I would like to bring attention to 2 specificity on the second page. First, there is only « early remission » and « sustained remission », which leave no option for « complete remission » in the alcool use disorders. And second, at the end of the last page, the presence of symptoms which represent the severity of the trouble and, idk for you but, for me the 11 symptoms are present when I use.
So don’t know if I am an alcoholic in someone’s else’s terms or views, but I have for sure an alcohol use disorder in front of every physician and psychiatrist. That will do for me.
I like this reply - we are masters of our own destiny and noone can tell you what is right or wrong. Thanks for the post. I am new to sobriety today and this forum is my new lifeline for now which feels great.
My personal definition of an alcoholic is a person incapable of quitting drinking or using after fully admiting that the substance that he/she is doing is causing nothing but harm, despair, and pain.
I am scared to type what I really want to type. I will just say, I know I am an alcoholic. My wife has been concerned for me the past year. But no one knows I am here. I live in ALOT of shame right now for so many reasons. I am 3 days sober. Some moderate cravings but I am coping. I am an alcoholic. I am an alcoholic. I am an alcoholic. I feel so weak and shameful I can’t control it.
Nothing weak about having a disease Bro. People with cancer or AIDS don’t chastise themselves for not being able to control their disease and neither should we.
I’m glad you’re here. The fist step is admitting we are an alcoholic. You did that. So just keep coming back here. Read a lot and ask for help when you need
Congrats on 3 days. I know that was a near impossible feat for me in the beginning. So keep it up pal.
It’s a sign of strength you’re here Joe. A sign of strength you realise you can’t do it alone. Good to see you. We do this together and together we’re strong. We’re all here for the same reason. Big congrats on 3 days, that’s a huge feat. Stay with us, talk. with us. We know the deal. You’re not alone. Welcome here and welcome to your sobriety.
I survived some huge cravings tonight. I love love love to drink when I cook. Making homemade lasagna…all I could think about was wine. But I didn’t give in. Two more hours and I have made it to 4 days. I suppose doing a count down might make it worse?
Good on making it through Joe. I used to come home from work, and cook and drink wine. Day in day out. Finishing my first bottle when I was about done cooking, It did feel like giving something up at first. Now it doesn’t no more. I gained the sober me. And counting, well that’s different for all of us. I count my days. Others don’t. Like Jaymie says.
I had the same internal conflicts myself and thank you for the post. In summary I decided the AA idea that you are powerless and need meetings forever just did not sit right with me. I read this naked mind which helped a lot (although the offer charges a fortune for her “courses” you don’t need them the book is enough) and read a lot of the stuff from SMART recovery. SMART looks at the problem as a behavioural disorder, a health issue and with the use of cognitive behavioral Therapy techniques you can reprogramme away from the behaviours genetics play a huge part of course. This is of course all done with the power of the individual. I believe in God and I’m a practicing Christian in that I attend church and I believe God gives us the minds and ability to help ourselves.
Two different approaches and whatever works. I never thought about booze so much when I went to the AA. The message of being powerless did not make sense to me and yes I’ve tried to quit many many times and I just see that as part of the journey to accepting you have a problem. I’m glad AA has worked for you and many others
That was my pattern, too. Start dinner - open wine. I thought I wouldn’t be able to cook without it. Now, I make myself a mock tail of mulled fresh orange and maraschino cherries with lots of ice, diet tonic water, seltzer and fresh lemon in a huge glass. It must send some signal to the brain because I get cooking an do not feel deprived. But im only a month into this.
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