drinking and recovery??

[Teresa1717]

I was having this conversation and wanted to know others thoughts. Do you think recovering addicts (not alcoholics)  can casually drink (drink a glass or 2 at dinner, not trying to get drunk) and not relapse to their DOC? Also do you think its possible to stay a "casual" drinker and not turn alcohol in to a transferred addiction?

Thanks for your input!

[YesLife4Me]

I don't know.... this is a tough one for me because I never developed a taste for alcohol.   I don't like the smell and while it may give me a little buzz... I usually end up tired after one drink.  So I guess it is true that you have to keep drinking to keep that buzz.  I don't like being hungover or sick from drinking so I don't want to have more than one or two.   Yet I can see how it could turn into a problem.   I know some people that drink a few drinks every single night, but don't consider themselves alcoholics.   I'd say they are definitely dependant..even if they don't start drinking until after 6pm.   If you need it, then it's a problem for an addict.    

[Nighthawk61]

Boy, what an incredible post. I hope to hear from all of the posters whose work i've come to admire, so please keep them coming, i think this question is, and always will be SO relevant to new sobriety? There's a grey area, a disconnect. I started drinking because I couldn't sleep. As my tolerance lowered , i slept easier, unfortunately it behind the wheel of a truck. I put a cabby into a bus shelter,(empty and at night thankfully), and lost my husband to juvenile diabetes while i was busy doing my time on weekends, instead of looking after him, like i promised i would. Cunning and baffling doesn't begin to describe what this devil can do to an addict whose not watching their reduction in tolerance closely. IMHO, if you feel you want to drink a drink, then keep a journal, and keep highly in check with how you're feeling and whether your tolerance is changing.

After not drinking, and trying to pay my great penance, the statement that Weaver has said best describes my personal motto, so thank you Weaver for this..."It seems like those who stay clean long enough don't have a desire to feel different."  I guess there were times that i may have had a form of anxiety without drinking (i wouldn't hardly know because i always drank), but i have to say, i don't have any problem with anxiety in a social situation without liquor, in fact, i feel much more comfortable with myself, I guess because I am myself.  

[Teresa1717]

Hey Thanks everyone for your honest feed back! It really opened my eyes to how destructive alcohol can be during this recovery period. Even though people havent necessarily had a problem with Alcohol, I think as addicts we are definitely so close to that line and for me, Its just not safe. I was toying with the idea of having a glass of wine here or there but I just dont  think I can. Especially after reading through all of this with all of your opinions and personal experiences.

Thank you guys for taking the time to respond and helping to open my eyes!

[Pat1956100]

I can't remember the last time I had a drink but it's not something that concerns me right now.  I am just trying to stay clean anyway I can.
I just can't say that if I am offered a glass of wine at Christmas that I will say no.  
I don't have an opinion on this because I haven't been in that situation yet.

[Jade59]

Sara, I must be honest and say, I could easily be in your shoes if the combo of alcohol and meds didn't make me vomit from the word go.  Even tho' I hated alcohol, it did put me in an altered state, so sadly, it wasn't for the lack of trying.  I realize I dodged a bullet there...

[OpenMind24hours]

One drink? If I got just the slightest buzz from that one drink, this addict will want more. More happens to be my main drug of choice. More alcohol will always lead to pot (if I had some). And then I'd head straight to my wife's purse when she wasn't looking for her Vicodin. Then I'd shop my latest MRI at a pain clinic. And then everything I went through; the horrible anxiety, sweats, constant bad asthma and coughing from the stress, the weeks of RLS (and RAS) every night, 3AM tub soaks...on and on... will be my future again, if I have another recovery left in me.  

[Jade59]

Yes, Sara, VERY scary.  I didn't even know that was what I did until the SA forum.  

[dominosarah]

Thanks Jade. It is very scary how fast it gets you isnt it?

[Jade59]

I am not a drinker AT ALL.  No wine or drink with dinner EVER as an adult, as I can't stand the taste of alcohol, but after a rehab stay in '88', I met someone who DID drink, and that was all it took for me to begin binging Heavily on Crown Royal for about a year on weekends.  We would drink an entire liter bottle, then go get another.  I would never say I was an alcoholic at group meetings while in rehab because I Did Not Drink.  Traded one addiction for another before I knew what hit me.

[dominosarah]

If i took a drink i would die as that one drink would turn into a bottle of whiskey, not mixed with anything, straight and this is what i would do every single day.  I drank it like people drink water.  it is nothing to mess with, trust me.

[Dane74]

Hey girl, this is a subject that i have and still struggle with.  In the beginning of my recovery like the first 90 days i was no way, i will not drink i am going to be straight, then i started with some wine and before i knew it, it became a bottle.  So as i learned in rehab, "clear of ALL mind altering substances"  I never agreed, but now i understand completely about cross addiction!!!!  I was never much a drinker as i preferred my pills, so i didn't drink much at all.  Well after about 3 months clean or so i started drinking, and before i knew it i was drinking way to much, and i got scared, very scared, i don't want to not be able to ever have a drink, i want to be normal and drink socially at times.  So i have caught myself going down the path of drinking to much and put a stop to it, i do drink at times, at parties and such, but i am keeping a close eye on it.  I see both sides to this and the safest route to take is to abstain from all mind altering.  I know its confusing, but we are all learning and this is a great way to open up the line of communication.  

[Pat1956100]

I'll drink to that!!!!

[weaver71]

It seems like those who stay clean long enough don't have a desire to feel different. I've drank some, but it hasn't helped me be a better person in any way. I want to be joyous and free, so I don't think it's worth it. The great obsession off alcoholics and addicts, is to drink and use like normal people. There are those of us who continued to fail at moderation and conscious decision making. We hit bottom and quit. Now what? How do I stop wanting to feel better on demand? Alcohol, pot, pills, it all separates me from the moment and my feelings. There are other options. Dancing creates a high much like opiates for me, but it goes away when I go to bed. What are some other options that could replace alcohol?

[Teresa1717]

Your like my personal teacher! :) Lesson after lesson. Its a good thing Im not a student Like I was in Highschool!! You would want to kick my ***! lol

[dominosarah]

Remember that "control" doesnt equal "strength".  There is your lesson for the day~

[Teresa1717]

I think this thread has given great insight to my question!  I think that im with the majority and that i should avoid even a drink especially right now. I jave been stubborn in my thinking with this up until now but realize im not unique so it will probably just case issues! Just not worth it to me :)

And yes DS, I Have to always keep an eye out on the "gnome" :)

[Sonrissa]

I think it is a very slippery slope! In my life, I have gone from one addiction to another! It seems I am always obsessed, or addicted to something! It's just the way I am! Since I quit abusing pain pills, I have had exactly 2 glasses of wine! I did not like how it made me feel! I felt very much out of control!

That being said, we are all different! Do I think you can never enjoy a drink on occasion? No! But, and there is always a but, please be very aware of what could potentially happen! For me, I will continue to try to stay away from all drugs, including alcohol! Just my humble opinion!

[Brightfutureahead]

Interesting that you brought this up Teresa...I've been conflicted about this for a few months now. I struggle with the idea of never drinking again even though I've never drank much to begin with. I'm told that's my addiction talking- trying to take control of something, and that I need to be more willing and open to the idea. It was also suggested that I feel sorry for myself and that I'm angry at my addiction. Jeeze. I dunno. I don't feel angry, or sorry for myself. I was then reminded that I am not like everyone else, and that it probably hurts to come to terms with this. Between my sponsor and therapist, when I brought up this subject just this week, those are the answers I got.

Sometimes it's a little discouraging. I  feel pretty good and strong in my recovery. I look forward to going to meetings and doing work with my sponsor. Then I hear I'm feeling angry and feeling sorry for myself- and that I'm not going to enough meetings I need to be going to more than one-two a week. I'm like- woah. It's so good to learn how to be a better person I love being a part of the fellowship- and I want to be willing I don't want to control things or be angry. I don't really feel like I am?! Ahh?!?!

Learning curve I guess.

Ok sorry that just went straight from my brain to the keyboard- I guess it had to come out :)

[Fireby29]

This is a touchy subject, but I believe in honesty.

I accept that it is very, very dangerous for a narcotic addict To use alcoholat any level.  Personally for me danger lies more in if pills became available my decision making would be altered, this putting me more at risk.  I have never been interested in liquor or wine, I just like a few beers from time to time.  I have been hyper aware of my use and it seems that it is no different then it was way before my pill addiction started.  Again, I would not recommend this, all I am saying is it seems to work for me.  I have some roadblocks in place to alert me if it is getting to be more then a couple days a month.  Just thought I would share.

Bryan

[ricart70]

not for me

[ang_811]

I know for me everytime I quit my DOC I thought I could have a drink. Eventually that one drink would turn into many more and eventually a bottle. Then I'd turn to my DOC. I tried over n over to b able to just have one drink only to fail and to get back on that crazy train. That's when my alcoholism took off. There's a rare few that can. I'm not that one.

[atthebeach]

Cross addiction is very common for addicts, alcohol could become your new drug of choice.I think it is best to avoid it.

[maria920]

good morning!!! IMO  yes i think recovering addicts can have a drink or 2 at dinner. like me for example i really dont drink but every once in  a while to mood will strike me and a have a cpl glasses of wine. dinking never ever turned into me using or wnting to use for tht matter. also i think its 100% possible to stay a casual drinker and not become an alcoholic. i will say it does depend on the person tho. if i were someone who once i started drinking didnt stop until i got drunk or didnt have some sort of limit i would stay away bc then i think you may b at risk for a transfered addiction, for me i dont have a problem with a little here and a little there. Are there times where i end up getting drunk yes ( esp if out at a bar) BUT tht is a once every 2-3 months, mayb even longer. also i believe if the person was going to use this as a crutch the id stay far FAR away ya kno? I hope i was able to answer ur question Teresa? Lmk if there anything ive missed!!! Have a WONDERFUL day!!! =)