Hi Everyone
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Hi Everyone
Just joined the forum and I am glad to be here. For anyone that reads this.. I just want to say thanks for spending time reading.
I am not too good with being personal and acknowledging to others that I have a problem, but I think it has pretty much reached that point to where I realize that things have spiraled out of my own control. I have been struggling with drinking alcohol for about 4 years. I am almost 25 and ever since I turned 21 alcohol has really helped me dissolve any daily problems that usually control me on a daily basis (I am sorry to say that on a sobriety forum, but I feel like at times it has helped me ease through certain things from time to time). However I am very scared of how it is getting.
When I really started to drink often, 6 beers could pretty much get me buzzed and feeling good. It has been about a year or so and I am now drinking 12 beers a night to get the same feeling. I am starting to crave it almost every night. When I don't have it the time seems to pass by much slower and I think of how much better things could be going if I did have alcohol. I am an atheist and so that has turned me off from seeking help from AA because I feel like a lot of their philosophy is based on believing in God which I do not agree with. Although I would like to seek some serious help with what I am going through.
I am getting scared that if I keep up this pattern I will soon be too far gone to be helped. If you have any advice please give it to me. I really need it.
I am not too good with being personal and acknowledging to others that I have a problem, but I think it has pretty much reached that point to where I realize that things have spiraled out of my own control. I have been struggling with drinking alcohol for about 4 years. I am almost 25 and ever since I turned 21 alcohol has really helped me dissolve any daily problems that usually control me on a daily basis (I am sorry to say that on a sobriety forum, but I feel like at times it has helped me ease through certain things from time to time). However I am very scared of how it is getting.
When I really started to drink often, 6 beers could pretty much get me buzzed and feeling good. It has been about a year or so and I am now drinking 12 beers a night to get the same feeling. I am starting to crave it almost every night. When I don't have it the time seems to pass by much slower and I think of how much better things could be going if I did have alcohol. I am an atheist and so that has turned me off from seeking help from AA because I feel like a lot of their philosophy is based on believing in God which I do not agree with. Although I would like to seek some serious help with what I am going through.
I am getting scared that if I keep up this pattern I will soon be too far gone to be helped. If you have any advice please give it to me. I really need it.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 577
here's a link to a part of the forum with non-religious recovery ideas.
Secular Connections - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
that being said, I know a lot of agnostics & a few atheists in AA......
keep coming back to SR, & good luck!!
Secular Connections - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
that being said, I know a lot of agnostics & a few atheists in AA......
keep coming back to SR, & good luck!!
as a sober contributor
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: California
Posts: 1,312
Welcome to SR
You have made a great choice to join us here as there are lots of good people who are ready to help you through any problem related to recovery.
Take the time to read some of our experiences so you can get an idea of what may be in store for you if you continue down the road you are on. Accepting that you have a problem is the first step towards making a better life for yourself.
I sure wish I had the stopped drinking when I was your age, instead it took me another 30 years! You have most of your life ahead of you so please take a good look at where you are and where you want to be in the future because it is not too late to make a change for the better.
I can guarantee that a life without alcohol will be infinitely better than the life of a drunk.
Hope to read more posts from you as you work towards sobriety!
Take the time to read some of our experiences so you can get an idea of what may be in store for you if you continue down the road you are on. Accepting that you have a problem is the first step towards making a better life for yourself.
I sure wish I had the stopped drinking when I was your age, instead it took me another 30 years! You have most of your life ahead of you so please take a good look at where you are and where you want to be in the future because it is not too late to make a change for the better.
I can guarantee that a life without alcohol will be infinitely better than the life of a drunk.
Hope to read more posts from you as you work towards sobriety!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,432
Hi and welcome JustForKicks 
there's actually quite an array of secular recovery options nowadays: SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Rational Recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)...
I'd encourage you to check them all out - and do visit our Secular Connections forum as well
there's also of course the go it alone approach...just using SR has worked for me...you'll find support for all those and more here
D
there's actually quite an array of secular recovery options nowadays: SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Rational Recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)...
I'd encourage you to check them all out - and do visit our Secular Connections forum as well
there's also of course the go it alone approach...just using SR has worked for me...you'll find support for all those and more here
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
thank you for making me feel welcome hope, and for giving me that link coral. hopefully when I wake up tomorrow I will feel as motivated to recover as I do tonight. Much Love
/edit thank you Dee. it helps knowing that there are other people on this forum that are going through or have gone through what i'm going through right now.
/edit thank you Dee. it helps knowing that there are other people on this forum that are going through or have gone through what i'm going through right now.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 821
Hi JustForKicks-
You sound a lot like me in my early twenties. I began drinking nightly and I didn't hate drinking yet either. I found it helpful and fun. Not so much 10 years later but, I understand where you are coming from.
I dont do AA and have found relief through RR (on secular recoveries board) not because I am an atheist just because AA was not for me. Good luck, jkb
You sound a lot like me in my early twenties. I began drinking nightly and I didn't hate drinking yet either. I found it helpful and fun. Not so much 10 years later but, I understand where you are coming from.
I dont do AA and have found relief through RR (on secular recoveries board) not because I am an atheist just because AA was not for me. Good luck, jkb
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 8
Hey JustForKicks,
Can very much relate to how you are feeling. I have also been struggling with drinking for 4 years - I turn 24 this year. AA hasn't worked so far for me either.
I signed up here a few days ago and I wish that I had known it existed earlier. Everyone is very helpful and I'm about to start looking at the Secular Connections section in more depth.
All the best
Can very much relate to how you are feeling. I have also been struggling with drinking for 4 years - I turn 24 this year. AA hasn't worked so far for me either.
I signed up here a few days ago and I wish that I had known it existed earlier. Everyone is very helpful and I'm about to start looking at the Secular Connections section in more depth.
All the best
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,560
Hi JustForKicks. Welcome! We're glad you found us. This is a great place.
I drank like that in my 20's too. I remember being buzzed on 2 beers. As you said, it takes more & more to achieve the same result. Fast forward 30 years, I was up to a 30-pack a day with some vodka thrown in. I wasn't high and happy - I was miserable, anxious, scared, and sick. I was also driving while drunk, making a total fool of myself in all areas of my life. This will not be you! You've had the sense to take action at a young age. Your life won't spiral out of control due to our 'progressive disease'.
Congratulations on your life saving decision. You can do this. Please keep posting and let us know how you're doing. We care about you.
I drank like that in my 20's too. I remember being buzzed on 2 beers. As you said, it takes more & more to achieve the same result. Fast forward 30 years, I was up to a 30-pack a day with some vodka thrown in. I wasn't high and happy - I was miserable, anxious, scared, and sick. I was also driving while drunk, making a total fool of myself in all areas of my life. This will not be you! You've had the sense to take action at a young age. Your life won't spiral out of control due to our 'progressive disease'.
Congratulations on your life saving decision. You can do this. Please keep posting and let us know how you're doing. We care about you.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,066
Here's my advice:
(I am 50 years old, and my wife and I are sober just over 100 days. I joined SR on 12-12-12 because I am an atheist and had questions about AA.)
There is not one single thing you will gain in life by drinking. Your life will be better if you do not drink, especially since it appears you have the same problem most of us here have.
Yes, alcohol is pervasive in our world. If you have questions about how you will fit in as a non-drinker, please post them here.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,499
Welcome, and I'm so glad you found us.
My drinking lasted three years and it increased so much as time went on, it was shocking. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and it will continue to worsen unless you take action. I'm glad you recognize that you need to stop drinking.
My drinking lasted three years and it increased so much as time went on, it was shocking. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and it will continue to worsen unless you take action. I'm glad you recognize that you need to stop drinking.
Clear Eyes Full Heart
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,272
You're very smart to catch this early on, as it does progress, and the consequences get more serious as you go along as well. I remember when I used to think drinking calmed me down and helped me get through things, but now, after almost 7 months sober I realize that's not the case at all. I am so much less stressed and anxious than when I was drinking. I'm able to attack problems instead of obsess over them. It's nice to feel emotions instead of numbing everything too. Welcome aboard
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