Drinking too much but no major problems (yet)?...
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Drinking too much but no major problems (yet)?...
Are you on this forum because you can sense that alcohol may be becoming problematic for you, but as you read about some of the consequesnces that others have experienced through their drinking, you are saying, "but that hasn't happened to me" (let's add a "yet" to that statement). If so, then this might be for you...
Among today’s incoming A.A. members, many have never reached the advanced stages of alcoholism, though given time all might have.
Most of these fortunate ones have had little or no acquaintance with delirium, with hospitals, asylums, and jails. Some were drinking heavily, and there had been occasional serious episodes. But with many, drinking had been little more than a sometimes uncontrollable nuisance. Seldom had any of these lost either health, business, family, or friends.
Why do men and women like these join A.A.?
The seventeen who now tell their experiences answer that question. They saw that they had become actual or potential alcoholics, even though no serious harm had yet been done.
They realized that repeated lack of drinking control, when they really wanted control, was the fatal symptom that spelled problem drinking. This, plus mounting emotional disturbances, convinced them that compulsive alcoholism already had them; that complete ruin would be only a question of time.
Seeing this danger, they came to A.A. They realized that in the end alcoholism could be as mortal as cancer; certainly no sane man would wait for a malignant growth to become fatal before seeking help.
Therefore, these seventeen A.A.’s, and hundreds of thousands like them, have been saved years of infinite suffering. They sum it up something like this: “We didn’t wait to hit bottom because, thank God, we could see the bottom. Actually, the bottom came up and hit us. That sold us on Alcoholics Anonymous.”
You can read those people's stories here (on the link to the AA SA site, or in the Big Book of AA under 'We Stopped in Time.'
Alcoholics Anonymous > Is AA For You? > The AA Big Book > They Stopped in Time
You don't have to dig any further down. You can stop lots of those 'yets' from happening.
I hope you decide to do so. The alternative isn't good.
BB
Among today’s incoming A.A. members, many have never reached the advanced stages of alcoholism, though given time all might have.
Most of these fortunate ones have had little or no acquaintance with delirium, with hospitals, asylums, and jails. Some were drinking heavily, and there had been occasional serious episodes. But with many, drinking had been little more than a sometimes uncontrollable nuisance. Seldom had any of these lost either health, business, family, or friends.
Why do men and women like these join A.A.?
The seventeen who now tell their experiences answer that question. They saw that they had become actual or potential alcoholics, even though no serious harm had yet been done.
They realized that repeated lack of drinking control, when they really wanted control, was the fatal symptom that spelled problem drinking. This, plus mounting emotional disturbances, convinced them that compulsive alcoholism already had them; that complete ruin would be only a question of time.
Seeing this danger, they came to A.A. They realized that in the end alcoholism could be as mortal as cancer; certainly no sane man would wait for a malignant growth to become fatal before seeking help.
Therefore, these seventeen A.A.’s, and hundreds of thousands like them, have been saved years of infinite suffering. They sum it up something like this: “We didn’t wait to hit bottom because, thank God, we could see the bottom. Actually, the bottom came up and hit us. That sold us on Alcoholics Anonymous.”
You can read those people's stories here (on the link to the AA SA site, or in the Big Book of AA under 'We Stopped in Time.'
Alcoholics Anonymous > Is AA For You? > The AA Big Book > They Stopped in Time
You don't have to dig any further down. You can stop lots of those 'yets' from happening.
I hope you decide to do so. The alternative isn't good.
BB
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 342
BB
I am thanking you from the bottom of my heart
Not the rock bottom thank God.
It's definitely been there staring right bAck at me the bottom of the pit!
The jaywalker comes to mind!
I know that story too well.
Sober today and taking ownership of my precious life back!
Great post!
G
I am thanking you from the bottom of my heart
Not the rock bottom thank God.
It's definitely been there staring right bAck at me the bottom of the pit!
The jaywalker comes to mind!
I know that story too well.
Sober today and taking ownership of my precious life back!
Great post!
G
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,965
Great thread! I was at an AA meeting 9mo ago and a lady had taken off her lunch break because she "needed a meeting". She stated her drinking habits and they didn't seem 'too bad', BUT they were causing issues in her life.. She then said;" Thankfully the "rock bottom 'bar' to realize you need help,has been risen in recent years." Really stuck with me.. I mean.. I've had many rock bottom moments,but not as bad as some,but alcohol was causing some messed up stuff with/in my life and head.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 172
I am totally in that boat. No one thinks I have an issue, I can stop to go to sleep but need to be drunk enough to feel satisfied. As far as I know I don’t have any long term health issues, but the way I have obsessed on if I have an issue makes me think based on my bar, I have a real fear of the progression of drinking and alcoholism
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 1,301
The main problem that hit me besides health and withdrawl was the fact it hit me how much time I was wasting and that I didn't seem to be going anywhere. I also read how emotionally we don't mature while drinking. I don't want to be a perpetual 15 year old or 25 year old or whatever the rest of my life.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Originally Posted by Offthemast 
The main problem that hit me besides health and withdrawl was the fact it hit me how much time I was wasting and that I didn't seem to be going anywhere. I also read how emotionally we don't mature while drinking. I don't want to be a perpetual 15 year old or 25 year old or whatever the rest of my life.
https://youtu.be/Li0_uKx-NTo
BB
Ps and that was one of my old drinking buddies who I always thought was much 'worse' than me. Actually he is now. Only leaves his house to buy booze and very basic food in the small hours. Sleeps in the day and drinks through the night. Yet HE was concerned about MY drinking.
Hears The Voice
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Unshackled
Posts: 7,901
Brilliant post BB. 
In 1992 I thought my drinking was sufficiently abnormal to warrant going to AA. I heard stories from people who had:
All I could think sitting in those meetings in 1992 was I haven't done any of those things, so I must not be an alcoholic. So back out I went.
By the time I joined this forum I had done most of those things, and I was no longer interested in doing the rest of them before I took action. And, oh how I wished I could have heard the similarities I had with those people in 1992 instead of the differences.
In 1992 I thought my drinking was sufficiently abnormal to warrant going to AA. I heard stories from people who had:
- Lost their job because of drinking
- Drank in the mornings
- Drank every day
- Drank at work
- Spent days in a blackout
- Been arrested
- Had a DUI
- Lost their families
- Been hospitalized
- Lost their homes
- Alienated friends and family
All I could think sitting in those meetings in 1992 was I haven't done any of those things, so I must not be an alcoholic. So back out I went.
By the time I joined this forum I had done most of those things, and I was no longer interested in doing the rest of them before I took action. And, oh how I wished I could have heard the similarities I had with those people in 1992 instead of the differences.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
good stuff there, my friend. i say this about a lot of the big book, but this truly is my favorite part. its truly a blessing to hear people have a genuine humility to say something similar to,"my drinking isnt bad, but i know it will get worse if i let it. i better do something about it."
then theres ones like me. yeah but.
yeah, but i can find another job.
yeah but __________ was really at fault.
yeah but__________ is way worse than me.
yeah but........
when i got into AA and listened to the thinking thing, it was quite remarkable.
no matter what stage of alcoholism people seemed to get help at, they had the same thinking as me.
a change of persepective was good- instead of looking at the actions, looking at the thinking showed me just how much im like the gutter drunk AND the weekend binger.
36 when i got sober, i was about 13 mentally and emotionally.
some days that was 13 months.
then theres ones like me. yeah but.
yeah, but i can find another job.
yeah but __________ was really at fault.
yeah but__________ is way worse than me.
yeah but........
when i got into AA and listened to the thinking thing, it was quite remarkable.
no matter what stage of alcoholism people seemed to get help at, they had the same thinking as me.
a change of persepective was good- instead of looking at the actions, looking at the thinking showed me just how much im like the gutter drunk AND the weekend binger.
36 when i got sober, i was about 13 mentally and emotionally.
some days that was 13 months.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 327
Thank you for posting this.
I had both my primary care doctor and cardiologist tell me I didn't have to stop drinking wine, just "cut back".
My blood work numbers were good and my doctor asked me why I was so worried.
I was worried because too many times I said "this time I'll only have a glass or two" but would drink the bottle.
I would wake up with a headache, feel like garbage, and ask myself why I drank the bottle....again.
I didn't hit rock bottom, and didn't drink as much as some, but I'm in my fourties and could see where this road was going to take me.
I told my wife if I drink like this another 10 or 20 years I'm going to have some major issues in my 50's or 60's.
I hit 60 days this weekend and feel better everyday. I'm grateful that I caught myself early and for all of you who have shared your experiences. They mean a lot.
I had both my primary care doctor and cardiologist tell me I didn't have to stop drinking wine, just "cut back".
My blood work numbers were good and my doctor asked me why I was so worried.
I was worried because too many times I said "this time I'll only have a glass or two" but would drink the bottle.
I would wake up with a headache, feel like garbage, and ask myself why I drank the bottle....again.
I didn't hit rock bottom, and didn't drink as much as some, but I'm in my fourties and could see where this road was going to take me.
I told my wife if I drink like this another 10 or 20 years I'm going to have some major issues in my 50's or 60's.
I hit 60 days this weekend and feel better everyday. I'm grateful that I caught myself early and for all of you who have shared your experiences. They mean a lot.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Originally Posted by J50
Thank you for posting this.
I had both my primary care doctor and cardiologist tell me I didn't have to stop drinking wine, just "cut back".
My blood work numbers were good and my doctor asked me why I was so worried.
I was worried because too many times I said "this time I'll only have a glass or two" but would drink the bottle.
I would wake up with a headache, feel like garbage, and ask myself why I drank the bottle....again.
I didn't hit rock bottom, and didn't drink as much as some, but I'm in my fourties and could see where this road was going to take me.
I told my wife if I drink like this another 10 or 20 years I'm going to have some major issues in my 50's or 60's.
I hit 60 days this weekend and feel better everyday. I'm grateful that I caught myself early and for all of you who have shared your experiences. They mean a lot.
I had both my primary care doctor and cardiologist tell me I didn't have to stop drinking wine, just "cut back".
My blood work numbers were good and my doctor asked me why I was so worried.
I was worried because too many times I said "this time I'll only have a glass or two" but would drink the bottle.
I would wake up with a headache, feel like garbage, and ask myself why I drank the bottle....again.
I didn't hit rock bottom, and didn't drink as much as some, but I'm in my fourties and could see where this road was going to take me.
I told my wife if I drink like this another 10 or 20 years I'm going to have some major issues in my 50's or 60's.
I hit 60 days this weekend and feel better everyday. I'm grateful that I caught myself early and for all of you who have shared your experiences. They mean a lot.
Docs can only see what's in front of them. Not all the effects of alcohol abuse are physical. Some of the worst ones (in my opinion)are not. I know so many people who have had failed suicide attempts due to alcohol abuse, and have heard of too many successful ones. One girl in her early 20s who hung herself from a tree the day before she was due to go into rehab. Very, very sad. Self loathing is a dangerous thing,
BB
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,620
Originally Posted by J50
I was worried because too many times I said "this time I'll only have a glass or two" but would drink the bottle.
I would wake up with a headache, feel like garbage, and ask myself why I drank the bottle....again.
I would wake up with a headache, feel like garbage, and ask myself why I drank the bottle....again.
What is common to all real alcoholics is the loss of control once we take the fatal first drink, that and the loss of choice as to whether we will have that first drink or not. Control and choice, just those two things.
It is a wonderful thing when an individual has the insight to see what is happening and can get help before crossing some of those other lines. Why go through the misery if you don't have to?
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