General
Sponsored by

Alcoholic living a lie

9,999 Views | 59 Replies | Last: 14 days ago by JamesPShelley
jickyjack1
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Whatever BS is spread about AA by people who don't know anything about it, there is one thing it is important that everybody know: nobody will ever be turned away from AA for lack of money.
jickyjack1
agneck
How long do you want to ignore this user?
"Most people pray to go to heaven,
Alcoholics pray to get out of hell."
Ogre09
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
The other big truth you need to realize is that addicts are liars. They have to lie to themselves every single day to keep doing what they're doing to themselves. They won't think twice about lying to the people that love them and that they claim to love. It's who they are, or who their disease turned them into if you want to think about it that way. So expect them to lie, and doubt what they tell you.
Gil Renard
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
BTHOFlorida
Seamaster
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
What's an alcoholic?

Where is the threshold where one goes from "a guy who enjoys a drink" to an "alcoholic?"

After 10-12 years of drinking pretty darn regularly, but never to excess, I recently decided that I was probably an alcoholic.

Almost every evening I'd drink either 3/4s a bottle of wine or 2-3 pours of bourbon on ice. I wouldn't get "drunk." I hate being drunk. But I developed a habit and dependency and thought I was just "taking the edge off."

Recently, I woke at 3am, with a bourbon headache, and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit telling me that if I didn't stop, something terrible would happen. I am not sure what - DUI? Cirrhosis?

So I've stopped completely. I don't want to drink ever again.

I think God has been sending me signs about it for a while. A lot of people I admire once drank and quit when they were about my age (45).

I never developed a sincere physical addiction- no shakes or anything, but the habit was there and I was on the path.

It's only been a short while but I am already appreciating what it feels like to be sober at night and clear headed in the morning.

JP76
How long do you want to ignore this user?
And that's the problem with all addictions. No one starts off wanting to be an addict but it slowly grows on you. As time goes by the demon slowly takes over you and you don't even realize until the oh **** moment hits you. For some this comes sooner, for some it never comes. My grandfather told me at a young age "too much of anything is never good for you". At the time I was young and didn't think much of it. 35 years later I finally get what he meant.
Hill08
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Seamaster said:

What's an alcoholic?

Where is the threshold where one goes from "a guy who enjoys a drink" to an "alcoholic?"

After 10-12 years of drinking pretty darn regularly, but never to excess, I recently decided that I was probably an alcoholic.

Almost every evening I'd drink either 3/4s a bottle of wine or 2-3 pours of bourbon on ice. I wouldn't get "drunk." I hate being drunk. But I developed a habit and dependency and thought I was just "taking the edge off."

Recently, I woke at 3am, with a bourbon headache, and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit telling me that if I didn't stop, something terrible would happen. I am not sure what - DUI? Cirrhosis?

So I've stopped completely. I don't want to drink ever again.

I think God has been sending me signs about it for a while. A lot of people I admire once drank and quit when they were about my age (45).

I never developed a sincere physical addiction- no shakes or anything, but the habit was there and I was on the path.

It's only been a short while but I am already appreciating what it feels like to be sober at night and clear headed in the morning.




It wasn't god. It was your friends, family but most importantly yourself. You made the change. Nothing else. Congrats
Scotts Tot
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Hill08 said:

Seamaster said:

What's an alcoholic?

Where is the threshold where one goes from "a guy who enjoys a drink" to an "alcoholic?"

After 10-12 years of drinking pretty darn regularly, but never to excess, I recently decided that I was probably an alcoholic.

Almost every evening I'd drink either 3/4s a bottle of wine or 2-3 pours of bourbon on ice. I wouldn't get "drunk." I hate being drunk. But I developed a habit and dependency and thought I was just "taking the edge off."

Recently, I woke at 3am, with a bourbon headache, and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit telling me that if I didn't stop, something terrible would happen. I am not sure what - DUI? Cirrhosis?

So I've stopped completely. I don't want to drink ever again.

I think God has been sending me signs about it for a while. A lot of people I admire once drank and quit when they were about my age (45).

I never developed a sincere physical addiction- no shakes or anything, but the habit was there and I was on the path.

It's only been a short while but I am already appreciating what it feels like to be sober at night and clear headed in the morning.




It wasn't god. It was your friends, family but most importantly yourself. You made the change. Nothing else. Congrats

I'm sure that telling a person of faith that their breakthrough was based entirely on delusion will be a great encouragement. Thanks for this wonderful contribution.
fc2112
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Seamaster said:

What's an alcoholic?

Where is the threshold where one goes from "a guy who enjoys a drink" to an "alcoholic?"

After 10-12 years of drinking pretty darn regularly, but never to excess, I recently decided that I was probably an alcoholic.

Almost every evening I'd drink either 3/4s a bottle of wine or 2-3 pours of bourbon on ice. I wouldn't get "drunk." I hate being drunk. But I developed a habit and dependency and thought I was just "taking the edge off."

Recently, I woke at 3am, with a bourbon headache, and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit telling me that if I didn't stop, something terrible would happen. I am not sure what - DUI? Cirrhosis?

So I've stopped completely. I don't want to drink ever again.

I think God has been sending me signs about it for a while. A lot of people I admire once drank and quit when they were about my age (45).

I never developed a sincere physical addiction- no shakes or anything, but the habit was there and I was on the path.

It's only been a short while but I am already appreciating what it feels like to be sober at night and clear headed in the morning.

Pretty powerful testimony. Thank you for sharing that with us.

My hope is all here read this and are willing to look deeply at themselves as you have.
Hill08
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Scotts Tot said:

Hill08 said:

Seamaster said:

What's an alcoholic?

Where is the threshold where one goes from "a guy who enjoys a drink" to an "alcoholic?"

After 10-12 years of drinking pretty darn regularly, but never to excess, I recently decided that I was probably an alcoholic.

Almost every evening I'd drink either 3/4s a bottle of wine or 2-3 pours of bourbon on ice. I wouldn't get "drunk." I hate being drunk. But I developed a habit and dependency and thought I was just "taking the edge off."

Recently, I woke at 3am, with a bourbon headache, and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit telling me that if I didn't stop, something terrible would happen. I am not sure what - DUI? Cirrhosis?

So I've stopped completely. I don't want to drink ever again.

I think God has been sending me signs about it for a while. A lot of people I admire once drank and quit when they were about my age (45).

I never developed a sincere physical addiction- no shakes or anything, but the habit was there and I was on the path.

It's only been a short while but I am already appreciating what it feels like to be sober at night and clear headed in the morning.




It wasn't god. It was your friends, family but most importantly yourself. You made the change. Nothing else. Congrats

I'm sure that telling a person of faith that their breakthrough was based entirely on delusion will be a great encouragement. Thanks for this wonderful contribution.


You're welcome. People need to understand that THEY control their lives. Having faith is just fine, but decisions on this earth are because of human beings making decisions
Martin Q. Blank
How long do you want to ignore this user?
How about YOU make a decision to stop posting.
Seamaster
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Martin Q. Blank said:

How about YOU make a decision to stop posting.


My faith is, mature, I'd say. I am not offended by his comments but rather hope that one day he'll eventually recognize the hand of God in his life. Sincerely, no ill will.

While it's true that I made the choice, I cannot deny the ways God has led me to this choice (as well as many others) throughout my life.

Last night was the first real "test" as it relates to sober-living. Am traveling in NY for work and after work went to a pub and then dinner with colleagues. I enjoyed myself just as much as I ever did even though I sipped sparkling water. I thought I'd maybe be more tempted but I simply wasn't.

Hill08
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Seamaster said:

Martin Q. Blank said:

How about YOU make a decision to stop posting.


My faith is, mature, I'd say. I am not offended by his comments but rather hope that one day he'll eventually recognize the hand of God in his life. Sincerely, no ill will.

While it's true that I made the choice, I cannot deny the ways God has led me to this choice (as well as many others) throughout my life.

Last night was the first real "test" as it relates to sober-living. Am traveling in NY for work and after work went to a pub and then dinner with colleagues. I enjoyed myself just as much as I ever did even though I sipped sparkling water. I thought I'd maybe be more tempted but I simply wasn't.




For the record I NEVER said I didn't have faith or didn't believe in god. What I was trying to communicate to you was you ultimately made these decisions. Give yourself more credit for making these great choices, and I am happy you weren't swayed when given the opportunity
Brian Earl Spilner
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Weird, I read his post as trying to give him more credit than he was giving himself. Not sure how people took it in such negative light.
Hill08
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Brian Earl Spilner said:

Weird, I read his post as trying to give him more credit than he was giving himself. Not sure how people took it in such negative light.


Thank you. Just like when people lose weight. Give yourself credit for your accomplishments. In this world we live in, it's nice for people to pat themselves on the back for reaching goals vs thinking it came from elsewhere
aggiejim70
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
There's no question in my mind on who's responsible for my sobriety. Either side of 11am, 2/26/91, walking the campus of Rice University, and suffering the shame of my last drunk, I made a direct appeal to Heavan. Some 9 hours later I was at my first AA meeting, and I haven't had drink since. Someday I'm going to face my maker, and I don't want to have to explain to Him why I threw His gift away.
The person that is not willing to fight and die, if need be, for his country has no right to life.

James Earl Rudder '32
January 31, 1945
schwabbin
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Your friend likely won't stop drinking until he has had enough and can't go on living that way. When you are talking with him, stick to the impact it's having on you. When I first started attending AA due to threats from my wife, I didn't stop drinking because I didn't want to and didn't think it was possible to never drink again. AA taught me how my mind works, gave me tools to live with rigorous honesty and be OK with the things this world throws at me. I hope your friend realizes there is a new happiness they can achieve no matter how bad things have gotten. For me, it started in the AA big book where I could relate to a lot of the stories to some degree.
B-1 83
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I have someone very close to me that has 8 beers consumed by 8 pm and follows it up with vodka later. Not fun to watch.
Being in TexAgs jail changes a man……..no, not really
Hoosegow
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Half a handle of vodka or whiskey a day habit for me. Shakes, anxiety, high blood pressure. On the weekends I'd wake up with so much anxiety (think 3am) that I would sit on the couch and have a few just to relax so I could go back to sleep. I went a year without drinking in 2024. Started back up in February this year. Fell right back into the habit - adding a second bottle for the weekend. Not good.

Currently I'm at 22 days. I might finally be at the point that I hate the withdrawel symptoms more than the drunk.

You can tell a lot of stories to yourself as an alcohollic. I have terrible coping skills. I used to work out like a fiend. That kept me somewhat grounded. I'm old and injured so I lost that one coping mechanism I had that wasn't alcohol. Slipped a little farther every day. I also have no hobbies anymore. Alcohol was my hobby. Sounds weak, but I enjoyed it. For me, there is a profound lost of joy. There is nothing like the euphoria of the first drink. I don't think anything can replace it - my mind is probably permanently re-wired wrong. Hopefully all that wlll change.

Addiction is a bee itch. It is a insidious process. By the time you know you have a problem, it is too late to ever go back to normal.
King of the Dairy Queen
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Hoosegow said:

Half a handle of vodka or whiskey a day habit for me. Shakes, anxiety, high blood pressure. On the weekends I'd wake up with so much anxiety (think 3am) that I would sit on the couch and have a few just to relax so I could go back to sleep. I went a year without drinking in 2024. Started back up in February this year. Fell right back into the habit - adding a second bottle for the weekend. Not good.

Currently I'm at 22 days. I might finally be at the point that I hate the withdrawel symptoms more than the drunk.

You can tell a lot of stories to yourself as an alcohollic. I have terrible coping skills. I used to work out like a fiend. That kept me somewhat grounded. I'm old and injured so I lost that one coping mechanism I had that wasn't alcohol. Slipped a little farther every day. I also have no hobbies anymore. Alcohol was my hobby. Sounds weak, but I enjoyed it. For me, there is a profound lost of joy. There is nothing like the euphoria of the first drink. I don't think anything can replace it - my mind is probably permanently re-wired wrong. Hopefully all that wlll change.

Addiction is a bee itch. It is a insidious process. By the time you know you have a problem, it is too late to ever go back to normal.

You're in my prayers. Im so sorry you're going through that. I hope you're not trying to get through it alone. I also have an anxiety order that wakes me up at about 3am most days, cortisol issue related to military. They can deal with cortisol with other ways. None have worked great for me, but gotta be better than booze.
Milwaukees Best Light
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Stay strong!
Emotional Support Cobra
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Hoosegow said:

Half a handle of vodka or whiskey a day habit for me. Shakes, anxiety, high blood pressure. On the weekends I'd wake up with so much anxiety (think 3am) that I would sit on the couch and have a few just to relax so I could go back to sleep. I went a year without drinking in 2024. Started back up in February this year. Fell right back into the habit - adding a second bottle for the weekend. Not good.

Currently I'm at 22 days. I might finally be at the point that I hate the withdrawel symptoms more than the drunk.

You can tell a lot of stories to yourself as an alcohollic. I have terrible coping skills. I used to work out like a fiend. That kept me somewhat grounded. I'm old and injured so I lost that one coping mechanism I had that wasn't alcohol. Slipped a little farther every day. I also have no hobbies anymore. Alcohol was my hobby. Sounds weak, but I enjoyed it. For me, there is a profound lost of joy. There is nothing like the euphoria of the first drink. I don't think anything can replace it - my mind is probably permanently re-wired wrong. Hopefully all that wlll change.

Addiction is a bee itch. It is a insidious process. By the time you know you have a problem, it is too late to ever go back to normal.


I hope that you can see the value in yourself and seek help for the addiction so you can stay strong. Alcohol is a demon and some are just wired differently and it takes hold. We are here for you if you need to vent or share. There is also an AA thread on the Health and Fitness board, not sure if you have read it before. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
JMac03
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Thank you for sharing your story. I pray that you are able to stay sober this time and hopefully find some hobbies to replace the alcohol. Stay strong.
BaitShack
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I'm 4.5 years sober and I focus on all of things that I can do that I couldn't do before. I have elderly parents that live 15 minutes away and I'm able to answer and respond to that call for help whenever it happens, and it has.

There are other reasons for me to stay sober, self preservation is a big one. It wasn't going to end well for me.
JamesPShelley
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Alcohol is patient. It will wait years (21 in my case), and there is no ramp up period. The rubber hits the road that first sip, and then you're off.

That, and the Serenity Prayer waked me up... 19 years ago.

Good luck with your pal. He'll know when "it's time".
Refresh
Page 2 of 2
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.