Hi? I?m new here and wanted to say hi.. I?ve been reading a lot of your stories and messages and I think I?ve come to the right place.
I?ve had a drinking problem for over ten years. It started as a reaction to a bad job situation.. the only way I could get through the evenings was to drink ? and then became a way of life. I have always hidden alcohol and the extent of my consumption from my family, friends and husband. I started counseling a long time ago.. but never got past the point of dissecting my childhood woes as explanation for low self-esteem.. the counselor was intent on blaming my parents for all my problems and I didn?t really feel that was helpful past a certain point, I wanted to move on. I have attended AA many times, as the loudest schools of thought still say it is the only way.. but I didn?t find it a good fit. I even went to treatment for a month.. and while it was a very positive experience in terms of self-care and nurturing, learning coping skills.. the only aftercare offered was very 12 step based and I didn?t keep up with it, and started drinking again shortly after.
Ten years have taken their toll; I look older than people who are older than I, I am about 30 pounds overweight, my skin is lined and dry, I get infections that won?t heal.. gastric reflux.. the list goes on as I?m sure everyone one is familiar with. I am afraid of what I may have done to my liver by now, I had blood tests in the summer and they were fine, but apparently that?s not always a good indicator.
So.. here I am. I like that this site doesn?t condemn people for ?slipping?and that there is more breadth in the approach.. (my eventual goal is moderation). I?ve ordered the book and CDs, and am looking forward to trying this out.
Best wishes,
Jeannie
I?ve had a drinking problem for over ten years. It started as a reaction to a bad job situation.. the only way I could get through the evenings was to drink ? and then became a way of life. I have always hidden alcohol and the extent of my consumption from my family, friends and husband. I started counseling a long time ago.. but never got past the point of dissecting my childhood woes as explanation for low self-esteem.. the counselor was intent on blaming my parents for all my problems and I didn?t really feel that was helpful past a certain point, I wanted to move on. I have attended AA many times, as the loudest schools of thought still say it is the only way.. but I didn?t find it a good fit. I even went to treatment for a month.. and while it was a very positive experience in terms of self-care and nurturing, learning coping skills.. the only aftercare offered was very 12 step based and I didn?t keep up with it, and started drinking again shortly after.
Ten years have taken their toll; I look older than people who are older than I, I am about 30 pounds overweight, my skin is lined and dry, I get infections that won?t heal.. gastric reflux.. the list goes on as I?m sure everyone one is familiar with. I am afraid of what I may have done to my liver by now, I had blood tests in the summer and they were fine, but apparently that?s not always a good indicator.
So.. here I am. I like that this site doesn?t condemn people for ?slipping?and that there is more breadth in the approach.. (my eventual goal is moderation). I?ve ordered the book and CDs, and am looking forward to trying this out.
Best wishes,
Jeannie
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