How many years of your life were you drinking?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 47
How many years of your life were you drinking?
How many years of your life were you drinking?
I'm trying to summarize how many years I drank altogether (because I did abstain off and on for several months on time).
I'm 37 and I started drinking beer when I was about 18. I didn't really realize that I had a huge problem until about 1998. I also abstained a total of about 80 months inbetween my binges. I was usually the happiest during abstinence.
I'm trying to summarize how many years I drank altogether (because I did abstain off and on for several months on time).
I'm 37 and I started drinking beer when I was about 18. I didn't really realize that I had a huge problem until about 1998. I also abstained a total of about 80 months inbetween my binges. I was usually the happiest during abstinence.
Old & Sober Member of AA
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
I started when I was 16...didn't really stop until I was 48! Oh, there was the occasional abstinence during Lent; but, you could break it on Sunday and St. Patrick's Day...so, what good was it!?!
The only reason I wouldn't drink during pregnancy was if it made me ill...but, often that wouldn't even deter me. Sad. It was the same with smoking...it's a wonder my kids were born somewhat normal.
I'm now 27+ years sober. Amen!
The only reason I wouldn't drink during pregnancy was if it made me ill...but, often that wouldn't even deter me. Sad. It was the same with smoking...it's a wonder my kids were born somewhat normal.
I'm now 27+ years sober. Amen!
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
G69:
I drank for 24 years and had to die in the ER, yes die, they were writing the TOD on my chart, to get here.
I don't believe it is HOW LONG one drank, or HOW MUCH one drank, but what it did to a person, where it took their life, that determines whether they are alcoholic or not.
I am 61 1/2 and the last 25 1/2 years of my life have been the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned early in recovery not to concentrate on the "used to be" but to concentrate on the present, ie working on me and improving me.
Have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!!!
Love and (((((to all))))),
I drank for 24 years and had to die in the ER, yes die, they were writing the TOD on my chart, to get here.
I don't believe it is HOW LONG one drank, or HOW MUCH one drank, but what it did to a person, where it took their life, that determines whether they are alcoholic or not.
I am 61 1/2 and the last 25 1/2 years of my life have been the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned early in recovery not to concentrate on the "used to be" but to concentrate on the present, ie working on me and improving me.
Have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!!!
Love and (((((to all))))),
Hope3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,155
I drank for 30 yrs. at least 60% of the time I drank, I drank to get drunk.
Not falling down drunk, but drunk. Sometimes the drunk turned into a falling down porcelin god kissing drunk. Alot of times were blackouts, but best of all
they are all past.
I can't relive the past, but I will not bring the past into my future. I wish you the best, hope3.
Not falling down drunk, but drunk. Sometimes the drunk turned into a falling down porcelin god kissing drunk. Alot of times were blackouts, but best of all
they are all past.
I can't relive the past, but I will not bring the past into my future. I wish you the best, hope3.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: berkshire massive..UK
Posts: 225
37 too. started getting drunk at 14. sporadic binger ever since.
done 3 months abstinence. twice. Just did my longest 5 months.
Now 2 days into my next longest. Im gonna have a beer on my 100th birthday ;-)
done 3 months abstinence. twice. Just did my longest 5 months.
Now 2 days into my next longest. Im gonna have a beer on my 100th birthday ;-)
Old & Sober Member of AA
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by bob123 
37 too. started getting drunk at 14. sporadic binger ever since.
done 3 months abstinence. twice. Just did my longest 5 months.
Now 2 days into my next longest. Im gonna have a beer on my 100th birthday ;-)
done 3 months abstinence. twice. Just did my longest 5 months.
Now 2 days into my next longest. Im gonna have a beer on my 100th birthday ;-)
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: road to recovery
Posts: 1,689
****{German69}}} welcome back! i've missed you and have been thinking of you.
i started at 14 and stopped at 42. i think i was aware that i had a problem for about 8-10 years--especially the past 5. this year was the first i asked for help and started going to aa and posting here. it's made all the difference.
i am hoping that 2007 is a better year--can't get much worse than this last one.
i started at 14 and stopped at 42. i think i was aware that i had a problem for about 8-10 years--especially the past 5. this year was the first i asked for help and started going to aa and posting here. it's made all the difference.
i am hoping that 2007 is a better year--can't get much worse than this last one.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 60
I drank every so often starting at 17. It started to get bad when I was 22. I'm now 25 and have 56 days of sobriety. I'm grateful my mom is in the program(16 yrs) and had the seed of AA planted early.
Jenn
Jenn
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 13
It's at least 20 years with several gaps in between. I can remember binging alone on gin & tonic my 18th birthday.
The severity of my drinking peaked last summer. I stopped drinking for a while and then it became full-blown again in August during a trip to Hawaii.
However, my drinking pattern changed. For many years it was either 8-10 beers or 2 litres of wine nightly but over the past few months I "limited" it to weekend binges.
And sadly, I didn't realize the full extent of my problem until yesterday at the end of my 9-day "weekend binge".
The severity of my drinking peaked last summer. I stopped drinking for a while and then it became full-blown again in August during a trip to Hawaii.
However, my drinking pattern changed. For many years it was either 8-10 beers or 2 litres of wine nightly but over the past few months I "limited" it to weekend binges.
And sadly, I didn't realize the full extent of my problem until yesterday at the end of my 9-day "weekend binge".
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boston Massachusetts
Posts: 41
I drank for a solid 5 years. (I'm 22)
Started with a very low tolerance and getting drunk after just a couple drinks. Half way through I started drinking to the point of vomiting and blacking out. I've reached the breaking point, and 17 days ago I made the decision to make alcohol a part of my past.
Started with a very low tolerance and getting drunk after just a couple drinks. Half way through I started drinking to the point of vomiting and blacking out. I've reached the breaking point, and 17 days ago I made the decision to make alcohol a part of my past.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Upstate, N.Y.
Posts: 4,639
I had my first drink when I was 17. I have been drinking for 23 years. I was over 1 year sober(1992) in that time period. Now I'm 40 years old and have been drinking heavier the last 2 years and hope to quit and be in recovery again in the new year.
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