If You Suspect You Might Have A Drinking Problem (An Open Letter)

RobFromGa | December 11, 2004 | RobFromGa

[RobFromGa]

Glad you enjoyed it! Have a nice day.

Rob N.

[RobFromGa]

We had a meeting and voted and after several recounts, I an pleased to reportm, it was unanimous!!!

You've been accepted for the Addiction Recovery ping list!

This is a low volume list, ping me if you see something related so I can alert the other wagon-riders.

Rob N.

[bad company]

Welcome to the party. I'm a recovering alcoholic myself as are many others on this thread. I'm online just after midnight central time most nights. Feel free to Freepmail me anytime BEFORE you drink.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Bookmarking for later this morning.

[codyjacksmom]

I'd be happy to...I've been through 4 detoxes and 3 treatment centers. (took awhile to get it right) The most noticeable withdrawl symptom is the shakes. I had to drink before I could even get out of bed because my shakes were uncontrollable and I couldn't even walk. Trembling, sweats, flushing of the face. The reason detoxing oneself can be so dangerous is, the blood pressure can sky rocket, and can kill a person. Most detox centers (including hospitals) will monitor your stats for 3 or 4 days, and they can give meds that help with the withdrawl. Thanks to the meds, my withdrawl symptoms were pretty minimal.

After a week of being sober, you are most certainly detoxed physically. (I do know a woman that was in a detox unit for over 2 weeks however) The next step is the attempt to rewire your brain...without taking care of the mental aspects of this disease, one is almost guaranteed a relapse. I've been sober for 16 months now and that is what I feel is a total miracle. (I'm a 25 year alcoholic). Just keep in mind, getting detoxed is only the beginning of the battle, but it can be done. Ask for help!!! You'd be amazed at how many wonderful people there are in recovery that are more than happy to help.

[A knight without armor]

Yeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

[kralcmot]

you have a family? children? here is the good news.

my dad was a nasty drunk, but totally functioning, in the work environment, until ... it caught up with him at age 47. hit the bottom. trashed his career (USAF) and finally, his wife left and took the last two children with her. She had about 5 years in Al-anon and had learned how not to enable (difficult). Dad found Bill W, thank God. He got sober and was sober for 2 years. There was some media speculation that a detoxed alcoholic might be able to have just a little. Not him. But he had to try it. two weeks later, some friends of Bill W found him in a crummy motel and intervened. He awoke again and was sober for 27 years until the day he died. I found him years later, a man i had never really known. The past is gone, and my good news is that whatever has happened, its done and those who were hurt will also recover. I remember the bad times, but when I think of him, all i feel is love and admiration, and pride, that he was my dad. Lester Earl Clark.

[RobFromGa]

Thanks for sharing your story, I have three kids and they hopefully don't have any bad memories about me drinking-- thank God. I know it destroys a lot of families.

Have a great day!

[RobFromGa]

bump

[jocon307]

Bumping this thread!

[SealSeven]

Alcoholism is NOT a disease bump.

[jocon307]

"Alcoholism is NOT a disease bump."

Cool, you bumped my bump, LOL!

SO what do you think?

[cyborg]

insomnia 12 step bump

[SealSeven]

Lol.
I believe "alcoholism" is a choice. The proper term should be "drunk" as opposed to "alcoholic". But, hey- we live in a PC world.
So there ya go.

[VeniVidiVici]

I, too, believe alcohol is a choice.

It's just more of a choice for some than others.

[april15Bendovr]

Famous quotes overheard at 12 Step meetings.

Treat your mind like a bad neighborhood - don't go there alone.

Ten out of ten people die, so don't take life too seriously.

Be profound, funny or quiet.

After you talk in a meeting, listen to hear if you said anything.

I don't need your help today.... Love, God.

Our sickness is between our ears.

Want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans.

Don't expect to learn about people from books; a person can't fit in a bookcase.

Now I can wake up and say, "Good morning, God!" rather than "Good God, it's morning!"

When I turned myself over to God, I took my life out of the hands of an idiot.

When the world comes to an end, it will do so without my permission.

If you pray for a Cadillac and God sends a jackass, ride it.

There's no one too dumb for this program, but it's possible to be too smart.

All I wanted was to control you, myself and everything else.

My disease is an elephant. As long as I remember it's there, I won't get stepped on.

Try praying. Nothing pleases God more than to hear a strange voice.

Reality can be hell when you're only visiting.

God save me from myself.

"keep it simple"

We're all here because we're not all here.

Constructive criticism: I tell you what's wrong with you.

Destructive criticism: You tell me what is wrong with me.

My mind is out to get me.

I need to get the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth.

Come to ninety meetings in ninety days. If you're not satisfied, we'll refund your misery.

Things I turn over to God most easily are those things already fixed.

EGO: Easing God Out

God has never been a problem in my life, but I have been a problem to God all my life.

I know that I'm not yet the person I can be, but I thank God I'm not the person I used to be.

If you think you're happy, you are. If you think you're wise, you're not.

When I don't have expectationsof others, anything positive they do is a pleasant surprise.

[SealSeven]

"I, too, believe alcohol is a choice."

You are a smart one.

"It's just more of a choice for some than others."
How so?

[CIBvet]

Please add me to your recovery list Rob, and thanks for the thread.

[WKB]

How do you know when you have an alcohol problem vs. enjoying a drink.



When drinking starts causing "real" problems, DUIs,car wrecks,late for work, loss of job, loss of family, etc and the drinking continues it's time to seriously take a look at it.

[Smokin' Joe]

There is a progression of thought from "I used to drink" to "I no longer drink" to "I don't drink." When you get your head around the last one, thank God and keep living. Many great things await.

(Quit 1/1/1989--thanks Bill W. for the tools. Thank You Jesus for everything!)