God I need Help !!

[StillHangin]

I have been coming here for quite awhile, quit drinking for about 4 months in 2007. I have been up and down, tried to quit, go back, tried to quit again and again. I make justifications, excuses and just never can stay right on track. All it it takes is a few drinks and I am off to getting drunk. I am tired of it, I know it is unhealthy behavior, but I keep doing it. I have a lot of emotional and mental issues that manifest themselves through Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic attacks and general nervousness that I take medicine for. I didn't drink most of my life, but for the past 9 years, I have been. I come from a family whose history is littered with death, and destruction from alcoholism. I keep telling myself I am not an alcoholic, but of course I am not convinced of that. I have been in very dark places due to alcohol, included a DUI and troubles I can' even discuss.

So tell me what should I do. Should I go to AA, I tried online meetings, but didn't really help. HELP !!! Someone help me not to go down the same path again. Where do I go and what do I do?

[Toomutch]

Stil

I'm so glad that you found SR, you will find tremendous support here.
Only you can answer your question, but I think AA is a great idea. Please keep posting, this is a wonderful group of people.

[cmc]

When what I am doing is not working, it's time to do something different.
I won't tell you what to do, that is your decision to make, but I highly recommend AA.
I hope you will give it a try.

The "Alcoholism-12 Step Support" forum here on SR is great and you are also always welcome to come by here to share.

I'm glad you are ready to make some positive changes in your life.

[best]

AA is a good support system that many find works well for them.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christian based support system that I hear good things about.
AA is better known and more available but I would still look into the Celebrate Recovery as well.

Your other issues aside from the drinking... most find that the drinking increases them (magnifies them) and with stopping the alcohol intake, they start to see things improve after a while.
You can do it. There are answers. On line meetings can be ok but the face to face meetings add so much more.

[BUTTERFLY-7]

"still hanging" Your name says it all Don't you see Man, for you the road is not over it has just began, some times we miss out on what life, and nature, and the gift of sobriety, are trying to tell us because we are to busy looking at the inedible, this road of wanting what you want is all you need, as I read your thread there is someone screaming out for Help, but just doesn't know where, or how to star, well let me give you a word of advice my dear friend, everything that you are confronting, and in barging, your self in and feeling, is call Success turn inside out, "What"? you mite, site or say, yes my dear friend Think! about it, our H.P. doesn't give us weight that we can handle, he sees your struggles, and he knows what your facing, and you mite say so Why? doesn't he do something about it, thats just the point my friend he wont he already put all dos burning desires of quitting, and tiredness, and everything you feeling, so you call cross to the other side, its up to you if you want to drawn, or swim to the other side. He is waiting for you. Life is depending on you and everything that Recovery has for you is waiting to give it to you but you have to make the "E"+ for Effort.Bless& B-Bless. .

[MrsMagoo]

Find out where a meeting might be that you can hit tonight. Champaign is a pretty big town so you should have some choices. I think my AH and I are going to a Celebrate Recovery meeting tonight. I have also heard good things about it and it's something we can do together and with the children. Make a phone call or go on line and see what you can find in your area!! Keep your chin up and keep looking UP!

[centerville]

Originally Posted by StillHangin

I have been coming here for quite awhile, quit drinking for about 4 months in 2007. I have been up and down, tried to quit, go back, tried to quit again and again. I make justifications, excuses and just never can stay right on track. All it it takes is a few drinks and I am off to getting drunk. I am tired of it, I know it is unhealthy behavior, but I keep doing it. I have a lot of emotional and mental issues that manifest themselves through Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic attacks and general nervousness that I take medicine for. I didn't drink most of my life, but for the past 9 years, I have been. I come from a family whose history is littered with death, and destruction from alcoholism. I keep telling myself I am not an alcoholic, but of course I am not convinced of that. I have been in very dark places due to alcohol, included a DUI and troubles I can' even discuss.

So tell me what should I do. Should I go to AA, I tried online meetings, but didn't really help. HELP !!! Someone help me not to go down the same path again. Where do I go and what do I do?

stop whining and take action. meetings are more then just holding a coffee cup. get a book get a step sponsor and get out of your head.

[anvilhead]

boy that's real helpful and compassionate centerville......must be great to have all the answers and smugly spew your wisdom before the huddled masses......

stillhangin, admitting the problem is big. but that is just a start. you CAN fix this. but you will have to be willing to work VERY hard, as if your life depended on it. cuz it does. drinking more won't solve the drinking problem. surround yourself with the atmosphere of recovery and then STAY there!!!! best of luck, you CAN do this, but YOU have to do it!

[Lily]

Don't listen to centerville. I sure am glad I got encouragement to attend my first meeting by tanya! you really should try one! They are great! Sheila

[Cocoon]

God is with you because you are feeling guilty/convicted for you drinking. God disciplines (DUI/Problems) the ones he loves (Parents ground/discipline their children trying to correct them). Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Read Proverbs (Pro-Positve Verbs-Actions) it helps me. Heres another one if you are questioning what the Bible has to say about alcohol abuse.

Proverbs 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Wh has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eye will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things (I think this is the depression/anxieties/unhealthy minds God is warning about) You will be like one sleeping on the high sea, lying on top of the rigging. "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"

Does this sound familiar while we are drinking? It really hits home to me. I am not trying to scold you because I am right where you are (I am still drinking but I try to stay out of the bars, they are the trouble for me) but I feel that I am heading in the right direction first by acknowledging the problem and looking at what I CAN DO to correct it. I do believe it is spiritual in my case. I feel I have invite the Devil into my life by the way I have been living and the words I use, especially towards myself. The devil has used the alcohol to control me and my thoughts. I hope my rambling helps. I do think my next step is to find someone to confess my sins to. I have confessed them to the Lord but I believe that we need to confess to one another. I believe the power of speaking out loud does wonders. Once again I hope this helps you. God Loves You. You are worth the life you are imagining for yourself and with God in you, you can do anything. Love and Peace

PS Read Proverbs 20:1 and Proverbs 23:20 -23:21