Some days I read this page and I think...wow...all these people are drinking and they are functioning! I can drink and function anymore. I become a statue on the couch with the beer not very far from me and at least 2 packs of cigs.
I used to be able to function when I was drinking when I was younger...but what I believe happened to ME...was I discovered the "morning" drink about 15 years ago.
About 15 years ago...after a family cookout...I felt soooo sick from drinking all day the day before....I was probably on line and learned about the "hair of the dog". And I drove back to my brother in laws house...and raided the beer that was left outside in the cooler.
I started drinking that day..and because I was younger...I felt so much better after the first drink...I kept going and I thought....I had the cure for a hangover!
I was working back then so only drank at night during the week and didn't have those horrible hangovers in the mornings...but on weekends...I started drinking in the a.m. if I had drank too much on a Friday night to cure the blurry vision, the awful taste in mouth, that dragging feeling.
This pattern led me to drinking continiously all weekend from morning to night...and that is when my alcoholism took a serious turn for the worst.
I think I did that for 5 years before stopping for 8 years...after finally getting help.
I read these pages daily...and it seems many people drinking are still able to go to family events...eat....cook....live.
Stay away from that morning drink....it is designed to take your alcoholism to levels that you have never been before....especially if you are not working...
When I stopped working 2 years ago and started up my drinking again...the morning drink came right back....and so did the horrible nightmare of the vicious cycle of alcoholism.
I always started drinking around 11:00 a.m. because it seemed close to noon. Real insanity.
I am not one of those people who can go places and eat, cook, and live. Although when I quit back in 2002 for 11 years I could do it. What the difference is between then and now I don't know. Things are completely different. Mabye because last time I put myself in rehab and this time I'm doing it on my own (with the help of my doctor and AA). I'm also waiting for May 2nd when I have my outpaitent alcohol counseling. I had to wait an entire month to get in. So mad & felt like they just didn't care. I've been calling every other days asking if they have cancellations. They're one of the best around so I'll wait but in that time I slipped once. Hoping not to slip again.
Sounds like you're doing some real soul searching!! Keep it up! Can I ask if you went to rehab or not?
Hi missy
I drink in the mornings on days I'm not working,not to cure a hangover as I don't really get them but just because I want that GOOD feeling.I then count units and try to work out when I can drive if I have commitments,then continue to drink in the early evening
Are you tired of that "good" feeling? I quit for 11 years before. This time around it "was" 2 weeks until I wanted that "good" feeling yesterday. Today I know I'm starting over again. 
I'm taking Nalmefene but not really feeling any results as yet but yes,still like that good feeling and the other thing is I LOVE wine.
People I know talk about loving chocolate ect but I'm a savoury person and love wine with food,hence why I've put on so much weight in the last 10 years
I totally agree with you Missy, I never drink of a morning, never have, but I can imagine I'd be in a far worse state of alcoholism if I did. Not to say my situation is exactly ideal right now (still drinking everyday at night) but I imagine if I got into the habit of drinking morning, noon and night - which I'm sure if given the opportunity, I could easily slip into - I'd be screwed. I think holding down a full time job and having to drive in the mornings prevents this, as I daren't drive with any alcohol in my system.
I think I need something for the cravings. TIme to talk to my doctor more. Do you drink and take that pill together?
Yes,I take the pill 2 hours before a drink which can take some doing but I havnt cheated yet
I agree with you. The second time around I didn't start until after 4 pm when I got home from work. When you need that morning drink it's so much tougher to function and so much harder to quit. Good luck BK!
So, basically that pill is to "help" reduce the amount of alcohol you drink?
Yes,it gradually helps to close the pathways in your brain that say MORE MORE!!
Understand! Good luck with that! 
))
I don't drink first thing but definitely I'll drink in the morning. 9.30 wouldn't be competely unheard of. Actually, I have drank earlier after waking up, but it's not common.
I think it's dangerous though, but even so I think all drinking is dangerous. Mentally I always have in my head that 11.00 is okay mainly because I got used to licensing hours.
So Misssy2, you stopped fof 8 years. When was that?
I agree Kelly, I initially went into my alcohol centre asking for Librium, but they wouldn't prescribe because they deem me not physically addicted to alcohol because I don't drink during the morning - I myself dispute that. They say I'm mentally addicted. To me, anyone who drinks 2 and a half bottles of wine of a weekend - 25 units - and drinks every night at least 10 units is physically addicted. I'm on Nalmefene myself, have cut down from 25 units to 15/13 units, but still haven't had a drink free day for 3 years.
Can they up your dosage of the Nalmefene? Have you considered rehab?
The first time (when I stayed sober for 8 years) I went to rehab too Kelly...but really all it is is a detox....I stayed for about 10 days...then I was on my own.
But, what I did differently was attend AA regulary...whether I wanted to or not...I hate to say this...but I think it really works....because you have people to answer too...people looking forward to seeing you suceed...meetings available when you want to drink.
I can't believe I admitted that out loud..but it is like a commitment to yourself...and once I started...it was like a game to accumulate time
Don't ever drink in the morning...I'm telling you - you will just progress from there.
Exacty....don't ever do it...no matter what.
Hi taplow...2005 - 2012....I left my job in 2012..and thought....I could just have a six pack...I mean...I hadn't drank in 8 years!
No...it didn't work that way...I have been struggling to stay stopped ever since.
I hated AA the first time around Missy! I was to do 90 meetings in 90 days. I got a sponsor, went to about 15 meeings and never said a word at them. Then I told my sponsor I didn't understand AA. She told me I should go out and hit rock bottom and come back when I'm ready. I cried half way home, stopped at a bar and just sat outside in my car. Thankfully, I talked myself out of it and started going to church but I also smoked pot and that did help. And I did hit my bottom at that time. I drank and took handfuls of xanax back in 2002 and by the grace of God I woke up and decided on rehab.
This time I'm doing it with the help of my doctor. I'm living in a different area and love the people in AA. I'm not looking forward to going back. I have spoke at these meetings because I feel a bit more comfortable. I just dread telling them I drank after 2 weeks sober but I do need them.
Meeting are scarce in my area so I have one on a Monday that I attend regularly. Wednesday's there is a local meeting but also a Women's Recovery Group that I enjoyed at a local church. They focus on staying clean and working through the Bible. Right now I'm not sure which I need more of, lol.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. It really helps to talk to people who understand. Do you plan on going back to AA?
P.S. I made AA out to be a cult, lol. That is so not true! )