Being an alcoholic doesn't go away - Life lesson
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: CO
Posts: 41
Being an alcoholic doesn't go away - Life lesson 
I've been sober for 9mos. and I have grown and learned so much. I'm a different person. Stronger, healthier, happier, etc. And then.. A family crisis today and for the first time in I don't know how long the immediate reaction was drink.
I didn't & I won't but it was scary!!!
I was having thoughts of what I would buy, how quick I would drink it, blah blah. Then had that body crave like in the beginning of quitting. It all just hit in waves.
I learned today that being an alcoholic means:
- It's always there.
- I can't get rid of it or put it to aside. NOT even NOW!! not while I have to handle life matters these next rough days.
And the most discouraging being an alcoholic means always having a problem no matter how far you've come. It's always there.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 3,785
It is true that there is no "used to be an alcoholic". It is in remission and stress can boil it right to the surface.
That is when I must reach out to others. Share my problems and get advice. There is no way I could remain sober on my own. I have to allow myself lean on others.
Just remember that just because it is there, does not mean you have to react to it, listen to it and in some cases do anything about it. Use the tools to move past it and pray for peace an serenity. The waters will calm. That roller coaster does not go away but it does get much easier to ride if we remain calm.
That is when I must reach out to others. Share my problems and get advice. There is no way I could remain sober on my own. I have to allow myself lean on others.
Just remember that just because it is there, does not mean you have to react to it, listen to it and in some cases do anything about it. Use the tools to move past it and pray for peace an serenity. The waters will calm. That roller coaster does not go away but it does get much easier to ride if we remain calm.
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: KC MO
Posts: 980
Being an alcoholic doesn't go away. But for me anyway,the cravings did.
I had a violent craving at the 6 month mark. I had another one not as bad at about the 9 month mark. The last one at 9 months,I was helping someone move. I was tired, and hungry. (something we shouldn't let happen if we can avoid it the first year or so).
But I havn't had a bad craving since. It was like the demon was putting up one last fight.
I do still have reactions. Like when I see a sign along the highway with a big bottle of beer. But it's only for a second. It is more of a reflex.
But I have to respectfully disagree.
While the fact that we can't drink normally does not go away.
The fact that we can live normally is true.
That could have possibly been(and hopefully was) your last bad craving.
Fred
I had a violent craving at the 6 month mark. I had another one not as bad at about the 9 month mark. The last one at 9 months,I was helping someone move. I was tired, and hungry. (something we shouldn't let happen if we can avoid it the first year or so).
But I havn't had a bad craving since. It was like the demon was putting up one last fight.
I do still have reactions. Like when I see a sign along the highway with a big bottle of beer. But it's only for a second. It is more of a reflex.
But I have to respectfully disagree.
While the fact that we can't drink normally does not go away.
The fact that we can live normally is true.
That could have possibly been(and hopefully was) your last bad craving.
Fred
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London
Posts: 1,384
2 years sober in a couple of days and I am wondering where my cravings have gone 
as above I might get a thought if I see something about drink or related to it bit that's easily dealt with , nothing like the crazy intense cravings I battled with in the first year.
I would not call myself an alcoholic now , someone that was heavily addicted to something yes.
as above I might get a thought if I see something about drink or related to it bit that's easily dealt with , nothing like the crazy intense cravings I battled with in the first year. I would not call myself an alcoholic now , someone that was heavily addicted to something yes.
Kaleidoscope eyes
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 5,243
Everyone has problems but they don't always use like us because of them. I dread certain things happening and still wonder how I will cope ten years on. Life is tough sometimes and we just have to be vigilant. xxxxx
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
And the most discouraging being an alcoholic means always having a problem no matter how far you've come. It's always there.
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by Jean77 
And the most discouraging being an alcoholic means always having a problem no matter how far you've come. It's always there.
However, untreated alcohol-ISM is completely different from treated alcohol-ism. When I had untreated alcohol-ISM, I thought abut drinking 24x7. It was like walking a tightrope all day every day.
When I found a way to treat my alcohol-ism, thoughts of drinking completely left my mind root and branch. It is now like walking across a four lane bridge all day every day. I still must cross the chasm every day, but now it is neither dangerous or frightening. I can afford to stumble, zigzag and even weather a storm if need be.
Recovery only starts with not-drinking. There is so much more to recovery than abstinence that it is like comparing a sand box to Waikiki Beach.
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