Diagnose Yourself

[RufusACanal]

"We do not like to brand any individual as an alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it."

On occasion, I have posted the suggestion that some may not be done with their drinking. Some I believe need to complete their drinking in whatever way gets them to the above bolded statement. I for one, needed to drink enough until I was full, regardless of how many institutions, treatments, jails and prisons I had to frequent. Most Alcoholics never quit until they have passed the gates of death. If you are honest with yourself, you will know when you are full.

[scaredykat]

Good post Rufus.

I have definitely hit my bottom and have taken step 1 100%. And I do it on a daily basis.

[Tazman53]

Great post Rufus, something every person who doesn't know.

[BackToSquareOne]

Unfortunatly some of us will not stop until we have ridden the train to the end of the line. People however do seem to get off at different stops along the way, the lucky ones stop early on and their suffering and loss is minimal. Many though will not see the light until they have passed through the gates of hell and are on the brink of insanity, all of their options have been used up long ago, the train has crashed for them and they must get off. Sad that some of us have to go to this extreme but it is what it is.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Why do they always say that?

I always controlled my drinking!!!!

My stopping however, needed a lot of work

[RufusACanal]

The miracle is your experience, strength and hope as you live the Steps. By the individual example of a New Life, changed mentally, physically and spiritually, we are each best able to provide those who otherwise may meet a tragic end the real opportunity for freedom.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

aww

it would indeed be a miracle for me to improve mentally

((sigh))

I'm glad, my drinking never got to the point of causing me bodily harm .

I do enjoy my spirit being lifted from the gloom that, alcohol left in my soul

[j0hn0than1964]

the only control I ever seemed to have over my drinking was the daily starting of it. I agree there is no "controlled drinking" for the "A". I do find that being sober has many facets only starting with no drugs or alcohol I agree with the captain I like where I am now in mind and spirit recovering from what my disease took away on a daily basis. I always agree with the statement if we put as much time and effort into our sobriety as we did our using we can only wonder how happy and healthy we will become.

JT

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Originally Posted by j0hn0than1964

I always agree with the statement if we put as much time and effort into our sobriety as we did our using we can only wonder how happy and healthy we will become.

JT

I try and put more effort into staying sober then getting I was getting drunk

Why take a chance and let those sick thoughts creep into my mind again!!

[gravity]

"We do not like to brand any individual as an alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it."

I view this as a purely diagnostic tool for individuals who are not sure if they are alcoholic. After years of blackout drinking, I tried moderation and was able to stop after 3 or 4 well spaced drinks (after six drinks, no chance in Hell).

I proclaimed myself non-alcoholic because I was able to stop! I drank like this a couple of times a month for a year! But honestly? I wanted so badly to get hammered. The obsession was always there.

My moderation phase ended predictably - going out for a night of moderation, losing control, 60 hour bender.

To me, this ties directly into step 1: powerless over alcohol. I had to experience this failure to control drinking before I could fully accept my alcoholism. My thinking changed from "I can learn to control my drinking, no problem" to "I'm an alcoholic and I need help".

This experience quite possibly saved me from reaching an even lower bottom. I was able to diagnose myself as an alcoholic before things got worse.



BB quote from the 1st edition of the BB.

[RufusACanal]

Get Full, Find God and Change Everything!

[FightingIrish]

For years I always said that I chose to drink.

The only problem with that is that I never chose not to drink. Even when I said I wanted to not drink.

Or, I like this, "I never remembered not to drink."

[RufusACanal]

I have lost the choice in drink. Several men here broke through my rationalizations that I still had some power in choice; those reservations are now gone.