Poll Anybody Else Have a Problem with Drugs or Alcohol?

[anthony]

I checked NO... as whilst I used to drink very heavily, I no longer have issues with alchohol. I don't use drugs... and I only drink in moderation nowadays.

 

[patrick]

Anthony,

Thanks for changing the wording in my poll. At least I assume it was you. Makes it much less ambiguous. I do envy you your ability to drink in moderation. For me it's all or nothing. Do you think once I'm cured of PTSD I'll be able to drink again? : )

 

[anthony]

People have asked me this before and it is difficult to answer, though I believe you can because the difference is that alcohol itself is not addictive, say such as nicotine as a product is. Alcohol becomes addictive because of the way we think, behaviours, etc, it provides a way to forget, suppress or to simply make oneself feel good about themselves at the time. Could be one, could be all and more or those reasons.

The thing with drinking alcohol is that you must know why you needed to have all or nothing... you must replace that need with other healthier methods. With this in hand, drinking alcohol then becomes more an ability of the mind to consume in moderation, to have limits. I don't drink everyday, even every week, but we may go out to a party where I will drink more than I would normally. Saying that... I couldn't drink much more than six drinks maximum nowadays, as I would be passed out from such an amount. When in moderation you must not get drunk... for example, I may only get drunk once or twice a year... the rest I drink only two or three and that is it. I may drink one a night for a week, then nothing for a month... always moderation is the key and it is a mental aspect, not an addictive property in alcohol itself. This is why you can drink in moderation if you really want to control it, though it is something you much learn to do slowly.

I disagree with the AA philosophy in the nothing at all to drink theory. If alcohol had addictive properties such as nicotine, then I would agree with it, though it doesn't. The behaviours need to be replaced with healthier options, yes. No alcohol would be required for a period IMO... even like drugs, a tapered system, not just a cold turkey method.

I believe anyone can drink in moderation... though is the occassional binge really a bad thing? Binge drinking is bad though it is meant within context of every week or the like, not once or twice a year when events occur. If you become destructive on alcohol, then obviously it is not a good choice to binge drink ever. If a specific alcohol makes you angry, ie. rum, then it should never be drunk.

Is a light beer a couple of times a week really a bad thing though? Not IMO!

 

[A-RON]

A light beer a couple times a week IS a bad thing, because light beer sucks. Just playin'. I prefer a dark stout, and all I need is a pint or maybe a scooner. Interesting ideas, Anthony. I know people that consider themselves to be alcoholics even though they haven't touched a glass in 6 years. Do you think this is part of AA's teachings?

 

[patrick]

I knew a guy who didn't touch a glass for 18 years, decided to have one drink to see if he was still an alcoholic, and died a year later of alcohol related illness. It's a really tough question, one I don't think I can answer.

 

[A-RON]

It's hard to answer, but if someone isn't sure for themselves, I would think prudence is the best solution.

 

[Noone.]

Hey I love beer, if you waved a blunt in my face hey fxxk it. I'm a Irish Fireman what?

 

[missys_girl]

i went through a stage where i would get drunk, really really off my face drunk, wasnt so much that i would do it often, it was just WHEN i drank i drank shitloads, i called it my 'escape from reality' or my 'little holiday'

 

[skye]

I used to use drugs and alcohol to try to cope. Now alcohol makes my PTSD worse so i rarely drink.

 

[DawgGrad2000]

I actually was sent to rehab by my wife and mom during the entire month of february for alcohol and drugs. That basically became my lifestyle since 2000. Unfortunately, I relapsed yesterday. I believe that a lot has to do with not having any type of support groups around my area.

 

[Nicolette]

I would try and think of yesterdays as having a set back DawgGrad2000 and get back on track today. Relapsed is different to a setback - especially mentally.

 

[fin]

I believe that a lot has to do with not having any type of support groups around my area.

Hey Ryan, we met before in intro's I think.

I am wondering if you can look on the forum as supportive, as it really is an incredible place, the encouragement here has helped sustain me in some of my darkest moments through learning to live and work through my trauma's and PTSD.

I hope you will begin to know that you can manage the things in your life that you find you struggle so badly with now. You are not alone here and just through reading and taking small steps you will be moving forward. It doesn't have to be so much all or nothing any more.

Take care
~fin