This is my day one. I’ve tried before but this is the real one.
I’ve always been scared of the word alcoholic and determined that I am not part of that category. I’m a 30-year-old woman. I own my house. I have a marriage and a good career. But I am admitting now that I am an addict and I need help.
I also thought I could not be an alcoholic because I only drink wine. But I drink over 100 drinks of wine every week. Today I’m stopping. I’m terrified.
Don’t be scared gorgeous, first bit is done, and we all know how you’re feeling. You have everything it takes to be a complete success and you know this is your next mission - we’re all gonna be here behind you. All those feelings are going to be momentary, however dark its been, it gets better from this moment onwards. Xx You got this. Youre amazing for logging on and taking that first step. Everyone who ever kicked the habit is proud of you. 
I used to worry about labels also and words used to describe what i was doing but i found out that i wanted to use those words as fuel and give me strength to prove to myself that i could overcome adversity in my life and become a better person (of course everyone is different 
) This is a great community and im proud you are here! Congrats on day 1 and stay strong. Its worth it! 
Welcome to this community,where you will find lots of support. Build your sober toolbox , visit often. Know that you are in good company!
Welcome @Claire13 this community is a great resource! Thanks to this forum and AA i have 14+ months sober after 20 years of problem drinking. I would suggest checking in and reading daily
Dont worry about labels at this point. Youve identified that your drinking is a problem. Thats the first step.
Welcome to your day 1. We are here with you!
Ps. Annie Graces 30 day alcohol experiment was amazing for me. Its free online. Just google it. It provides education about alcohol and the effects that helped me change my relationship with drinking
Welcome to the family! Be active here.
Hi Claire and welcome!
Don’t worry about words, it’s just that: words.
Name it as you please.
You are here because you are admitting you have a problem and that’s a big step to make.
I remember when I came here almost 5 years ago. I also have a husband, kids, work and a house but drank way to much. I was what they call a functioning alcoholic. Glad I recognize that I walked towards being a non functional alcoholic.
I’m sober for a very long stretch now with the help of this app and the people in it. It’s really important to surround yourself with people who understand where you are dealing with.
So that’s why I’m here. I ask for help when I need it, celebrate my milestones and help others when I can. It’s a win/win 
So I hope to see you around here much!!
I went to AA and it helped me stay sober new friends new outlook on life , wish you well
Welcome Claire!
Admitting we have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is a great start. Proud of you for taking that step. Taking action is the next step. For me, that was going to AA, even though I didn’t think I was that bad. Turns out, I can relate to so many in the rooms.
Good for you claire im on day three and was drinking similar amout to you same age too!
You got this we got this !!
Hey it’s okay to be terrified of the word, but don’t let it control you. Society has dictated that drinking is okay, but if you struggle with it you’re a bad person. They do the same thing with smoking, and even stuff like eating !
Moderation is key, but if you struggle with something it doesn’t mean you’re more inhumane than someone else, it just means you experience things differently then another individual. You’re still valid and successful in society, and I actually think it take a lot of bravery and courage to step up and openly speak about your addiction and showing vulnerability. A lot of people never hit that point in their life and end up killing themselves, or hitting complete rock bottom because of their addiction.
My dad and brother are still in the denial stage, and I cannot express how draining it is to see two grown men one pretty much 40 in just over a year, and the other 65 years of age still in a denial stage.
What you’re doing is the right thing, and if you fall down or short for one day, just get back up and keep going.
Addiction can really toy with our feelings,physical look, and it can really manipulate how we validate ourselves in society to others.
Try AA meetings, associate with people who share similar values, try to avoid triggers, and do plenty of research.
I’m personally a king of relapses and severe withdrawals, my heaviest drinking I could finish 750 ml - 1.5 L of hard liquor and sometimes a 6 pack of strong beer in a day … It was bad. Idk how I survived and I remember feeling all sorts of shame and guilt, and my withdrawals were beyond uncomfortable.
At the end of the day , I support you, and so do so many others, and I know all this will pay off in the long run.
Good luck on your journey & welcome to the community ! This app has saved me so many times.
I understand your fear, I’m on day 7. I wish you luck
I, too, have been afraid of the word alcoholic. Mainly because both of my parents are addicts & I thought I dodged that bullet. But the truth has smacked me hard across the face. Just know you’re not alone! Keep pushing forward.
I drank hard liquor every day after work for 10+ years and that hasn’t been my only addiction but I’m just about at 3 months sober for the first time. The first 2 weeks were almost unbearable for me but I can tell you it is worth it by a long shot🤙. Reach out for help. Good people on here. I’ve been married for 23 years and with the same woman for 28 years and so far everyone has been supportive and great to me no BS
or people hitting on each other👍
Today will be the day you changed the rest of your life… Welcome aboard.
After work is a habit for me. I am sitting at work right now dreading going home because I’d usually go straight to the wine fridge 
Begin by making meetings and thus making new friends
Ahh…that must be why im an alcoholic then …because im an unmarried single parent who rents her house and has an unskilled job! 
alcoholism doesnt discriminate and alot of people dont fit the apparent stereo type
Identifying the issue is the start! Day one’s are hard, but so is the damage the booze does to your life! So much lost time. Time is the one resource you never get back. And i hated losing so much time everyday either thinking about when i could drink, what i was going to drink, did i have to hide it, then not feeling good and trying to do it all over again.
Just don’t drink “right now”… and the next one’s to. Post when you get anxious, fill your time with AF activities. You got this
Welcome @Claire13. Congratulations on taking the hardest step and that’s admitting you have no control over your drinking. I was a wine drinker too, lot and lots of wine but it can change! I’m nearly up to 4 years sober and I was like you dreading it. I never thought I could escape the habit of sloshing booze down my neck at tea time whilst I cooked dinner until I passsed out. I was stuck! I promise you it CAN change! You are amongst people that completely understand what you are going through. Come here as often as you can. Remember….
NOTHING CHANGES IF NOTHING CHANGES!! When you’re heading home after work plan a chill out time instead. Nice cool shower or bath (depending what part of the world your in at the mo)…. You will be tired, rest when you can and be sure to have some sweets treats in as your body will be craving the sugar it used to get from booze. Drink plenty of water It takes 10 good days to get all of the alcohol and toxins out of your body. It DOES get easier I promise! Be gentle on yourself, you can do this! LEAN ON US 
