Alcoholism

LegacyUser

Hi,
I'm a 27 year old alcoholic.

I started drinking when I was 15 and havn't missed a weekends drinking since then.

I started an apprenticeship (and drugs) when I was 17, so by the time I was 19 I was making a few quid.

Its been downhill ever since, I've probably missed 7 or 8 nights drinking in eight years. It started of with maybe a few pints after work and a few cans at home. I'm now at the stage wher it's 8 cans minimum at home, every night.

I went to few AA meetings and heard some crazy stories about alcoholism and they made my problems seem minor. I know there not minor though, 8+ cans every night isn't normal but I'd feel like an eejit standing up in AA and confessing to this after some of the hardcore **** people get of ther chest at AA.

Maybe I just need a good kick up the hole, but I was hoping sombody on here could provide some alternatives to AA.

Odysseus

Unregistered wrote: »

Hi,
I'm a 27 year old alcoholic.

I started drinking when I was 15 and havn't missed a weekends drinking since then.

I started an apprenticeship (and drugs) when I was 17, so by the time I was 19 I was making a few quid.

Its been downhill ever since, I've probably missed 7 or 8 nights drinking in eight years. It started of with maybe a few pints after work and a few cans at home. I'm now at the stage wher it's 8 cans minimum at home, every night.

I went to few AA meetings and heard some crazy stories about alcoholism and they made my problems seem minor. I know there not minor though, 8+ cans every night isn't normal but I'd feel like an eejit standing up in AA and confessing to this after some of the hardcore **** people get of ther chest at AA.

Maybe I just need a good kick up the hole, but I was hoping sombody on here could provide some alternatives to AA.

As you know from attending meetings its about the effect your drinking has had in your life. AA is not about confessing it about sharing how your life is. You GP can perscibe some meds to help with your cravings such as campral. Another option would be to access a therapist through your Alcohol Services.

Your unlikely to stay sober without some form of help. You could also try some different meeting where you feel comfortable, or just share about how you feel in those meeting your attending. I sure someone in the room will be able to identify about initally struggling to fit in. It sounds like your hearing alot of war-stories in the ones you attending and that's not what recovery is about.

Hope this helps.

My name is URL

Meditation can help, it's not easy to teach yourself how to truly meditate though so if you're gonna try it, do some research first.

It's suggested that in some cases it's as effective as medication for treating addiction

http://www.eleusis.us/well-program/meditation.php

It won't be easy, but knowing you have a problem and being willing to deal with it is half the battle

all the best

LegacyUser

Ive tried a few meetings. All the people there were 30+ and talking about hammering the vodka and whiskey in a big way. They were talking about broking marriages and estranged kids. It was hardcore stuff and made me feel like an eejit. I know I need to stop drinking but these guys were on a different level.

Is AA all thats out there?

LegacyUser

I was exactly the same as you, I never crashed a car, lost a job or spent a night in jail due to drink. Most of the folks who come in at your age (and I came in at 27) don't have the same horror stories as older drinkers. For one, we recognise earlier that we have a problem, folks are more educated as to what is normal and what is not.

You don't need to win this competition. Go along to several meetings in several locations, you usualy find that the city centre meetings have more folks under thirty. Give it maybe two weeks and then see how you feel.

Finally, if you are planning to give up drink, increase your sugar intake as much as you can. Alcohol is a form of sugar, and increasing it in your diet will reduce the craving. Get lots of water too, you don't want to be dehydrated. You might find your sleep patterns are affected. You may want to sleep a lot more, or not sleep at all. This is normal, and it will pass. A trip to the Doctor may be necessary, give it some thought.

In Ireland, AA is the most common volunteer organisation dealing with drinking problems; I could be wrong about that, but its the one I've heard of. I do hope things go well for you and that you succeed. Good luck.

Odysseus

Unregistered wrote: »

Ive tried a few meetings. All the people there were 30+ and talking about hammering the vodka and whiskey in a big way. They were talking about broking marriages and estranged kids. It was hardcore stuff and made me feel like an eejit. I know I need to stop drinking but these guys were on a different level.

Is AA all thats out there?

Its about the subjective effects that the alcohol had on your life. I would suggest that you done get caught up in the different but rather focus on the similarities instead. You rock bottom as they call is as valid as the ones you metioned above. AA would argue that its your denial that has you thinking like.

Its giving you away out, "I'm not as bad as these guys". Generally people get their early and have a cup of coffee before the metting starts. Why not get there abit early and have a chat with some of the group members about the difficulties you having.

I gave you some other opitions, however, I have seen alot of people get clean and sober and those who do best attend 12 step fellowships. If you not going to go I would suggest you follow the 2 options I gave you. You GP and attend you local Alcohol Services. They will provide a free counselling service. Where at you based? I might have some contact details for you local Alcohol Services

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. Yous have giving me alot to think about.

I didn't even know doctors could prescribe drugs or that even upping my sugar intake would help with the cravings. I'm going to try a few city centre meetings this week.

Thanks again for replying

Phoenix_Rising

AA isnt a competition, your story is your story and nobody will look down on you because you havent lost a job or a marriage because of drink. In AA there is a phrase "I have alot of not yets"- which means I havent yet lost a job because of drinking, i havent yet been arrested because of my drinking, i havent yet lost my relationship because of my drinking - but all these things may happen if i pick up a drink.

You have alot of not yets - that is a good thing. If you can get a handle on drink now then you wont have lost too much as a result of your drinking.

I drank very similarly to you for many years - 6/ 8 cans or two bottles of wine every night. I honestly thought i could not survive without it. It was only when i stopped drinking that i realised all the things i missed out on because of those cans. Trips away with friends ( as i couldnt control how much drink would be available) trips out to the cinema, theatre, even the pub ( again, beacuse i couldnt control the availability of alcohol), oppertunities in work , in friendships, in relationships etc. I lost those things to my 8 cans per night.

You might think that giving up drink is difficult, and it is, i wont sugar coat that for you - but it is easier than continuing to drink.

PM me if i can be of any help at all.

LegacyUser

There is another saying in AA "listen for the similarities, not the differences".

My dad hadn't lost his family, job or sanity when we tried to get him to go to AA when I was young. But when he did eventually start going to meetings (some 15 years later) all these things had happened.

Don't wait till alcohol has ruined your life completely before taking action! Take action now!

Goodluck! There is more to life than being drunk!

iguana

Unregistered wrote: »

Is AA all thats out there?

There are alternatives but they aren't as common and are hard to find, especially in Ireland. I'd suggest talking to your GP first and if your GP is unsympathetic (as unfortunately some can be) go to another one. You can talk about seeing a counselor who is specifically trained to deal with alcohol abuse.

You can look online for AA alternative groups like Rational Recovery and Smart Recovery. I don't believe either has a presence in Ireland, but they could possibly have advice if you contact them. And I know Smart Recovery has a forum like boards, so you could get online peer support, at the very least.

Some people have said that books like Alan Carr's or a lesser known book, Phoenix in a Bottle have been very helpful.

There are lots of online support groups and counselors.
http://www.brighteyecounselling.co.uk/
http://www.addictioninfo.org/
http://www.habitdoc.com/
http://www.addictionsearch.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4

There is no harm in trying AA and you may find it helpful if you stick with it. The "sponsor" programme is a good one. However there are alternatives if you look for them.