What made you realize that you are an alcoholic? I’m having a hard time admitting I am one. I’m having an even harder time wanting to quit. Mostly because I feel I am a “responsible alcoholic”. I only drink at night once my kids are tucked in bed. I don’t drink and drive. I do drink everyday though. At least a six pack. I wake up early and go to work like nothing the next day. I know it’s bad for my health. I’ve gained so much weight. My skin is horrible. I know I should quit but have no motivation to do so. Any advice?
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If you have to drink every night chances are you’re an alcoholic…. You know it’s a problem so it’s time you seek support to quit.
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This could be considered your first step in the right direction. There are many ways now to seek some recovery options. Virtual meetings, readings, sober apps, and asking many questions have helped me immensely!
This app has many outlets for some help and or advice, but if you are ready, you are ready. I am proud of you!
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Everyones ah ha moment is different. I was a ‘functioning alcoholic’ until I wasn’t. It started with a half pint a night when the kids went to bed and got worse from there. That went on for many years. I hid the amount I drank from everyone, That should have told me something. 2 and a half years ago. I was taking benzos and was at a fifth and a half a day. I was on mental health leave from work. Than my best friends died. Within 2 weeks I passed out and fell face first scaring my family. I had an acute kidney injury. In the hospital for 4 day and got 9 bags of fluid. I knew then that I had a problem. I stayed sober for 3 weeks and thought I could have with dinner. 1 turns into a 3 week drunk and that is when I first used the term alcoholic in reference to myself. I went through detox a total of 4 times in about 6. My biggest suggestion is stand firm in your decision to quit and not give yourself any holes to fall. You got this.
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What made me realize I was an alcoholic was the unmanageability. Your going to pull through, this might be your toughest battle yet but it’s worth it! 
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So don’t it doesn’t define me
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I relate to this so much
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Alcoholism is a progressive disease. It does get worse and then the negative consequences start. I had my first blackout at 19 years old. I do not remember driving home from the bar. Drinking age was 18 back then. I am now 65 and have had periods of great sobriety and friendships. I have 26 days today. I like you have a career, roof over my head, etc. However due to the progression of my disease I have lost jobs, my adult sons do not speak to me now. I have a great sober support system. Now when I drink I don't go to work(no motivation), the simplest things feel like a chore. I am bedridden for 3-4 days due to withdrawal. I want my sober l8fe back and I'm on my wat 1 day at a time. Some days it was 1 hour at a time and thats ok. After the 1st 24 hours my motivation kicks in and I made the first 24 and thats a HUGE accomplishment. I find the farther I am from that last drink the better I feel and the grateful I am to my higher power for getting me through.
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Spending $600 a month on whisky
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Sometimes you just have to find some more suffering before you’re ready.
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Alcoholism is a progressive disease and it’s a slippery slope . I use to think I could control it and that my life was manageable . But all of a sudden on weekends I wasn’t only binging I was drinking in the morning to avoid hangovers and then drinking so hard on Sunday that I would call in Monday … got to the point that I lost my job . It progressively stole everything from me and it did this more then once . Alcohol is cunning baffling and powerful . I now know better that I can’t even entertain the idea of one drink . It’s taking me time to fully accept the fact that I have this disease but I remind my self one day at a time .
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For me it was realizing the thought of alcohol took up so much of my daily brain power: making sure I had enough at home; if I didn’t, how could I pick up some on the way home; if I stopped at one drink at a work function, I couldn’t wait to get home so I could actually drink as much as I wanted; etc.
I think the golden rule is if you think you might have an inkling of a problem with alcohol, then it’s worth exploring, whether you claim the label of “alcoholic” or not. In meetings I go to, a lot of people introduce themselves as “people in recovery” rather than “alcoholic” if that’s helpful!
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