long ago i had ur dilemma of being a professional in a small town with sometimes wagging tongues...but i did not let it stop me from attending AA/NA and i got in my car and searched out a variety of different meetings in different towns.And i have discovered that most folks are consumed with their own stuff and do not think or talk about us as much as we think they do!You have a buffet table full on your plate.....and drinking will kill u..it will destroy ur health life and relationship with your son.It would be good for u to find a good substance abuse counselor plus have u googled Campral to see if it could help?i have seen it do wonders when folks combine it with sobriety a support group and meetings.I lost my dad approaching three years ago and my mom is in assisted living for Lewy Body Dementia.Yesterday i joined i brothers and sister for going thru their belongings sorting keeping pitching and it ripped my guts out....still is a tad.There is a lot of support here....and life out there.....full of travails for sure but alcohol will not make any of it disappear!
Dear Junie,
What a tragic story. My heart goes out to you.
I regret to tell you that no one I know who had a drinking problem and was able to quit was able to do so alone, so I would like to suggest a strategy for you for AA; since the only "requirement" for "membership" is a desire to stop drinking, you don't, in my view, need to label yourself "an alcoholic" to attend, if that makes you uncomfortable.
In the meetings, when sharing, you can adopt a technique of speaking about your experiences in generalities so that no one can specifically say you are talking about yourself. I recommend this technique for everyone. While not foolproof, this can help to reduce the "broadcast effect" that occasionally occurs, despite the best of intentions, in some AA groups.
Perhaps you could see your way to trying under the above suggested guidelines. It's really the most effective solution out there.
Good luck to you.
Well what a platefull you have to deal with. I am sorry for your loss of your parents and all the emotional turmoil you are going through. Sounds like your husband just decided to take a break from it all. Nice huh?
I also had a gastric by pass, 5 1/2 years ago. A couple more surgery's afterwards, from complications. My drinking got out of hand a couple of years ago. Never had a problem with it before. Sound familiar. I think we are on the same page here. Can't eat away our sorrows now so we drink them away. Hon, i don't know what to tell you if you can't go to AA. It has been a life saver for me. First thing I did was get all my close friends together and told them I am an alcoholic. I now am going to a therapist once a week and AA meeting once a week. It is a battle but all the support certainly does help.
What happens at one of those meetings stays there, you will probably see some familiar faces if you are in a small community. You have got to get help or this drinking will kill you. I never drank 3 bottles of wine, but wine was my drink of choice. I could and did have blackouts on 1 1/2 or 2 bottles. I was just sick of myself. My husband has been my rock. And yours needs to have his arse kicked. There is a life out there after the bottle so i hope you seek help somewhere. If you can go to a rehab place.
You could always say you are going on a long needed vacation. Keep posting. TJ
ps>Lots of great help on this site too. Hang in there.