Wow, there is some scary advice here; right or wrong is not the question here; addiction is. I agree that addiction to alcohol is the same as grass, cocaine, etc; alcohol has the factor of being socially and legally acceptable, and in some ways is more insidious and dangerous. I think that the list from AA, the question list, is good. Have you had a blackout is a biggie; most alcoholics have, and it is a telling sign. Think of it as addiction, never mind the substance (not talking aspirin or caffeine here, ok? stick with the addictive, destructive behavior drugs). Is the addiction, the medication you are using to make you feel better, beginning to be the problem? The answer lies here, IMHO. Pistoff, of the 20 year clean/sober class.........
Alcoholism
by StinkyPantz 50 Replies latest jw friends
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gumby
Think of it as addiction, never mind the substance (not talking caffeine here, ok? stick with the addictive, destructive behavior drugs).
You being clean and sober would have no problem with someone getting a buzz once in a while then would you....as long as their not an alcoholic?
I think addiction has taken on a narrow meaning and it is always in a bad light. There are people who are addicted to this forum, there are people addicted to chocolate, sex, and a variety of things. When a person drinks and is having problems at the same time....people usually attribute their problems to the booze........and of course "weed" if that is what they are using. Drinking during hardships does not constitute addiction. It can get you in a mess and cause some bad things.......but not all get that wasted when they drink either. Many use it as a relaxent, and mood enhancer.......and do not abuse it.
If bridget has a drinking problem, then I apologize for encouraging her to drink and making light of the matter.......if she doesn't .......then she can have a shot and a beer chaser if she wants
Gumby
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SanFranciscoJim
For what it's worth, there is a Yahoogroups group for exJWs seeking recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, etc. at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xjw12step/
The description of the group is:
"This list is for current and former Jehovah's Witnesses involved in 12 step addiction recovery programs (such as Alcoholics Anonymous, etc) to support one another's recovery while dealing with special issues only another person associated with the Organization can understand."
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wednesday
Bridgett,
Francois is right, u are depressed. U have sleep problems, and u have said u stay awake for days on in. Sleep problems is the first signal of depression. U may or may not have an actual problem with alcohol, sounds like right now u are just using it b/c u are so freaking depressed. go to a doc, and tell him this stuff. There are antidepressants out there that won't cause u to gain weight or screw up your sex life-wellbutrin being one. After u are not depressed, then u can make a decision wether the alcohol is really a problem. Actually , u should not drink and take antidepressants, but many people do it anyhow, but it is not recommended.sounds like this move has been really hard on u.\
best wishes , head to a docs office.
weds
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digderidoo
Stinky,
The fact that you have to ask, if there is a problem generally means that there is.
I have a drink problem, I drink every day, generally three or four pints of lager after work.
As i write this, i haven't had a drink since Sunday...this is the first time i have gone three days since i was ill about a year ago. I am determined to go all week without a drink, i am going out Saturday night with some friends so i will drink then. I feel so different today, i feel alive, yesterday all i could think about was a drink, i even had shakes.
You mention you have a problem with sleep, alcohol affects the brain in such a way that you cannot have deep sleep, to help you sleep there are many remedies available from herbal shops, rather than taking medication. I have used a root in the past, i'll try to find the name for you.
Normally i don't like to share my problems on this site, but this thread touches me, especially today as i am battling so hard to stay off drink for a week, to show myself i can do it.
I have drank so much over the years, had a problem for about ten years, for those ten years i have drank just about every day. The worst time i had was about 18 months ago, my business was closing down, i was in incredible debt...to block it out, for about two months i drank between 8-12 pints of lager every day, i went out and partied on ecstasy 2-3 times a week, the ecstasy was blocking out the drunkeness, so i drank more. To bring me down from the highs i was on i smoked cannabis every day too. My life was a mess.
Although i have cut down, i still drink, but i am determined to beat it.
My heart goes out to anyone with an addiction.....Stinky you may not drink every day, so you may excuse your problem. I do not drink all day, only in evenings, thats how i excuse mine. I know i'm only kidding myself.
Dig
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Ron1968
SP,
If you think you have a problem, then it is very possible you do. Having a drink at 8 AM is not usual drinking behavior. The first big question I would ask is whether it is interferring in your life on a regular basis? Also, is your employer, family, or friends noticing that you are having a problem or not as reliable as usual?
There are different types of problem drinkers whether it be binge drinking or drinking to blot out reality of life. The deal with alcohol is that is creeps up on you and can overtake you. Medication can be regulated, but alcohol is very hard to regulate. Also, self-medication is never a good idea. Can you just take a couple of drinks and stop or do you have to keep on going? That is often one of the big things to look at. Sometimes people start out with only drinking every few days to then doing it every other day and then every day. Please be careful!!
Ron
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gumby
I think it's time for all the councelors here to take whatever pills they are now taking and tell us more about addiction.
Gumby
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Jankyn
I'm all for sharing, but the bottom line is: what do you think about the amount you're drinking? If it bothers you, no matter how much or little, it's probably too much.
One of the (many) AA definitions: If you find that, once you start drinking, you have little or no control over how much you drink, or if, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot moderate or stop altogether, then you're probably alcoholic. Note the "probably." It's actually a diagnosis that is only helpful if it's self-made (one of the very few times when it's more helpful to diagnose yourself than to rely on what a doctor tells you).
And, although organizations like AA and Women in Sobriety have helped a lot of people (including me), these are not the only ways to get help.
Keep your head. Ask yourself if the way you're drinking is okay with you. If it's not, change it. If you can't change it, ask for help.
And in the meantime, I'll send warm thoughts your way.
Jankyn
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Ron1968
Gumby,
The only self medication I would recommend is aspirin. Drugs are not something to be done without a doctor's supervision. I would never take more that the perscribed amount either. I don't do that and I won't get into trouble. Trying to regulate your alcohol intake if you think you may have a problem with the stuff is dangerous. Most of the time people who think they may have a problem at least have a borderline problem if not more.
To recommend other advise is really foolish. Better to play it safe when around drugs or alcohol. That is what makes sense. If you don't believe me, go to your local AA and talk with people and see where they were when they wound up there. They weren't on top of the world, trust me.
Ron
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Pistoff
gumby wrote: You being clean and sober would have no problem with someone getting a buzz once in a while then would you....as long as their not an alcoholic? I don't really have any opinion on people catching a buzz..it's their deal, of course. I just know it is no longer for me. I mean, I don't encourage anyone to use, or to not use; it is a personal decision. If someone is concerned about it being a problem, I will not tell them it is ok to use, because for someone who is addicted using can end up fatal by a number of means..suicide, accidental overdose, etc. More likely though, people who are addicted are just going to be miserable. Addiction, esp to drugs including alcohol, is trying to fill a hole with air. My life made sense when I quit using.