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

RobFromGa | December 11, 2004 | RobFromGa

[SealSeven]

I grew up with an abusive "alcoholic" father. I appreciate your pearls of wisdom but save them for someone who is ignorant on this subject. I will not praise an "alcoholic" for ceasing his habit, but I will condemn him for starting it.

[RobFromGa]

I posted a two year anniversary update thread here if you found this thread first:

No Hangovers for Two Years!
	Posted by RobFromGa On News/Activism 10/08/2005 10:33:57 AM EDT · 304 replies · 3,917+ views self | October 8, 2005 | RobFromGa

[colorado tanker]

You might consider Al-Anon. Living with that much anger can be almost as toxic as doing the booze.

[RobFromGa]

If anyone wants to discuss the topic of is Alcoholism a Disease, here is a thread on that topic,

Judge says alcoholism no disease
	Posted by RobFromGa On News/Activism 07/29/2005 8:37:23 AM EDT · 268 replies · 2,973+ views

[SealSeven]

I appreciate the concern, but..... I don't need it. My anger is not a disease. It is the end result of somebody elses habit.
No, it does not occupy my every thought. I don't walk around saying I'm angry because my father was a drunk. I lived (barely) and learned.
Such as life -

[SealSeven]

Thanks for the polite way of asking me to leave, Rob.
What a guy -

[TChris]

Congratulations! May God bless your honorable decision and continued commitment to sobriety. :-)

[colorado tanker]

All I can say is I've been exactly where you are. If you ever decide you might want something better for you, other folks who have been there are ready to help. This is for you, not the alky. FRegards.

[Republic of Texas]

No argument from me. I just don't want to get hung up on semantics. The word disease is a bit misused perhaps, but it works for alcoholics. Bill W. (co-founder of AA) was an English major, and a bit of a word-smith. That's why his book (Da Big Book!) was so effective. At the time there was no other effective treatment for alcoholism.

As far as your second point, I always get embarrassed when people congratulate me for being sober a while. In my mind I'm only doing what I should have done all along (and I don't think I made me sober). The only reason it is relevant is that it might help someone else.

[RobFromGa]

I'm not asking you to leave, I am just pointing out that there might be a better thread to discuss this on, and you wouldn't have to repeat yourself. Most of your arguments and history are found on that other thread, so why have to type it all in again.

I am very sorry for the way you were treated by your father and hope that you find peace in your life as you deal with the damage he caused you. You will have to find that peace, it will not be delivered to you gift-wrapped.

Take care and feel free to stick around.

[RobFromGa]

thanks for the kind words

[SealSeven]

Fair enough, sir. You are a credit to your group. You speak in a very non-condescending way. In other words, you have tact (somewhat of a rarity these days).


Colorado Tanker, I appreciate your concern and can sympathize with you since you've been down this road.
However, at this point, I am beyond counsel, so to speak.
Hopefully, life is good for you now, but as you know - You will never forget.

[SealSeven]

No prob, Rob. You are correct. Forgive my being a butt.
I'm as peaceful as Im gonna get. Don't need to look for it.

Godspeed

[RobFromGa]

Take care and good luck!

[bad company]

It's not the easiest road, but well worth it!

Sure beats the hell out of waking up in bathtubs.

[Cementjungle]

If you can take it or leave it, you are probably okay. I drink occcasionally, but if someone told me I could never have another drink, it would not really bother me that much.

That happened to me a few years back when I discovered I somehow have Hep C. The only thing you're supposed to do to control that is not drink. I have Irish blood, so I always drank like a fish, but have not had a drop since that day I got the news. I'm hoping that someday they invent a cure so I can have a JD and water again or at least a good red wine with my prime rib.

[RobFromGa]

Depends on the bathtub and who's in it with you.

Most bathtubs are not great.

[RobFromGa]

Glad you were able to quit for health reasons when you had to. But sorry you had to. Hope you find your cure...

[RobFromGa]

thanks for your contributions to this thread Tex

[sanemom]

I know there will be many who see themselves in your post Rob, and as the child of two alcoholics (one dead at 53, one recovering poorly from a liver transplant at 63, both heavy, heavy burdens to their children) may I say thank you for that.

May God bless you and keep you strong-I cannot begin to tell you the gift you give to your family. And YES I will praise you for stopping-whether alcoholism is a disease or a choice I don't think any of us are born perfect, we are all works in progress in one way or another. It's not what you've done in the past but where you go from here that counts, and it's never too late to be the best person you can be.