I'm an alcoholic and I just bought a bottle of scotch...?

Question

I really want some. 1 year sober..but I'm really unhappy. Do you think I can have a one nighter for old times sake

Answer 1

If you've been sober for a year, you know that taking that first drink can lead to a binge. You also know that the booze doesn't make you any happier.

If you're in a 12-step program, you should call your sponsor. If you see a shrink, you should call him or her.

Remember, you quit for yourself (and for a good reason), so try to think of something else to do rather than drink a bottle of scotch.

Answer 2

I get the impression that you're just kidding around, and that your Question is just meant as a joke.

But if not: do not drink. Period.

You have come a long way...a year sober is an incredible milestone. For the moment, forget about what other people mean to you; forget about your relationships with friends, family, co-workers, etc. Right now, just think about you.

You say you're feeling unhappy. Are you more unhappy now than you were a year-and-a-half ago? Is your life in "better shape" now than it was then? And aside from your emotional state, do you feel better physically?

Alcohol can be a very good way to make things better; whether it's your physical well-being, your emotional life, your relationships, your job, etc. But (you know this) nothing is actually "better" while you're drinking. Alcohol just makes things SEEM better, for a little while. Afterward, things are the same as they were before...and quite possibly, even worse.

Call someone. Your sponsor, a close friend, a family member, anyone. Anybody who's familiar with your situation. Talk through this. They are there to give you support and encouragement. You are not imposing on them...they love you, and they support you, and they'd be willing to do ANYTHING to keep you sober. Remember that...it's a fact.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Doing it because you're really unhappy doesn't sound like a good idea, you'll probably end up more more depressed, and feel like you've screwed up.

I kept thinking that if I quit for 6 months, I'd have a better handle on it and not let my drinking get out of control again, but I didn't and it did. At least five times.

That's because I spent all my time focusing on not drinking, which only made me think about drinking the whole time.

I figured out: if I spend all my time thinking about it, I'm still addicted to it. So this time around I focused on other things, getting my life in order, working on the depression that made it so easy to back to the bottle, going back to school.

It's been 5 years now, I think I could probably drink now without getting trapped back in that life, but I have no reason to...my life is the best it's ever been. I tracked down an old flame from my early drinking days (she doesn't drink) and got married. She wouldn't commit while I was indulging. I don't have all the little problems associated with drinking, or the big one of always being broke.

Life for me is better without drinking, I can't see how drinking could improve it.

Answer 4

We cannot decide for you. I wish we could. I would tell you pour it down the sink as quickly as you can. That is the right thing to do. But whether or not you would hear me is another thing again. Eighteen years ago, I quit alcohol. Before that time, I used to slip and buy a six pack of beer. I don't know how many six packs I poured down the sink because I knew exactly where they would take me. My heart goes out to you because I have stood where you are right this minute. All I can tell you is I know what it is to be where you are right now and I would walk over to the sink with that bottle of scotch in your hand, open it and pour it down the sink. I would not even give it away, which is another option. End the uncertainty of making such a tragic mistake by getting rid of that stuff right this minute, if you can. It is one day at a time. Others will disagree with me, and possibly, so will you, but the ones who disagree did not fall off their bicycle at one in the morning on a late night beer run and knock out six of their front teeth. Like I did. And I could give you some other rather heroically stupid examples which was me, way back then. Please at least give some momentary thought to what I have written here. I make no apologies nor excuses. Each man has to decide this stuff for himself. I hope you make the right decision this evening. Sent to you with good energies from Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A. (I am 63 years old, and alive and sober.)

Answer 5

You can't have a "one nighter" you'll be back at square one.

You never hear about a slip up being a good time and over.

You're unhappy, that's OK, but don't couple that with being drunk and feeling like you've let yourself down.

These are the times that friends and family and sponsors can help you. Please don't listen to the insensitive idiots that are egging you on. That's just insane and out right cruel.

You can do this! Just toss the scotch and know that a better day is coming. I know you can get by this--if you couldn't you wouldn't have taken the time or trouble to reach out.

Take care of yourself, there are things you could do tonight that will make you a better guy tomorrow, tossing the booze is your first step.

I'll be thinking of you---good luck sweetie!

Answer 6

I suggest putting that bottle down and eat a chocolate bar or ice cream. The chocolate with give you a quick high and will get you out of your funk. Don't forget the drinking was probably started somewhere along the way when you were trying to find a quick fix for your problems. Now it has become a problem. You don't need to get back on the bandwagon again. Binge drinking isn't going to help. Whatever problem you have know will surface again when you sober up. So think creatively and figure the pros and cons of your problem and write it down. I'm sure you will find a solution without involving alcohol.

Answer 7

Well if you are in AA, then you know all the slogans:

There's no problem so bad that a drink can't make worse

If you don't want to get hit by a train, don't play on the tracks

Et cetera...

However, ARE you an alcoholic? Maybe you're not. Also, if you've read the Big Book, then you know what it says, that you may have to go out and do some experimental drinking to make sure.

I will NEVER stop someone from hitting their bottom. If you want to drink, by all means do. Again, I don't know if you're in AA, but if you are, then you know that anyone can be a member of AA and still drink. The only requirement for membership is to have the desire to stop drinking.

But then, if you are not an alcoholic, there's nothing to worry about. I hope you're not, actually.

Love, Jack.

Answer 8

Surely you are joking! If you are an alcoholic and you have been sober a year without AA it's a miracle. If you have been to AA you know you can't EVER drink again or you will be at square zero.

I urge you to go to AA if you haven't been and get the help of a sponser.Out of the 100's of alcoholics I have known, only 2 have been able to remain sober for more than 1 year without AA. The program is tried and true and has been around for over 70 years.

I wish you all the luck in the world.
God bless you.

Answer 9

No, for an alcoholic there's no such thing as a one nighter. Do you have a sponsor you could call? My son is an alcoholic and believe me, you learn alot when someone you love suffers from alcoholism. Please, consider calling someone for help. I'm sure there are people in your life who love you so very much. Don't drink,even though the temptation is overwhelming..Do you believe in God,the power of prayer is powerful. He loves you through it all. My son is 32 and has been going through this nightmare since he was a teen ager. I know you want to stay sober,just hang on and respect yourself and the 1 year sobriety. You deserve a better life,create that for yourself. I'll pray for you. God Bless!

Answer 10

You say you're unhappy. Bringing alcohol back into life will make your life miserable. If you've already made the decision to drink, no one can stop you. Except you. If you're questioning whether you want a drink, keep the bottle capped and call on the support system that's helped you stay clean this past year. It's a big decision and merits thought and effort.