[QUOTE=Trom]
If alcohol is causing problems in someone’s life or if they can’t control quantity consumed they might be better off abstaining…
[/QUOTE]
There is no single “author” to speak of. I shared a link to some studies by peer-reviewed journals showing benefits to moderate consumption, as a point of information. Pointing out that an industry group gave money for some servers 15 years ago does nothing to discredit the research published in The Lancet, The Journal of the American Medical Association, or The American Journal of Public health that is hosted on said servers. It’s just a silly attempt to poison the well.
That said, I suppose bringing up moderate drinking was a bit of a hijack in this thread. I’m glad you were able to resolve whatever issues you had with alcohol, and I hope the OP will be able to, as well.
Thank you, Trom. We can discuss these different things all day long, but the reality is that having an alcohol addiction really is a horrible horrible way to live, so I appreciate your sentiment and i wish the same for the OP. Addiction can be crippling. It can have a profound ripple effect, impacting everyone from the individual who is addicted to their family, friends, workplace, and in some instances, society in general. Being able to achieve moderation is the holy grail for most who are addicted. **Lives can be wasted on this ridiculous endeavor. **I’m not saying its impossible, I’m saying its just not worth it. Putting alcohol that high on the priority list speaks volumes about its place in one’s life.
Hello all, OP here. Unless I missed it, of the many programs/options discussed here, I did not see a mention of Celebrate Recovery. For those averse to talk of a higher power, this program is most definitely not for you! Celebrate Recovery (CR) is Christ-centered. It is based on the 12 steps (which I don’t love, because I have a great disdain for AA). What CR does is take the 12 steps and then give them Bible-based comparisons. They also have 8 recovery principles based on the Beatitudes. CR also deals with much more than addiction to alcohol or drugs. It addresses what they call hurts, habits and hang ups, which could be anything from relationship issues, to codependence to sexual integrity.
I was introduced to it about six months ago and didn’t fall in love. But I want to. I went last night to the codependence group because of my issues with my daughter and ex. I think those are more important to address because they may be the root of my drinking problem.
And speaking of that, I have made it through the last two nights without a drink. No dt’s! My plan is to attempt to drink moderately, as in not every night. I’ve already been invited to go somewhere Friday night that involves drinking, and sure, I could decline, or go and not drink. That’s my choice. My plan is to make it to Friday without drinking. Wish me luck!
P.S This time around, I was motivated on Sunday by a song at church called Christ is Enough. I basically interpreted it as I know that when I drink, I am not turning to Christ. Therefore if I say I’m a believer, bla bla bla, I’m full of crap because if I believe so strongly, why do I turn to alcohol each and every time I hit a bump! Here are just some of the lyrics of the song that just spoke so strongly to me:
Through every trial
My soul will sing No turning back
I’ve been set free!
[QUOTE=want2befree]
Oooops Girlundone, guess I just fell right into this category! I know that Jack Trimpey would not approve!
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It doesn’t matter who approves. The choices are yours to make and yours alone. I truly wish you the best.
I thought I mentioned Celebrate Recovery upthread when I was talking about Christians I’ve met who have a problem with AA because of the “God of your understanding” thing. The individuals talked with me about this endorsed the Celebrate Recovery model. The concept of a doorknob higher power is very offensive to many Christians. There are also many very Religious people of different faiths , who choose a secular path to recovery.
In any event, I’m so glad you found something that speaks to you. It’s all about moving forward and creating the kind of life in which you can be happy and healthy.
Oh, if I had a nickel for every time I walked that road…
If you were me this is how it would go.
No drinking Tuesday
No drinking Wednesday
On Thursday that little voice in my head would say…“what the heck, you’ve been without a drink for 4 days now, you know you can do it”. And You’re going to drink tomorrow anyway, it would just be silly not to have a few right now.
And I’d have 2 drinks and stop
On Friday, the little voice would say " I’m at a party, this isn’t regular day. And I’ve certainly been good all week, I’v proved that I can control my drinking, I went without for 4 days and last night I had 2 drinks and stopped. So I can get drunk just this once and I’ll go back to moderation tomorrow because I’ve proved I can do this."
But tomorrow I’d convince myself that it was OK to have a few beers for the hangover. Then maybe I’d spend a few days when my primary activity was not drinking then because I’d proved I could be good I’d start up again, manage to drink moderately for a day or two or a week or two then go on a bender.
YMMV, good luck with that. Actually I played this game with myself several times before I quit drinking for good, in retrospect it was part of the process. You may find the effort involved in moderating your drinking ends up dominating your thought processes and you’ll realize that it is easier just to quit.
I’m glad you’ve found something you believe will work for you, want2befree! A joyful, loving group that addresses the three aitches sounds like just the ticket. No need to carry that baggage with you anymore. That really is freedom.
I’ve always suspected that love and acceptance heals more addicts than all the thinking in the world.
Hey! That doorknob has gotten me through many a rough night!
Jiminy Christmas, those not-really-AA memes have spread to every meeting in the country! Fun page if you need encouragement to punch the hardcore AAs in the nose for treating the Big Book as scripture revealed by God to his prophet, Bill W.
want2befree, I’m glad you found something you can work with. Please remember you still have us to talk with, especially if you want to rant. Ranting is usually discouraged in church.
Hello all, well, I made it 4 nights. That is not to say I “stumbled.” I did not plan to quit drinking permanently, only would like to stop doing it every single night. So I drank my standard 6 and a little wine. And this morning, I am having a green smoothie. Is that paradoxical? Hmmm…
