Another day in the life of an Alcoholic

[blackgang]

An E MAIL I got from a friend in the program of AA.

To all my friends, especially my AA friends. I'm up early on the 7th July after watching the tennis, some match!! Now, I register 14,610 unbroken days of sobriety - that's quite a stretch for someone who couldn't go a day without a drink. Yep, 7 th July 1968, I said 'enough'. Not knowing it at the time, but I was embarking on an amazing journey of self-discovery, changing my life beyond my wildest dreams to distance me from the risk of picking up the booze again.

In all humility, I recognise that not many people live long enough to go such a distance and register a milestone in this thing called 'life'. It's been a 'spiritual' journey as much as anything, all without the accepted concept of 'God'. Spirituality is now more about my morals, ethics, beliefs and especially, following my conscience as to what is 'right' for me. I have learnt so much from so many fellow travellers on this journey, other peoples experiences, strengths and hopes - to me, much more valuable than a non-existent 'puppet master in the sky' type of superbeing beloved of most religions. In some ways, it's a thumb to nose and 'Yah, yah dee Yah yah - to those religionists who told me I'd fail if I didn't have a religion, (usually meaning theirs!).

So, on we go, one day at a time, to the next milestone - which I suppose will be 15,000 days....

Thanks to all for being there for me,

See thee, Brian.

[Rigger]

Most of us dont need AA Bg as we can control our selfs and our actions when we drink and know when to stop.
But hey what ever floats your boat

[DaveRobin]

I don't have an addictive personality so can't really sympathise with alcoholics unless I'm actually in denial and don't know I'm an alkie.

[Loy Toy]

Great achievement.

I also enjoy a drink but happy to say only socially. Never feel like a beer at home unless we have guests around but do hit it hard when I feel the urge.

Someone said that once an alcoholic, always a alcoholic and I suppose by reading his mail this is a true fact. Seems he is still fighting a daily battle and I am sure we all wish him well.

My crutch is smoking and I would be so pleased to stop but I find it so difficult.
The day I stop I expect that I will have to fight a similar daily battle and to curb the urge to smoke. I guess you could also say once a smoker always a smoker.

Anyone have some good advice about how they have achieved a non smoking life?

Appreciate some help.

[Rigger]

Anyone have some good advice about how they have achieved a non smoking life?

By given them up for a start

[Jet Gorgon]

Congrats, BG! That's great.
Green you when I can reload.

[Rigger]

Congrats, BG! That's great. Green you when I can reload.

What for getting a email

[obsidian]

good for khun brian!

[melvbot]

My crutch is smoking and I would be so pleased to stop but I find it so difficult.
The day I stop I expect that I will have to fight a similar daily battle and to curb the urge to smoke. I guess you could also say once a smoker always a smoker.

Anyone have some good advice about how they have achieved a non smoking life?

Appreciate some help.

Anyone who can break the cycle of being alcoholic is great but why do they always refer to it as a disease? Why isnt smoking 40 a day seen as a disease?
I dont feel the urge to go round telling everyone that I used to smoke heavily 6 years ago and I havent had a ciggie since then.
Ive got a mate in the UK whos alcoholic, 30 years old and first thing he does when he wakes up is crack a can of Special Brew. First thing I used to do when I woke up was light a Marlboro, whats the difference?

[blackgang]

I have been sober for over 26 years and I have no problem with leaving booze alone, and have had no problem since I got sober as I do not consider booze an addiction and tobacco is damn sure an addiction, same addiction as Heroin and will be with you a long time after you stop the use of either cigarettes or Heroin, I had my last smoke the 2 day of December 2007 and I want one today just as bad as I did on the 4 of December.
So to quit smoking you just have to throw them away and never put another one in your mouth and light it, and thats the only way to quit, Just like quitting booze, never have another drink.
But on January 14 1982 I had been drunk for 2 years 24/7 and before that drunk everyday but was able to work and do a good job and never lost a job due to drinking, but did quit many because of an alcoholic temperament.
I could not have a beer and let it go at that, but like so many , I thought I could but it just never happened.
But I do know that most on here do not have that trouble, just from reading about some of the ISSAN drunks telling about how drunk it can get over there that I do know that there are hundreds that only have a beer and never get drunk and out of control, Denial is a bitch when you have such a Macho manhood problem.
But for the rest of us, it is just nice to have another sober day to add to the tally.

[blackgang]

What for getting a email

No, For being able to stay sober for long periods, seems to be something you are not able to do.
I was able to stay sober for 6 weeks at a time, No sweat, or longer if doing a double, but didn't like it.
But once I had a drink it would get drunk, so now I just don't have that first one, thats the one that gets you drunk.

[Loy Toy]

It must be so hard to announce to people that you have any personal and or dependency problem. I expect the first step in fighting the problem is admitting you have one, not only to others but more importantly to yourself.

I have a problem with smoking and do admit I have an addiction. For me and for whats it worth my admission is hopefully the first step in my battle to give the shit up.

Melvot questioned why additions such as alcohol and tabacco are referred too as diseases. Not quite sure whether you can refer to these additions as diseases being either physical and or mental. All I have heard from recovering alcoholics is that it is a daily battle and will be until the day they die.

[ChiangMai noon]

But once I had a drink it would get drunk, so now I just don't have that first one, thats the one that gets you drunk.

i fit this description to a tee.

early days but i'm doing ok so far.

[good2bhappy]

Good luck CMN

[melvbot]

People who smoke arent labelled as having a disease whereas alcoholics are. That was my point.
I just gave up ciggies with willpower because that I believe is the only way. Nicotine gums, patches etc are a way but if you haven't got the will to stop in the first place theyre useless so why bother with them at all if you really have the will to do it in the first place.

[ChiangMai noon]

People who smoke arent labelled as having a disease whereas alcoholics are. That was my point.

smoking is definitely much more difficult for me.

i seem able to give up drinking at will, only to inevitably return to it some months down the line.

blackgang's analysis is right in my situation.
when i am drinking, i drink daily and drink til i fall into a stupor usually in front of the computer monitor.

i am very aware that i can't have a beer at lunchtime, then not have another one at 12.30 and so on.
i sort of miss the social life that goes with booze. can't sit in a pub and drink water.

cigarettes, however are in an entirely different league.

[NickA]

It must be 6 years for me, although I don't remember a date, I'm pretty sure it was at the end of the 2002 world cup. So about 2,200 days.

[tcp]

I like to have a cigarette now and then. Probably smoke about a dozen per year. Never was a full-time smoker.

But, I'm a habitual abuser of beer. Four cans a night, rain or shine.

[NickA]

i sort of miss the social life that goes with booze.

more likely you miss the booze that goes with a social life

What i discovered when I stopped drinking was that I didn't really like socializing and that I'm actually a miserable [at][at][at][at] who doesn't like other people very much, I just used it as an excuse to get fucking pissed.

[ChiangMai noon]

People who smoke arent labelled as having a disease whereas alcoholics are.

I don't think it's a disease in the purely medical sense of the world but it is a massive social and mental problem for a large number of people.
Obviously there are far more that can take it or leave it, not drink at home every single day and not get hammered during every free moment.

[peterpan]

I

My crutch is smoking

Mines pretty hot as well,

oh sorry! thought you had said crotch

[tcp]

What i discovered when I stopped drinking was that I didn't really like socializing and that I'm actually a miserable....

Hence your distaste for mobile phones?

[NickA]

^Well, if I want to talk to someone I'll go and see them, or use a landline. I don;t see any reason that I'd want people to contact me at any time or any place. I also stopped turning on skype and msn and all that shit, emails are much more convenient

[mrsquirrel]

^^^^^^

Very true NickA.

I always knew I was a miserable sod but when I knocked the drink on the head (other than the odd slip) I realised I am a lot happier on my own at home than out somewhere

[ChiangMai noon]

I always knew I was a miserable sod but when I knocked the drink on the head (other than the odd slip) I realised I am a lot happier on my own at home than out somewhere

i'm beginning to realise that too.

it's what makes forum vital for me though.