague?

Yes, best of luck on your recovery Glen. We're all pulling, rooting, hoping, and even praying for you. Show yourself that the man is stronger than the bottle.

And Neilster, my opinion of you has not changed a bit. I still think you're a good guy.

mo reb

Hi KG Erwin, it sounds like you are very serious about changing your habits. I wish you the very best in your endeavor. Drinking isn't an easy habit to overcome, especially after so many years. I think it requires a lot of mental toughness and determination to make a change like what you want to do. I don't have much in the way of advice for kicking old habits but if you need someone to talk you out of taking a drink sometime, feel free to PM me. I'll give it my best. [:)]