So I just wanted to hear either some personal examples or thoughts on this topic. I quit drinking for a year and a half. I realized that alcohol was ruining my life. I realized I would never reach my true potential in life if I continued to use. So recently I began drinking beer. I am very attentive to how I feel when I drink. I do not have more than two beers at a time and this is every couple months. It is not a weekend thing any longer and I am not longer binge drinking. I realize that I am playing with fire. I am sure some people would not go down this road at all. But has anyone else, I guess in lack of a better term, learned how to drink responsibly?
Hi, I personally tried to do this, I was sober for 5 years and thought I could go back to drinking socially.
So you start off thinking thinking yep I can do it, couple a night but what you don't realise is it's gradually getting its claws into you again, and before you know it you are back to square one, undone all the good you did.
I can't drink responsibly, hard lesson learned.
Think hard about it. If alcohol was a major problem in the past I'm not sure this is gonna work in your favour. Nice thought though
Take care xxx
Look forward to hearing your responses!
Thank you for your input. I am not too far along yet where I cannot stop. I have been told in the past that if a person actually has to limit the amount they drink then there is a problem. Yes I have to limit what I can and cannot do and I will have to forever. I do have a problem. And I am not sure it is going to work either.
Have you tried this also?
If you can consciously limit your intake, I would call that a real advantage. Check this for future use if it starts to get out of hand:
https://patient.info/health/sinclair-method-for-alcohol-use-disorder
Otherwise, check in with sites like Moderation Management, where they're all about drinking in moderation and how to keep it under check.
For those that can't manage to keep it under control, look into the above link or medications for Alcohol Use Disorder in general (Naltrexone, Campral, Baclofen, Gabapentin, etc.). What's available will vary by where you live.
If you can manage to abstain without periodic relapses, you've got what you need and should just stick with that. Most that attempt straight abstinence without medical assistance will relapse within 4 years. It's not a personal shortcoming or character flaw, it's just the way Alcohol Use Disorder works for some.
I was only entirely sober, no alcohol whatsoever even at Church, for a year and a half. I did not attend any groups or take any medication. I am extremely paranoid of using too much. I just really value drinking a beer now and then. I know I must sound like a real idiot and that I am trying to rationalize me beginning to binge again.
You don't sound like an idiot at all. If you still have an Alcohol Use Disorder, you will come to know it. Maybe you'll slowly start drinking more, maybe something will set you off and you'll dive back into the bottle. Most that take the traditional approach of detox and abstinence will relapse (90% per NIAAA). So a medical community that continues to promote the traditional approach in the face of that, when there are very effective medications that can be used to help people abstain or control their drinking, that's where the shortcoming is. The tradtional approach doesn't work for 90% of people wiith AUD. Continuing to promote it when it has failed a given patient is lunacy. If a cancer treatment fails a patient, do they say "Look, we'll use the same thing again, but this time you have to try harder."? No.
It may have been a situational thing for you, or perhaps you've simply changed to where it's not going to accelerate. Keep your eye peeled, keep a log of what you drink, maybe even enlist a friend. Educate yourself about the medical options that can be used if your resolve fails you.
Some people start drinking heavily as a result of taking SSRI antidepressants or benzodiazepines. I've even read of women that have no problem cutting off alcohol when they're pregnant, but afterwards fall into a habit of drinking (progesterone has an impact here). It's not just one way for every person who overdrinks.
So the best you can do is to carry on with modereate drinking (if you want to drink at all) and if you find it ramps up, know the options and tools at your dispostal, get in touch with your GP and get it back under control.
I do know people and even a few on here..that suffered badly from alcohol but now limit their intake.
If you can do it...limit it good.
if you start to run into problems..we are all here...and you will have to reel yourself in.
I wish you the best..
I'm hoping I can do this. I've put in way too much time and effort to fail now.
You're definitely not stupid, Matthew, to be asking this.
Some people can control their drinking, and most can't.
You'll know if you start to want more.
I'm so glad you stopped before. As Misssy said, we're here for you.
And as Lisa said..............you're playing with fire.
All the best to you,
Tess xx
Yes and yes. I know. Believe me I have myself on a short leash. Thanks for your help and input.
Good luck Matthew. I really hope you can do this; do keep us informed over time..honestly that is.
You mentioned in an earlier post 'even when I went to church'. Are you a Christian? I ask because I am and this is causing me so much heartache because I feel as if I am being a hypocrite and a bad example for the Christian life/ for God etc. I do know that He does not let us go. I would love to hear your thoughts and advice on this aspect of alcohol abuse. Thanks.
Same here, Matthew!
Sharon, darling, if we were perfect, Jesus would not have had to die for our sins.
Do your best not to feel guilty. xxxxxx from Tess
don't think failure..think maintaining the way you are.
Be positive and then if you slip out of control...re evaluate.
Best to you.
Thank you Tess, trying. I know that He is there for me.....but I guess you know where I am coming from. X
Oh, yes. I most certainly know where you're coming from. xxxxxx
Hi Matt, Sorry this is a long one! Not a lecture but a reminder.
"I cannot tell the future. I don't even know what will happen tomorrow. But today I am sober and today is a great day." Remember ? Over a year ago, one of your favorite quotes ?
Take the advice so many have given to you who have poured out their hearts to you answering this question you have purposed to this forum. Use what you can and leave the rest.
Remember how great it felt when you first wrote about feeling so good when you woke up in the morning ? No bad hangovers.
Trust me Matt, "You never want the brain and body to relearn addiction ". You have taken the time to reset your brain away from alcohol dependency. NO never go there again is my answer. Where will it take you this time? Take what you have accomplished and learned from the addiction...pay it foreword... There is no reason to put your life at risk just to have a couple of beers. Not one reason.
Why on earth would you want to take the meds (did I mention side effects with some), or depend on the meds and options suggested or go back to that place where so much is uncertain, your health, life, and your job ? You are a great educator, you know what an important job you have in today's society. Start lifting weights again.
Not all the meds suggested and rehab works for everyone. Your thru the worst of it now, avoid the triggers, be mindful of never wanting one more beer, and never go back , keep moving foreword !
Give yourself purpose in life ," Life is a gift". Help others and be totally honest with yourself. You know deep down inside exactly what the answer to the very question that you are asking.
Your heart does not belong only to you but to your friends and family who love you. I am sad to hear that you would even want to go to a place that has taken so much from you in the past. I need to remind you that over a year ago when I first met you on this forum you told me about your mantra.
INSPIRATION, "NOT ONE MORE DRINK". That was your mantra then and NOW! " Not one more dink" !
My life was changed forever the day someone tried to kill my AUD son and saw him on life support, not knowing if he would live or die. He survived and was given another chance at life.
After he pulled thru many weeks of intensive care and therapy learning to breath and eat again and so many other things to relearn, he went right back to the same situation that tried to take his life in the first place. Then slowly one drink at a time until he began binge drinking until he lost everything again.
He has tried it all to stop his cravings, treating his addiction for 20 years. He too wants just one or two drinks to have fun or relax but cannot stop at 1 or 2. Alcohol slowly builds up a tolerance in his system and more Alcohol is demanded by his body for him to function.
You have been very sick in the past there is no way that contemplating meds can guarantee they will help you cut down without taking to many risks. Don't put your health at risk. You have made it thru to a better life. Make the choice to recognize that it's important for you to see a counselor to help you identify what is driving your thoughts to this place again.
If u need help all you need is to ask... so many love you and want to be here for YOU ! [biggrin]
So for whatever reasons you have for a better quality of life and the beliefs you have for why you are on this planet.... just remember you are loved deeply..love yourself and more importantly forgive yourself and always make room for a sober tomorrow !
((Hugs))
HOPE4CURE
Such a heartfelt 'sobering' read. Thank you on Matthews behalf and for the rest of us. X