I am looking for someone who has a similar story to help me through this.

[tracyg]

I have been drinking alcohol consistently since age 16 (first drunk at age 13)--37 yrs! I have put myself (and others) at risk due to bad judgment. This is how others view me....attractive, stable, high functioning, happy. I am employed full-time, I have nice things, lots of friends, a boyfriend of three yrs. Here is the reason that I want to quit using alcohol.....I am a mother of three. I don't want to give up time with them because "I am tired." I don't want them to pick up alcohol when they get older and think its "normal". I want to model healthy living. The problem is that I have had this discussion with myself many times. And, have not been successful yet at finding my way out. Don't know how to start. Looking for something to "hook" me. Advice pleeeeeaaaase!

[dove]

Hi,
You have made the first move, great, isthere anyway you can get to a meeting near whear you live,on line is good too but you also need people,
i was told to get to 90 meetings in niney days!, only you can know if you are an alchoholic, its not always the ammount we drink, but what it does to our heads!?the split personality syndrome.
ALCOLISM is the only desease that tells you you havent got it!!!
it affects all the family, but you are hear, best to read the fist three steps of aa ove and over again, and its sometimes usefull to keep a journel of how yo feel each day,
IF YOU DONT TAKETHE FIRST DRINK YOU WILL NOT GET DRUNK,
Remebmer a day at a time only DOVEX

[Jane05]

Hi tracyg, I too started drinking at a very young age and up until the last 10 years of my drinking people thought all those things about me too, I had a job, "stuff" and a husband. But, I took my alcoholism to a place that I had no choice but to drink. I wanted to stop, but could not, I didn't know how. This was not a pretty place. I wanted to die but couldn't. Finally, I was lead to the A.A. Fellowship and that is where I started learning not to drink one day at a time. I have learned this is a progressive disease and I took it pretty far.

I, like dove, suggest trying an A.A. meeting in your area. Here's there site. http://aa.org/ Please let us know how you doing.

[WolfM]

Dear Tracy G,
I began drinking when I was 11 (but not seriously until I was 16). I drank until I was 34. In that time I graduated from college, had been married 3 times, had 3 children, and two cars, a job, a house, etc. I have been sober since December 15, 1987. I had a particularly bad black out which made me realize that my life had become unmanageable. I was fortunate that there was AA on the island where I live and I hooked up immediately and have been a member ever since. I have gone through a bypass, temporary estrangement from my family, emotional turmoil, etc. Things that happen to NORMAL people. I have not had to drink over this and I have learned that everything that happens is in some way my responsibility and I can not blame anyone else for it. I have learned to lean into the program during difficult times and this and the help of my higher power has kept me sober.
All of my children (there are 4 now) know that I am an alcoholic, and the two younger ones have never seen me drunk. I have told all of them that to drink is their choice (once they are 21), but they should beware because I believe that alcholism is a disease that can be passed on to your children and that if they ever pick up a drink, they are going to have problems.
Meetings, Big Book, Sponsor, Steps. That is what has worked for me.

WolfM

[TeresaB]

Hi, I have been drinking since I was 14 and went into treatment 20 years ago. It lasted 3 mos. Now, 20 years later, I attended my 1st AA meeting today. My children are 15 & 16 and have been getting into trouble lately. I have caught them drinking, doing drugs, and they have court Tues to face 3 counts of burglary, trespassing, and tobacco violation. I begged my husband to quit drinking/drugging for the boys sake. He wouldn't. I have waivered back and forth for the past 5 years trying to quit to no avail. I could handle it for a while, but always caved in. I have a masters degree in counseling and should know better. Worse yet, I counsel teenagers, so I am not only affecting my own children, but many others with my disease. I will pray for you that you find a good AA group to join, a great sponsor that understands and identifies with what you are going through and struggling with, and peace from all the insanity of drinking. Best wishes for a great 2009! TeresaB

[angussdundee]

We don't actualy need to find someone who's drinking pattern matches our own in order to recover from alcoholism, as opposites can often attract. Many times at AA meetings I have gotten a great deal out of a persons share who had a totaly different drinking routine and lifestyle to mine. But one thing is for sure; we'll only hear these people if we attend the AA meetings and listen without prejudice to what they have to say.
It's a case of "don't shoot the messenger" and the AA message is always the same whatever our past wreckage looks like - 'get to meetings and admit that we're utterly powerless over alcohol - admit that no human power can relieve our alcoholism, and that includes people with similar stories to our own, and further admit that God could and would if he is sought'.
If we as alcoholics cannot, or will not listen to the message and do something about ourselves, then how do we expect anyone else to take us seriously, especialy those close to us who have bore the brunt of our alcoholic behaviour in the past.
In some cases, the interest in counciling is a form of denial of their own illness. "Im not the person with the problem, it's all those other folks". It's a lot easier to project our faults and our needs onto others than to actualy attend to them ourselves. But unless we do attend to those urgent needs we will never recover from alcoholism.
The healthiest way to help other alcoholics is to get well ourselves through the 12 step program and 'try' to pass it on to other alcoholics who are willing to listen to the message. Doing what you do best and doing it well is the way you can best contribute.

Remember, God helps us all.

Anguss.

[tracyg]

Thanks for responding. I am not sure how to navigate through this website very well, but intend to visit more often.

[angussdundee]

If your not sure about anything Tracy, just contact one of the female members by clicking on their name, from there you can send them a message. I'm sure they will respond to you in due course, good luck.
The people in AA will do anything to help you provided you are willing to go to any length to get well.

keep clicking all the buttons and keep coming back.... :D

Anguss.

[Jane05]

Hey Tracy--I'm learning as I go too, but will be glad to help if I can!! Glad you're here!!

[Laurenrich777]

Hi Tracy,

I am one of the newbies here who stopped January 1, 2009. Almost 1 week now. I am looking at trying to find a sponsor in a women only meeting. I am feeling so much better this week. Much more energy, the cravings are starting to calm down.
I was so afraid to stop and now I don't know why I did not do it sooner.
Much support to you on your journey.

[gretAA]

Don't put off getting a sponsor...I waited 2 long weeks and almost didn't make it, that was close to 2 years ago now. I still have a sponsor who has a sponsor who has a sponsor...etc...and I call her every day.

Ask someone in your meeting tonight. It's the beginning of the best journey you'll ever make, my friend.

Keep comin back!