Alcoholic/Addict

[Up_N_Down]

Hey all, I'm 23yrs old and new to this site and I've been drinking daily for the past 5 years. Not always quite this bad, but for the last few years I've had half a 40oz bottle of whisky a night or more. I also take oxys with the booze when I have them. I pretty much take anything I can find but alcohol is my biggest problem as I have withdrawls without it.

Things have gotten worse lately as it has become hard to function at work, or with family, ect. I used to be a top athlete in highschool and didn't start drinking or doing drugs untill I was 17 and then everything else didn't matter anymore since it seemed to solve all my problems. I recently let my family know what has been going on against my better judgement, since I managed to hide it very well over the years. I knew they wouldn't take it well and they havn't been sleeping much and held an intervention for me, but I still just can't give it up!

Just wondering who else is in the same boat. I'd appreciate some input on how to beat this! I don't know if I have it in me and I don't want to stop. I'm losing hope to fight this! I know everyone says the first step is to admitt it, and I'm able to as it's obvious even to myself that I'm out of control. But I wake up with the hangover thinking I'll change but once I get home from work the only thing I can think of is a drink right away.

[rod44]

RE;             My background:  I love alcohol.  Always binged.  Red wine and jagermeister are my favs.  Been sober 9 months! My goal is 1 year.  I'm hoping I can drink like a normal person after this...
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I have been down that road so many times as I am sure have many others here....There is no such thing as an Alcoholic who drinks like a normal person...ever,,,. It gets much worse if you pick up a drink after stopping, believe me been there done that and regretted every minute of it.

Ray

[jeremy111]

My background:  I love alcohol.  Always binged.  Red wine and jagermeister are my favs.  Been sober 9 months! My goal is 1 year.  I'm hoping I can drink like a normal person after this.

Pick one:

1) Since your tolerance is so high you're not really getting the buzz you need.  It might be a good idea to cut back for a while.  If you allow your tolerance to go down a bit then the next time you get hammered it will feel much better.  Keep doing this until you can have a killer buzz.  This should be motivation enough to try and lengthen the amount of time you stay sober.

2) Forget your past.  And forget yourself.  The past doesn't even exist, except for a few electrochemical signals in your brian.  And your self doesn't exist.  Selfhood is an illusion.  Stop being selfish.  Live for others and not your self.  Sounds like you already love your family.  Live for them.

3) Pray to Jesus.  Ask for the magic cure you're seeking.  Pray for the strength you need and the desire to quit.

4) Sabatoge yourself.  Go steal some sheets from walmart and get caught.  Actually, don't do that.  Quiting alcohol cold turkey can be bad on your health.

5) ignore step 4

6) ignore step 5

7) Go to step 4)

8) hey, how did you get here?  You're suppose to be in an infinite loop!

9) Get a woman.  Or at least have the goal to get a woman.

10) Drs should be able to give you drugs that will help with anxiety, depression and any other problems you fear will make your life miserable without alcohol.  Combine that with therapy and you will be good as new in no time.

11) You need love.  Love God, love yourself.  Love others.  This is why you were created.  Your life is more important than you think.  You have been given this gift called life.  Don't waste it.  Take advantage of this gift.  You can do anything if you set your mind to it.

[dominosarah]

Where did you go?

[enocenip]

Hi Up_N_Down, I'm an alcoholic, age 55. Your outlook is bleak unless you vow to change, however long it takes. Most alcoholics can't brook the idea of never taking another drink. But say this: 'I wish I were free from the _desire_ to drink.' Then, vow to destroy that desire to drink, no matter how long it takes. Plant that idea in your mind.

You said you don't like the person you've become. This is why 'taking a personal inventory' or a 'moral accounting' is so important in AA. Drinking is often motivated by a self-destructive impulse. To stop, you have to have a reason to stop, and that reason is knowing you have worth as a person and are entitled to your share of happiness. Having a weakness is NO reason to hate yourself. There are plenty of 'strong' people with 'self-discipline' who are utter scoundrels. Strive to be a better person in your own eyes and that effort alone will make you one.

My sense is you need a direction in life. To stop drinking, you need to have cherished goals that mean more to you than alcohol. Set some realistic goals and start working toward them. Also, read about the danger of continued drinking. You must tip the balance toward the benefits of sobriety and the costs of drinking.

For now, never drink every day. Keep a record of how much you drink. That alone will help you cut back. Find a recovered alcoholic you respect and make him or her your role model. Also, please read "Ten Steps to Postiive Living" by Dr. Windy Dryden.

[narla]

We're all hoping you'll read all these replies and just stop and think,If you knew the childhood I had you would never use your past as an excuse,If you want to talk about anything PM me and I"ll show you there is always a better way to deal with your past,Don't ever give up on yourself,There's always a better way-Please PM me if you just want to talk about s--t.  Denise

[rod44]

I am with sars on this, you are 23 years old and can have a wonderful life if you decide to make a little effort. People here are taking time to listen to you, all we ask is that you read the post with out the influence of drink/drugs.
It is in your hands

Ray