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    Confused and looking for answers

    Hi everyone,

    Recently I've been playing with the idea of quitting drinking because I can see clear pattern of getting into trouble while I'm drunk. Both of my parents were alcoholics when I was young so I got to see and experience way too much at a young age and promised back then that I would never be like them. Well for a long time I wasn't.

    When I was 18 I started using drugs, a habit I quite easily got rid of a couple of years ago. I mostly used them when I went clubbing so once I got into a serious relationship with a guy who didn't approve drugs and clubbing, I also simply stopped.

    So my lifestyle got healthier, but somehow my relationship with alcohol changed and during the past couple of years I've been drinking until I black out. I always feel ashamed and guilty afterwards, but being with my sweet boyfriend he's managed to save me from disasters.

    Now however I live in a different country and we see each other every second month, which means there is no one to save me from myself.

    Since I moved to another country, it's been like a disaster waiting to happen. Every week things get more and more intense and I end up in rather questionable situation with men and then this Saturday I cheated on my boyfriend and I had to ask this guy the next day whether we had sex or not, since I couldn't remember myself.

    For sure something in my current relationship needs to be dealt with since I'm doing this, but I'm honestly starting to believe that alcohol poses an even bigger problem for me and my future. I see so many people having fun with alcohol and never having any guilt trips afterwards, for me I don't remember drinking and not feeling guilty the next day.

    I've asked my friends their opinion and many say that the alcohol is not the problem and that I have some other underlying issues I have to deal with. But why wouldn't it be easier to deal with these issues with a clear head? When I'm sober I'm organized, responsible, ambitious and caring towards the people I love. When I'm drunk I'm reckless, selfish and graving for attention, and well sometimes I also get aggressive.

    I'm tired of this all and I feel like I should stop this before I really hurt myself, but I'm still not sure whether my heart is really in it. I'm surrounded by people who drink excessively and it's socially acceptable and considered to be fun. I also feel like I'm not getting much support from them, partly because they don't understand the emotions I'm going through and partly because they don't want to admit that they should probably do the same and reconsider their drinking habits.

    I feel so ashamed and so sad when I think about my boyfriend who does not deserve this. He thinks he's building a life with a loving, sweet and trustworthy person and in reality there's a different side of me he's not aware of and would probably leave me if he would know.

    Thank you for reading my post and thanks for all the stories people have shared here. Reading them makes me feel a little better and challenges me to think more and more about my own behavior and how I could become a better person and respect myself and others more than I seem to do at the moment.

    Hugs,
    Vekara

    #2
    Confused and looking for answers

    Hi Vekara,

    Welcome to MWO. This is a good place to come for support. It sounds like you don't have much of a support system at the moment. Is there anyone you feel close to where you live that you can confide it? I've read and experienced that there tends to be a lot of drinking in expat communities. It's sort of like the one thing a lot of people have in common.

    Visit the tool box for lots of tips on remaining sober when you are surrounded by drinkers. If you are serious about quitting, you are going to need to turn down invitations to some of these events. You should come up with a list of good excuses for not partaking when you do need to be around drinkers - the tool box can help.

    If it were me, I would tell my boyfriend that I was drinking too much and ask for his help to stop. Making yourself accountable to someone works for me. It feels great to be able to say that you went 3, 5, 10, or however many days alcohol free. You can also get that support here, in the Newbie's Nest. There are people there in many stages of quitting and there is always a warm, positive energy there.
    Well it's all right now. I've learned my lesson well. You see you can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself.

    Comment


      #3
      Confused and looking for answers

      You are absolutely right, the lifestyle we have as expats revolves around drinking and since my work requires me to be an expat now and also in the future I really need to find a way out of this harmful cycle.

      Thank you for the tips, I'll definitely check the tool box and talking to my boyfriend actually makes a lot of sense. I'm not ashamed to admit that things get out of hands when I'm drinking, the problem definitely is that I need people who truly care about me and respect my decision and support me accordingly.

      It's funny my current expat friends get almost emotional and angry when I mention this to them. No one ever wants to admit that alcohol is part of the problem.

      Comment


        #4
        Confused and looking for answers

        Vekara;1482739 wrote:
        It's funny my current expat friends get almost emotional and angry when I mention this to them. No one ever wants to admit that alcohol is part of the problem.
        Hi Vekera- I find this interesting... I have lived an expat on and off for years and I just found folks saying 'yup, we drink too much... should really behave'... but never take action. What industry are you working in? It is a tough situation because it is your work and you do not want to isolate yourself further. Living abroad can be isolating enough in its own way I find. Hm. I do want to encourage you to continue to question your motivations and evaluate your behaviors. Maybe just give yourself a week AF and see how you feel about it? It is a good place to start I would say..... best
        March: 23 days AF, April 26 days AF, May _23_ AF days
        May 29: back to day 1
        June: The battle continues......

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          #5
          Confused and looking for answers

          Vekera-
          Congrats on seeing the problem and trying to work a way through it. that speaks loudly of what you want, your inner self. Good idea to come here, lots of good people to help, offer advice, cheer you on.

          In any microenvironment where drinking is encouraged, it is hard to say no thanks, not tonight. But you can do it, find reasons that work for you. (For me , it was "I need to lose weight for summer bike rides.) It won't take very long, until your associates will not even think of it as unusual for you to not drink.
          As to the relationship with the b/f: you sound like you REALLY want this relationship to work, even long distance (hence the guilt). So, ok, now is the time you get up, dust yourself off, and get back on that horse. You can't ride into the sunset "happily ever after" if you are still face down in the dirt.
          If the relsionship is important to you, let him know, and most importantely, let yourself know. Then STICK TO IT.
          Hope I am not coming accross too harsh, if so, please accept my apology.
          BHOG

          ?Alcohol removes inhibitions - like that scared little mouse who got drunk and shook his whiskers and shouted: "Now bring on that damn cat!"-Eleanor Early

          Comment


            #6
            Confused and looking for answers

            Vekara;1482723 wrote: I see so many people having fun with alcohol and never having any guilt trips afterwards
            Hi Vekara and Welcome!

            What you said above stood out to me...because, well... how do you know they DON'T? None of my friends of family knew what I was going through in private...and I sure didn't announce it. The only time I got really honest with myself was HERE among these lovely folks, because they understood what I was going through.

            Please visit the Newbies Nest thread and get to know some people...you'll find that it really does help!

            K9
            :heart:I love my daughter more than alcohol:heart:

            Believe in yourself. You are stronger than you think.

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