Finally asking for help
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
Finally asking for help
Hello, my name is Hope and I am an alcoholic. I'm 28 and I've been a heavy drinker for 4 years. Nobody knows the kind of drinker I am because I'm good at hiding it. I'm finally falling apart and o need help. I've tried telling friends and family but I am too embarrassed. How do I stop?
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 874
Hi, Hope. You have a lot of company here. Read some of the posts, and check out the different sections of the site. That's a good place to start. No doubt many others will chime in, too.
Welcome to SR. It has been invaluable to me.
Welcome to SR. It has been invaluable to me.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 503
Hi Hope, it's great that you've found this site. And don't stop reaching out to your family. My 26 y.o. Son had a problem with alcohol long before all the problems started happening. I wish that he had come to us much much earlier.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 662
Welcome Hope, this is a great site to learn and find support from others who have been there and/or are still experiencing it.
My drug of choice is heroin, but addiction is addiction in my book. Unfortunately there is no standard way to stop. In my experience I couldn't stop until I wanted recovery more than anything in the entire world. It became life or death, I can continue and die or quit and live; I choose life. At first I didn't want my entire family to know, but I found that when I was finally truly ready for recovery I wanted everyone to know- I wanted no more secrets and I needed all the emotional support I could get. I needed it all out in the open before I could truly recover.
Start making a plan for how you are going to avoid people, places, and things. List your triggers and then consider how you will handle those situations without alcohol. Have you considered meetings, counseling or going to a doctor?
Read around, there is so much on here it is an invaluable resource.
My drug of choice is heroin, but addiction is addiction in my book. Unfortunately there is no standard way to stop. In my experience I couldn't stop until I wanted recovery more than anything in the entire world. It became life or death, I can continue and die or quit and live; I choose life. At first I didn't want my entire family to know, but I found that when I was finally truly ready for recovery I wanted everyone to know- I wanted no more secrets and I needed all the emotional support I could get. I needed it all out in the open before I could truly recover.
Start making a plan for how you are going to avoid people, places, and things. List your triggers and then consider how you will handle those situations without alcohol. Have you considered meetings, counseling or going to a doctor?
Read around, there is so much on here it is an invaluable resource.
Brother of the Wolf
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Walking With Giants
Posts: 436
Getting sober is the best decision that I have ever made. Some of my family was not entirely supportive when I made the decision to get sober, but it was more important for me to get everything out in the open than it was to have a perfect reaction from everyone. And when everything is out in the open, it os easier to ask for the help and support that you need to get and stay sober.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
After a weekend of a drunken stupor I finally came clean to my mom. I called into work bought a pint of vodka and after the short thrill I realized I really have a problem. My mom always knew apparently. I'm making the first step by going to AA tomorrow. I need help and I finally admitted it.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gulf Coast, USA
Posts: 2,229
Welcome Hope. Great job on taking a stand. It is going to take your commitment, but you won't regret the decision to quit drinking. I sure wish I had quit when I was your age.
Lean on us to help you through the tough times. By the way, nothing to be embarrassed about either. Let your actions do the talking by staying strong.
Welcome aboard.
Lean on us to help you through the tough times. By the way, nothing to be embarrassed about either. Let your actions do the talking by staying strong.
Welcome aboard.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
Thank you for the positive feedback. Alcohol has ruined every relationship I've ever had. It only ruins the positive things in my life. I'm really going to have to make some changes when it comes to my lifestyle, but I'm ready to be the best I can be. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there.
Today's Muse
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West end
Posts: 1,081
I found this website many years ago. It was a very useful tool for me. Just knowing there are others out in the world struggling and suffering, in the same way, is a comfort. A comfort in knowing you are not alone. There is hope, always.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,066
Hello, Hope!
I think you'll find that the program of AA deals with these concerns you have. I'm glad that you're going to a meeting, and posting here.
Originally Posted by Hope1987 
I recently got broken up with so I've increased my intake. I don't want to be this person. I want to learn how to be happy...sober.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Lovely of your mum to come to your first meeting with you.
Many of our loved ones do find it hard dealing with us alcoholics. She might find the AlAnon is helpful to her if she is supporting you.
It's also important to recognise that although she can give you moral support, at the end of the day, there will be times where only you can do the work, and sometimes that's not comfortable. She'll also have very limited understanding of what you're going through.
It's likely that ladies in AA will give you their numbers. You might be tempted to not take or use them, because after all, you have your mum to support you. Can I suggest that you do take and use those numbers though.
Good luck at your first meeting. Hope it's a good one. (I blubbed most of the way through my first one.)
Many of our loved ones do find it hard dealing with us alcoholics. She might find the AlAnon is helpful to her if she is supporting you.
It's also important to recognise that although she can give you moral support, at the end of the day, there will be times where only you can do the work, and sometimes that's not comfortable. She'll also have very limited understanding of what you're going through.
It's likely that ladies in AA will give you their numbers. You might be tempted to not take or use them, because after all, you have your mum to support you. Can I suggest that you do take and use those numbers though.
Good luck at your first meeting. Hope it's a good one. (I blubbed most of the way through my first one.)
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