I think I am an alcoholic. I want to stop drinking but I can't seem to control myself. Help me.?

Question

I have a serious drinking problem It is destroying my relationship with my boyfriend. He wants to leave me. I have told him numerous times that I will stop drinking, but I can't seem to do it.

I can't control myself. Its like the liquor is controlling me. I don't know what to do. I think I'm going to start going to AA meetings, but I don't know if that is enough.

Does anyone who has personally battled with this addiction have any advice? I want to stop, but I don't know how.

Answer 1

I have battled alcoholism most of my adult life.

AA made it worse. They taught me I was powerless, that I had a disease, and that only God could save me. I never managed more than a few months at a time until I took some responsibility for my actions and turned my back on AA. That was 5 years ago, been sober since.

Here's some good, practical advice on quitting or cutting down:
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/DrinkTooMuch.html

If you want to quit, here's several methods, rated by effectiveness:
http://www.behaviortherapy.com/whatworks.htm
(note that AA is near the bottom)

AA effectiveness:
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html

Answer 2

I have not battled this addiction myself, but someone close to me has. She went to lots of AA meetings, sometimes twice a day for the first few months. A good AA sponsor is a great thing. And you have to completly and I mean completly disassociate yourself from those who drink..at least for a while. You must get rid of all alcohol in your home. Surround yourself with supportive people. Admit to them and yourself that you have a problem and that you need help. Avoid parts of stores where you shop where the alcohol is. And most importantly, do not give up!! Take it one day at a time and know there will be slip ups..that is ok. If you felt so strongly about it that you posted this question, then chances are you need some help. You just took the first step. Congrats!!

Answer 3

Detox and rehab are very helpful. If you have the means to be able to use services such as these, and you are truly ready, strike while the iron is hot.
If you have tried before and failed, you are probably not up to doing this by yourself. Having some medical supervision available if you experience withdrawal symptoms (which can be very severe) may be a good idea.
Keep in mind that an alcoholic processes alcohol differently than a casual drinker as the body has adapted to consuming larger quantities than it can process naturally.
Quitting for someone else is a noble idea, but when they are gone, the motivation to stay sober may diminish. Unfortunately, addiction is a permanent part of the user's physiology, so returning to use is not starting the problem again, it is resuming where one has left off.
Exploring all avenues of aftercare can make for a well-rounded recovery. After a few months or clean time, many people resume use with the idea of moderation "this time". Having knowledge from more than one source can help someone overcome these hurdles to sustained recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous can work for nearly anyone (group therapy, it really helps to hear about how other people have done the very thing you wish to do), plus there is power in numbers. Rational Emotive therapy really puts recovery in your own hands, I would suppose, but the lack of support and encouragement could be difficult at times.
Having a group to understand you and spend time with while you are learning how to deal with everyday life can make a long lonely process a bit more fun and interesting. Spending time with your drinking buddies will not help you maintain a sober lifestyle. Don't worry, they will still go to the bars and clubs, but let someone else have your seat. You will not find it "relaxing" while trying to exercise vigilance in these places. If your boyfriend thinks you will be able to "hang out" as normal, he would be disappointed. The only reason for an alcoholic to be in a bar is to get drunk. One mistaken glass can render your hard work and devotion into crap in about 17 seconds. If you like to get dressed up and dance, there must be some other places where that can be done.
Well, good luck to you, make your choice - and stick with it.

If you have the inclination, try to find and read a book called, "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot". It's inspirational with a bit of funny thrown in for good measure.

Answer 4

The best advice I can give you is for you to call your local chapter of AA. You can go to their meetings and just sit in a listen, as you do not have to participate. There will be people there that have not had a drink in twenty years. There will be people there that came in with alcohol in their system. Just go, I beg, and just listen. You will come out rewarded. I met a guy, like I said that has not had a drink in over twenty years and he rarely misses meetings. He shared is comments with us and said all it would take to waste those years of sobriety is just one drink. He is so right. If you go through the 12 step AA process you will feel confort; and you will receive members phone numbers that will help you if you want a drink. No matter the time of day, or night you can call them. If you need personal contact with a member they will come to your house, or even meet you somewhere for coffee. I have a drinking problem and I still go to the meetings. Please go, you will be blessed. Go online a read the 12 steps to sobriety...Bob..Good Luck

Answer 5

Been there done that. It is HARD. I use to have at least 4 beers a night. I almost lost my husband ( actually I did lose him emotionally for years) . It was hard to stop. I couldn't get to sleep, I got bored, I just wanted a buzz. But I took a long look at myself and realized it had to stop. I had to take unisome for sleep. Wrote in my journal alot. I went to AA , but it wasn't for me. Now, it's been over a year and I feel great. I drink maybe once a month sometimes I'll go a month and a half. It's just something I do to escape once in a blue moon now. I don't need or feel the urge to drink. Be strong. It is a life changing decision. Good Luck.

Answer 6

You might find Hypnosis the answer to this! I was an alcoholic but I didn't go the Hypnosis route. AAA was too
tough for me so I went to MOD (Moderationg On Drink)
Every member of MOD helped me maintain the Level I set. Each meeting the Level was lowered. There were pictures of me put in every bar with note saying MOD member 2137. I choose a substitute fake alcohol or herbal drink.. Yarrow unfermented has a taste similiar to beer! But that tastes like Buckleys if too fresh. With fermented Yarrow you of course get Root Beer! It was enough to dull my craving for taste of beer. Another person at MOD used Licorce to douse the urge for Liquor! Making Licorce drinks

Answer 7

AA is a good place to start. There are other treatments and therapies out there as well, look into all of them. Get alcohol out of your house and out of your life, or it will lead you down a miserable path that will ultimately end in your death.
I am sober 10 years after drinking for 15.

Answer 8

Go to your doctor and request a medicine that makes you ill when you drink alcohol. If you decide to try to drink while on the medicine, you will only do it once. Also start attending the AA classes, they will assign you a buddy to call when you are thinking about drinking. Good luck. I went through it, it wasn't easy but it was worth it. It saved my family.

Answer 9

i have study a piece of writing in the previous explaining that ingesting many times can easily replace the way the mind is stressed out. i do not completely remember the files even with the undeniable fact that it has something to do with the element of the mind it truly is to blame for exhilaration. besides, the indicators you describe is basically element of withdrawal, at the same time as our body receives familiar with a substance and we end ingesting it, particular outcomes will be felt. you've reported you don't desire to bypass to the AA or rehab, and that i comprehend that you would likely more desirable gentle to do this on your own, yet from what you wrote i imagine it would want to be more desirable helpful on your sake to seek specialist help.

Answer 10

Start going to AA. If that's not enough, you should go to a rehab center.

Read the book Dry by Augusten Burroughs. It's a memoir on his battle with alcoholism and the time he spent in a rehab center. It's really good.