Does this sound true to you...hmmm
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 778
Does this sound true to you...hmmm
My 33 year old neighbour from up the road walked past my house today, I said hi and waved, he came over to me.
A couple of years ago he told me he was an alcoholic. I never told him I was because I was ashamed and embarrassed, and because I hadn't faced the reality at that point.
Ive seen him walking past like once a month if I happen to be outside.
Long story short.......when he came up to me, we talked a bit about this that and the other, then I asked him how his drinking was going, and he told me that on a daily basis he starts drinking a large bottle (not a hip flask) of whisky at 9am as soon as the liquor shop opens and that's usually gone by 11am-12pm, then he watches tv fluffs around, then at about 3pm he starts drinking another large bottle of whisky which he finishes at 6pm. Sometimes only half of it.
He said hes never been in hospital because of his drinking, hardly vomits, shakes, sweats etc.
A couple of years ago he told me he was an alcoholic. I never told him I was because I was ashamed and embarrassed, and because I hadn't faced the reality at that point.
Ive seen him walking past like once a month if I happen to be outside.
Long story short.......when he came up to me, we talked a bit about this that and the other, then I asked him how his drinking was going, and he told me that on a daily basis he starts drinking a large bottle (not a hip flask) of whisky at 9am as soon as the liquor shop opens and that's usually gone by 11am-12pm, then he watches tv fluffs around, then at about 3pm he starts drinking another large bottle of whisky which he finishes at 6pm. Sometimes only half of it.
He said hes never been in hospital because of his drinking, hardly vomits, shakes, sweats etc.
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 778
I asked him twice if it was that amount every day, he said every day for usually a month, then a small break because he girlfriend threatens to kick him out, then he starts drinking secretly whilst shes at work, hence the 6pm finish time I suspect. I wondered that too. If he was exaggerating, why? Trying to be tough? I don't get it.
Yes and no. I lied actually. I said I have stopped drinking because I thought I drank too much, but went on to say I wasn't drinking alcoholically or anything. I just don't want him telling all my neighbours. He walks around talking to a lot of people around the neighbourhood.
Yes and no. I lied actually. I said I have stopped drinking because I thought I drank too much, but went on to say I wasn't drinking alcoholically or anything. I just don't want him telling all my neighbours. He walks around talking to a lot of people around the neighbourhood.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 508
I wonder why he poisons his body in that way?
Now I don't drink and when I tell others (problem drinkers) the immediate responses I generally get are the same excuses I used to try and justify my usage to myself!
Strange world we live in.
Thanks for this, BTW did you tell him you no longer drink?
Driving my wagon of hope through beautiful views on my road to myself
Now I don't drink and when I tell others (problem drinkers) the immediate responses I generally get are the same excuses I used to try and justify my usage to myself!
Strange world we live in.
Thanks for this, BTW did you tell him you no longer drink?
Driving my wagon of hope through beautiful views on my road to myself
Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 778
I don't know why? I don't know if anybody can drink that much without killing themselves - literally!
Yes I did tell him Ive stopped drinking but I lied and said it was just because I thought a drank a bit too much but not alcoholically. I don't want it spread around the neighbourhood. Hes a bit of a talker.
Yes I did tell him Ive stopped drinking but I lied and said it was just because I thought a drank a bit too much but not alcoholically. I don't want it spread around the neighbourhood. Hes a bit of a talker.
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 778
Thanks Soberwolf
He didn't seem drunk at the time. And I don't socialise with him. But youre 100% correct, I shouldn't be concerned if its true or not. Ive got my own sobriety to concern myself with. That's my priority along with supporting my fellow February classmates, people who WANT to be sober, not a neighbour who claims to drink 2 bottles of whisky and seems quite proud of the fact.
I know I shouldn't be.....but I am ashamed.
He didn't seem drunk at the time. And I don't socialise with him. But youre 100% correct, I shouldn't be concerned if its true or not. Ive got my own sobriety to concern myself with. That's my priority along with supporting my fellow February classmates, people who WANT to be sober, not a neighbour who claims to drink 2 bottles of whisky and seems quite proud of the fact.
I know I shouldn't be.....but I am ashamed.
Alive in the Superunknown
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: 30.47ºN, 98.15ºW
Posts: 1,460
Not sure how "big" his bottles are.
I knew a gal a while back who drank a 1.75L bottle of vodka a day, not counting the stash she kept at work. She knew she was in deep kimche, and tried quitting on her own, only to die self-detoxing.
If your neighbor wants a shot at the brass ring, he can get it ... but the price is very high indeed.
I knew a gal a while back who drank a 1.75L bottle of vodka a day, not counting the stash she kept at work. She knew she was in deep kimche, and tried quitting on her own, only to die self-detoxing.
If your neighbor wants a shot at the brass ring, he can get it ... but the price is very high indeed.
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 778
Im sorry about your friend. That's sad.
Oh he claims theyre the "large" bottles of whisky pffttt,
Ive since decided Im going to avoid him from now on. If I see him I will act busy and not look at him. I really don't want to hear that sort of diatribe. I got a little bit annoyed with what he said actually. Here I am newly sober and he seemed to be bragging about how much he can pour down his throat, and not suffer ANY withdrawl symptoms. Ive decided I don't have the time or interest in hearing such crap. Its important to me to not be surrounded by negativity. He didn't even say "Good on you for stopping"! That's very telling.
Oh he claims theyre the "large" bottles of whisky pffttt,
Ive since decided Im going to avoid him from now on. If I see him I will act busy and not look at him. I really don't want to hear that sort of diatribe. I got a little bit annoyed with what he said actually. Here I am newly sober and he seemed to be bragging about how much he can pour down his throat, and not suffer ANY withdrawl symptoms. Ive decided I don't have the time or interest in hearing such crap. Its important to me to not be surrounded by negativity. He didn't even say "Good on you for stopping"! That's very telling.
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 919
Yeah I don't think association with the dude can help you on your sobriety really. He has his own narrative to tell you, it may not be the truth. He might seem proud now, but I am sure he has problems. I wish him luck, he needs it. Keep on your path.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,237
I was one of those people that thought
I could drink anyone under the table or
could hold my liquor better than anyone.
Was I wrong.
My alcohol addiction was well and
alive inside me slowly eating away
at my mind, body and soul. Affecting
me mentally, physically, emotionally,
spiritually.
I thought I had everyone fooled because
no one around me ever thought I was
an alcoholic or had a serious problem
with drinking. Boy was I wrong.
It affected my actions and thoughts,
motor skills, speech where I had to
work harder to try and control them
so no one would ever notice how bad
I truly was.
It took from Feb. 1990 to go thru a
horrible accident running off the road
hitting a concrete culvert sitting on top
the ground at 2 am, for the EMT's to
cut me out of my wreckage, not remembering
the ride, spending 10 days with my punctured
spleen removed, many broken ribs, bones,
contusions.
I recovered very nicely for 3 months
without alcohol using just the pain pills
to heal. Aug. 1990 I went right back to
the same club, drinking, coming home
at 2am safely, but to another argument.
I was so tired, so sick and tired of feeling
like a failure as a mom and wife and not
being able to control my drinking that I
was ready to leave this world not even
thinking of the consequences of those
I would hurt especially my 2 little ones.
The authorities were called when
family stepped in with an intervention
to get me help I needed at that time in
my life. I was driven away feeling so
much hatred for what my family did
to me, so much shame, guilt etc.
I entered recovery with no alcohol
or poison in my system on August 11,
1990, some 25 yrs sober ago as I continue
living this gift of a new life with purpose
and responsibility passing on all the
knowledge of a recovery program that
saved my life and taught to me to others
still sick or struggling with this illness
of addiction.
Addiction is real. Addiction can kill.
Back in the day I would have kept my
addiction recovery quiet and to myself
for fear of not wanting anyone to know
how sick I really was or feeling like a
loser.
Today, I know im not a loser. I am
strong, mentally equipped with so
much important knowledge of addiction
that I feel it is important to pass it on
to those sick with it.
If a neighbor is sick I would try to help
them by sharing my own ESH - experiences,
strengths and hopes with them letting
them know where an AA meeting is
located or I could drive them to one,
or give them a number to call for help.
Any little thing to help is better than nothing.
I could pass on some little bit of hope
to them that they don't have to suffer
in silence from this disease or illness
alone and that there is help readily
available to all who want and need it.
I am just one small voice in recovery
to help even if it is just one person to
recovery because for every person I
pass that is still sick, then it reminds
me that that was me, that can be me,
but for the grace of my HP and a program
of recovery seed planted in me a many
25 yrs sober ago I am sober, healthy,
happy, honest in many areas of my life
today.
I could drink anyone under the table or
could hold my liquor better than anyone.
Was I wrong.
My alcohol addiction was well and
alive inside me slowly eating away
at my mind, body and soul. Affecting
me mentally, physically, emotionally,
spiritually.
I thought I had everyone fooled because
no one around me ever thought I was
an alcoholic or had a serious problem
with drinking. Boy was I wrong.
It affected my actions and thoughts,
motor skills, speech where I had to
work harder to try and control them
so no one would ever notice how bad
I truly was.
It took from Feb. 1990 to go thru a
horrible accident running off the road
hitting a concrete culvert sitting on top
the ground at 2 am, for the EMT's to
cut me out of my wreckage, not remembering
the ride, spending 10 days with my punctured
spleen removed, many broken ribs, bones,
contusions.
I recovered very nicely for 3 months
without alcohol using just the pain pills
to heal. Aug. 1990 I went right back to
the same club, drinking, coming home
at 2am safely, but to another argument.
I was so tired, so sick and tired of feeling
like a failure as a mom and wife and not
being able to control my drinking that I
was ready to leave this world not even
thinking of the consequences of those
I would hurt especially my 2 little ones.
The authorities were called when
family stepped in with an intervention
to get me help I needed at that time in
my life. I was driven away feeling so
much hatred for what my family did
to me, so much shame, guilt etc.
I entered recovery with no alcohol
or poison in my system on August 11,
1990, some 25 yrs sober ago as I continue
living this gift of a new life with purpose
and responsibility passing on all the
knowledge of a recovery program that
saved my life and taught to me to others
still sick or struggling with this illness
of addiction.
Addiction is real. Addiction can kill.
Back in the day I would have kept my
addiction recovery quiet and to myself
for fear of not wanting anyone to know
how sick I really was or feeling like a
loser.
Today, I know im not a loser. I am
strong, mentally equipped with so
much important knowledge of addiction
that I feel it is important to pass it on
to those sick with it.
If a neighbor is sick I would try to help
them by sharing my own ESH - experiences,
strengths and hopes with them letting
them know where an AA meeting is
located or I could drive them to one,
or give them a number to call for help.
Any little thing to help is better than nothing.
I could pass on some little bit of hope
to them that they don't have to suffer
in silence from this disease or illness
alone and that there is help readily
available to all who want and need it.
I am just one small voice in recovery
to help even if it is just one person to
recovery because for every person I
pass that is still sick, then it reminds
me that that was me, that can be me,
but for the grace of my HP and a program
of recovery seed planted in me a many
25 yrs sober ago I am sober, healthy,
happy, honest in many areas of my life
today.
Friendly Folk
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powers Lake, Wisconsin
Posts: 21,714
There is nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of. We are fighting and overcoming a disease called addiction. 2.5 million people suffer from addiction. Admitting that you are recovering is a milestone. We are stronger than we know. Anyone who understands addiction will be a support. Anyone else...I wouldn'the waste the energy on. Stay powerful and proud. Be true to yourself and to the ones who count. ♡CR
totfit
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Ft Collins, CO
Posts: 1,273
I don't think it out of reason at all that he drinks like that. Likely, he drinks like that because he "has to". He may be embellishing, but it kind of rings true. It is a horrible way to live, but if he has ever tried to slow down, he may figure he can't and he does not want to stop. I am just glad I don't have to live that way.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
I got to the point I was drinking a fifth of vodka a day many days a week.... no hospitals... no shakes.... no real hangovers (because I'd just get drunk again)....
plenty of blackouts...
anyway - I suppose it matters less what another's experience is or isn't in terms of how much they are pouring down their throats.
What matters is whether we ourselves have chosen sobriety, and have chosen it again, today.
plenty of blackouts...
anyway - I suppose it matters less what another's experience is or isn't in terms of how much they are pouring down their throats.
What matters is whether we ourselves have chosen sobriety, and have chosen it again, today.
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