Trying to come to terms
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 451
Trying to come to terms
I realize my social drinking habit has become a problem. I need partners in reducing this and encouraging me. I feel alone and now drink secretively. Perhaps some kindred spirits here who have been through it all can help me turn thinks around.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Midwest, USA
Posts: 1,022
Admitting you have a problem is a big first step, many people aren't even getting that far. Good work.
There are lots of stories on this forum that will sound very familiar to you. Welcome aboard! I think you'll see, you're not alone in this at all, part of a very large fraternity, actually..
There are lots of stories on this forum that will sound very familiar to you. Welcome aboard! I think you'll see, you're not alone in this at all, part of a very large fraternity, actually..
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 451
It is frightening to believe that something has slipped up on me like this. It is not difficult to avoid drinking during the week when I am working. I appreciate your understanding and support. I am not going to pretend that I can get through this quickly. It will probably always be a struggle. I think more objective voices than my family, especially from people who have walked a mile in my shoes, will help me get my arms around this.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 451
Thank you for your support. One of the reasons I turned to alcohol for more than social reasons was a misguided effort to cope with a condition I have developed called Tinnitus. For me it is a persistent and 24-7 ringing in my ears, particularly the right ear. It makes sleep difficult, which in itself causes anxiety that can lead to drug dependence. I have prescription drugs to help me sleep, which is not good if mixed with alcohol. I try to keep a good distance between them. The doctor says that Tinnitus will never go away, I just have to live with it. It is like a life sentence. Alcohol helps temporarily, but then it returns even worse than before.
Thank you for writing to me.
Thank you for writing to me.
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
(((((Vet69)))))
WELCOME to Sober Recovery. You have found a place where folks are more than will to share their Experience, Strength and Hope (ESH) with others.
You will as you peruse this site that you very definitely are NOT alone. Many of us have been where you are now, and yes, it has been a struggle for many of us to find a cleaner, different, sober way to live and enjoy life!
I too was once where you are now, but stayed in denial of what was happening, and ended up taking my addiction to alcohol to the MAX. I won't go into it here but you are welcome to read it, if you so choose:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-my-story.html
I can tell you that I do not wish or want to see 'My MAX' on anyone else.
You have taken the first step, you have admitted you have a problem. Now you have the chance by reading around on this site, to use one of several different 'programs' that have helped many, programs like SMART, AA, RR (Rational Recovery).
Just know that there are many success stories on here, we even have a whole topic of them:
Stories of Recovery - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
So read at your leisure, feel free to ASK QUESTIONS as we all had/have them and know that you now have thousands walking with you in spirit.
Love and hugs,
WELCOME to Sober Recovery. You have found a place where folks are more than will to share their Experience, Strength and Hope (ESH) with others.
You will as you peruse this site that you very definitely are NOT alone. Many of us have been where you are now, and yes, it has been a struggle for many of us to find a cleaner, different, sober way to live and enjoy life!
I too was once where you are now, but stayed in denial of what was happening, and ended up taking my addiction to alcohol to the MAX. I won't go into it here but you are welcome to read it, if you so choose:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-my-story.html
I can tell you that I do not wish or want to see 'My MAX' on anyone else.
You have taken the first step, you have admitted you have a problem. Now you have the chance by reading around on this site, to use one of several different 'programs' that have helped many, programs like SMART, AA, RR (Rational Recovery).
Just know that there are many success stories on here, we even have a whole topic of them:
Stories of Recovery - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
So read at your leisure, feel free to ASK QUESTIONS as we all had/have them and know that you now have thousands walking with you in spirit.
Love and hugs,
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Gatineau, QC, CA
Posts: 5,100
Glad you found us! For me it was a sneaky progression, by the time I realized and was honest with myself I was in over my head.
13 days in and happy like never. Don't get me wrong, everything in my life is not fixed yet. But by not drinking I am not adding more on top of the pile.
People here have and are still helping me daily with their stories so similar than mine. I hope you find the warmth of people here comforting.
13 days in and happy like never. Don't get me wrong, everything in my life is not fixed yet. But by not drinking I am not adding more on top of the pile.
People here have and are still helping me daily with their stories so similar than mine. I hope you find the warmth of people here comforting.
AlmA
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Marbella Spain
Posts: 714
Hi Vet,
You took a huge step confronting the problem.
Sorry about your illness, maybe you should search for healthy ways to cope with it...
Have you tried meditation? you to learn to disconnect of your thoughts/noise,
as they are a clouds that is pass by... is there but separate it. Try it!
You have lots of advice here that will help you.
Best wishes in your recovery...
You took a huge step confronting the problem.
Sorry about your illness, maybe you should search for healthy ways to cope with it...
Have you tried meditation? you to learn to disconnect of your thoughts/noise,
as they are a clouds that is pass by... is there but separate it. Try it!
You have lots of advice here that will help you.
Best wishes in your recovery...
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 77
I read Laurie's post...wow. If that isn't an inspirational story I don't know what is. Thanks. I'm only on day 26 Vet69, but please stick with it. I feel so much better. The first week was hell, I won't lie. But after the withdrawals ceased, everyday gets better. Physically I have not felt this good in years. Waking up without a hangover, etc. I'm still a little tired here and there, but this is going to take some time. I take it one day at a time and read this website daily. Stay strong, you can do this.....
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,445
Hi Vet 
welcome to SR
I have tinnitus too - had it all my life...I hope eventually you'll get used to it
In my long progression to all day everyday drinking I was once a 'weekend warrior' type drinker too - I tried cutting back but it seems I only have one speed - full on.
wishing you the best tho
D
welcome to SR
I have tinnitus too - had it all my life...I hope eventually you'll get used to it
In my long progression to all day everyday drinking I was once a 'weekend warrior' type drinker too - I tried cutting back but it seems I only have one speed - full on.
wishing you the best tho
D
Kaleidoscope eyes
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 5,243
Originally Posted by Vet69 
Thank you for your support. One of the reasons I turned to alcohol for more than social reasons was a misguided effort to cope with a condition I have developed called Tinnitus. For me it is a persistent and 24-7 ringing in my ears, particularly the right ear. It makes sleep difficult, which in itself causes anxiety that can lead to drug dependence. I have prescription drugs to help me sleep, which is not good if mixed with alcohol. I try to keep a good distance between them. The doctor says that Tinnitus will never go away, I just have to live with it. It is like a life sentence. Alcohol helps temporarily, but then it returns even worse than before.
Thank you for writing to me.
Thank you for writing to me.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5,937
Welcome, Vet69! Tinnitus isn't curable but there are ways to deal with and mitigate it. Masking, where you use white noise to cover it up, can be helpful. And there's tinnitus retraining where you basically train your ear/brain combo to filter the sound out. There are courses on CD that you can get. Tinnitus affects lots of people and can range from intermittent and mildly annoying to very very bad.
As the other folks have pointed out, using booze to medicate often results in a worse problem than the one you were trying to fix. My drinking started out as just weekends and at parties but over the years it grew steadily until I was drinking every single day. I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't quite it only would have been a matter of a few more years before it have killed me or caused me irreparable harm. You are smart to be thinking of it now!
As the other folks have pointed out, using booze to medicate often results in a worse problem than the one you were trying to fix. My drinking started out as just weekends and at parties but over the years it grew steadily until I was drinking every single day. I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't quite it only would have been a matter of a few more years before it have killed me or caused me irreparable harm. You are smart to be thinking of it now!
Mini Novel Post Writer
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,649
Hi Vet69,
Weekend binge drinker here too who had no trouble during the work week (unless I could find a way to plan a reason to drink). Also suffer from tinnitus. This is why I turn the tv on when I go to bed. At least hearing something kind of makes it more unnoticeable. It's annoying!
I'm glad that you came here, read, read, read and post, post post. There's a lot of support on this board coming from like minded people who you'll be able to identify with.
Weekend binge drinker here too who had no trouble during the work week (unless I could find a way to plan a reason to drink). Also suffer from tinnitus. This is why I turn the tv on when I go to bed. At least hearing something kind of makes it more unnoticeable. It's annoying!
I'm glad that you came here, read, read, read and post, post post. There's a lot of support on this board coming from like minded people who you'll be able to identify with.
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