I started drinking when I was 18. I was working at a local convinience store, and had a co-worker buy me a 6 pack of natural light, just to see what the hoopla was. I'm now 20, and in the past 2 years, i have been drinking between 6-14 beers a night, sometimes every other night since i started. I've gained 20 pounds, a crazy beer belly, ridicule from my friends and family, chest and stomach pains on a daily basis, no money ever (its buying the beer), and a steep decline in my love life. It's gotten to the point where I would rather toss a couple back then see my fiancee of 3 years. I sometimes sit, cry, and wonder "why me man, why me", and I know this shit has no hold over me, I don't need it to live, I don't have to live and breathe beer.But, everytime I turn away, a day later I have a beer in hand watching TV at 8 a.m.Sometimes, I scare myself. I've become so fearful lately that i have to put a few in me just to get my mind off the oncoming liver damage, the brain cell slaughter, and the immune system death thats happening.Guys, alcoholism is a very destructive disease. My father has suffered from it for so long, and I swore up and down I didn't want to become my dad when I grew up, and here I am, constantly hurting, aching, and broke all the time.Life really sucks right now because of this junk, and I'm asking you guys, anyone that has dealt with this before to give me a little life advice on what I can do to get through this. Please don't suggest AA, because I tried that, and low-and-behold, the guy running the program invited us out for a drink to celebrate us completing step one . Plus, I've read about a DT seizure, or hallucinations from withdrawals, and it scares me. I wouldn't know firsthand, because I have never stopped drinking for more than a few days at a time. Is this truth?I would really appreciate any help you guys can muster, and please, don't ridicule or judge me. I get enough of that from my family.~Richard~
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My struggle with drinking, any advice is welcome
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The fact that your dad was alcoholic is significant, because it seems there's a genetic component, having to do with the brain's pleasure centres. That doesn't mean you're predestined to have a drinking problem all your life, but it made it much easier to get one than for someone like me, who gets little euphoria from alcohol.
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i know this must be really hard on you. my father is a heavy drinker as well, and its ALWAYS been priority over his family. my suggestion to you is to try and do something that occupies your mind, like join a sports team,or something like that. if you get the urge to drink,go for a walk. talk to yuor fiance about it and see if maybe she can take your extra cash that you would use for beer and hide it away. theres nothing wrong with casual drinking, so maybe even if you drink like once a week,its cheaper(AND HEALTHIER!). so try to cut back a bit, and eventually you might not even get the urge to drink anymore.if you would like to talk just pm me and i will try my best. good luck hunn. im praying for you XOx
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12-step programs are good because you get support from others in the same boat, and you get something to do, too. If I was you I'd consider taking up fishing or take up some kind of constructive hobby. Find something to do other than watching TV. It seems that your drinking happens in front of the TV alot, so if you're doing something else it will probably be easier to quit (or at least cut back). Joining a gym would be great, too...get a chance to work off some of the excess weight and get your love-life back. :wink:
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i think..you replied to the wrong person lol. no hard feelings tho
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You're right...sorry.
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I thank you all for the help, im open to anything. i just need someone to talk to.please don't post personal information on this site. Thank you.myspace: www.myspace.com/tylersmithi just need someone to communicate with about this, thanks guys~Richard~
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can you use your gmail as msn? id love to talk to you about this hunn. pm me if you feel lonely.