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Q: Alcoholic lifestyle...

asked by: seefigure68 on July 28th, 2008

New User

I'm young. At least I think 23 is young to be struggling with alcoholism. I know its not uncommon, but I can't even seem to get my adult like started. I'm a college student, but failing every semester. I want more than anything to get my degree and I have high potential to do so. I study mechanical engineering. My only problem is a lifestyle that has been built around me by my alcoholic tendencies.

I can't seem to escape the drinking atmosphere. Everytime I turn around there's an opportunity to drink. And in many cases, its hard to turn down a drink. I feel like if I don't have a drink, I'm doing something wrong...and yet by having a drink, I'm doing something stupid, again.

I've gone to AA. But i can't seem to keep it up. All of my friends and family know that I have a problem, but since they dont understand fully, its hard for them to tackle me when I decide to have a drink.

I need so real advice now. I am asking anyone on this site to tell me something different from what I've already heard. Cause nothing seems to be working. I mean, I have been sober for months at a time, but I always fall back into drinking.

I don't want to bite the hand that feeds but please if you are just going to say, "go to AA, work the steps", well I've heard that before and done it, and for ur information, its doesn't work for everybody. Otherwise I wouldn't be here begging for help, I'd be sober.

Thanks for your support

John

Replies(5)

rooted

replied on July 28th, 2008

Supporter

Hi John.

Well, it seems like you're giving into the impulse to drink even though you don't really care for it. And you know the consequences. Underneath the impulse, there is an emotion, and underneath the emotion, there is a belief or thought pattern. If you can access these and get to know yourself better, you'll be better able to understand what is compelling you to drink.

What happens to you internally when someone offers you a drink? What are the thoughts going through your head?

harmony1

replied on July 28th, 2008

Supporter

& Do you think you are an alcoholic or a binge drinker. Maybe it's just a social issue for you being in college and all and being the done thing so to speak.
If it's the second answer it's all about control. I broke the habit because i didn't like it anymore But I broke away from all my friends also and maybe that it why I achieved it. I thought i was an alcoholic but when I went to the doctors to speak about it she told me I wasn't which suprised me considering how much I drank. I suggest talking to a doctor about it to seewhat they say.

seefigure68

replied on July 28th, 2008

New User

well im definitely really an alcoholic, any reasoning to think otherwise would be the deception of the monster. I have been to doctors and therapists and they would agree that I am more than a binge drinker. I wish that was it.

Well, when I am given the opportunity to have a drink, it is very difficult to say no, and have an iced tea instead. I could decline, and have before, but there is something that excites me so much when I have someone else to drink with. I have drank alone a lot, but I have recently been enjoying social drinking and partying. The only difference between me and them is I usually have twice as many drinks as everyone else. And at twice the rate.

Me turning down an opportunity to drink is like a dog passing up a treat or meal. How many times have u seen a dog decline a scoobie snack? He just can't do it, even if it was poisonous, he'd still eat it. I know alcohol is killing me and robbing everything from me, but I still yearn to feel the euphoria that it gives me. Luckily I have never tried any other drugs, cause I know I'd love them too, and burden myself with worse drug addictions.

I'm compelled to drink by loneliness, boredom, frustration, stress. Thats the bad side. The good side is compelled to drink for fun, partying, social interactions, dancing, sexual situations, etc.

harmony1

replied on August 3rd, 2008

Supporter

You've got to make a choice yourself. no-one else can do it for you. Do you sort of get that?
If you see it as a problem then you should stop. It's a life style change. You need to find positive alternatives. It's hard, but in my experience it was hard for the first two weeks then it got easier.
It's also hard to hang around people that drink if you choose to stop. Again lifestyle change. theres no point of you going partying with your mates if you don't drink because it won't be fun.
I would go and talk with a doctor and see what they suggest.

rooted

replied on October 28th, 2008

Supporter

Also, I recommend that you check out an A.A. meeting. There are meetings all over the U.S. and abroad, as well as online. You don't have to do recovery alone!

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