How Do I Beat Alcohol?

[justwannabeme]

Sorry, a cigar. Quit smoking cigs 18 years ago, yikes I'm feeling very old right now.
I hear ya, I never thought I would even last a year. only one day at a time and it took so long to understand that concept, but is it so true for me.

 

[Missy]

Here's a empirically-validated online quiz.

[DLMURL]http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/alcohol-use/alcoholuse-alcoholic.html[/DLMURL]

Check it out, see what you get. Many people who drink a lot lose perspective about whether or not it's normal. If you come out high...well, then you need to be officially evaluated, and take a look at your options.

Congrats for recognizing a problematic coping skill if nothing else!!! :)

 

[AngelaMarie]

I have been searching for a way to deal with alcohol. I have struggled since my late 20s, however, the last few months have been the worst. I tried AA more than once, and I know it works for some people, it does not work for me. Just telliing myself I can not ever drink again makes me want to do it more. I have started cutting down today, so I will see how it goes. This article seems like the most sound advice I have seen, and something I can deal with. I am finally wanting to deal with the issue and that seems to be one of the things needed to change. I do want to get better even though I am scared.

 

[anthony]

Eye of Horus

A slightly better assessment...

 

[Abbi]

I think its brilliant that you have stayed away from alcohol for 24 years. Don't see myself getting that far, but who knows?

A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with the first step. "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable."

Sober since 12/11/05 one day at a time, one moment at the time. AA like all human things is flawed, but it is time tested that it works if you are willing to work it. If you do not want to quit, then cool...I used to just get so angry when I would repeatedly hear that slogan "How's that working for you?" but...... How's it working for you?

 

[The Albatross]

I'm a dabbler in my dealings with substance abuse (also alcohol). I got three years sober in AA, 2 years in a christian recovery with a twist, SMART Recovery. All three have tools I can use and I've learned a lot from all three. When I got diagnosed with my allergies, I found out I was allergic to wheat, barley, corn and alot of the other ingredients they make booze out of, including cane sugar. Now that I know that about myself, it has been manageable for two years, but I make a conscious decision if I have a drink or two, that I get some distance between me and alcohol before I feel satisfied. Healthwise, though it's an allergen... so I'm considering it self harming behavior and aiming for abstinence.

 

[ronin47]

Quite frankly I believe binge drinking (drinking a lot all at once) is a very bad idea, period. I don't care who you are or what you story is, drinking a lot at once is a sure way to get yourself in some kind of trouble.

I don't drink or do any kind of illicit drug, but I did develop an unfortunate tendency to use over the counter drugs like Dramamine, sleep aids, and Benedryl to help myself relax after I had stopped cutting myself for a couple months. One night after a very stressful week I downed twelve Benedryl allergy medicine pills all at once to put myself to sleep. My current therpist says that could've killed me, but somehow I doubt that. I never take more at once than the box says is safe to take in a 24 hour period. The worst times are when I am compelled to crush the pills and inhale them.

I dunno.

 

[AmyO]

It is very hard to find that middle ground when you have coping techniques that become harmful or self destructive. I did it myself the other day and didn't even realize it. I had a comb with a metal pick on it and I got so stress and upset because I was triggered I guess I kept scratching at the skin on my leg until I had sunk it in about maybe 1/2 inch. Just for the pain. Alcohol is the same way. It reduces inhibitions so much that we feel like there is that sense of normality in our lives filled with chaos. It just makes the problems 'disappear' for a short period of time that we make ourselves believe that we are just like everyone else, Trauma-free.

We all have something that becomes a mask for what we really feel inside because most people you pass on the street don't have any idea what Ptsd is outside of what they catch on Dr. Phil. Not unless they lived it, or with it. You want to control it as you are talking about it here. If you were hiding anything you would be all sunshine, roses, and hiding in the pantry chugging the vanilla extract (I found my dad once after he drank all of my mom's extract). You are strong and can do what you set your mind too. You go for months at a time before you have numerous drinks.

I used to smoke weed as my calming when younger, then quit when I had kids. But there is always that little voice in my head that tells me "I could get better faster if I just could smoke a little." But then I would be useless as I would just keep hitting it until I was completely numb. We jump in with both feet or stand at the waters edge it seems. There is a happy medium, you just need to find your own. Good Luck. I'm pulling for you.:D

 

[Deleted member 487]

My MD told me he thought I was an alcoholic. So I quit, cold turkey, just to see if I was.

I wasn't. Been off of booze sine 1993. Had a drink or two since then, now I just don't like it.

 

[mamachick]

AA certainly helps a lot of people. I went to some AA and NA with a friend a couple of years ago. They say to go to different meetings and to keep coming back. I had difficulty with the whole thing-based on turning it over to God. I guess I lack belief and don't know how to change that. Yet Alanon group and books etc is very helpful. The common sense help that comes from Co-D and alanon helps me to not take on others stuff, which has caused me to neglect myself and then indulge. I drink sometimes and maybe should not at all. On occassion I have over indulged and it does not feel good. For me, monitoring my own behavior has worked for the most part. I do think that some people can and do learn to use alcohol in moderation.

 

[Awakening]

I have a brother who was very much an alcoholic, nearly lost his life from the drink a few times, narrowly missed jail and AA has been an absolute wonder for him - for some the 12 steps really works.

On the flip side I can honestly say alcohol has saved my life. Being able to occasionally binge drink or to have 2 glasses to take the edge of has prevented me from suiciding, not a popular opinion but for me it's worked.

 

[The Albatross]

I wanted to double back just to say, that "sponsor/mentorship" of AA was a big blessing for me. When I threw myself into that program, she chipped away at my isolation. Though I don't do AA anymore, it occurred to me that in addition to the substance abuse issue that was one of the biggest benefits of that program. The commitments to service work and gentle but steady pressure to "give back" and "being willing to be of assistance" helped me by having "suggested" opportunities to get my butt out of the house and go be helpful. Having had that experience, at my worst times I'm more afraid of isolating, than I am anything else. It is now a healthy fear, and I can change plans and find commitments if I start to feel the urges to become panicky at leaving my home. I can move through it and still be connected to my neighbors, friends, and community even in a limited capacity. That really helped me so very much.