How to stop before it becomes a problem

[boswellw]

I've always drank fairly heavily socially and at home since I started working. I've never really felt this was a problem until recently. My girlfriend and I have started having severe arguments because I get drunk and become irrational. The next day I feel like a complete card.

I enjoy drinking socially, and don't want to give it up completely. What steps can I take to avoid having this become a serious problem.

I threw out all my alcohol at home the other day due to a fight we had, and resolved to only drink socially (at restaurants and clubs).

What advise would you have to ensure that this doesn't become a serious problem?

[Waving_not_drowning]

How to stop before it becomes a problem

Boswell,

My advice would be to go a month without alcohol and see if you have any problems..

Tell your Girlfriend that you are doing 30 days Alcohol free..

See what happens...

The fact that you found this site might indicate that you already have a problem?

Nip it in the bud, for you're own sake..

Wavey

[Blue Sky]

How to stop before it becomes a problem

Excellent advice from Wavy. I also think you should do 30 days as a challenge. It will give you time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol and to make some habit changes. If you take action now you will save yourself a lot of grief in the long run. One thing that is clear from reading posts on this site is that alcohol problems get worse over time if left alone! I suggest you read the thread by mooderator (I think it's in the general discussion forum) who has successfully changed her habits. There is also good advice in the toolbox thread in monthly abstinance forum.

Good luck and keep reading, lots of good info here.

[boswellw]

How to stop before it becomes a problem

Thank you for the advice. I think it's a great idea. I just spent some time reading through the material and I find so much I can relate to. While I most certainly haven't progressed to the point where I'm waking up in gutters or having complete black-outs, I can't help but feel that I will eventually end up there if I don't take action now.

What really began scaring me is recently I would wake up in the morning and the first thing I would think about is having a drink. I, of course, wouldn't act on this compulsion, but the compulsion itself was enough to scare me and start getting me to look for advice.

I've also noticed how incredibly on edge and irritable I've been lately, and I can only attribute it to the alcohol. I'm usually extremely positive and goal-driven.

I'm no stranger to addiction, having kicked heroine around five years back. That addiction almost killed me and very nearly destroyed my life and career. The last thing I want to do ais start walking the same road with alcohol. That would just be absolute stupidity.

Thanks for the advice and helping me take the first steps.

I'll keep in touch.

Warren.

[Zeppie2]

How to stop before it becomes a problem

Welcome Warren,
you have done the right thing in finding the site before you are way over your head. Believe me it's easy enough to do, I quickly went down the slidey slope of drinking every night after work to having a can of beer for breakfast just so I could function and that didn't matter if I was starting work at 5am or 8am.

Try the 30 days AF and see how you feel

[Guitarista]

How to stop before it becomes a problem

G'day Boswell,
Congratulation's firstly, on kicking your heroin addiction. If you are thinking about drinking first thing in the morning, you are on dangerous ground, as you well know, and you will begin to drink in the mornings eventually, if you haven't already. Heroin is the best for getting us numb, and is often the end of the road, but alcohol will take us right there too, to the end, where the next level is dead. So, be careful how you go, because you may have a little of the 'self destructive' still in you, (don't we all!) which can get you thinking more and more about taking some time off, and getting smashed. And great fun it is too, till it takes over, and you seem to be recognising this in you.
30 day's alcohol free, as suggested by the other folk's here, sounds like a great idea for your situation, and possibly a lifesaver. Excessive booze will feck with your body chemistry too, causing you to feel depressed and anxious. Doing 30 day's really show's us our relationship with alcohol, and where we're at with it all. If that's too daunting, i'd say do it anyway, but you could also try a week af to begin. Why not join a couple of the threads here, like 'ODAT' 'Newbies nest', '7.5 day's'? Lot's of 30 day af (alcohol free) threads too.

Best wishes, and welcome!