Do I really have a problem?
Recently it was brought to my attention I may have a Drinking problem.
i don't drink during the week, but on weekends I do drink heavily. I do think there are times i start drinking and I have a hard time stopping.
i have never lost a job due to it, I always get up to take care of my responsibilities, I don’t keep buying booze till I’m broke, but there are times I can be confrontation when I drink.
i find drinking helps me relax from the craziness of my life. It can lead to some fights with my live loved ones. I believe there is where the problem is.
i do drink on weekends, but there are times I can go weeks without drinking then bam every weekend. Then I stop again.
so idk? Do I have a problem? Do I not want to recognize I have a problem? What are the warning signs?
if I do, what do I do now?
@amusingMoon4593
sounds like my spouse ..... he was a high functioning alcoholic .....
many think if they can do their day to day things they do not have a problem....... you do not need to lose a job or have even things like being caught driving etc to have a problem
if you have weekends that you get into fights/ disagreements with others ....... if you have a foggy recollection about those weekends .... if you think you are having one or two drinks and then see many empties......... maybe you should think about why when you start you go for it.......
the warning signs can be varied there is no one sign that proves it etc....... those around you brought it to your attention....... they are concerned........
@amusingMoon4593
I really appreciate your openness to consider whether you might be or not. That alone is a significant sign of being in a better spot than you could be.
I am in similar boat with cannabis. While the two are different in certain ways, I am constantly aware of being capable of crossing the line from enjoying it to being a "stoner" (eg. alcoholic). What I've been doing is setting boundaries and then being intentional not to cross them. It is not necessarily fun but I also don't want to get dependant on something.
@amusingMoon4593
Your starting to get confrontational when someone brings up the fact your drinking to much . You say you only drink on the weekends but your craving the taste and the buzz that comes from your drinking. You say you don't let your drinking interfere with your life or responsibility to your family. I can pretty much say from experience that have noticed the drinking is affecting your life one way or another. It will eventually affect your responsibilities, your relationship with family and friends. Even your job will be affected. I promise you that you will start spending more and more money to get that buzz and alcohol to feed that buzz. I am telling you this out of compassion as I myself am a recovered alcoholic and drug addiction. Addiction either drugs or alcohol know no bounds it will reach the point where it will consume more and more of your life. Please take care of yourself and try to be safe I have been where you are now and I know what can happen if it takes over your life.
Thank you.
I have to admit that was hard to read.
I really didn’t think I had a problem, but having read it like that, I can see it now. thank you for being honest but sensitive about it.
i don’t want to lose the important people in my life.
Now that I see the problem, how do I stop?
i don’t believe it has a reached a point that I can’t stop but when I do get cravings, what can I do?
@amusingMoon4593
Once again, I am encouraged by your openness to your self.
Which is, of course - as they say - the first step :)
@amusingMoon4593
You have just taken your first step you are admitting that you have a problem and that is encouraging, because it means that you are willing to work on achieving your sobriety. I won't sugar coat it will be hard but you have taken your first step in this process? Remember that you have a loving family who will be there to support you through this healing process. I will to amusingmoon4593 no one should do this alone. I have been where you are and I know that you can do it. I have been sober for 25 years. But remember just take it one day at a time. I will check this thread to see if you need anything . Because we are in this process together my friend.
@amusingMoon4593
As to the cravings you have to fight it the best you can . You will have them and you will probably succumb to them I will be honest with you I fell off the wagon alot before I sobered up . But each person path to sobriety is different what worked for me won't for you. I quit cold turkey and it worked for me. You my friend have your family talk to them they are your greatest tools in your road to sobriety. Also there is rehab and alcoholic anonymous among others. There are so many options available to you that wasn't when I was sobering up. Good luck my friend and I hope you have a wonderful day. Remember 1 day at a time.
So far I’ve been okay. I try to keep busy and any thought of drinking I try to push it out before the idea has a chance to grow more.
im trying to find other ways to relax. I have found some options that are not harmful.
if that didn’t work then I would have to look for help like AA. I’m hoping I can stop though. I did when I was pregnant so I know I can do it now.
thank you. I keep telling myself the same thing. One day at a time.
@amusingMoon4593
I hope you can find a way to get sobriety and yes there's plenty of safer ways to relax to release stress in your daily life. I really do apologize to you if I come across as being to harsh. It's because I have been through what you are going through. And I really do care about you and how you are doing. Even though we don't know each other but the pain of addiction you need all the you can get to find your sobriety. If I didn't care I would be even more brutally honest than I have been. So please take it one day at a time and please know that there are people who has been through the same thing and are willing to help you through it.❤️❤️
Good job you can do it I will help you out with this I know how it feels. It will take time but it will get better. That much I can assure you that you will have a gad day but the good days will outnumber the bad days it just takes hard work and patience.