I Have A Problem

[Guest Drew]

umm....well, lately i've been drinking alot, i've tried to rationalize that it was just because of the move and issues with my mom and because my new job is stressful...but while i was making up my excuses i realized that this has been going on for awhile...i thought it was stupid teenager stuff and that i would grow up and grow out of it...that doesn't seem to be the case. 3 out of the past 5 days i've come home wasted...the other 2 i was just tipsy. my roomate called me on it tonight, she says she's worried about me and that i'm putting myself at a higher risk for liver problems (which i know is true) but i had always ignored it in the past...i think that if she hadn't called me on it i would still be ignoring it.

i need help guys, my parents were both alcoholics so i know how it affects the people around you and i'm worried that if i keep showing up for work hungover they'll fire me. i'm just such an idiot, alcohol ruined my family, you'd think i'd know better than to do this.

i'm technically not even old enough to drink (except in canada) so it's not like i can go to AA or anything...can somebody please help me, i'm afraid this is turning into a serious problem.

Drew

[Guest raydub]

Drew.

Its wonderful that youve identified and stated that you have a problem. i can completely relate to what youre going through. my mother is an alcoholic/addict.. she has 16 years clean today. being 25..i was around when she was drinking/using and i knew what it was like and the effects, but it didnt stop me from trying it all out myself. it happens..dont beat yourself up over it. You have to live YOUR life and make YOUR mistakes.. your parents cant do that for you.

ok, so youre underaged. This does NOT matter. you can still go to AA. there was a group i was asked to visit once in Los Angeles.. it was named "Never Had A Legal Drink" because it was started by, run by, and directed towards the alcoholic that had never even had a legal drink, but were still alcoholics. dont worry about being young. we all hit bottom on our own time - we all seek help in our own time. look for a meeting near you (there's probably a website for your city) and attend a meeting. and let us know how it goes eh?

if you have questions or just want to talk.. im here. ..we're here.

love you man. its going to be ok.

im SO glad that there is a place on this forum for you to speak about this.

may you encourage the next wo/man to do the same.

love,

Ray

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Hey man, at least you are big enough to admit that you might have a problem. That's a huge step. I've known people that took years and years just to start thinking about talking to people in a way that suggests that they might have a problem. You know?

Totally check out AA. One of my close friends has been going and she's been sober for a year. It seems to really work.

[Guest Sergei]

I had a really bad alcohol problem for a while. I'd drink alone 10 pints a night just to try and escape the misery I was feeling. The problem only really seemed to start getting better after I talked to a phyciatrist about it. She told me that she didn't think I was physically dependant, and therefore didn't have to give up completely. On the other hand she felt I had an emotional problem with alcohol. So we identified goals and ways to overcome this problem. For example not having a drink on my own, only in company. Not having a drink if I'm in a bad mood or upset, only if I'm going out and am happy. etc....

This helped me, because I'm really not a group person, and never felt AA was the way forward for me (although I have many frineds who have gone and recovered through it and told me it was fantastic)

I'm not saying my problem is completely gone, but I am definitely 10 times better than I used to be.

Try to identify why you drink, and the way you view alcohol.

[Guest Rachael92]

I really am amazed that you have recognised that you have a problem with alcohol,for me that took me years to do and I wasted a large part of my life.

Please give A.A a go and you may find that it is the beggining of a new life for you-kind regards Rachael

[Guest jantonio]

Hi Drew:

I am so glad you admitted that you have a problem. Don't worry, you are not alone in this. I myself was sober for 6 years then about 6 months ago started drinking again. Finally as soon as I started therapy and realized that part of the reason for my drinking was my gender issues I started going back to AA and I am finally almost 3 weeks sober now. Anyway, just like Ray said you can still go to AA.

You might also want to know that alcohol reduces the testosterone levels as well.

I wish you the best, but try to go to AA and you will see that it will get better.

Jose Antonio...

[Guest Drew]

thanks for the support you guys. i think i'm going to check out AA, i've found one that's close to where i live.

[Guest raydub]

thanks for the support you guys. i think i'm going to check out AA, i've found one that's close to where i live.

that's great! let us know how it goes.

stay open-minded and youll be alright.

love

Ray

[Guest Drew]

i'm going this weekend, i'll let you know how it goes.

[Guest jantonio]

i'm going this weekend, i'll let you know how it goes.

Keep it up Drew. I just got back from an AA meeting myself. I like this meeting cuz is predominantly male but tonight for some reason there were lots more women. Which is good as well.

Jose Antonio...