Drinking every day...
Posted , 75 users are following.
Hello. I've just signed up here because I thought it might help to acknowledge somewhere, in some small way, that I have a problem with alcohol. And maybe compare notes with other people and their experiences. I'm not ready to tell friends and family yet. I'm in my late 30s and for a long time (4 years) I have been drinking something every day (with very occasional alcohol free spells) - it varies between 2-6 cans each night. Always just in the evening. The daily amount I consume isn't enormous - but over time it's become a seemingly unbreakable habit, and of course I worry about the long term health effects. I've got used to waking up with a woolly head or a hangover. My mind has an incredible duality - every morning I resolve to stop but by the evening I crave it all over again. I get so frustrated with my lack of self control. It's not social drinking - I live alone and most of my drinking is done alone. Often I'll even find myself turning down social invitations because drinking alone in my flat seems so much more pleasurable (I'm a shy and very socially anxious chap). On my own there's no-one to raise an eyebrow, or suggest that I've had enough. It's like the ultimate love/hate thing. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can de-stress me quite like alcohol - but I also know this effect is temporary and that my stress will often come back worse in the morning. I'm concerned about quitting altogether because then my friends will want to know why - and I'll have to admit that there was a problem. It feels shameful somehow. I feel my relationship with alcohol is very different to that of other people; for example I'm always amazed when I see people with half drunk bottles of wine in the fridge. If I ever have any alcohol in the house with me it gets drunk that same day! Anyway, I'm going to try and quit, starting today. I'll let you know how I get on : )
10 likes, 182 replies
Itsmealex1989 peter97822
Posted
I drink about 6 - 10 beers a day. When I can I drink about 7 to 10 shots if possible depending on how much I work. I am currently 26 years old I've been divorced , I've had numerous relationships but currently I drink really so I can go to sleep I love the effects of alcohol I'm currently drinking 10 beers a day I purchase a lot of booze average $120 every 3 days Canadian I don't know why. I work a lot 60 hours a week. Alcohol is my life. I stopped smoking weed about 1 year ago as of today it is July 4th 2016 I just cannot control my alcohol abuse and 26 years old. Some may think it's all about partying. I just love to drink if I'm not drinking I am not happy if I am not drinking I cannot sleep alcohol is my life my favorite includes tequila and when i drink tequila it's about 20 shots in one night. I just love it so much I don't know if I'm an alcoholic but sometimes I wish I could just drink and die. When I was 18 19 really I drank so much I drank about 2-26 ers a day , it felt amazing that was after my first relationship break up it meant a lot butt I drank so much I just couldn't handle myself I drink to be free to feel dead. I just want to know am I an alcoholic or just a drinker I love booze It's My Life
ADEfree Itsmealex1989
Posted
You're an alcoholic, that is to say you have an Alcohol Use Disorder. You have the right to expect that you could feel fine without the booze, though you may find that you have a depression or something of the sort underlying your drinking.
I was drinking about 12 beers a day when I started The Sinclair Method. Over 5 months my drinking went up and down, mostly down, till June when I suddenly stopped drinking most nights. The handy thing about it was that it didn't require stopping cold turkey, I just wanted to drink less and less over the months.
There's a trans-Canada resource you can use, it's The Interior Chemical Dependency Office and they offer telehealth sessions. If you would like to know more, let me know and I'll PM you the details.
Itsmealex1989 ADEfree
Posted
helen_03929 peter97822
Posted
Hi Peter your story is the same as mine. Quite scary when you realise it's creeping up on you ! I've experienced exactly what you have. Live alone drink alone! It's going to be hard to stop but I must stop. I lost my mum a year ago very sudden she was very young and I've found it hard to cope. Drink has taken over ! I've been drinking a lot over the last year and have not gone more than two days without one !! How are you doing ?? X
Kateleighn helen_03929
Posted
Hello Helen,
I'm sorry for the pain you have experienced. Always here to chat if you need to.
gwen45436 Kateleighn
Posted
Hi Guys, I don't live alone but wine oclock is 6pm until 9pm, I drink if upset, excited, fed up or whatever.
Helen - truly sorry for your loss. Very painful. I too am here if you want to chat. It's good to talk.
Gwen x
Kateleighn gwen45436
Posted
Hi Gwen,
I was doing that too, almost every night, I had to stop. And I have so far.
My best to all of you out there struggling. It's not cake walk, when you realize, enough is enough.
gwen45436 Kateleighn
Posted
ADEfree gwen45436
Posted
Gwen, take a look at this page here on Patient:
https://patient.info/health/sinclair-method-for-alcohol-use-disorder
Kateleighn gwen45436
Posted
Hi Gwen,
I was exactly the same way. It was a love, hate relationship. I tried to stop quite a few times. But each time I got sad, depressed, happy, bored, moody, lonely.. etc. etc. I would get a glass of wine. I can't drink huge amounts because I get drunk very quickly, so for me 3 good size glasses of wine, I'm lit. And go through the same as someone with a high alcohol tolerance. Each time I stopped, I knew it was the right thing to do. At first it's really hard, and still even now, it is. A few months into it, but the bad of it all, just outweighted that momentary or even just an hour or two of rush feelings. So I stopped, I can't drink a sip. I can't go near it and I can't smell it. I am now learning to be with people that do still drink and not follow that urge. I don't like pills, but if someone needs them to avoid withdrawals, then I say, whatever gets you through. I wish you the best of luck. I'm always around if you need to chat. <3
gwen45436 ADEfree
Posted
Hi ADE - yes I have read this before - very very interesting and I am due back at the docs for a tummy issue but will speak to her about it as I have come clean to her about my problem and she referred me to a Smart Recovery place. But I bet she has never heard of it. I honestly think this is the only way I can do it. Thanks bud
gwen45436 Kateleighn
Posted
Thanks hun - its good to share stories - its 5pm now and I still don't want one - why can't this feeling last until bed time then go a full night without - jeez that has not happened in 40 years, my internal organs only function because I eat well and healthy and drink loads of water daily, otherwise I would be up there looking down on these messages.
Btw - where abouts are you - UK?
G.
ADEfree gwen45436
Posted
Kateleighn gwen45436
Posted
No, I'm in the USA
And yes, I know what you mean. I never look down on any messages, big or small, addiction is addiction. Doesn't matter if I drank only 2 glasses, or 3, or even 1 every night. The addiction is real when it becomes something that you need, rather than something that you want, and the choice is no longer yours. So I hear and understand where EVERYONE is coming from. It's so hard because alcohol is so easy to get. It's advertised in every commercial, tv show, and movie. It's for the "in crowd". Only they don't show you what happens after the fun stops.
<3
Misssy2 Kateleighn
Posted
omg...SO TRUE Kate...that they don't show what happens after the fun stops.....
I used to think that all the time when I left a family function...everyone thought I was great, funny and all that stuff....and I would lay in bed the next day and think....YEA...LOOK AT ME NOW.
gwen45436 ADEfree
Posted
Thanx bro
gwen45436 Kateleighn
Posted
Hey Kate - lol by looking down on these messages what I meant was up there is Heaven (hopefully) looking down - I am quite sure that after 40 years of daily drinking I should not be on this earthly plane,I think good food and exercise has kept me alive. And dont get me started about alcohol being easy to get - my hubs loves to stock the bar - with everything - spirits, beers, lagers, the works. He can have one or none, for me - it is a daily nightmare. The fun stops when you go to bed nice and relaxed, sleep for 4 hours then wake up - disgusted with yourself.
What a nightmare - good to talk tho - thanks to you and all who read the posts who respond - really helps
x
Kateleighn gwen45436
Posted
Oh.. LOL.. sorry. hahaha.
It was great chatting with you too Gwen.
Anytime.
Take care and have a wonderful night. I'll be sending you some strength.
Keep us updated.
<3
ADEfree gwen45436
Posted
I started TSM in January after 30 years of daily drinking, Gwen. 80+ drinks per week, couldn't do much the next day other than nap and wait for 5pm when I'd start drinking again. The last month I've had 6 drinks, most days have been dry and it feels quite natural.
Best luck! Hope all goes well for you and I look forward to reading your posts!
Lilypuds gwen45436
Posted
Omg I hear you .... every morning I say this has got to stop but by the time I get in from work it's give me a glasss ...... just awful