Hard to Admit
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 6
Hard to Admit
Hi,
I'm having a hard time admitting that I'm alcoholic. I guess because I know that means I have to stop drinking.
I regularly drink more than I should. I work from home and will start drinking before the work day is over. While my wife will go out to bars with me, I regularly hide drinking from her. We have fought over my drinking several times. I know that I need to be more reponsible about my drinking.
Looking for either the strength or the wisdom to know what to do. Can I drink like a 'normal' person? Do I quit forever?
I know if I don't change something I will ruin my marriage.
Thanks for any input.
I'm having a hard time admitting that I'm alcoholic. I guess because I know that means I have to stop drinking.
I regularly drink more than I should. I work from home and will start drinking before the work day is over. While my wife will go out to bars with me, I regularly hide drinking from her. We have fought over my drinking several times. I know that I need to be more reponsible about my drinking.
Looking for either the strength or the wisdom to know what to do. Can I drink like a 'normal' person? Do I quit forever?
I know if I don't change something I will ruin my marriage.
Thanks for any input.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Welcome WantBetterDays. I could have written the same story - I drank more than I wanted to, hid it from my wife and family, caused arguments, etc.
I tried in vain to "moderate" my drinking and drink like a "normal" person for quite some time. I tried drinking only a certain number of beers, only drinking after a certain time, only drinking on certain days, only drinking light beer, mixing NA beer with regular beer, drinking only in groups, drinking only alone.....you get the point, right? EVERY single time I always ended up returning to every day binge drinking.
So for me, acceptance of my addiction and not drinking at all was the only possible way out. SR has been instrumental in helping me learn to live sober, I hope it can be of help to you too no matter what choice you make.
I tried in vain to "moderate" my drinking and drink like a "normal" person for quite some time. I tried drinking only a certain number of beers, only drinking after a certain time, only drinking on certain days, only drinking light beer, mixing NA beer with regular beer, drinking only in groups, drinking only alone.....you get the point, right? EVERY single time I always ended up returning to every day binge drinking.
So for me, acceptance of my addiction and not drinking at all was the only possible way out. SR has been instrumental in helping me learn to live sober, I hope it can be of help to you too no matter what choice you make.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,869
Hello and welcome:
In your heart, you KNOW. You need to answer all those questions so my suggestion would be to start reading here. I had so many misconceptions about what an alcoholic is when I started my journey, so educating myself really opened up my eyes and helped me make the decisions I needed to make. One of the things that helped me the most was reading other peoples experiences here. It helped me relate, learn and be inspired. Ultimately I made the decision I need to quit drinking. I wanted to make my life what I wanted it to be. I did not want to be that person anymore.
I'm so glad that you found us.
You are not alone!!!
In your heart, you KNOW. You need to answer all those questions so my suggestion would be to start reading here. I had so many misconceptions about what an alcoholic is when I started my journey, so educating myself really opened up my eyes and helped me make the decisions I needed to make. One of the things that helped me the most was reading other peoples experiences here. It helped me relate, learn and be inspired. Ultimately I made the decision I need to quit drinking. I wanted to make my life what I wanted it to be. I did not want to be that person anymore.
I'm so glad that you found us.
You are not alone!!!
Hears The Voice
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Unshackled
Posts: 7,901
Originally Posted by WantBetterDays 
I'm having a hard time admitting that I'm alcoholic. I guess because I know that means I have to stop drinking.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 6
The feedback has been great. I've read a lot today and I think (hope) it is giving me a new perspective. Having a difficult evening so far as I'm alone with my wife working out of town and temptation is strong. So far so good. Thanks for all who replied and to all of those who have shared their stories in other posts. It is quite helpful.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
Ok. Not gonna lie. Netflix has really helped me in my sobriety. I used to obsess about alcohol, now I look forward to the shows. Those shows you can binge watch. Orange is the new black, mad men and house of cards.
The first few days/weeks were usually spent crying in bed, mourning the loss of my best friend and obsession. But once you get through that haze, give yourself a reward at the end of each day. Did I mention how fabulous mornings become?
Hang in there
The first few days/weeks were usually spent crying in bed, mourning the loss of my best friend and obsession. But once you get through that haze, give yourself a reward at the end of each day. Did I mention how fabulous mornings become?
Hang in there
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 93
Ignore the alcoholic label if it helps. There can be a lot of baggage that comes with it that makes quitting drinking even more unattractive. Instead why not focus on living a healthy lifestyle that is free of alcohol?
You're still going to need a sobriety plan. L
I too wfh and Ive tried moderation a few times after periods of sobriety and it doesnt work at all for me. Theres just too much freedom and the drinking alone trigger in my office is a strong one I suck at avoiding.
You're still going to need a sobriety plan. L
I too wfh and Ive tried moderation a few times after periods of sobriety and it doesnt work at all for me. Theres just too much freedom and the drinking alone trigger in my office is a strong one I suck at avoiding.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,502
You don't need to label yourself an alcoholic. I don't like the label either. But, I can't and don't drink because alcohol tried its best to destroy me and my life. Trying to moderate my drinking was so stressful and annoying and things ended up getting worse. Stopping drinking was a relief. There is life after alcohol.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by EJP
Ignore the alcoholic label if it helps. There can be a lot of baggage that comes with it that makes quitting drinking even more unattractive. Instead why not focus on living a healthy lifestyle that is free of alcohol?
You're still going to need a sobriety plan. L
I too wfh and Ive tried moderation a few times after periods of sobriety and it doesnt work at all for me. Theres just too much freedom and the drinking alone trigger in my office is a strong one I suck at avoiding.
You're still going to need a sobriety plan. L
I too wfh and Ive tried moderation a few times after periods of sobriety and it doesnt work at all for me. Theres just too much freedom and the drinking alone trigger in my office is a strong one I suck at avoiding.
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