Recovery issues

[endlessjourney]

The only thing on my mind is that I should definitely slow down on drinking. I've been up to almost a twelve pack a night and its taking its toll. I've been struggling through my issues for years and I thought that I had gotten to the point where I could drink responsibly again. I did for a while but I ended right back where I didn't want to be or even worse. I've learned so much and got so far. I feel like I've gotten over my major hump and even when I'm sober, I don't feel all that bad. A little irritable yes, but not as bad as when I quite drinking in the past. I have trouble stopping drinking because I simply dont want to. AA irritates me and I don't like the concept of being brainwashed and surrendering my resolve to god. I'm not a religious person anyway. I guess I just love beer, the problem is, I love it too much. Any pointers guys?

 

[proteus]

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice about drinking because I have learned through some of my other problems that I have a tendency to get addicted to things, so I never started. I'll be 31 y.o. in October and people still look at me like I'm crazy when I say I have never drank alcohol. My wife wants to try champagne on our 10th anniversery in November, but I'm not sure I want to. I do have other addictions though, just things that are harmful spiritually and emotionally instead of physically. I saw an uncle of my wife die a miserable death of cirrhoses of the liver which has considerable weight on my decision to drink considering I have problems with other addictions. So, I guess my advice would be to not drink at all, period. That is the only way I've been able to deal with my addictions. I know, easier said than done.

btw, I know you said you are not religious, but I just wanted to let you know I'll remember you in my prayers and hope you can find some comfort in that.

 

[roadrunner]

endless journey,

I don't like getting into posts that sound moralizing, but since you ask I will say that just in the few lines of your post there are some danger signs:

1. In the past, drinking up to a 12-pack a night.

2. Trying to "drink responsibly again" but ending "right back where I didn't want to be or even worse".

3. "Even when I'm sober, I don't feel all that bad."

4. "I have trouble stopping drinking because I simply dont want to."

5. Blaming AA for irritating you.

I think if a friend of mine told me all this I would want him to seek help, if not AA then some other support group.

It's up to you of course, but remember, it takes real strength to admit we need help and to ask for that help. That certainly applies to abuse issues and I think it applies to alcohol as well. My own experience - getting as wasted as possible as often as possible, lasting for a number of years - is that alcohol never helped me at all and in fact distracted me from recovery in very unhealthy ways.

Much love,
Larry