Realized

[Guest]

It's wierd how I came across this website....But anyways to the point.
Yesterday my best friend and I just realized that we were total binge drinkers.
I have sustained 2 not so nice injuries in the last year.
We are only 24 and already have these issues. I guess it all started since we were 15ish...we hung around the wrong crowd in a small town and never grew out of our habits.
This last year I got a 2nd & 3rd degree burn on my left arm from falling on a grill at a campground because I was so blasted. I don't think these scars will ever go away. The other one I got is on my face, it was just a scrape below my left eye but it was totally not necessary from falling.
I think the thing we hurt the most is ourselves inside though....it's always happens humiliation from not remembering what we did or what we said,.M
y husband thinks I am crazyfor thinking I have a drinking problem. I am confused at this point where I don't know if I ever want to drink socially. For my sake and safey I shouldn't. I am also sad because a lot of our friends are total partiers and I am sad that I won't be able to hang around them so much anymore. We grew up with a lot of them but at the same time it's time to grow up. I don't want to bring children into this world and have them watch us party.
I have just started what seems like it will be a successful career, happily married, awesome family, rich in friendships so why the binge drinking?
Anyways thanks for listening to me babble....I guess I always liked the idea of work hard=play hard. But it's starting to get out of hand now. We are becoming more and more dependent on alcohol for us to have fun. I know you can have fun without it but it seems like such a foreign concept to me.
Lord give me the strength to overcome this familiarity that has been going on for so long now.
Thanks everyone.

[buffy]

Realized

Hi Holly, welcome.....I am a binge drinker too. About 7 yrs ago I totally quit drinking. I was really happy with myself and life. I got a new, fun, glamorous job. A problem came up in my life and I began to drink again. Needless to say, I quit my job, gained weight, and look back at it now and wish I could have just gotten thhrough that time without falling apart. You are so lucky to be 24 and have so many things to look forward to. I am on day 3 now of not drinking. I want to feel like I did again. I don't know if I can be a moderate drinker. I think that the way I drink has caused alot of problems in my life, and I have missed out on opportunities too. I will say a prayer for you.....I have to go to a dinner on Thursday where alcohol will be handed to me.....I pray that I will be able to say no.....I am going to bring diet coke. Buffy

[freckles]

Realized

hi buffy - i'm on day 5 and i bring lime sparkling water when we go to friend's. i just tell them i'm on a health kick. it's true!
hi jollyholly - i know what you mean about those injuries. i get a good one about once a year that have involved rollerskating while hammered, riding my bike tipsy, or the best is this ropeswing incident where i hurt myself twice cause i was too drunk to feel it the first time. i could laugh at the time but now it seems kind of stupid.

[Guest]

Realized

Realized

Hi Buffy/Freckles,

I hear you and will pray for you both that you will be able to say no to drinking.
My best friend and I were even considering going to AA meetings in town here but because we live in a small town I really don't want people knowing my business.
That is a great idea to bring sparkling water or Diet Coke. I will try that.
I am still awaiting the real test and that will be this week-end. That's when it always happens. I don't know ethier if I can be a moderate drinker. It's like once that first beer hits my tummy I get that I need to get hammered feeling to have an awesome time. I am a constant sipper and it just kind of sneaks up on me. Than all of a sudden we are doing shots of lord knows what.
My best friend and I are going to be joining the gym during the week, we are also going to take on other challenges of doing different things such as: going for suppers,going to movies etc....my hubby is being supportive of me. I know he won't quit drinking but he wants to take it easy and not get drunk all the time. I on the other hand am battling that.
But this is the weird part....I could go to my parents and have a glass of wine and be okay for the whole evening. I wonder why I can't do that around our friends? Is it because there is no authority? I mean I am 24 but you know what I mean. My parents don't know about this secret party lifestyle or I should say they know we hang around a bit of a rougher crowd but they don't know about the constant week-end partying.
Yesterday I went for a walk with my mom like we do almost ever night during the week and I told her that i was trying to shape up my priorities in life etc...without going into detail and she gave me words and wisdom of encouragment almost like she knew I was struggling. I felt better after though I talked to her.
So now is the time to be brave and busy to keep our minds off of it. I think people who have addictive personalities find it hard to obviously quit something. That's another thing is smoking. That needs to be done too!
Anyways I have babbled on way too much! Thanks for listening!!!!!

[InnerStrength]

Realized

Hi JollyHolly

Hi Jolly Holly
So awesome that you have found this site - and you are 24! I am 29 - and its great that you are discovering this issue at a young age when you can hopefully get hold of it really early, perhaps before more injuries or other issues. I too have fallen down, gotten bruises, etc. when drunk, also blacked out and embarassed myself on numerous occasions so I can relate to your story.
I can absolutely also relate to you when you say that you have lots of friends who are partyers. I do also. My friends are the type who party all weekend.
I think the key is just to either change who you associate with (I know - scary thought right now) or "plan" ahead and to either have an alternative drink ready in hand (soda, etc. etc. ) or, if you are willing to moderate (or think you CAN - this is key) set certain guidelines. We can discuss this further if you think you are in a position to be able to moderate. You sound like you are not sure right now whether you can or want to do that...
Anyways now I am rambling! Just wanted to say welcome! So glad to have you here!
Hugs
Jen