An Alcoholic's dilemma

[Gwylan]

If you can come out to your mate, then Option 3, otherwise Option 2.

You can't spend your entire life running from social events so why not start with a close friend, someone you know will be supportive. It will make other events much easier after that.

 

[Brovion]

Firstly you MUST attend the AA meeting, everything else can follow on from that.

So I would go to the meeting and ask them what to do. If they say "DON'T GO" then go home. Ring up your mate a day or so later apologise for not going and tell him the reason, after all, now you've admitted you've got a problem to NSC you should be able to 'fess up to your mate.

If possible however go to the meeting, then go to the party and drink soft drinks. If you feel yourself weakening, grab Mrs OTLW and LEAVE. Again ring your mate up a day or two later and explain.

I think 1 is the worst option (marginally) as it is hiding a bit.

 

[B.M.F]

option one would be the safest idea as you have only just admitted it. If however you feel strong enough then go for number 2. In the end you are going to face your demons and now whilst the commitment is so strong might be a good time to challenge it. you will have your other half their for support and you can always say you do not feel well if you get any unsatiable urges to drink.


Good luck Fella you have done the hardest bit by admitting you have a problem

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

It may be too early for 2 and 3 OLTW only you know. I would think recovering alcoholics don't need to be within 100 yards of anywhere where alcohol is freely available and everyone else will be getting tanked up.

If you think you have the willpower it will be a massive step.

Only you know mate.

 

[Beach Hut]

I would recommend you attend the AA meeting as this is your best support to help you.

You may think you are being selfish to your friends but as he is a genuine mate he will understand.

 

[SussexHoop]

Why not tell your mate about your problem before the night of the party and tell him what you're going to do? I also think you should go to the AA meeting and then to the party for a short while.

I think it's asking a bit much and it's a bit risky to put yourself in a party situation for hours at such an early stage.

Whatever you do, I wish you well.

 

[Spicy2]

No 1 - enough said. If you were confident about going to the party and avoiding the booze you wouldn't need the meeting.

 

[tedebear]

I'd go for the option where you go to the meeting and then see how you feel - chance are you'll hopefully feel strong enough to drive and pick up your wife and maybe even tell a few people what you're working on achieving, which might help your motivation as well!!

I've only just read about your situation - well done for realizing that something needed to be done - good luck OTLW - your decision can't help but be good for you and your family!!

 

[On the Left Wing]

Just to thank you all once again. My instinct is still to just go to AA and give Colin’s party a miss (will explain to him and his wife Catheryn at a later date). But taken on board what people have said and I will pass it by the others in the AA fellowship and if I feel good may well just drive down to Scumberland and say hello for a few minutes.
It is getting easier re: the alcoholism. I feel mentally more in tune (no more alcohol induced depression) and my body is waking up - no more night sweats and better kidney function (peeing more) which is healthy!
Thanks again chaps and daft bints.

 

[Marc]

It is getting easier re: the alcoholism. I feel mentally more in tune (no more alcohol induced depression) and my body is waking up - no more night sweats and better kidney function (peeing more) which is healthy!

blimey...sounds like me (except I piss loads), think I might have to drinking less as I have been thinking about it for a couple months...damn the pub crawl on saturday!

 

[On the Left Wing]

blimey...sounds like me (except I piss loads), think I might have to drinking less as I have been thinking about it for a couple months...damn the pub crawl on saturday!

Crabbers … the symptoms crept up on me over a number of years, but in black and white they were: addiction (a need for a drink and another and another, night after night), water retention, depression and some paranoia (particularly when drinking and in the hours following a heavy night), drenching night sweats, itching in my groin and under my arms when I sweat (due to the ke-tones and toxins in the sweat), ke-tones in my urine (found by my GP), sleeplessness (waking at 2am and lying awake night after night), constant tiredness and a general feeling of being groggy, irritability and bad temper over minor things, high blood pressure and finally an enlarged liver (again detected by GP).
As I say these things came on over a period of time (the enlarged liver was the last stage).
I must say that even after just 11 days without a drink I feel brighter and generally more in control of my life.
End of September is my first goal to be without a drink and then mid October, which will be the key 6 week period when the liver starts to repair itself.
I want to be able to have a few drinks with my wife and older son and daughter at Christmas, but then NOT have to do the same the next night. Will have to wait and see.

 

[GUNTER]

Option 1. Resist temptation altogether at this early stage.

 

[Marc]

yeah I'm not that bad, I think I related to the alcoholic depression as theres alot of shit going on in my life and the hangover effects depression in a weird way. Although I do get the sweats!

I dont have the constant craving for beer, think its more of a "I cant stay in this weekend cos I'll miss out on something" syndrome so i end up down the pub and of course have a few beverages! I will try to ease off and maybe just drink beer 2 nights a week instead of the recent 4nights with all day sunday thrown in! Summer does'nt help as its great to be in a pub this time of year, once the rain comes I can stay at home and save beer money for snowboarding and that will help the liver before I get too bad and like you need a doctor to make me relalise whats going on (not that you needed that but just saying).

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

With most alcoholics there will come a point when your body says enough is enough. The stark choice is do I want to live or do I want to die.

Mrs Glover's father had that choice some time ago when the GP outlined this to him. He carried on drinking and died 12 months later at the age of 48.

OLTW has chosen to live. Well done mate.

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

Go with your instinct, when faced with a choice I always find the first decision is always the right one, never dwell on why you've decided to do what you wanted, that is the path to regret.

Hopefully you'll be joining Orange Juice anonymous this time next year, but just think of how all that vitamin C is doing you good in the meantime.

If you feel the urge for a drink, make sure it's something that encourages the endorphines, say a nice mug of hot chocolate, or a fruit smoothie. They say Chocolate is better than sex ( but brush your teeth afterwards ) !

It's also a good idea to try and focus on some activity that replaces the addiction, say, going out for a walk every evening ( not to the pub ) or a hobby you used to have in your younger days that you might want to take up again. Exercise can, after a while, become an addiction in itself.

 

[On the Left Wing]

Thanks once again GG .....

Crabbers: I wish I could have maintained 4 nights a week with 2 or 3 off. My problem was it was EVERY night. And in the last few years I wasn't even feeling pissed or even getting a hangover! My constitution must have been like a tank!
And just to think it all started some 30 years ago in the drinking dens of Shoreham and Lancing (Crabtree, Buckingham, Burrell, Swiss Cottage and Sussex Potter!)

 

[On the Left Wing]

or a hobby you used to have in your younger days that you might want to take up again. Exercise can, after a while, become an addiction in itself.

That might be dangerous .... the only hobby I can recall from my younger days was chasing younger women!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Ask your Mum.

No 1. Good advice from Brovian though.


Top advice from MoH as well.

 

[Marc]

Thanks once again GG .....

Crabbers: I wish I could have maintained 4 nights a week with 2 or 3 off. My problem was it was EVERY night. And in the last few years I wasn't even feeling pissed or even getting a hangover! My constitution must have been like a tank!
And just to think it all started some 30 years ago in the drinking dens of Shoreham and Lancing (Crabtree, Buckingham, Burrell, Swiss Cottage and Sussex Potter!)

Blimey you even started in the pubs I drink in! (well 2 of em)

 

[On the Left Wing]

I eventually just went to the AA meeting and so glad I did. I know I am among some like-minded and like-addicted people and we have a good laugh and some serious moments.I know it is helping.
Mrs OTLW went along to Colin's 40th and gave my excuses. She returned home about 10.15pm. I need to chat to Colin personally very soon to explain things.
Once again thanks to so many people here for your support. The likes of Yorkie, Brovian, Dave and Braders have been NSC mates for quite some time. But there are so many more who have posted, PM'd and emailed both over this and also my resolution with my daughter. You all know who you are and I daren't list for fear of missing people. Some of your posts and messages have brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. Thank you strangers and friends all from the bottom of my heart.
OTLW