asking for help

[msgreen132]

This is my first time on this or any website, so im not sure how it works. I have been asking myself lately if i am an alcoholic. There is alcoholism in my family. I started drinking at 30 i am now 51. i drank on a very regular basis from 30 untill about the age of 40. I got drunk almost every night during those 10 years. I stopped drinking heavily around 40. A year ago i started drinking somewhat heavily again. I drink at least 5 nights a week and have at least three liquor drinks and if im drinking wine i can drink a bottle. I make my drinks very strong. I would like to stop but i don't want to go in to a treatment center. I was hoping to get on line support if at all possibe, and would like help from any one out there. thank you

[surfin]

AA meetings.  And go to several, they get better with time.... it's better to be a sober alcoholic and just an alcoholic, good luck!

[Punkinhead75]

Hi and welcome.  I agree with the others.  Look into an AA mtg.  They have helped me a great deal.  Most people are friendly and supportive.  Try to be open and identify with what they have to stay.  Not all the stories are the same but the underlying reasons why we do what we do and the feelings that go along with it are the same.  I wish you the best of luck.  If there is anything I can do to help please don't hesitate to ask.  Take care!!!

[lboogie7729]

Check out the different groups on here and read some posts, see if you relate, feel free to ask questions, feel free to check out my page and journal posts. I do not go to meetings, but I have attended some in the past. I see a counselor at my university because they offer a sliding scale fee and I feel comfortable talking to her about a variety of things. I also participate in an open forum online for woman only that is very helpful for me. If it's bothering you to the point of asking yourself and us questions, then it seems like it is time to make some changes. I'm wishing you the best and you can send me a friend request if you like!

[Jacker]

Welcome to the group.  It's not all about the quantity, although that certainly plays a role.  It's also about the reasons that we drink (beyond the addiction) and what happens when we drink.  

Why do you think you stopped at 40?  What do you think made you start again more recently?  You may not know the answer to this now, but that's what a good treatment program is designed to discover.  And the 12 steps of AA is a very good treatment program that happens to be free of charge.

As for the website, "yes" you're using it correctly.  Ask questions, and there are quite a few members here who will speak from their own experiences.  

[ibizan]

alcoholisms greatest common denominator is the loss of control when u drink....u lose control over the amount and ur resulting behavior.there can be long lapses tween drinking episodes...then u pick up that first drink and its off to the races again!I agree w/kahlia try an AA meeting...go...keep an open mind and listen to what u have in common w/others descriptions of their loss of control and desire 2 quit drinking!

[kaliahnasmumma]

i would suggest looking for an Alcoholics Anonymous, there you can get support without being admitted to a rehabilitation centre.

good luck