Introduction
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
Introduction
Hello,
I'm an expat 20 years in Japan, running my own business and now faced with divorce and loss of my children. Have been drinking daily for some years. It was very rarely to excess until the past 6-8 months. It is now time to stop and make some serious lifestyle changes. I have few resources here due to language and lack of general support options in this culture. Hoping to find a bit of a home on this forum.
Due to my circumstances, I've decided to get checked for depression--for that, I have been able to find an English speaking psychiatrist.
I'm going to try to check in daily here. My schedule is hard, 10-12 hours/day, but I hope to spend at least 20-30 minutes each evening browsing site resources and viewing threads that might be helpful.
I'm an expat 20 years in Japan, running my own business and now faced with divorce and loss of my children. Have been drinking daily for some years. It was very rarely to excess until the past 6-8 months. It is now time to stop and make some serious lifestyle changes. I have few resources here due to language and lack of general support options in this culture. Hoping to find a bit of a home on this forum.
Due to my circumstances, I've decided to get checked for depression--for that, I have been able to find an English speaking psychiatrist.
I'm going to try to check in daily here. My schedule is hard, 10-12 hours/day, but I hope to spend at least 20-30 minutes each evening browsing site resources and viewing threads that might be helpful.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Somewhere in California
Posts: 1,136
This is a great resource, particularly if your options are limited. Sorry to hear about your family situation. You are right to have identified the problem you have with drinking and to resolve to change things.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,504
I think it's a good plan to come here and read and post. Even though your work days are long, my advice is to try to keep balance in your life. Talking to a psychiatrist is also a good idea if your suspect depression is a problem.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,251
Hi and welcome armce. It is good to have you here. Wow, 20 years in Japan... I am only 10 years into my life in my adopted country and can relate so much to those feelings of solitude that surface from language issues and not finding or having available support options that you once knew. The frustration is immense and the stress of dealing with such a hard to categorise or explain issue to those not living it can become exhausting and take its toll.
I think making an appointment with a psychiatrist is an excellent and proactive first step. That is a very solid move in the right direction. It is even greater that you were able to find an English speaking one.
Do keep checking in here and reading. It is a great site, very easy to navigate, with a ton of information, experiences from many different people and full of very helpful members.
I think making an appointment with a psychiatrist is an excellent and proactive first step. That is a very solid move in the right direction. It is even greater that you were able to find an English speaking one.
Do keep checking in here and reading. It is a great site, very easy to navigate, with a ton of information, experiences from many different people and full of very helpful members.
paradox
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 665
Welcome, armce.
I'm an expat as well.
AA helped me to get, and stay, sober.
Fortunately, for me, I haven't got a language barrier (sort of).
Have you checked out aatokyo.org ?
Quite a few English speaking meetings in Tokyo.
They list meetings outside of Tokyo as well.
Worth a phone call; even if you decide not to go.
I'm an expat as well.
AA helped me to get, and stay, sober.
Fortunately, for me, I haven't got a language barrier (sort of).
Have you checked out aatokyo.org ?
Quite a few English speaking meetings in Tokyo.
They list meetings outside of Tokyo as well.
Worth a phone call; even if you decide not to go.
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Arm,
This place saved my life.
Any alcohol related question were answered quickly.
This site quickly gave me the knowledge to overcome my addiction to booze for the last 18 months.
If you are ready to quit, this place is all many of us have needed.
There are also many high time AA folks here w that advice as well. I am lucky AA is there for me.
I am an AVRT proponent now, but I definitely started...1 day at a time.
Stay clean.
This place saved my life.
Any alcohol related question were answered quickly.
This site quickly gave me the knowledge to overcome my addiction to booze for the last 18 months.
If you are ready to quit, this place is all many of us have needed.
There are also many high time AA folks here w that advice as well. I am lucky AA is there for me.
I am an AVRT proponent now, but I definitely started...1 day at a time.
Stay clean.
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