Go to AA meetings, there is lots to learn, you won't regret it. Resist the
cult mentality and one sided thinking. It works when one stays on the
outside and is much safer overall.

Montgomery BOO...URNS wrote:
> Hello people:
>
> Over the course of this weekend, I went through a lot of soul searching.
> I'm a person who wouldn't consider himself an alcoholic, but then again most
> alcoholics don't consider to be one either. I have had problems in the past
> due to alcoholism and they included getting caught up in the law
> (specifically DUI). I drink a lot, but I usually don't drink during the
> week just because I like to keep a level head through the week when I'm
> working my day job.
>
> It's only tonight that I have been scaring myself just because in the last
> year I have been working towards bettering my livelihood. I want to make
> something of myself and I want to succeed at running my own business. I
> don't want to be working for someone else for the rest of my life, and more
> than that I feel that the pathway to this success could be crushed in an
> instant if I keep drinking.
>
> I have tried to stop several times in the last two years. I would go for a
> couple of weeks and then start again. Normally I don't drink during the
> week but I have found myself drinking once here and there and now I feel in
> order to focus on my goals in life, I should keep it out of my life
> completely.
>
> I need help, and I need support. I am considering AA, but I'm also turning
> to the internet so that I might find people who feel the same way I do,
> maybe some people who could put my mind at ease and keep me from scaring
> myself.
>
> There's different reasons why I'm scared. One is that I feel that something
> is going to happen to me again where I could end up getting caught up in the
> law, get charged with DUI, and I end up without a license, without a car,
> what's worse is I could end up hurting someone or even (the scariest of all)
> killing someone. What happens if I don't have a car? I'm out of an aspect
> that will help me focus on my goals. I've been down this road before, and
> if I go down it again... I'm without a car for 5 years. I can't afford
> that! Now, maybe that sounds a little selfish but if I keep drinking what's
> next? My house? My job? My dreams? My livelihood?
>
> The other reason I'm scared might have to do with what friends and even
> family might think of me. I feel that I don't want to announce to anyone
> that I want to quit drinking or that I have quit drinking because from when
> I've tried to quit in the past I get everyone concerned about if I've done
> something wrong or if I'm in trouble (these concerns usually extend from my
> family) or my friends (who some are not friends anymore) saying that I've
> made the wrong decision. Everyone in my family drinks and I believe this
> has a lot to do with why I slip back into drinking after I quit for a while.
>
> Another serious reason for me being scared is that I have slowly contracted
> several health problems in that last several years. Everything from asthma,
> to stomach and digestion problems, muscle stiffness, cramps, and even heart
> problems. All of which I have been to the doctor to get medicine for these
> ailments but I feel I could do much better tending to my health if I stop
> drinking all together.
>
> I want to know that I'm taking the right path and I feel that I would be. I
> just know it's going to be hard, not only emotionally but socially as well.
> I'll lose some drinking buddies but then again I could end up being the
> friendly neighborhood designated driver for those who feel they're incapable
> of driving themselves home. There's many pros as well as cons for my
> decision and I know that it's going to be a hard decision but I want to
> chase my dreams and I feel that drinking and alcohol is just going to get in
> my way.
>
> I don't want to be scared anymore. I want to feel alive and I feel by
> posting this message, I'm taking the first step towards a better life. I
> would hope to get some positive feedback upon posting this message.
>
> Thanks and may everyone's dreams come true.
>
> DC
>
>