Ghostman

Hi, I am new here. I did post one time about a month ago though.

Anyways, I am kinda trying to slow down.
My life is going pretty good for the most part..

It is just I had been drinking a little more and more,
and I had never had a drinking problem in the past,
I also take anti depressants and my ADD meds..

I don't think I have a problem with my prescription meds,
but I am having a hard time trying to slow down the drinking.

I have not been to an AA meeting before, and would rather just slow
down on my own.. but I am wondering if I should be looking for a sponsor
or something, to help me with this?

Anna

There are other methods besides AA to stop drinking, though AA works for many people. If you decide to go to AA meetings, then it is likely you would need a sponsor.

SR has a lot of good information and support.

I could NEVER slow down, at least not for very long. For me, I had to stop. Trying to slow down, just had me obsessing about drinking. I was relieved when I finally just stopped.

intention

Hi Ghostman,

If you are talking about a sponsor as in an AA sponsor, the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking, so no a sponsor will not help you to just slow down drinking.

It's great that you have recognised that your drinking has become a problem. There are other ways of dealing with this other than AA but ultimately most people who find that they can't control their drinking find that they have to stop completely or just be compelled to carry on.

Keep reading the experiences here and see what you indentify with. Take care.

Ghostman

Thanks! I like that advice.
And I will make it a point to come on here more and do that.
I think this site may be more helpful to me in this area.
I don't know if I really want to stop completely, I just don't want it to
be a problem. It never used to be, but then I never used to drink that much.

Ghostman

Thanks Anna.. How long did it take for you once you stopped completely, before you didn't find it to be a problem anymore?

intention

I understand. I only ever drink wine, never any of the hard stuff. It took me a very long time to come to terms with my alcoholism because of this.

Fubarcdn

Welcome to SR Ghostman.
I use SR for my support to quit drinking and it works for me so there is no sponsor just concerned new friends that help me through the rough spots.
I tried slowing down for about 40 years and it worked for a while but then I was back to drinking excessively again.
I finally took the plunge and quit completely and now I sometimes wish I hadn't spent those 40 years in my love affair with booze.
Good luck on the path that you decide to travel.

Ghostman

Hey, I like your quote.. Only positivity, no negativity..
I had become in a firm believer in positive energy over time.

Yes, I like that too, that you get your support from SR members,
Sounds like there are some cool people on here!
That is a good way to get support it sounds like!

Anna

Well, it took weeks for me to feel normal again, physically and emotionally. The physical desire and cravings were less of a problem, than the mental issues. The thing is, drinking is a symptom. We use alcohol because we don't want to deal with stuff. So, when we stop drinking, there it is and we have no choice but to deal with it.

shaun00

Hello sir and welcome to sr.
do you think you are an alcoholic..?

I think there are some links on s.r to help you look hard at your drinking.
there may be some members at AA that can help you with that.
and you wouldnt need a sponsor for that.

AA sponsors are there for one job and one job only imo.
and that is to guide you through the 12 steps using their own experience and the big book.
the 12 steps is a suggested programme of action laid out simply in the book "alcoholics anonymous."..

if i can be of any help please feel free to pm me........and/or take a trip over to twelve step support.

As has been said there is also other recovery methods and programmes
which other on sr have found very useful.
you may want to look into that also.

Horselover

Wine was my evil buddy too. I never touched the hard stuff and could pass it up easily, but when given wine watch out. Alcohol never did me any favors for sure. The struggle on cutting back tired me out to no end, but that was me.

Welcome back to SR Ghostman. I hear you on not wanting to eliminate alcohol completely. I was there for quite a time myself. Just couldn't fathom life without it. Hope you find what you are looking for. SR is a great start and a great reference with people with many years of sobriety to those with just a day or so. I get so much from both ends of the spectrum.

Ghostman

Hey thanks! It has already proved helpful to me. I like talking to other people on here who have or had similar experiences!
I think my prescriptions don't help much, cause they make me feel fairly sober even after I had several beers.. I think that is part of the problem I am having with alcohol.

Ghostman

Hey, thanks! That is really cool of you!

Oh, BTW I used to live out there too when I was younger,
close to windsor area. Pretty cool!

Ghostman

Oh wow!! I am a little concerned now, that could be the case for me too!!

I do find it to be a bit of an escape from reality, now you mention it.

shaun00

odd........i grew up on the outskirts of ascot....10 miles from windsor.
although born in west london......now living in the sw.