Alcoholism Support Group

You need to shake up your routine tonight. This happens one day (or one night) at a time and worring about today is the most important thing for now. Drink plenty of fluids over the course of this afternoon - trust me- this works.

And try telling someone that you are going to stay sober today - ask them for help. Maybe this person can give you a ride home tonight or just stay with you.

I also used to drink after work. At 5:00 or 6:00 I'm still tempted. If I make it till 7:00 or 7:30, I'm fine.

Stay with us on this forum today - check in with us when you leave work and check in again when you get home.

Heck, tell us (here on the forum) that you are going to stay sober tonight! We'll do our best to support you - just get back on the computer when you get home.

I live just down the road from you, in the Cinci area, so "hello neighbor"!

I know those thoughts very well - promises that i will not drink today and then doing it anyway, time and time again. For me it was like that and got worse until I was drinking more and earlier as time went by, frequent blackouts and never a day going by without alcohol.

I know you are scared to go to a meeting because I was and so were most people that I have met in AA but that shouldnt stop you. You dont have to share if you dont want to.

If you are not in control of your drinking, you will need to find a solution, otherwise evidence suggests that, if you are an alcoholic, you will lose all those things that currently take up your time, job, kids, husband etc.

I stopped through AA and have found that by putting my sobriety first I have lots more time to do things than I ever used to even though I go to some AA meetings too.

I guess the questions for you to think about are - can you stop drinking without AA? and if not do you want to stop drinking enough that you will put aside your fears and go to AA?

Please feel free to PM me if I can help.

My first sponsee told me he drank every day except Sunday.I told him to do what he does on Sunday on Monday.He came to his second meeting that Monday evening and asked me what was next.I told him to do what he did on Monday on Tuesday.He'll have 7 months in a couple of weeks.One day at a time.I couldn't wait to get off work and get started myself.You're doing well by admitting there's a problem.It's something that is difficult to get through on your own.Going it alone probably won't work.This site has a lot of good sobriety,and it really helps me,maybe it'll help you.Be honest with yourself,take it one day at a time,and don't take a drink.Taking even one will set you off again.Forget moderating,cutting back or controlling it.That's just torturing yourself more.

sounds like me a year ago-only i was drinking a bit more. I dont think your shyness will be a problem at a meeting-just go and listen. We all need help at the beginning. It is hard for us to see a way out. I am not into AA now, but I think for someone trying to get sober outside of rehab, it is crucial to have one on one support. We all have been there chell, every single person at that AA meeting had to walk in for the first time at some point, and I dont think it is easy for anyone. Just try it, it is a good first step. I am rooting for you!

You HAVE taken that first step by admitting to yourself that you realize you have a problem.
Now, on to the 2nd step. :)
Some will say AA, some will say ask God for help, what ever way you do it, just make sure to just DO IT! :)
Good luck to you!!

BTW~I drank til I blacked out 6 or 7 nights a week for 18 years and quit at 32.
It CAN be done!!

chell,
If you are an alcoholic of my type, you have a progressive disease. Over any considerable period of time, my life got worse, never better. The longer I put off stopping, the worse my life got, only I was the last one to see that. I did not stop drinking until I was more afraid of continuing to live as I was, rather than whatever life I would have after quitting. I finally placed not drinking as a higher priority that drinking. Today, I keep my sobriety as the first priority in my life.

Perhaps, if you have health insurance, it covers some counseling. If so, what is the downside of your going to a counselor or a treatment center for an assessment? That is very private. Listen to what the people there advise, and talk with your family. If you feel you need to, make a decision and take some action. In AA I learned to act my way into better thinking.

There is no big hurry. You will remain an alcoholic and, as your life gets worse, you may become more motivated to get sober. I tried AA as the absolutely last resort. I had tried everything else I could think of first, but nothing worked to make my life better.

There are open and closed meetings of AA. Anyone may attend open meetings. Maybe you can initially find a family member or friend to go with you to your first few meetings.

My best wishes are with you.

I took the first step with both feet. I admitted I was an alcoholic and that my life was unmanageable. There was nothing I could do about it so, I had to have some help. I came to AA and they supplied me with love and HOPE. I didn't take the first drink and I kept coming back until I heard the POP. The POP you say? That was when my head POPPED out of my BUTT. Hugs You can Too. Tom

I remember my sponsor asking me all these questions about being powerless and about my life being unmanageable and me searching my fried and frazzled brain for answers . . . after himming and hawing we then read the doctor's opinion, the spiritual experience appendice and the first two chapters together and he said we'd get together later in the week and that I should go to meetings and not drink between them . . . a few days went by and the more I batted it around in my brain, the more confused I got about whether I had or had not taken the step. . . then one day in the bathtub it hit me like a ton of bricks . . . to put it frankly and in stark terminology, I came to the conclusion that I was absolutely fucked. No other way to put it, I was screwed. It was a horrible conclusion and as I now know, the best worst day of my life. At the time though I was crushed and felt absolutely defeated. In a panic I called him and the first words out of my mouth after he said hello were "I'm fucked Greg" . . . at this point he said, "Good, now we're ready for step two.

Your right, it is an excuse. Look at all the time that you give to drinking. I do know how hard it is tho. With alcohol I was the same. Always told myself in the morning that I would do things differant, but come home time my mind was already drinking. What actually happens there is that we feel differant by that time. We are living, and acting on our emotions. Try to do the opposite of what you feel. A lot of times this is the right way for us. I always did what I felt like, or acted according to my emotions, but this isn't always the right way. Just for one day try to do the opposite of what you feel. And you don't need to be scared of meetings. nobody is going to try and make you talk if you don't want to. All you have to do is say, "Pass," when it comes to you. It's alright to wait a bit until you feel more comfortable. The point is to just get there. It'll keep you from drinking a little longer, and if you still feel you need to drink after, you can. Just try. That's all. You are making a good start already. You've found this site, and I welcome you. most of us are alcoholic too, so no need to feel alone. We have all been there. Some of use further, some less, but our one thing in common is that we have a problem with alcohol. If your not ready for a meeting, you can stay here on D.S. I have found many great people here that sincerly want to help. Finding this site has been one of the best things that has happened to me. I'm really glad your here. Keep in touch, and keep trying. Never give up. All the best. James