DownUnder

To anyone reading I am new to sober recovery so hello to all.

So I have recently been seeing a psychologist and my excessive use of alcohol was brought up, and it's strange because I have never really considered myself an alcoholic till we started talking about how excessive this behaviour has become.
I live in Australia so drinking a lot isn't exactly frowned upon and knowing the employees at the liquor store is a pretty normal thing. I guess it's just part of the culture or something. I even used to drink on the job with my work mates, hence why it has never come to light or been thought about until now. I feel like being able to talk to people in the same boat about it might help, not sure if I am ready for proper meetings though. Almost like once I admit this has become a problem it is something I have to face, and that feels extremely daunting.

Coldfusion

You could choose to not face the problems that alcohol causes, but my experience with that was not good.

Just keep posting here and stay sober one day at a time.

Stevie1

Hello, DU!

Never mind your current culture - do YOU feel you are drinking too much, or not in control?

I am guessing yes, since you searched, found and signed up here.

LSC1

Hi Down Under

to SR.

You will find a quite a few Aussies here.

It is great you are seeking help.

Keeping posting. Keep reading.

Come and join us in chat. Aussie hour kicks in around 9pm each night.

Hawks

G'day DU

Melbourne here.

I grew up in the same drinking culture.

Rugby League clubs and aftermatch functions from the age of 15-16.

Drank like fish.

Most of the guys grew out of it, but I didn't.

Booze pervades the culture of most western countries, it's not just an Australian thing.

Welcome aboard mate.

SoberLeigh

Welcome, DownUnder, to SR. In the USA and am headed off to sleep but wanted to welcome you.

obosob

G'day mate!
You beauty!

Best thing that ever happened to me in relation to alcohol was finding SR, it's dinky di mate.

Same as an aussie have all the same cultural issues.....

Keep posting here and join the monthly group, So October 2014 for you!

Good luck blue!

Dee74

Hi and welcome DownUnder

I'm an Aussie too. For many years I just accepted it was normal to binge drink and be on a first name basis with the local bottlos.

I have a lot of friends now who either don't drink at all, very rarely, or very sparingly.

There really is more of those kinds of people than you think DU

D

DownUnder

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, I was actually quite nervous about posting anything but now I know there are good people out there with similar circumstances I feel much better about it. I do think drinking has become a serious issue of mine, I guess I will just have to take things one day at a time.

Thanks again, DU

MavisTheFairy13

Hi and welcome

dcrr

I hear where you are coming from. Canadians are no exception to the drinking culture. On top of that, I am entering a field of employment with a large drinking culture attached to it. We have to stay focused on our goals and as it has been said time and again, take it one day at a time.

Marcher13

Hi Downunder

I'm Aussie too, I've been sober thanks to SR for almost 20 months.

As Dee said heavy drinking is way less the norm than we imagine when we are drinking alcoholically. It seems normal because that is what we know and, in the news, the media likes to hype it up. A lot of people live their lives either drinking moderately or not at all, I've joined the latter category because I have no idea how to moderate.

It's a fabulous life and it can be your's too.

JanieJ

Hi Downunder from the UK, where the drink culture is also huge.

Glad you found us !

Soberwolf

Hi your definatly not alone welcome to SR

PurpleKnight

Welcome to the Forum DownUnder!!

least

Welcome to the SR family. I got sober for good almost five years ago and am glad I did. Just wish I'd done it sooner.

You'll find a lot of support here. And the good thing is that there's always someone here, any time of day or night.