My Rant On Alcohol And Quitting
where the light is
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,763
The AA Big Book states "Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol" which is consistent with your perspective.
So you have sworn of drinking because once you start, you can't stop. That's awesome and I hope it works for you. But from your older posts I’m gathering that in the past you believed you had learned your lesson, sworn off, yet ended up drinking again.
So what's different this time? You really, REALLY learned your lesson? Will you get bored or something and decide it's a good idea to go on another of your blackout benders? Or maybe more peer pressure? Sorry...normal people don't do that. THIS is the underlying issue. THIS is powerlessness. You say you learned your lesson and have sworn off for good yet one day you "decide" it's a great idea to drink again with very predictable results.
The Big Book also suggests that if you’re not sure if you are an alcoholic, go a year without drinking. If that’s no problem (it wouldn’t be a problem for a normal person) then it should be smooth sailing for you.
Good luck!
For reference, your first post on SR:
So you have sworn of drinking because once you start, you can't stop. That's awesome and I hope it works for you. But from your older posts I’m gathering that in the past you believed you had learned your lesson, sworn off, yet ended up drinking again.
So what's different this time? You really, REALLY learned your lesson? Will you get bored or something and decide it's a good idea to go on another of your blackout benders? Or maybe more peer pressure? Sorry...normal people don't do that. THIS is the underlying issue. THIS is powerlessness. You say you learned your lesson and have sworn off for good yet one day you "decide" it's a great idea to drink again with very predictable results.
The Big Book also suggests that if you’re not sure if you are an alcoholic, go a year without drinking. If that’s no problem (it wouldn’t be a problem for a normal person) then it should be smooth sailing for you.
Good luck!
For reference, your first post on SR:
Originally Posted by ItsMe23 
Hey all,
I just signed up here in hopes of finding other people to relate with. I will explain my background a bit. Started drinking casually when i was 16 but i didn't like it much. When i turned 21 i started drinking very heavily, to the point of where it was everyday. Then by 22 i was just getting out of control, drinking to blackout stages every time. Getting in fights with friends etc etc. Now i got ahold of the situation and got off it for 4 months. Then finally cracked under peer pressure on the 4th of july. i began drinking again only on weekends but still drinking to blackout points.
So as it sits right now i got a dwi due to the fact, and its like I"m fine all week but every Saturday i start craving for a drink if you will. I believe i just like the feeling it gives and i am also bored.
so the good news is i have it down to one day a week, the bad is i am having trouble getting rid of it completely? I'm 23 btw thanks for any opinions !
I just signed up here in hopes of finding other people to relate with. I will explain my background a bit. Started drinking casually when i was 16 but i didn't like it much. When i turned 21 i started drinking very heavily, to the point of where it was everyday. Then by 22 i was just getting out of control, drinking to blackout stages every time. Getting in fights with friends etc etc. Now i got ahold of the situation and got off it for 4 months. Then finally cracked under peer pressure on the 4th of july. i began drinking again only on weekends but still drinking to blackout points.
So as it sits right now i got a dwi due to the fact, and its like I"m fine all week but every Saturday i start craving for a drink if you will. I believe i just like the feeling it gives and i am also bored.
so the good news is i have it down to one day a week, the bad is i am having trouble getting rid of it completely? I'm 23 btw thanks for any opinions !
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Some post have been removed and others that quoted the
removed ones.....also went.
Please chill and remember......
Thanks.
removed ones.....also went.
Please chill and remember......
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No posts that attack, insult, "flame", defame, or abuse members or non-members. Respect other members of the community and don’t belittle, make fun of, or insult another member or non-member. Decisions about health and recovery are highly personal, individual choices. "Flaming" and insults, however, will not be tolerated. Agree to disagree. This applies to both the forums and chat.
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No posts that attack, insult, "flame", defame, or abuse members or non-members. Respect other members of the community and don’t belittle, make fun of, or insult another member or non-member. Decisions about health and recovery are highly personal, individual choices. "Flaming" and insults, however, will not be tolerated. Agree to disagree. This applies to both the forums and chat.
Ignore bothersome members. If there is someone on the forum that bothers you, select the Ignore option on the drop down menu under their name on the post. You won't see any posts from this member again.
Thanks.
Groovy Dancer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: The States
Posts: 4,751
I don't think anyone meant anything bad here...but thanks for keepin an eye on things Carol, and fair enough for removin some of the Posts. 
Anyway...Good luck ItsMe. Liked a lot of your post, disagreed with some of it. Feel free to vent though.
Anyway...Good luck ItsMe. Liked a lot of your post, disagreed with some of it. Feel free to vent though.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, England
Posts: 211
Originally Posted by jerseytomato
People who swear by a 12 step program probably won't agree about your powerless statements. I agree with you. I don't buy it either. I chose to drink and I can make the decision not to.
"1 is too many, 1000 not enough"
Moment of Conception
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Planet Tragedy
Posts: 453
Originally Posted by ItsMe23
IDrinking because of underlying issues When i was in chat the other day i got very upset with a member over this topic. They claimed that i drank because of some issue and that i actually did not like drinking. I told them this was false and i drank because i liked to drink and an argument ensued. I drink for one reason and that is because i like to. I started drinking with friends back in the day, we would do it because it is something we enjoyed. Well after a while the brain gets used to it and it becomes a method of pleasure. I am not sure why people have such a hard time understanding that someone drinks only because they like it. But we have to remember to not assume anything about anyone. I think it is more of the people who use it to run from problems cannot understand how someone could just like to use it.
.
.
But i can understand how some would drink to blank something(s) out, or try to at least.
I do think however that the enjoyment aspect can be a far more damaging influence, but thats just my take on it.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: scotland
Posts: 1,493
by the age of 18 because of my drinking i had been thrown out of the house by my mum,had 2 unwanted pregnancies,been raped and arrested and locked up for theft twice..i had also been taken to my first AA meeting but i didnt want to stay as i was enjoying myself...i persued this enjoyment for another 18 years......why? because of the mental obsession my head had....that this time it would be different.this mental obsession was so powerful that all the tradgedy and suffering was forgotten...this time it would be different,i would manage better and just have a few.insane? hell yeh.
this illusion was absolutely astonishing.
today i am well aware i have a mental illness and if you dont then great....
btw....i am powerless BEFORE i lift the first drink...NOT after when the physical allergy starts....my illness starts in my mind...and it will lie to me....did for a very long time.
but thats just me....the medical profession regard folk like me as hopeless.
this illusion was absolutely astonishing.
today i am well aware i have a mental illness and if you dont then great....
btw....i am powerless BEFORE i lift the first drink...NOT after when the physical allergy starts....my illness starts in my mind...and it will lie to me....did for a very long time.
but thats just me....the medical profession regard folk like me as hopeless.
Moment of Conception
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Planet Tragedy
Posts: 453
@ Jersey
I got it off an old hand at work years ago, this guy kept all his best tools in the top drawer of his tool box. He was describing the quality of some bacon he'd had as 'top draw' and i asked him what he meant. It just stuck with me :-)
I got it off an old hand at work years ago, this guy kept all his best tools in the top drawer of his tool box. He was describing the quality of some bacon he'd had as 'top draw' and i asked him what he meant. It just stuck with me :-)
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,451
Just curious, what is 'top drawer'? I've never heard that term before
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Eastern Us
Posts: 1,366
I find that I tend not to have alcohol-related issues when I don't pick up that first drink. I never had problems every time I drank, but when I did have them (family issues, etc.) they often occurred when I was drinking. So I stopped. I really hope for good, but who really knows.
I think there are a lot of was to get and stay sober. But what they all have in common, on a fundamental first-principles kind of way, is abstaining from drinking alcohol. What one does from that point certainly differs as on can see from all the experiences posted on this site. I think we are all just trying to do the best that we know how to do. To get healthy and to stop hurting ourselves and others (well that is what i'm trying anyway. I'm not trying to put words in the mouths of others).
I think there are a lot of was to get and stay sober. But what they all have in common, on a fundamental first-principles kind of way, is abstaining from drinking alcohol. What one does from that point certainly differs as on can see from all the experiences posted on this site. I think we are all just trying to do the best that we know how to do. To get healthy and to stop hurting ourselves and others (well that is what i'm trying anyway. I'm not trying to put words in the mouths of others).
Hooligan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Snowy North-Eastern U.S.
Posts: 321
Originally Posted by CarolD
Some post have been removed and others that quoted the
removed ones.....also went.
Please chill and remember......
Thanks.
removed ones.....also went.
Please chill and remember......
Thanks.
And to gravity, Things have changed greatly since i first came here. I was lost and confused, not sure if i really wanted to quit drinking. Like many i just wanted to moderate i wanted to keep the booze and its "good" feelings in my life. Soon learned that it was not an option, and i think i am somewhere around 150-160 days sober, not sure of the exact number.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,237
I'm not a AA member and I've been sober for 13 months....I wasn't an everyday drinker, but my drinking definetely progressed...and my actions weren't lining up with my core values...and that hit home when I was charged with a dui...that was it for me....drinking was no longer the "fun" it once was.....although I don't go to meetings (I've been a couple of times and a couple of times to CR) I think they are awesome for some people..I've done my own recovery work.....and if somebody wants to call me a dry drunk because I don't attend meetings..then so be it....that's their business..I know what's real for me..and what works...and at the end of the day as long as you don't pick up..and are happy with the way your life is going then that's all that really matters....
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 167
Originally Posted by Rusty Zipper
bottom line,
alcoholism is progressive,
we'll still be here in another 10 years
good wishes
alcoholism is progressive,
we'll still be here in another 10 years
good wishes
There is no more scientific proof of alcohol being a "disease" than there is of bi-polar being one. If one wishes to believe that they can never change their life to not include some form of substance abuse, that is their prerogative, however to suggest that everyone is the same is both disingenuous and plain rude.
I for one will not be here in 10 years, I do not have a progressive "disease" I dealt with a problem logically and scientifically and have no need to return to the former state. I refused to believe that it was something I could not overcome with my free will, I control my actions nothing else.
I truly believe these lifetime programs are a crutch and permanent reminder of that life addicts wish to leave behind. Why on earth would one want to include such misery in one's life, for me it is better to remove the problem and move onto other areas of life, not maintain a constant reminder of how things used to be.
I will not be here or anywhere like this in 10 years. I will be off enjoying the life my current activities are working towards. This part of my life will be a long forgotten blot on the past.
Everyone has the power to be the change they wish to be.
Groovy Dancer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: The States
Posts: 4,751
Originally Posted by ItsMe23
Hmmmmm, some people seemed to get upset when someone told them "how it was".
Hooligan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Snowy North-Eastern U.S.
Posts: 321
Originally Posted by Ghostly
That's not actually what happened ItsMe. There was a comment made, then a bunch of us got pissy with each other. Only reason I'm tellin you this is because I don't want you thinking a bunch of comments were taken out because people got upset with you. That wasn't it.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Originally Posted by myheadhurts
speak for yourself mate.
There is no more scientific proof of alcohol being a "disease" than there is of bi-polar being one. If one wishes to believe that they can never change their life to not include some form of substance abuse, that is their prerogative, however to suggest that everyone is the same is both disingenuous and plain rude.
I for one will not be here in 10 years, I do not have a progressive "disease" I dealt with a problem logically and scientifically and have no need to return to the former state. I refused to believe that it was something I could not overcome with my free will, I control my actions nothing else.
I truly believe these lifetime programs are a crutch and permanent reminder of that life addicts wish to leave behind. Why on earth would one want to include such misery in one's life, for me it is better to remove the problem and move onto other areas of life, not maintain a constant reminder of how things used to be.
I will not be here or anywhere like this in 10 years. I will be off enjoying the life my current activities are working towards. This part of my life will be a long forgotten blot on the past.
Everyone has the power to be the change they wish to be.
There is no more scientific proof of alcohol being a "disease" than there is of bi-polar being one. If one wishes to believe that they can never change their life to not include some form of substance abuse, that is their prerogative, however to suggest that everyone is the same is both disingenuous and plain rude.
I for one will not be here in 10 years, I do not have a progressive "disease" I dealt with a problem logically and scientifically and have no need to return to the former state. I refused to believe that it was something I could not overcome with my free will, I control my actions nothing else.
I truly believe these lifetime programs are a crutch and permanent reminder of that life addicts wish to leave behind. Why on earth would one want to include such misery in one's life, for me it is better to remove the problem and move onto other areas of life, not maintain a constant reminder of how things used to be.
I will not be here or anywhere like this in 10 years. I will be off enjoying the life my current activities are working towards. This part of my life will be a long forgotten blot on the past.
Everyone has the power to be the change they wish to be.
Ethanol Intolerant
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Cascadia
Posts: 665
I hate to burst your collective bubbles, but there is no scientific evidence that free will exists either. In fact, what evidence there is, tends to point to your brain deciding and then informing your consciousness of the illusion of choice. It turns out that the free will option is just as magical as any other recovery strategy. If it works you, that is wonderful, but somewhere along the line you probably should be vaguely aware of the leaps of faith you made.
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