What is your experience?

Thinkig of alcohol as different from other drugs has caused a great many addicts to relapse. Many of us viewed alcohol separately, but we cannotafford to be confused about this, Alcohol is a drug. We are people with the disease of addiction who must astain from all drugs in order to recover..NA pg16
  Now, I realize I am old school but I was raised up in na 24 years worth, I have come to believe that paths are many. I wondering what are your thoughts on this? Thanks for responding with only your experience not your opinion

[avisg]

I choose to not drink however that does not mean that I think that that I would have a problem with alcohol if I did .I have never been a big drinker so not drink really has not had a bearing on my life one way or the other.I think it is a personal decision.

[toxictome]

I agree with you, freebird. If you are an alcoholic, or an addict (drugs) then i think you you should steer clear of ANY mood altering substance. Pills were not my problem. I am a recovering alcoholic of 18 yrs. and after 14 years i started taking pills here and there. I knew I shouldn't be doing it...but I did it anyway. After awhile i was taking them every day,  and then started obsessing...and you all know about that  whole merry-go-round cycle of addiction .LOL  Not saying that happens to all..but my guess would be that the odds are much higher if you have any kind of an addiction problem. That's just my experience.......sigh!

[freebird227]

Thank you both for taking the time to share your eperience with me. It means a lot to me

[gizzy32]

I agree and it has caused me to relapse in the past. Very seldom do I drink now, I don't like the buzz and I am capable of going to a party now and staying completely clean and having fun. Last night I chose to have a few, ok maybe more than a few. Why do I feel guilty, I did not crave or use coke, yet I have this tiny guilt. Maybe that tells me I should just give it up completely and I have said that in the past. It's nice to have a couple beers with buddies and be somewhat normal, not an excuse, but maybe I am playing with fire. I should start an alcohol tracker now, day 1, lol. I feel like ****:)

[avisg]

Gizzy you are truly playing with fire because one of your triggers is alcohol so that's kind of like playing Russian roulette.It has caused relapses in the past so there is a good chance it would again.I would really think about it and whether its wise to drink at all for you.

[gizzy32]

I know your right and it ***** to admit that because I enjoy the odd beer. Can I actually add another tracker and label it alcohol? The addiction tracker helps me to see clean days, maybe an alcohol one would be a little more incentive as stupid as that sounds. I don't need booze.

[avisg]

I think that would be a very good idea and its not stupid its smart it will help keep you on track to staying clean :)

[freebird227]

There is a saying in the rooms........that after some time in the program ,   the program starts working you. I consider alcohol as a mood altering drug. I could not call myself clean today if I was drinking or taking pain med's not the way they were written.I married into a glouriously large Italian family and during certain social events there is drinking. I don't even think of picking up a beer or a glass of wine I am so far removed I could not put that posin in my body.Thank you so much for comming on line and sharing your experience.

[aws01]

I am a recovering drug addict, but I have learned through " my clean time " that I have an addictive personality and am not able to use alcohol or any other mind altering substance in moderation.  I think we all have to make that decision for ourselves.  For me, my life is great being sober and clean, and I intend to keep it that way.  Thanks for letting me share my opinion.  Take Care and Stay Strong Everyone !!

[dominosarah]

It all goes hand in hand in my experience.  I have a very addictive personality so i have to stay away from it all.  I quit drinking years ago but didnt quit taking pills.  Thought i was doing well by giving up the alcohol......boy was i in for a surprise.  All i had done was traded addictions.  Good post freebird!!!

[mtgoat911]

alcohol has always taken me back to my drug of choice, then my drug of choice takes me back to suboxone, i have to stay away from it all

[freebird227]

I want to thank everyone for sharing. If this helps one newcommer on this forum not to switch addiction then we have carried the message to the still suffering addict. You guys are so GREAT..

[gizzy32]

It helped me and I am not a newcomer:) Good post, it got me to start an alcohol tracker yesterday. I am not sure if I should thank you or complain? Ok i will thank you, lol.

[COLE19]

I use to think they were two diff. things, but once I gave opiates up and started drinking, I realized I was only replacing one addiction for another. When you decide to stop using, I agree with you that giving up all drugs and alcohol is what needs to happen.

[freebird227]

If I didn't know you better I would send you a great big hug and a sloppy kiss....But you might enjoy it too much lol.

[gizzy32]

LMAO and i would remember it cause I am sober, haha. Oh boy, let the rumours fly now, lol

[freebird227]

Spice it up a bit............Let the fun begin! ! !  We have a love hate relationship .Remember how it all started? ? ?........Newcommers    What can I say lol

[TysonRed]

Ive always wondered how much the availability of alcohol hinders people from recovery. For me being a pill person, I couldnt imagine going to the grocery store, restaurant or a bar full of pills. I really dont think I could stay clean with that sort of temptation looming wherever I went. Now granted finding the pills really isnt that hard but its not nearly as accessable as alcohol. I never really grasped the reality of how devastating alcohol can be until my mom became an alcoholic about 2 1/2yrs ago. Its absolutely deadly in so many ways, but for some odd reason people tolerate it more compared to other addictions.