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May....alcohol thread
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Message 1.Â
Posted by Oz (U6102444) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
G'day to a prompt start to May Day from the Southern Hemisphere.
This is a thread for all those across the globe struggling with alcohol and substance abuse and their loved ones.
My names is Mrs Ozarch or (Mrs O) and I am a relative newcomer to this thread having only recently accepted that alcohol plays a far more significant and domineering role in my life.
If you think that alcohol or drug use has taken from you more than you wished then this is a good place to find yourself as it was for me.
No-one will judge nor label anything you post but offer support, advice and experience and the knowledge that you are not alone is a great comfort . So for those who wish to stop drinking, those that are the victims of alcohol and those concerned for friends welcome.
Thank you all in advance for anything you post on this thread ; it will provided an outlet for you but you in return share valued experience. To those that lurk , and there are many, take what you need give when you are ready.
And remember all of this comes with something very special Hope.
Oz
This is the link to last months thread for those new to us
-
Message 2
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
Thanks, Mrs O.
I'm Fee and I've been posting here for over three years now. During the first year or so I was living with my husband's active alcoholism - something he'd been struggling through various means to deal with for about seven years although I'd been worried about it for over a decade. One of the reasons I continue to post is my concern that others should realise what they may be dealing with when they start to worry about someone's drinking - you don't need the park bench tramp and the strongbow cider to be dealing with something of serious concern. My (probably now on his way to being ex) husband was always a very functioning alcoholic and his working world and most of his friends did not realise there was a problem until he ended up in a residential treatment centre. The fact that he has now been sober for nearly two years is in part due to what I have learned from these threads and passed on to him.
I don't live with active alcoholism at the moment (I'm getting bored with telling the whole story - anyone new who wants to know more can read it at the start of the April thread) but I am still dealing with the consequences of having done so.
I find Al Anon very helpful and would recommend it to anyone concerned about the effect which someone else's drinking is having on them. The UK Al Anon website is at
For general information - the NHS website on alcohol misuse -
I hope both those who post and those who mainly lurk will drop in and say hello for the start of the new month - and, if they feel like it, something about why they post here and how things are at the moment.
Fee -
Message 3
Posted by BasiainBrooklyn (U505001) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
Thank you Mrs O, what a lovely OP.
I'm Basia, sober and drug-free with the help of AA for over 7 years. I have a sponsor here in NYC and two sponsees flung across the globe and I feel very, very lucky.
I might come back tonight and post some further links, but until then, I will do my usual and encourage lurkers to say hi, say congratulations to newcomers and a big kiss to MJF and all the best for your first meeting tomorrow.
Basia x -
Message 4
Posted by madjohnfinn (U11268477) on Friday, 1st May 2009
good morning, right back at you bash...so... first meeting...
wow, what can i say...'WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS YEARS AGO???' it was like walking into a giant hug! just resonated so much and crystallized my reasons and determination to stay sober.
today, i'm not going to drink.
love to all, have a great day
love mjf
x
ps 12 days!![and counting]
pps pinch punch 1st day of the month, no returns -
Message 5
Posted by madjohnfinn (U11268477) on Friday, 1st May 2009
oops, forgot ...last post should have read...good morning, i'm madjohnfinn, i'm an alcoholic, thanks for the start mrs O...[just got a bit over excited!]
x -
Message 6
Posted by Bizzie Lizzie (U2255808) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fri, 01 May 2009 06:45 GMT, in reply to Basia
Hello Mrs O, Fee, Basia, and everyone - I'm Liz and I'm a long-time lurker on these threads.
My A died about 10 years ago, and I wish I'd had access to these threads in those days. I understand now why the things I tried to help my A stop drinking didn't work - because, of course, it wasn't my decision to make. This might sound like a statement of the blindingly obvious, but it wasn't till I started reading these threads that I realised that, and it lifted a big weight of guilt.
Best wishes to all who lurk and post here,
Liz -
Message 7
Posted by Bizzie Lizzie (U2255808) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fri, 01 May 2009 06:48 GMT, in reply to madjohnfinn in message 5
Sorry, madjohnfinn - we were posting at the same time - a big hello to you too! -
Message 8
Posted by Celebrian (U12324885) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Good morning all, the merry month of May has started dull and blustery here in Ireland. Thanks for starting up Mrs Oz, you're ahead of us all over there!
I still adore the feeling of waking up sober from a proper night's sleep with a clear head and not sweating or shaking
x Celebrian -
Message 9
Posted by Oz (U6102444) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Good avo all
Back to say hello in your morning with the exception of Bash. Good evening/night.
Just a flying visit .
A hugely busy day .
Great news MFJ.
G'day Celebrian.
Now off to crash on the sofa with some mindless telly and a bag of jelly babies.
May return later when I have had a rest.
Oz -
Message 10
Posted by Claribel (U2264645) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Hello all,
Could do with a bit of advice. I have posted very sporadically about A, a friend with an alcohol problem who also had health worries. Towards the end of last year, A stopped drinking altogether. Since then until recently, as far as I was aware, there had been very little by way of alcohol consumption, although I knew A had had the odd drink at a couple of parties.
More recently, however, I know A has been drinking a lot. I had a brief chat with A about this last time we met, and was told that A wasn't going back to how it was before and was now stopping again - but I know A really isn't happy about the not-drinking, particularly as much of A's social circle (mine as well, to be honest) revolves around the pub. Since then, I have been trying to arrange non-alcohol related meet-ups but they haven't happened, and I think what I'm trying to do is a tad obvious.
I have mentioned AA in the past, but the suggestion hasn't been received with much enthusiasm.
I know that the only person who can decide what to do is A. I guess I'm just asking for any support you nice people can give as to what, in your experience, is the best way to be, er, supportive.
Thanks as ever,
Claribel -
Message 11
Posted by won.glove (U11322764) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Morning All. Thanks for starting the new thread!
Just off to do a days printmaking! Something almost impossible when I was drinking! Would have got there late. been ratty and hated everyone! Ergh.
I am working through the AA steps. And I don't know whats going on, but i fee better. Less manic and Rancid.
So it's all to do with willingness and intention.
Better get me skates on,
Art.. I love it
xx -
Message 12
Posted by BootsNo7 (U8853924) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Hello all, I am Boots and have had severe computer problems over the last week which have caused many headaches but I am hoping that all is now fixed.
Basia - I am sorry that I did not reply to your question which I have just read but sadly had no computer to reply to you.
Mrs O - lovely to see you and thank you for a wonderful opening post.
My A is my only son who is a binge-drinker and I have been struggling with the effect his drinking has had on my life for the last fifteen years. My parents were also heavy drinkers and through AlAnon I have discovered that although I did not think so, I have indeed been greatly affected by their drinking and behaviour.
I should have been visiting R today but I felt an old pattern was repeating itself in his life and I have today had the courage to break that pattern and actually say to him that I did not want to undertake a 35 mile drive when I was under physical stress but meanwhile not mentioning that I am pretty certain that he has been on a binge for a day or two.
He was very surprised and actually at a loss for words but I am comfortable with what I have done as it is the best for me, baby steps after all this time but that's how it goes.
"I guess I'm just asking for any support you nice people can give as to what, in your experience, is the best way to be, er, supportive."
Claribel - I will say, as I firmly believe that this is the best for anyone trying to support someone with drink problems, that AlAnon is the way to go.
I know that my life and the way I treat my A is so different now and that is due to AlAnon and also to the help and support I have received from these threads over the last couple of years.
In particular the blazing honesty from those trying to give up and address their addiction has given me so much more insight into the struggles involved and turned my scorn and pity into compassion and thankfulness that I do not have to struggle in that way.
The posts already on this thread are so good that I look forward to May being an growth month for us all.
Boots -
Message 13
Posted by Ellie May (U2222618) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Thank you for that, Boots, I have been trying to think of how to respond to Claribel, thinking back to how I felt when I was still drinking, and wondering what would have helped and supported me. I think the answer was nothing. It sounds so callous to say, leave the A alone and let them either self-destruct or find recovery in their own way. But I can’t think of anything else. I have never been to Al-Anon but I am also finding ways to let go of my need to control other people and situations that I really have no control over. The serenity prayer again.
Mrs O, great opening this month. I am Ellie May and I’m a recovering alcoholic, I had my last drink on 15 December 2002 and my last cigarette on 11 June 2005. I mean ‘last’ as in ‘most recent’ rather than ‘final’. I made the mistake years ago of thinking that I’d never smoke again and then started after seven years’ abstinence. Today I am very happy to be neither drinking nor smoking nor anything else.
Good news about your meeting, Mad John, watch out for the pink cloud… Hope Hamish is doing ok as well. -
Message 14
Posted by Claribel (U2264645) on Friday, 1st May 2009
I have been trying to think of how to respond to Claribel, thinking back to how I felt when I was still drinking, and wondering what would have helped and supported me. I think the answer was nothing. It sounds so callous to say, leave the A alone and let them either self-destruct or find recovery in their own way. But I can’t think of anything else. I have never been to Al-Anon but I am also finding ways to let go of my need to control other people and situations that I really have no control over. The serenity prayer again. Â
Thanks for the response Ellie May - and also Boots. I know from experience that I am terrible at letting go, and that I have a tendency to want to fix everything even when I know deep down that I can't. This situation has not actually been too bad in that respect because - thanks to this board - I have always known that there's nothing I can do to sort A out. That's not the issue.
I suppose what I'm getting at really is that I don't think I can just cut off contact (and I don't think you were suggesting that, EM) but also I don't want to 'enable' (I'm not really sure I know what that means anyway). Does that make any sense? -
Message 15
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fri, 01 May 2009 11:57 GMT, in reply to Claribel in message 14
Nice opening, Mrs O.
C-B, lurking. -
Message 16
Posted by PepperTree (U10855001) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Hello all and sundry - posters, ex-posters, lurkers and lurkers to be. I've known the best of times and the worst of times. Neither at the moment but still glad, very, very glad, to be sober. And also glad be able to come here regularly, but mainly as a lurker these days.
-
Message 17
Posted by Ellie May (U2222618) on Friday, 1st May 2009
For me, enabling means dealing with the consequences of someone else’s actions, or taking responsibility for things that they’re meant to be responsible for themselves, like paying bills or rent. I don’t have an active alky in my life, but my children can be fairly useless at times, and I find myself applying some of the principles to them too – if they forget to take essential items to school, I don’t take them in for them.
It would be very hard to cut someone out of my life too, Claribel. I remember Fee, I think, talking about not provoking or preventing a crisis. Could that apply? -
Message 18
Posted by Claribel (U2264645) on Friday, 1st May 2009
For me, enabling means dealing with the consequences of someone else’s actions, or taking responsibility for things that they’re meant to be responsible for themselves, like paying bills or rent. I don’t have an active alky in my life, but my children can be fairly useless at times, and I find myself applying some of the principles to them too – if they forget to take essential items to school, I don’t take them in for them.
It would be very hard to cut someone out of my life too, Claribel. I remember Fee, I think, talking about not provoking or preventing a crisis. Could that apply? Â
Thanks, Ellie-May (and, indirectly, Fee) - that is really helpful. -
Message 19
Posted by Tir_Eoghain (U1541087) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fri, 01 May 2009 12:30 GMT, in reply to Ellie May
Hi Everyone!
TÃr Eoghain here, I'm a recovering alcoholic. I mainly lurk on the threads these days, but still like to keep in touch.
One of the things I usually do is post a link to the previous threads from July 2006 onwards.
There are a few other useful links there as well.
TÃr, (:< -
Message 20
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Friday, 1st May 2009
MJF, glad to hear it's a good group.
Good to see everyone else.
Yes, I think I did - I'm fairly sure I was paraphrasing an Al Anon principle - and I think I was debating with myself whether not throwing my husband out/leaving had amounted to enabling - and decided that it didn't because unless it was something that I wanted to do for me it would have been provoking a crisis (I've a feeling that words I quoted were alliterative so might have been creating a crisis). When I did get to the point of saying that he either had to go into the treatment centre or go and stay with his mother, it was because I couldn't take it any longer and needed a break from the worry. So (thinking about Claribel's situation) it might be that you just don't feel comfortable meeting your friend in an alcohol related context in the circumstances - in which case I think it's fine to make it clear that you would rather not. If what you were trying to do was manipulate your friend's behaviour, then there's no point and you will simply lose out on their company to no purpose.
Of course, in my case, in the end he has decided to go anyway but that's not really relevant except that I'm feeling a bit sad at the moment as its my wedding anniversary tomorrow and somehow the fact that it's such a beautiful day makes it sadder (perhaps because it was weather like this twenty-eight years ago). I know the feeling will pass, though, and there are lots of positive things that I can focus on as well.
Fee -
Message 21
Posted by Ellie May (U2222618) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Oh Fee. That is sad, and I’m sorry.
-
Message 22
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Thanks, Ellie May. Don't get me wrong - I'm not sitting here in pieces (the difficult years caused too much distance for that) - it's a melancholy, if you like, for what might have been, not just for me but for the children. If I still feel sad this evening, I will take myself off to a meeting - and tomorrow I'm doing something which will provide adequate distraction (and dates and anniversaries are pretty arbitrary things when it comes down to it, anyway).
Fee -
Message 23
Posted by Ellie May (U2222618) on Friday, 1st May 2009
I can understand that Fee – a sadness for what could have been, and possibly mourning a future that you thought you had. I felt something maybe a little bit similar when I became unable to have any more children when I was 36. I didn’t feel as though my family was complete, and I had thought that having another baby was a given. Another two would have been nice. It was a shock when it turned out that it wouldn’t be possible. I don’t feel sad about it all the time now (grateful more like) but I did feel as though a future I had wanted quite a lot had been taken away without my consent.
Significant dates can be hard, even when we know it’s not rational. I’m glad you’ve got something planned for the weekend. -
Message 24
Posted by BasiainBrooklyn (U505001) on Friday, 1st May 2009
God I love this thread and all who post here. Thank you for a hugely lovely and important part of my life.
Fee, you're stellar and you carry the AlAnon message, along with Boots, so incredibly well. Hi Claribel, glad you could drop in.
Mrs O, hope the reactions to your OP will get your hand up more at meetings, excl mk.
And as for you MJF, well, ok, I will admit I got a big grin on my face reading your CAPITAL LETTERS and er..the screen went a bit blurry. I am truly happy for you and hang on in there. Hope you took home some phone numbers of other sobes and that you can attend frequent meetings to get you on the road.
Bash x -
Message 25
Posted by BasiainBrooklyn (U505001) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Hi EM, fancy seeing you here at this time...damn, have to go to work and all I want to do is stay home with the cats and sleep.
Bx -
Message 26
Posted by Ellie May (U2222618) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Just don't go, Bash. No-one'll mind. They probably won't notice.
-
Message 27
Posted by Claribel (U2264645) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fee, I just wanted to say that I was sorry to see that you were feeling sad. Your posts have been incredibly helpful to me. When I post in here there's always a small part of me that feels a bit of a fraud as other people's situations are much more serious. But none of you have ever made me feel as though my concerns are silly or don't matter. This is a great thread.
-
Message 28
Posted by BasiainBrooklyn (U505001) on Friday, 1st May 2009
< But none of you have ever made me feel as though my concerns are silly or don't matter>
This line should be included in every month's OP,, thank you Claribel. They matter to you, and that's enough.
Bxxxx -
Message 29
Posted by Laggard (U11504915) on Friday, 1st May 2009
My name is laggard, I'm an alcoholic (workaholic, hypochondriac, socio-phobic, control freak with commitment problems).
Just to say to Claribel, although you can't force someone to stop drinking etc etc as said above, in my view it's important to tell them that you think they have a problem. Not every time you see them, obviously (could become annoying), but when it's opportune. Sometimes alcoholics want to believe that their drinking is normal, that everybody's doing it. In the long-term, it was immensely important to me that people commented on my drinking, even if I didn't react at the time.
Just thinking how much more I notice the seasons than when I was drinking. Then there was just one season: wine season. And I was so rarely outside anyway. And I was less keen on summer because I didn't like drinking during daylight (although did manage to force down the odd glass nonetheless). What a load of nonsense. Now I'm just so pleased there another six months!! of long evenings. hurrah.
laggard, off out. -
Message 30
Posted by BootsNo7 (U8853924) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Claribel, the issue of enabling is always difficult and Fee was indeed quoting from a passage in one of the AlAnon books which I find invaluable reading.
My sponsor always says that if we can try to keep the focus on ourselves and our behaviour the issue of what we are doing becomes a bit clearer.
In other words, it is important to you that you do not see your friend in an alcoholic enviroment because it unsettles you. It is therefore possible to say, politely (and once) that this is the case and that you would prefer another meeting place than say, a pub.
On the other hand, your friend would probably go to the pub whether or not you were there and I have learned from bitter experience that it does not make any difference whatever I say or do - if my son wants to drink he will but he knows very clearly now that if he drinks all his money away then he is on his own as the Bank of Mum is firmly closed.
Hope that makes sense.
Boots -
Message 31
Posted by Mabel Bagshawe (U2222589) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fri, 01 May 2009 17:39 GMT, in reply to BootsNo7 in message 30
Lags - you don;t have to be an alcoholic to be that
Mabel B here (almost workaholic when not multishirking, socio-phobic, tendency to OCD, past history of eating issues and non-drinker). My A died 7 years ago, her partner causes concerns from time to time -
Message 32
Posted by msannamaria (U13902323) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Hello my name is annamaria and I am mainly a lurker here.
My A is my son, he is in his mid twenties and still drinking although I would say life is more stable for him at present. He has moved into a new flat and for the first time is talking about going in for a detox. Fingers crossed xx
These boards have enabled me to have insight, empathy and compassion for people who live with the effects of this awful addiction. I have found that when I leave my son to make his own decisions (good and bad) things have a way of working themselves out anyway. -
Message 33
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Thanks, Claribel. I really don't think it works to look for a hierarchy of concerns - and, in any event, I feel that being able to share some of what I've discovered about some of this is some sort of silver lining to it all. I hope your friend can get to grips with it before it causes real problems.
I have spent some time this week trying to explain why the "s/he's an intelligent person, why can't they stop [surreptiously drinking alcohol at work]?" just doesn't work - interesting that it's become such second nature to me to know why it doesn't, that I was quite surprised to hear it coming from someone very intelligent themselves who has told me previously about having been reading up on the subject.
Hello, annamaria - good to see you - and Mabel and Boots and Laggard and anyone else I've forgotten.
Fee -
Message 34
Posted by won.glove (U11322764) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Greetings of the day.
I am grateful to be sober. Gosh. I have been printmaking all day.
Learning offset litho. I will have to post a link!
On the way back I stopped of at the turkish deli and sat outside with a coffee and meself! I would never have gone anywhere and sat drinking on me own! Liar, I sat for many hours drinking alone at home. Rather, propped up in bed!
Or stood in a party, bored and getting pissed up.
Or sat in concert drinking secret wine from a 'bottle of water"
I am in the process of becoming the person I want to be.
The image is of me in a walled garden (not a lunatic asylum) looking after my bees.
Spending my day making art and my agent (who is this?) organising show and SALES!
Sending the request to the universe...
I know I am not in charge, but it's a peacefull image.
Hope to live up to my nickname.
Won.glove.
One Love.
x -
Message 35
Posted by red field (U2337167) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Fri, 01 May 2009 20:52 GMT, in reply to won.glove
That's a lovely post, won.glove, and a lovely image.
If I drank and smoked, I'd be drinking and smoking now. The official version is that I take medication that doesn't go well with alcohol, so I abstain, and am happy to be the driver, which further legitimises the soft drink. But in my heart I know that at times like this I used to rely too much on the glasses of wine to get me through a stressful evening home alone with the children playing up, and as a means of dealing with my frustration at not having much of a life of my own.
Just felt the need to send this out into the ether before finding a more positive way to pass an hour before bed.
Best wishes to all here. -
Message 36
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Hello, red field - good to see you.
It's a bit of shame if you feel that the soft drink has to be legitimised in the eyes of others on grounds other than that is what you prefer to do - but I'm glad it works for you, anyway.
What, more positive than being in ML? Surely not.
Fee -
Message 37
Posted by red field (U2337167) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Sat, 02 May 2009 09:13 GMT, in reply to Fee
the soft drink has to be legitimised in the eyes of othersÂ
It just takes away that endless 'wouldn't you rather have a ...' and 'are you still not drinking?', and also stops the more thoughtful worrying about what my medication might be if it's long term, which are all fairly boring conversations that I'd rather not be having. -
Message 38
Posted by EricaBludax (U13725535) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Hi, I'm mostly a lurker, but I find these threads helpful and supportive. I have been sober since January 2009 and I know it's not easy, but I have noticed a difference for the better in myself, and it is worth the effort.
I am seeing a liver specialist for problems caused by my drinking, the last time I went, in April, the blood test results had improved and my next appointment may be the last time he needs to see me, all being well.
All my best wishes to everyone who struggles with alcohol in any way. -
Message 39
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Sat, 02 May 2009 11:59 GMT, in reply to EricaBludax in message
All the best for your liver stuff, EB. -
Message 40
Posted by Quietman (U6443368) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
I tripped over the kerb this morning and went flying. I landed, face down, with blood pouring down my face, Both knees and my right elbow similarly blooded. My toes were bent double and now hurt like hell, as does my shoulder, ribs, hip and legs. I may have cracked one or more ribs, but my breathing is just fine, so nothing serious there. I can't so much walk as shuffle.
Now why do I raise this here? Because this was the sort of thing that I regularly did when I drunk alcohol heavily. It is a matter of some interest that I have suffered falls that were potentially more damaging when I was under the influence but nothing ever hurt as much as this does. I am not suggesting that it's better to be drunk, hardly, but this time I am not ashamed at what happened to me. I was clumsy, that is all. I can deal with my pain and injuries this time with my head held high. Perhaps if I had held my feet similarly high then I would never haven fallen in the first place.
My conclusion - I do not really know. I wished to brave it here to tell my story as I am "of the alcoholic ilk" but I am glad to be able to report that I have not partaken for many moons. I won't come back here too often but I did want to tell my story. -
Message 41
Posted by BasiainBrooklyn (U505001) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Glad all is going well with you Won.
Erica, always good to hear from you, and (sorry to trot out the usual mantra here but we mean it) but I hope you are getting help and not trying to do this on your own. Be lovely to see you more often.
Oh Red, I remember all that nonsense, and I'm sorry you still have to go through it. I hope it is infrequent. It was a huge issue for me, the "What do I tell my friends?" and although our circumstances are different, the bottom line is the same; the peer pressure to drink.
My first spons told me that it was no-one else's business whether I drank or not, and although I knew that to be true, I was so caught up in how it would all appear (can't believe I did that, but I understand why I did and why others do), I couldn't figure out how I was going to handle it.
He just told me to say I was on anti-biotics, and that that would shut them up. I asked what I was supposed to be on anti-biotics for, as I didn't want people thinking (see where I'm going with this?) that I had some awful blah blah blah and he just patiently reminded me that if they were truly good friends, they would accept a short answer. Which works ok unless you're with drunk people for an extended period, and if you are, you may want to ask what the hell you're doing there for a long stretch.
Ha, on the opposite side of that, I remember once when I was doing a month long herbal cleanse, whilst still drinking of course, and someone on a shoot asked why I wasn't eating the catered lunch and I said I was detoxing, and I was horrified when they thought I meant from alcohol or worse. As if. How dare they.
God, what a plonker.
Have a great weekend.
Basia -
Message 42
Posted by won.glove (U11322764) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Basia. That is so funny! Detoxing but still drinking. HA ha Ha.
All very familiar.
I used to pride myself on never taking drugs/ medication when I had a cold or some lurgy thing.
And taking 'care' of my diet. I wenr serios veggie with all the self ritcheousness I could muster too.
Gaffaw! Chokin wirh laughter!
I used to self mediacte with alcohol. And as for my diet to stay slimmish. It NEVER involved the suggestion to cut down of alcohol!
What a bonkers idea.
(Actually it really is a form of mental illnes)
I have been Back to printmaking today and actually sold 2 more of my silver pendants, and a amall sculpture from the gallery!
PS. The printmaking tutor today is still drinking, (we spoke some months ago about AA. and perhaps giving up.
But today i noticed a mug with some wine in it, (well I could smell it!) And she saw that i saw! Oo er.
But I did not say anything. This was 10am.
And as I left, chatting to a jewelery shop keeper. another drinking man , can nearby. She passed by with a colleage and straight into the pub.
I must say. a momentry DESIRE passed thriugh my brain. i could join them. Oh my. I still get the desire. I pray for it to leave me.
Doing the step work is helping me very well.
Especially to show my gratitude and share the good experiences, as well as the annoying ones.
Gosh, that was supposed to be a quick hello!
Laters. xx -
Message 43
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
That's good news, Erica - I hope the news continues to be positive.
Fee -
Message 44
Posted by BasiainBrooklyn (U505001) on Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Interesting programme on UK binge drinking which is available for another 6 days:
-
Message 45
Posted by Oz (U6102444) on Sunday, 3rd May 2009
Just a quick post....
Do you know there is no substitute for a kind and sympathetic ear when you most need it.
Friends whether AA or not can make the blackest day seem brighter and it is truly great to have them close when you need them.
I am one lucky moo.
When you are in need stretch out and you will be surprised just how many there are to help.
Don't be afraid to ask you don't have to do it alone.
Oz -
Message 46
Posted by stew black (U3146970) on Sunday, 3rd May 2009
Apologies for joining this month late.
Hi, I'm Stew, alcoholic from the UK. Sober just over 3 years and living a life so removed from the wreck which was my past that I barely recognise myself.
To anyone new here - stick around! There are good people here who's encouragement and support were the cornerstone of my early sobriety.
The only advice I would give anyone is the same as my first aid instructor continually drums into me. Shout for help. First, last and most important thing; do not try to do it all on your own. Let people in. You don't have to go to meetings if you don't want to but get some help from someone who's been there before - believe me they will want to help. -
Message 47
Posted by PepperTree But No Petard (U13945752) on Sunday, 3rd May 2009
I am an alcoholic who "fell off the wagon" for many months. I clambered back on a little while ago and hope to stay there.
This thread and earlier months' versions have been very helpful to me. -
Message 48
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Sunday, 3rd May 2009
Good to see you back, TPS. I hope you've got some help apart from this thread?
Fee -
Message 49
Posted by PepperTree But No Petard (U13945752) on Sunday, 3rd May 2009
Thank you kindly Fee. I've had quite of lot of help from sweet and generous people and although I am still not very well I am much more positive than I was before. I can't say that the only way is up but the way down would be considerably worse.
Last week a very nice peraon asked me if I still fantasised about being an alcoholic. Rather hard I thought and I would have once got out of my pram at such a suggestion. Fortunately I can now take it in my stride and accepted another orange juice! -
Message 50
Posted by Fee (U3534148) on Sunday, 3rd May 2009
What an odd way of putting it - I can see that someone might fantasise about being able to drink unproblematically but why would anyone think you would fantasise about being an alcoholic? Glad to hear that you have some help and are feeling more positive than you were before.
Fee
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