Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery

[femmefatale]

Oct 11, 2011 7:24:27 GMT -5 roygrip said:

There you go Femme, yep I identify in my own case as several, (hedonistic, Deppressed, Boredom, and Conformist) Follows my drinking patterns. Hope it helps

The one I was with, fell in several of those categories. I always felt like it was my fault, because he always said it was, or he used some excuse to do it.

[roygrip]

Here's some causes Femme

Binge Drinking

Main article: Binge drinking

In the USA, binge drinking is defined as consuming more than 5 drinks in men and 4 drinks in women. It increases chances for vandalism, fights, injuries, drunk driving, trouble with police, and negative health, social, economic, or legal consequences to occur.[4] Binge drinking is also associated with neurocognitive deficits of frontal lobe processing and impaired working memory as well as delayed auditory and verbal memory deficits.[4] Binge drinking combined with the stress of returning to work is a contributing factor to Monday deaths from heart attacks.[5] web4health.info/en/answers/add-alcohol-longrun.htm. www.bma-wellness.com/papers/Addiction_Lies_Rel.html

[edit] Symptoms & Signs

Symptoms are the defining characteristic of alcohol abuse and are reviewed above in Definitions. Patient will often complain of difficulty with interpersonal relationships, problems at work or school, and legal problems. Additionally patients do complain of irritability and insomnia.

Signs of alcohol abuse are related to alcohol's effects on organ systems. However, while these findings are often present, they are not necessary to make a diagnosis of alcohol abuse. Signs of alcohol's effects on the central nervous system acutely include inebriation and poor judgment; chronic anxiety, irritability, and insomnia often feature. Alcohol's effects on the liver include elevated liver function tests (classically AST is at least twice as high as ALT). Prolonged use leads to cirrhosis and failure of the liver. With cirrhosis patients develop an inability to process hormones and toxins. The skin of a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis can feature cherry angiomas, palmar erythema and - in fulminent liver failure - jaundice and ascities. The derrangements of the endocrine system lead to gynecomastia. Inability to process toxins leads to hepatic encephalopathy.

Binge drinking is associated with individuals reporting fair to poor health compared to non-binge drinking individuals and which may progressively worsen over time.[4] Binge drinking is associated with alcohol poisoning, unintentional injuries, suicide, hypertension, pancreatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and meningitis, among other disorders. Other negative consequences include social costs (including interpersonal violence), drunk driving, and lost economic productivity. Impairments in neurophysiological and neurocognitive function can result from binge drinking. A substantial proportion of alcohol-related deaths are due to binge drinking.

[edit] Causes

Peer pressure influences individuals to abuse alcohol; however most of the influence of peers is due to inaccurate perceptions of the risks of alcohol abuse.[6] According to Gelder, Mayou and Geddes (2005) easy accessibility of alcohol is one of the reasons people engage in alcohol abuse as this substance is easily obtained in shops. Risk factors include having a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety disorders. This may lead to alcohol abuse. All drugs affect a "reward mechanism" in the brain. If a person feels good each time he or she uses a drug, it tends to make them want to use the drug again. This common feature could explain why people abuse drugs, including alcohol. [7]

[hamsterwheel]

Oct 10, 2011 19:27:06 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

When did you hit your personal rock bottom?

Haven't reached rock bottom yet on this episode.

It's good to see you here Dawg! I don't know if I've ever hit rock bottom, but I do know I've had definite instances of regret.

[roygrip]

Oct 11, 2011 7:27:25 GMT -5 @femmefatale said:

Oct 11, 2011 7:24:27 GMT -5 roygrip said:

There you go Femme, yep I identify in my own case as several, (hedonistic, Deppressed, Boredom, and Conformist) Follows my drinking patterns. Hope it helps

The one I was with, fell in several of those categories. I always felt like it was my fault, because he always said it was, or he used some excuse to do it.

It's called "denial" common trait in alcoholics or addicts. Point the finger so we donot have to look at ourselves.
"It's your fault I drink/use"
"You make me so angry I need a drink to calm down"
"If you weren' constantly needling me" etc.

No one can "make you" feel anything, we let them.

[hamsterwheel]

Oct 10, 2011 18:26:52 GMT -5 roygrip said:

It's a tough one. Today one of my buddies came and gave me the best congrats of all. 6 months ago I helped his wife of 25 yrs into treatment for alcohol. Yesterday was his birthday, he received a simple card from her, with her 6 month sober chip inside. He said it was the best birthday he ever had

We as the alcoholic/addicts don't see or understand at first how we not only hurt ourselves, but those around us.

I truly believe each and everyone of you can achieve your goals, you just have to want it enough. God Bless and good luck.

That's an awesome story Roy! I hope she continues to have success.

[femmefatale]

Oct 11, 2011 7:32:37 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oct 11, 2011 7:27:25 GMT -5 @femmefatale said:

The one I was with, fell in several of those categories. I always felt like it was my fault, because he always said it was, or he used some excuse to do it.

It's called "denial" common trait in alcoholics or addicts. Point the finger so we donot have to look at ourselves.
"It's your fault I drink/use"
"You make me so angry I need a drink to calm down"
"If you weren' constantly needling me" etc.

No one can "make you" feel anything, we let them.

True. It's real sad to watch Someone You love go through that.

[hamsterwheel]

Oct 11, 2011 7:13:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Congrats! To Hamster for coming over to InTheRooms!!! Check out the site, particularly the AA side, might even try online meetings too. But a wealth of info. Read into the disscussion forums.

GOOD JOB!!!!

Thanks Roy. I'm a bit confused though. I had gone to the aa site and found these AA meetings on T and R, but they're not on the intherooms.com site. So now I'm wondering if they're meeting.

[roygrip]

Oct 11, 2011 7:40:29 GMT -5 hamsterwheel said:

Oct 11, 2011 7:13:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Congrats! To Hamster for coming over to InTheRooms!!! Check out the site, particularly the AA side, might even try online meetings too. But a wealth of info. Read into the disscussion forums.

GOOD JOB!!!!

Thanks Roy. I'm a bit confused though. I had gone to the aa site and found these AA meetings on T and R, but they're not on the intherooms.com site. So now I'm wondering if they're meeting.

Navigate around a bit, check ot meetings, disscussions, etc.
Remember InTheRooms, is not an "official" AA/NA site, it's a group of people IN AA/NA who got together, so you maybe are being directed to "official" AA meetings, it's all good, it'll take you a couple of days.

[kimber45]

The resulting blackouts made for horrible behavior I won't go into here.

I hear you there Iggy!!

[roygrip]

AA Thought for the Day

Attitudes
We find that our old attitudes need to undergo a drastic change.
Our desires for emotional security and wealth, for personal prestige and power,
for romance, and for family satisfactions -- all these have to be
tempered and redirected. We learned that the satisfaction of instincts
cannot be the sole end and aim of our lives.
If we place instincts first, we have got the cart before the horse.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 114

Thought to Ponder . . .
New ideals and new attitudes bring a new life

Good luck all

[roygrip]

AA Thought for the Day

Relief
At first it was a shock to realize I was an alcoholic,
but the realization that there was hope made it easier.
The baffling problem of getting drunk
when I had every intention of staying sober was simplified.
It was a great relief to know I didn't have to drink any more.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 354

Thought to Ponder . . .
Alcohol -- cunning, baffling, powerful!


Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. ~J.K. Rowling

YES! The writer of the "Harry Potter" series of books is a proud, grateful, open member of AA

[kimber45]

Kudos to DH. he stopped at his favorite after work "watering hole" and just stuck to one NON-Alcoholic drink. I'm so proud of him for resisting the temptation.

[kimber45]

Hiya Iggy

[roygrip]

Oct 12, 2011 9:45:13 GMT -5 kimber45 said:

Kudos to DH. he stopped at his favorite after work "watering hole" and just stuck to one NON-Alcoholic drink. I'm so proud of him for resisting the temptation.

Awesome Kimber!

Iggy! How are you??

[roygrip]

Today's thought from Hazelden is:

If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation it would be the ability of each individual to learn to laugh at himself. --Charles Schulz

In recovery, we learn to laugh at the kind of person we were when our addiction was out of control. We don't laugh at the fact of our addiction; we laugh at who we once were. This is a healthy kind of self-ridicule. Above all, we laugh at the person we never again have to be if we follow the principles of our Program. To blot out the "me" of yesterday, we have only to follow some very simple guidelines.

At times, obeying the principles, which have been set down for us, may not be easy. But with our realization that we have chosen to stop playing God comes the awareness that difficulties need not be disastrous. If everything in life came easily, we would lack sparkle in our lives.

I am thankful my sense of humor has found freedom. Now I am able to laugh at myself, which is the height of self-conquest.

[roygrip]

DailyReflections~
CURBING RASHNESS

When we speak or act hastily or rashly, the ability to be fair-minded and tolerant evaporates on the spot.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 91

Being fair-minded and tolerant is a goal toward which I must work daily. I ask God, as I understand Him, to help me to be loving and tolerant to my loved ones, and to those with whom I am in close contact. I ask for guidance to curb my speech when I am agitated, and I take a moment to reflect on the emotional upheaval my words may cause, not only to someone else, but also to myself. Prayer, meditation and inventories are the key to sound thinking and positive action for me.

AsBill SeesIt
False Pride
The alarming thing about pride-blindness is the ease with which it is justified. But we need not look far to see that self-justification is a universal destroyer of harmony and of love. It sets man against man, nation against nation. By it, every form of folly and violence can be made to look right, and even respectable.

[roygrip]

Big Book Quotes.....

"Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going
to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception
and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to
the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability
to control his drinking can do the right-about-face and drink like a
gentleman, our hats are off to him. Heaven knows, we have tried hard
enough and long enough to drink like other people!"
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 31~


"We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once an
alcoholic, always an alcoholic.' Commencing to drink after a period
of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33

[cranberry49]

Hello Roy! My brother! How have you been? Good to see you. I rarely post on any forum, but I do read a lot.

[roygrip]

Oct 12, 2011 18:22:43 GMT -5 cranberry49 said:

Hello Roy! My brother! How have you been? Good to see you. I rarely post on any forum, but I do read a lot.

How are you my dear sister Cran!!!! I hope life is beginning to be better for you. Your in my prayers always my sister

[roygrip]

Oct 12, 2011 18:40:51 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Oct 12, 2011 18:12:10 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Awesome Kimber!

Iggy! How are you??

Doing well, RG. Thank you for asking! How about you?

ETA: Hi Cranberry! Good to see you here.

I'm doing well Iggy. Long days at work! We're filming our Nov. Sweeps shows, LOTS OF WORK Uggh! ;D

[roygrip]

Oct 12, 2011 19:21:05 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Ohhhh, yesss... Sweeps.... ;D

;)UGGGHH! ;D

[hamsterwheel]

I'm thinking of you all tonight. I hope all is going well.

[roygrip]

Oct 12, 2011 23:00:10 GMT -5 hamsterwheel said:

I'm thinking of you all tonight. I hope all is going well.

Hope your doing well Hamster

[roygrip]

Oct 12, 2011 20:03:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oct 12, 2011 19:21:05 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Ohhhh, yesss... Sweeps.... ;D

;)UGGGHH! ;D

OK What do Barry Manilow and Brett Michaels have in common?
I don't know but I've got both of them on one of my shows today

[roygrip]

AA Thoughts for the Day

Possibilities
I've found that my experiences can be of help to other people.
I have come to believe that hard times are not just meaningless suffering
and that something good might turn up at any moment.
That's a big change for someone who used to come to in the morning
feeling sentenced to another day of life.
When I wake up today, there are lots of possibilities.
I can hardly wait to see what's going to happen.

Thought to Ponder . . .
Refresh your spirit with everyday miracles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Promise
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us
what we could not do for ourselves.

Thought to Ponder . . .
Reliance on God enables me to match calamity with serenity

[kimber45]

OK What do Barry Manilow and Brett Michaels have in common?


Their initials (BM)

[hamsterwheel]

Oct 13, 2011 6:40:42 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oct 12, 2011 20:03:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

;)UGGGHH! ;D

OK What do Barry Manilow and Brett Michaels have in common?
I don't know but I've got both of them on one of my shows today

Bad hair pieces?
Beyond that, are they performing together? Sort of an odd combo, but would be interesting.

[roygrip]

Oct 13, 2011 11:29:37 GMT -5 kimber45 said:

OK What do Barry Manilow and Brett Michaels have in common?


Their initials (BM)

LOL!!!! New Rock Band, THE BM'S!!!

No, One of the shows I work on is "THE DOCTORS"

Brett was talking about his misshaps, recently, "hole in his brain, his ongoing type one diabeties, and Barry was talking about his heart condition. (must be going into sweeps month

[roygrip]

Anyway back to our recovery.......

How are we all today??? ;D I'm tired but happy and healthy. Prioritizing my problems, dealing with what I can putting the rest away. (I have a problem with getting overwhelmed, so this is what I do to stay in the solution)

[roygrip]

Hatred does not cease by hatred,but only by love; this is the eternal rule. ~Buddha





Each day is a new beginning.

Your life is a journey ahead of you.
Each day is a new beginning.
Yesterday is a friend that will guide you.

There will be good times and bad times;
Cherish the good, because they make life sweet,
But be thankful for the bad,
For through them you come to know
The important things in life
And the meaning of life.
There will be times when you face
Difficult decisions,
And you won’t know which way to turn.
The important thing is that you make a choice,
And move forward.

There will be times that test your strength and endurance,
But don’t give up;
Refuse to accept defeat,
For perseverance is the key to success.
there will be times when you are hurt by love.
Forgive those who hurt you
So that your heart will be free to love again.
There will be times when you make mistakes.
Remember that mistakes are not a reflection of your self-worth,
But of your humanity.
Nor do they make you less of a person.
Because of the lessons you’ve learned,
You’ve grown and become wiser.

There will be times when your search for happiness
Leads to frustration and disappointment,
But don’t stop believing in happiness.
Being happy with yourself goes a long way toward
Knowing happiness in your life.
There will be times when life seems unfair,
But don’t allow it to make you bitter
And steal your joy.
Nothing is worth this.
When fear stands in the way of reaching out for your dreams,
Confront them and you will conquer them.

There will be times when your faith is shaken,
But don’t despair,
It will rise up and carry you above the storm and to victory….