Alcohol problem

[TORBA001]

Hi,

I am a male in his 30s and I started drinking since I was about 14 years old.
I considered myself as a social drinker, I do not drink everyday, I do it ocassionally about once a week on average.
Trying to rember everything about my life, I noticed that from time to time ( can be many years in between ) due to alcohol I get into some kind of trouble and end up feeling guilty and bad about myself.
Now I have a Family, and I think the best for me and them is to stop drinking.
The hard part is that is really difficult for me not to accept a drink, and being honest I enjoy it a lot while I am drinking.
Can anyone give me and advise on how to start the processo of quitting drinking?

[ibizan]

I was never successful at having just a few....the loss of control always happened even when i tried so hard to control!I tried......and failed miserably tons of x's w/so called controlled drinking!Been sober/clean now 31 years!

[TTinKKerBBell]

This is a no-brainer

You do not want to "repeat this experience again in Your life" - therein lies Your answer. You can't have it both ways so You MUST make a choice - don't drink !!

If You had not been drunk You "would not have slept with a girl You just met" - Therein lies Your answer.  You can't have it both ways so You MUST make a choice - don't drink !!

You state that You think "You and Your Familys' well being are first" - Therein lies Your answer.  You can't have it both ways so You MUST make a choice - don't drink !!

You are "terrified that if You drink You would lose control again".This is REALLY a no-brainer "terrified" !!??!!  Listen to Your choice of word here - "terrified" - You should not do anything that "terrifies" You - don't drink !!

To answer Your question "can someone who 'likes' (?) alcohol 'learn' to have just a couple of drinks?".  The answer is NO.  You MAY be able to control it 'somewhat' for a time - but sooner or later You will lose 'control' again.  This I know is true.

For starters:
The addition of ANY (even in small amounts) chemical (alcohol is a chemical) drastically alters brain function.  There is decreased activity in the region of our brain that is responsible for decision making and rational thought.

You have choice: to drink or not.  If You find it difficult seek support.  You've come to the right place. Everyone here who has recovered wants to be Your Friend.

GoodLuck

































































































It's what happens with alcohol

[TORBA001]

Thank for your comments.  
After last episode, I talk to couple of doctors and wrote to these forums assesing the risk of exposure to stds. Everyone agrees that I had no risk of exposure and that I should not be worried.  However, what I did, help me examine and remember what I really want in life. I do not want to repeat this experience again in my life.
That is why I am asking myself if I should quit drinking.  if I had no been drunk, I would have not slept with a girl I just met.
The truth is that I enjoy drinking but I think my and my family's wellbeing are first.
Now I am terrified that if I drink I loose control again.  Do you think someone who likes alcohol can learn to have just a couple of drinks?  Or is it better to avoid it all at once??

[ibizan]

Going to assume you are married since you say you have a family?a wife yes?after the episode with girl and protected sex,which was wise(the protection)what kind of help did you seek?are you still seeking it?

[TORBA001]

I drink about once a week on average, and most of the times I drink about 200 ml (6.7 fl oz) of liquor, ( rum or whiskey).  However, there are times, althougth not so offten, when I feel like drinking until I get drunk.  
In those episodes is when I get in trouble.  Last time, I ended up having protected sex with a girl I just met.  After that I felt terrible and looked for all kind of help.  
Before that, I had many years withouth getting into very serius trouble.
Now I am terryfied of having a drink, but socialy It is very hard to say no.