Hi Everyone,
I'm new here. I have had challenges with drinking and depression since I was in my late teens. I'm turning 40 in June and am confronting the drinking again.
I started in AA years ago and did stop for 1 year and then 4 years. But I got tired of the slogans and what I saw as an all or nothing mentality. I seemed to get competitive about number of years sober, too and felt that going back is a huge defeat and will be humiliating. I am in a sensitive job too and feel too exposed there. I desperately hope there is another way (no disrespect to AA).
The consequences of my drinking has been problematic. I don't usually drink more than 7 drinks at a time, occasionally more or less. But I get very bold and do things I really regret. I got a DWI and sleep with people I really wish I hadn't!
I work for myself and love my job. Unfortunately, business is very very slow and I think that has contributed to drinking too much.
I like the idea of abstinence (there is a great list of famous people who don't drink and it is inspiring), but I don't think AA is right for me and wonder if it really works anyway. I've also read that total abstinence is worse than moderation because of the sense of failure and "I might as well drink a lot since I slipped" attitude. But, I don't really see myself drinking moderately. Too much history!
And, I'm not sure about supplements. I don't think they are harmful, but just ineffective and unprovable. I'm not sure about hypnotherapy either. Im a sceptic is all.
Any comments are welcome!
I'm new here. I have had challenges with drinking and depression since I was in my late teens. I'm turning 40 in June and am confronting the drinking again.
I started in AA years ago and did stop for 1 year and then 4 years. But I got tired of the slogans and what I saw as an all or nothing mentality. I seemed to get competitive about number of years sober, too and felt that going back is a huge defeat and will be humiliating. I am in a sensitive job too and feel too exposed there. I desperately hope there is another way (no disrespect to AA).
The consequences of my drinking has been problematic. I don't usually drink more than 7 drinks at a time, occasionally more or less. But I get very bold and do things I really regret. I got a DWI and sleep with people I really wish I hadn't!
I work for myself and love my job. Unfortunately, business is very very slow and I think that has contributed to drinking too much.
I like the idea of abstinence (there is a great list of famous people who don't drink and it is inspiring), but I don't think AA is right for me and wonder if it really works anyway. I've also read that total abstinence is worse than moderation because of the sense of failure and "I might as well drink a lot since I slipped" attitude. But, I don't really see myself drinking moderately. Too much history!
And, I'm not sure about supplements. I don't think they are harmful, but just ineffective and unprovable. I'm not sure about hypnotherapy either. Im a sceptic is all.
Any comments are welcome!
). Well to make a long story short, pretty much went in to melt down a few weeks back. The depression was horrible. The more depressed I got, the more I drank. The more I drank, the more I got depressed. I was just so tired of the vicious circle. Pretty much simultaneously after realizing I HAD to do something, I contacted a counselor, read the Power Is In You by Louise Hay, The Depression Cure by Stephen Ilardi, and for the 2nd time, Quit The Drink Easily by Jason Vale. I think it was a combination of all of the above, but the bottom line was I had to go with blind faith (something I never thought I had) and said enough! You can do this. And I did. I can honestly say that I have zero desire for alcohol. And the modding thought makes me cringe. I do take the All One Powder vitamins and Omego 3 Fish Oil. In the last two weeks my depression and anxiety have almost totally lifted! Start at the gym this week. My life is so great now compared to just 3 weeks ago. There are so many on this forum that will give you support and encouragement. Hop on board!
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