Alcohol affecting my life, How can I not drink? Help?

Answer 1

Doctors with all their wisdom are not the best people to help, they spend very little time, sometimes only days during their six or seven years training studying alcoholism.

The best person to help an alcoholic is another recovered alcoholic. I spent three months in rehab last year, and every counsellor was a recovered alcoholic, it's something you can't learn at university.

You best bet is to contact AA, you will find their number in your telephone book or local surgery. When you go to a meeting you can just listen, you won't be expected to say or do anything you don't want to do.

I have been going to meetings for the past year, they are not as grim as some people imagine, quite the opposite, you will learn from people who have been in exactly the same position as yourself, they are often entertaining and always sociable events, they have no doubt saved my life. I met my fiance at a meeting last March.

If you want help in finding your local group, or just want a chat, you can email me, alcoholics are there to help each other.

One thing to remember is that alcoholism is a disease, just like diabetes is a disease and can be successfuly treated.

Answer 2

Find other things to do. I found that when I watch tv or work on the computer I dont "want" it as much. Alcohol for me is a social thing that I also do when I am bored. The problem is that once I start, I drink all I have. If your problem is real bad, you can go to a dr. and get some medicine that makes you sick when you take a drink. I know of a wife that was slipping some into her hubby's morning coffee and he could not figure out why couldnt drink.
If you are ready for AA, you can go there. But if you are not, dont feel pressured to. You will know when you are ready.
Much luck to you!

Answer 3

Zee, you got some very good advice with the Alcoholics Anonymous groups. The service is free and you will find people that are having the same sort of problems that you are, the same feelings, but GOOD and POSITIVE solutions. I do not know of anyone that has been able to stop drinking on their own, nor with medicines, herbs, psychotherapy. However, I know many, many people who have stopped drinking with the support of an Alcoholics Anonymous group. There should be one or more groups in your phone directory. If not, consult the AA web page. Good luck! Write back and let us know how your first meetings at AA worked out.

Answer 4

Now that you recognise this, it's time to do something about it. You can live without alcohol, many millions have learned this around the world.

The first thing to do is go to an AA meeting, and they will help you and give you the support you need. All the them will have been where you are, so you don't have to worry, they will know the worst of your excesses and share with you some incredible stories of their own.

It will mean huge changes in your life and possibly having to find a whole new circle of friends, but that's way down the road yet. First things first, get the immediate support network that you need. So pick up the phone and dial the AA's number, and find out where and when your nearest meeting is on. Your life changes here.

Answer 5

See http://www.alcohol-rehabilitation.org/ and www.drdrew.com and call: ALCOHOLISM:
Al-Anon Family Group 1-800-356-9996
American Council on Alcoholism 1-800-527-5344
Alcohol and Drug Hotline…1-800-821-4357
National Council on Alcoholism…1-800-NCA-CALL There are medications that help: consult a doctor. Detox won't be pleasant. Look on it as short term unpleasantness, for a long term improvement in the quality of your life. Have things to fill the void created by the absence of alcohol: I used www.partypoker.com (not for $: you will lose!!!). Later, join a support group, through Groups, at Myspace, Yahoo, or Google. Avoid your old drinking buddies.

Answer 6

If you are serious get some professional help. You will need a lot of will power and lots of support, but it will be worth the effort. Try Alcohol concern they are very supportive or Alcoholics anonymous. It very much depends on how much you want to change your habits.Only you know the answer to that. I wish you all the best in your efforts.

Answer 7

You have to change your lifestyle and probably friends, who you will find weren't really friends but just others to get drunk with. If you hang with the same barflies you do now peer pressure will keep you drinking. Real friends would want to help you. And going to AA or some other person (doctor) would also help.

Answer 8

Counseling and changing your lifestyle so that you no longer are in those same situations where you would normally drink. Stop hanging out with your drinking buddies, don't go to bars or other places where drinking takes place, etc.

Answer 9

Use your experience to help educate others on the need to get booze made illegal...my friend was helped loads by Al-Anon, so they are worth a try...but tell everyone how awful it is that this stuff which definitely kills you in one sitting if you drink enough is legal, while plenty of other natural highs which will only possibly cause problems in some over long term use, are made illegal....Good luck to you friend

Answer 10

It definitely takes alot of will power. Start by not hanging around the same people . Unless they are willing to stop drinking around you. Also if its that bad go and talk to a professional.