Hi, think I might have a drink problem.

I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day or
on Sundays.

I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
friends, generally hurting their feelings.

I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major incidents,
like assault.

I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.

I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.

I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.

I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be boring,
but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.

I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
drink in th morning...

Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
drink?

"DD" <dd@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:xxl957f7bidj$.3fqlllu139h5.dlg@40tude.net...
> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.

Bluntly, from what you say, it sounds like you're right. You do have a
drink problem.

> I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day
> or
> on Sundays.

Lots of functioning alcoholics or "executive alcoholics" can say the same
thing.

> I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
> friends, generally hurting their feelings.

Blackouts are a pretty solid indicator. Getting drunk *a* time and
offending friends can happen even to normal drinkers. Doing it as a pattern
is another solid indicator of being one of us alcoholics.

> I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major
> incidents,
> like assault.

Hello?! Drinking to the point of assault? Friend, normal drinkers don't do
that.

> I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
> generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.

Sober, you may be all of those things. From the other things you say it
sounds like drinking you are none of those things.

> I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.

I'll make you a prediction. Keep drinking, especially with your drinking
behavior pattern, and you won't have either a good job or a career.

> I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
> either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.

Unless you are an alcohol addict, why would you want to keep drinking if it
makes you offend your friends, assault people and blackout? You don' have
to believe in God, but you are going to have to start at some point where
you believe that the real you, the one that is there when you aren't drunk,
deserves to live.

> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be
> boring,
> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.

Here's a funny truth for you: When you are consistently sober, you realize
how incredibly boring people who are drinking really are. They do the same
things over and over. They say the same things over and over. They try
nothing really new. They create nothing. They have no wit.

> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
> drink in th morning...

I do. I know hundreds of alcoholics that are exactly the same way.

> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
> drink?

If you can't handle AA, try finding a psychologist, a counselor or a
therapist. The question isn't whether you can find help. The question is
whether you really want it. No matter what program you use, ultimately
*you* have to get completely honest with yourself and do it yourself. To do
it, you are going to have to have some help, though. Most people can't sit
alone, by themselves, and be honest with themselves enough to find the
things within themselves that make oblivion look like an acceptable choice.
You are also going to have to change a lot of things. We say: "Different
people, different places, different things." If you keep going with the
same people to the same places to do the same things, you will keep
drinking, keep offending your friend, keep getting in trouble and keep
blacking out until you lose it all.

I suggest you give AA an honest chance for 90 days. If you are then not
happy with them they will probably gladly refund your misery...
"DD" <dd@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:xxl957f7bidj$.3fqlllu139h5.dlg@40tude.net...
> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.
>
> I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day
> or
> on Sundays.
>
> I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
> friends, generally hurting their feelings.
>
> I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major
> incidents,
> like assault.
>
> I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
> generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.
>
> I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.
>
> I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
> either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.
>
> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be
> boring,
> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.
>
> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
> drink in th morning...
>
> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
> drink?

Mias,
"refund your misery" <L> -- I love that! I wonder, though, whether it isn't
often the case that we are cherishing our misery and holding onto it with
both hands. We love it because it is *our* misery, it makes us feel unique
and special -- and it gives us such a great excuse to drink.


"Mias" <emiasNO@SPAMnetactive.co.za> wrote in message
news:ddnmb0$9no$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
>I suggest you give AA an honest chance for 90 days. If you are then not
>happy with them they will probably gladly refund your misery...
> "DD" <dd@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:xxl957f7bidj$.3fqlllu139h5.dlg@40tude.net...
>> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.
>>
>> I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day
>> or
>> on Sundays.
>>
>> I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
>> friends, generally hurting their feelings.
>>
>> I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major
>> incidents,
>> like assault.
>>
>> I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
>> generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.
>>
>> I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.
>>
>> I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
>> either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.
>>
>> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be
>> boring,
>> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.
>>
>> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
>> drink in th morning...
>>
>> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my
>> options?
>> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
>> drink?
>
>

DD <dd@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:xxl957f7bidj$.3fqlllu139h5.dlg@40tude.net...
> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.
>
> I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day
or
> on Sundays.
>
> I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
> friends, generally hurting their feelings.
>
> I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major
incidents,
> like assault.
>
> I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
> generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.
>
> I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.
>
> I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
> either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.
>
> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be
boring,
> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.
>
> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
> drink in th morning...
>
> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
> drink?

Just keep going and wait till you hit 45-50. Might start to really suck
about then. Maybe even sooner. Things generally have a naturally tendency to
get more and more fucked up. Some end up with pissing in garbage cans in
public places, which is OK so long as you don't get your picture in the
newspaper..
Chance of getting a girlfriend get les and less, usually also...

Go to AA now and get serious or wait until more damage is done, you choice.
And yes, fuck the religious shit, that's not what it is about.

DD wrote:

> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.
>
> I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day or
> on Sundays.
>
> I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
> friends, generally hurting their feelings.
>
> I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major incidents,
> like assault.
>
> I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
> generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.
>
> I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.
>
> I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
> either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.
>
> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be boring,
> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.
>
> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
> drink in th morning...
>
> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
> drink?

> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be
> boring,
> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.

Here's a funny truth for you: When you are consistently sober, you
realize
how incredibly boring people who are drinking really are. They do the
same
things over and over. They say the same things over and over. They
try
nothing really new. They create nothing. They have no wit.

================================================== ===================================


Wow, come to think of that I recall how the alcoholic in my family
always said how "bored" she was in the absence of etoh.

When I think about it, I can recall the conversations amongst/between
alcoholics at local bars. Not exactly a bastion of intellectual
inspiration or any type thereof.


I do not derive pleasure from poking fun at alcoholics but from the
outside looking in it is clear that the brain is not positively
affected nor is the personality.


" world without alcohol is boring"

Perhaps you have never tried parasailing, snowboarding, surfing,
basketball, musical instruments, etc etc etc




Personally I believe one should NOT have to rely on a substance to
"get by"

On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:15:04 GMT, someone in need wrote:

> snowboarding, surfing,

I *used* to do both. Know i just do hangovers all weekend.

DD wrote:
> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.
>
> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
> drink in th morning...
>
> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
> drink?

Welcome.
Read through some of "Crystal" thread ... Your on the right step.

It's not when you drink. It is *how you drink*.

If you have a re-occurring behavior that yields negative
consequences, you should seek help. With a Open mind.
Skip the God part. It is spiritual growth we seek, not perfection.

If you are covered by a mental health insurance at your work place,
seek out the part of chemical dependency. You can *Easily* go on
medical leave tomorrow and check in a 6 week rehab. Make a phone call.
It's scary. I know. It will change to your life. Have a friend do it
for you. You *may* simply need to see you primary care doctor
for a referral. They will be happy to do it.

Chemical Dependency is AMA defined disease. Your employer won't even
*have* to know. They can't ask. Your gone to a hospital. See you in 8
weeks.

It will change your life for the better.

Look up a meeting: www.aa.org.

Walk in, and after the meeting speaker to the host.

Thats it. Welcome.

We're here to help.




It i

DD wrote:
> Hi, think I might have a drink problem.
>
> I dont drink every night, but ever other night. I never drink in the day or
> on Sundays.
>
> I often have blackouts through drink and say some very stupids things to
> friends, generally hurting their feelings.
>
> I go out alone, and sometimes end up in trouble, minor and major incidents,
> like assault.
>
> I'm a very pleasant person when sober, polite, I hold no animosity and am
> generous and forgiving - or at least I like to think so.
>
> I have a good job and a career, but am unmarried and in my 30's.
>
> I don't want to believe in God, I just want some help with my drinking,
> either controlling it or quiting if that's the only option.
>
> I have problems envisaging life without alcohol, I imagine it to be boring,
> but to be honest it's probably boring now, that could be why I drink.
>
> I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the traditional sense, i.e. i'd never
> drink in th morning...
>
> Anyway, what's the best way or tackling this problem, what are my options?
> Might I be depressive and have mental health issues or am I hooked on
> drink?
don't know about you my friend i definitely got a
drinking problem, and sick of it. Time to plug
the jug and give it up for me.

If you think you got a problem you probably do.