Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery

[roygrip]

Oct 9, 2011 22:12:57 GMT -5 hamsterwheel said:

Oct 9, 2011 21:14:09 GMT -5 roygrip said:

For me Hamster, I was arrested last (LOL) Jan. 26th 2001 at 11pm, I consider my clean date (the one I use) as Jan 27th 2001. I haven't used a drink or drug since.

Get to a meeting, but at least check out InTheRooms.com, like I said I'm on the NA side under ROYGRIP.

Hate to say, but the def. of insanity is doing the same thing over and ovver expecting diff results. I neede help, I couldn't do it on my own.

Thanks for the help Roy! I absolutely love that quote. I guess I've grown tired of the insanity. I was really tempted to have a beer tonight. However, when I thought about all the negatives, it really brought things to light. Since I've quit, I've been able to start actually looking at myself in the mirror again and feel a lot more positive about things, including myself.
I still have yet to join the intherooms.com, but I'll check it out.

Well, I believe, our drinking/drugging to be a disease (accepted by the AMA). I tried COUNTLESS times to quit on my own. Kinda like any other disease, Would you treat it on your own? But sadly each of us has to find our own way with it. It's about choices. With the help of AA/NA, I found I had choices again AND! was able to stick to them. I had beaten myself down so far by quitting and failing (as well as all the other crap that goes with addiction) I didn't believe I had an out. For me AA/NA worked. But understand, it only works if you apply yourself. If you plop down and say "fix me" uh uh! You gotta do what's asked of you.

I can honestly say the last 10plus years have been the best of my life. I look in the mirror an d like who I see. When problems arise, I can do the best with them, without using, or going into a talespin. I don't need to drink to relax, unwind, or have fun. AND! I have more fun now without!

Good luck, we're here

[roygrip]

Iggy? How are you doing?

[roygrip]

FOR ANYONE STRUGGLING

Alcoholism Cycle

What does Alcoholism Cycle and recovery look like? You may imagine yourself on a recovery path that is smooth, wide and straight. Or your path may be winding and narrow, with rocks and overgrowth blocking your progress. Maybe your recovery isn’t a path at all, but a seemingly endless cycle of using and not using, a cyclical pattern of good periods of time followed by bad.

We ask this question because recovery looks like the individual person, and no two people are alike. One person, through sheer will power and determination may be able to break the bonds of alcoholism, while another needs a multitude of services and nothing seems to work.

Medical people might explain that contrast in terms of an alteration of brain chemistry by the drug, possibly connected directly to some clinical diagnosis of depression.

Others may deny completely that recovery has any medical component at all, that the recovering addict is one who has overcome the demons inside with no help from any therapist, counselor or physician.

If you accept, even for a moment, that Alcoholism Cycle can be explained in terms of a cycle, most of this section will make sense to you. While there are those who bristle over the idea of people being “helpless” over alcoholism, experience seems to show that most people ARE helpless and that's what makes Alcoholism Cycle so tough!




Cycle of Alcoholism and Dependence


1. Triggering Event




There are so many contributing factors to alcoholism, but we will not go into that discussion here. For the purpose of this illustration, we will break down the triggering event into two categories.

First, one might drink for recreation, to get “high.” This party approach to alcohol may be thrill seeking, or have an element of peer pressure attached to it.

The second category is “to numb the pain.” The person uses alcohol to get rid of a feeling, not to create one. Something hurts and the user is trying to numb that hurt. They may just want to feel better, because something is missing from their life, or they may want to escape a reality because it is too much to face.

In either case, whether to have a good time or to numb the pain, the cycle is started. They're not thinking about Alcoholism Cycle because they're not convinced they have a problem.


2. Something’s wrong


Many people can drink beer and liquor and never become alcohol dependendent. They may realize that their drinking is getting in the way, or they just do not enjoy or need to drink anymore. They quit and it’s over.

However, that is not true for so many people, who arrive at the point where they determine there is a problem, but they are still drinking. Perhaps they're experiencing problems at work, or in personal relationships. Because they are drinking, they may have run into legal problems, such as a DWI/DUI and they realize that change is necessary. They begin to consider Alcoholism Cycle. They know they have to do something.


3. Just Try Harder


When the management of their drinking begins to slip away, people will say “I’m going to cut back.” They know something is amiss, but they don’t want to go through the fuss of treatment, unless it’s absolutely necessary. They begin the denial stage of addiction.

Maybe they’ve cut back in the past, or quit altogether, but started using again. They are going to try harder. People don’t want to be told what to do, or how to do something, they want to do it their way. It’s not just people struggling with alcoholism, it’s anybody. American culture reveres the individualist who proudly proclaims, “I did it my way.”

Some people can try harder and succeed. God bless them. Alcoholism Cycle and recovery is serious work and if somebody can “cut back” or stop using on their own power, that’s much to their credit.


But most people can’t.


The finger pointers will say it’s because of a lack of will power, or a weakness of character. They say those who drink to excess are evil people. However, if one were to examine the other side of the issue and look at the alcoholism in terms of an alteration of brain chemistry, rendering some individuals powerless because of a chronic brain illness, then effort alone seems unrealistic.

Moreover, we are human beings and human beings fail. Nobody bats 1.000 in baseball, and even a player who is considered a great hitter is going to fail seven times out of ten. The world sees a .300 hitter and calls him a star, but he failed in his seven other attempts. If you are batting .300 in your fight against alcoholism, you’re failing.

Think of it in terms of trying to cut back or quit. Smokers can tell you their stories and we’ve all heard them. They’re good at quitting. But it’s not that easy and neither is Alcoholism Cycle and recovery. If it were, there would be no smokers, and if alcoholism were that easy to overcome, why would there be addicts?

Let’s suppose, for sake of illustration, that a person has made the determination to quit. Being a rational and intelligent person, they formulate a plan to follow and they try hard to execute the plan. They are succeeding. A woman in an Alcoholism Cycle and recovery group once told me that she had “not used” for seven years. Through will power and a plan, she was clean for seven years, but something happened and she found herself at the next stage of the addiction cycle.


4. Failure


Nobody likes to admit failure. It’s a very ugly word in Western culture particularly. We like to think of ourselves as self-made people. We pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps (what ever those are/) and become famous, or financially independent. We did the work and we deserve the reward. Failure is not permitted and those who fail are weak and undeserving. Not being able to control our drinking just simply isn’t possible at all!

In America, only those who win are given the credit. After all, the loser of the big game doesn’t get the parade. People apply winning and losing to Alcoholism Cycle, as if it were some kind of sporting or business competition. If you failed, you’re a loser.

What if failure was built into the human condition as a necessary indicator of a need for something outside of one’s own self? Alcoholics Anonymous founded its 12-Step program on that very idea, that we all need help.

We’re not meant to be alone, and even though there are those who can break free of alcoholism on their own, the truth is most of us can’t. Coming from a Judeo-Christian perspective, this writer sees human failure as a measuring device, to show us that we need God. A doctor might see failure in Alcoholism Cycle as an indicator that brain chemistry is still out of balance. Frame the failure anyway you like.

The failure can be caused for a variety of reasons. The cycle has come full circle, because something happened. Perhaps in a moment of weakness a person took a drink, or they experienced a traumatic event that was just too much to handle, or any one a thousand reasons prompted them to use again. They’re back where they started and they need help.


Alcoholism is a chronic illness


Alcoholism is a chronic illness in our view. The key word is “chronic,” and like diabetes or heart illness, alcoholism needs to be managed. People need management tools to help them keep their lives in balance and to prevent the grip of addiction from squeezing its fingers around their throat.
It's an important question. Step 1 states, "We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable."

The line between alcohol abuse and addiction can be rather slight, like crossing the border between one state and another. The individual’s physical and psychological makeup will determine exactly where that border is. We will start with a medical explanation of alcoholism and addiction.

The Mayo Clinic says:

“Drinking dependence is characterized by impaired control over alcohol, preoccupation with use, continued use despite negative consequence, and sometimes evidence of physical dependence on alcohol.

A variety of factors, such as your personality, your genetic makeup and peer pressure, affect your likelihood of becoming addicted to a drug or alcohol. In addition, some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, more quickly produce a physical alcoholism than other drugs do for many people.

“Physical addiction seems to occur when repeated use of a drug (alcohol) alters reward pathways in your brain. The addicting drug (alcohol) causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate.

Neurons release neurotransmitters into the gaps (synapses) between nerve cells; neurotransmitters are received by receptors on other neurons and on their own cell bodies.

The changes that occur in this communication process vary with the type of drug/alcohol to which you're addicted, though researchers have discovered that addictive drugs, such as cocaine and morphine, affect some areas of the brain in the same manner.

If further research confirms findings such as this, it would be possible to develop more effective medications to combat alcoholism to more than one drug.”

In simpler terms, alcoholism is when you lose control over the drug it controls you and you MUST drink to feel "normal".

It controls you.

You crave the alcohol, and you center your thoughts on getting the alcohol, using alcohol and getting more of it.



It's no longer a choice that you can overcome with will power. As the alcohol takes control over a person’s life, they lose interest in life’s activities, personal relationships other than the ones with fellow users, and the person ignores any health, social or legal consequences.

If you believe you may be an alcoholic, or be in trouble with alcohol, there is hope. We encourage you to seek help, either through treatment, or by seeking information that will help you get your life under control


The cycle needs to be broken, not just stopped.

Whatever the triggering mechanism that causes someone to use, it needs to be addressed. We maintain that the root causes of alcoholism have to be examined to prevent the cycle from continuously spinning. Go to the cause, like dealing with a business management situation, and address the issue, formulate a plan and manage the problem.

People can and do break the cycle. If you can break the cycle on your own, great, but if you can’t there are caring, compassionate professional people to work with you and help you to try or in many cases try AGAIN to break the alcoholism recovery cycle!

[roygrip]

AND ALSO

Cycle of Addiction


Content Summary:
Addiction is a recognized disease that effects the brain and its neurochemistry. The cycle of addiction is created by changes in brain chemistry and perpetuated by physiological, psychological, and emotional dependency. This cycle of addiction goes along unrestrained, until some type of intervention occurs (self intervention, legal, family, etc). Long term recovery is possible with addiction treatment.
•Cycle of Addiction
•Addiction Defined
•The Brain and Addiction
•Breaking the Cycle of Addiction


The Truth About the Cycle of Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction research has clearly demonstrated that the addicted brain is chemically and physiologically different from a normal brain. The idea of addiction being a neurologic disorder is critical to understanding its development, and the recovery process.

Eventually, from internal turmoil and conflict, or through outside interventions, a person will seek to stop the addiction cycle, and enter into a more healthy lifestyle called recovery. It may take months, years, or decades before this process leads one onto the path of recovery. An addict or alcoholic may understand the cycle of addiction, but will remain unable to break the repetition of the cycle, until they develop the insight to seek help. For some, this may mean entry into a religious organization, self-help group, or simply developing a better way of life. However, the vast majority of addicted persons require outside help, such as that given by counselors, physicians, and treatment centers.

Addiction Definition

Addiction is defined as obsessive thinking and compulsive need for drugs, alcohol, food, sex, or anything despite the resulting negative consequences. Addiction includes the development of tolerance combined with withdrawal symptoms. In addition to tolerance, an addict or alcoholic will experience intense physical cravings for the drug and an emotional obsession to take the drug regardless of the consequences. Addiction alters the brain chemistry affecting the process of thought and decision making. The definition of addiction also includes strong references to denial, minimization, and justification, all of which are primitive internal defense mechanisms that allow the user to avoid internalizing his or her addiction. This is because once the addiction is recognized, the addict may ultimately be forced to make a decision to stop using chemicals thus breaking the cycle of addiction. The abnormal, addicted brain cannot tolerate that decision. The cycle of addiction is powerful usually requiring outside interventions.


Addiction Alters the Brain

Drug use alters the way the brain and the certain neurotransmitters function. These changes in brain chemistry create addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms, which all lead to cravings. Drugs not only affect the primitive brain areas, such as the amygdala and hippocampus, but more recently, scientists have demonstrated that it affects input and output into the frontal lobe. This is the lobe that allows humans to control their behavior. Treatment prorams focus on addictive behaviors and emotional responses to arm the recovering addict with the tools necessary to maintain sobriety.

Addiction is treatable and recovery is possible, with proper treatment. For more information on how to seek treatment, call 1-800-993-3869. Trained addiction coordinators will be happy to answer your question anytime, day or night.

The Science Behind the Brain and Addiction Relationship

Research on the brain and addiction demonstrates that drugs, alcohol, and certain behaviors have a significant impact on the reward center located in the brain. Levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, send messages to the brain and the rest of the body. Chronic use of drugs and alcohol create an abnormal need for the substance. The altered brain chemistry essentially requires constant, repetitive exposure to the substance or action, in order to function psychologically and physiologically. This chemical dependence is what leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, which are two of the hallmarks of addiction.


Brain Chemistry and Addiction

In order to alleviate emotional or physical pain, a person might experiment with drugs or alcohol. Alternatively, one may use drugs or alcohol in a social setting, and decide to try them again, just to have fun. On the surface, the substances initially seem to work; the person's pain decipates or a good time is had. At this point, the drugs or alcohol are valuable to the person, because the substance has temporarily relieved discomfort, or has created a sense of well-being and excitement. This effect may seem ideal. In the beginning, unwanted feelings disappear, and euphoria, excitement, and/or relaxation predominate. Relieved of feelings of discomfort, the individual will continue to use drugs or alcohol a second time, a third time, and so on.

Soon the person increases use to maintain the desired effects and becomes fully addicted to drugs or alcohol. They've lost control and are trapped. The original problems are left unattended and/or unresolved. If the person didn't have problems at the onset of use, problems have now been created as a result of the use. Constant attempts to satiate the body's cravings for drugs or alcohol becomes the person's new reality. Great time and effort is spent acquiring the substance. Once the addict or alcohol is completely entrenched in the cycle of addiction, the health, financial, social, and emotional consequences begin to appear. Sometimes, these consequences appear slowly, which allows the addict or alcoholic to overlook their true origin, which is use of substances. The addict may just feel that they have been unlucky, or blame the consequences on others.


The Cycle of Addiction

The Cycle of Addiction is characterized by:

1) Frustration and internal pain, that leads to anxiety and a demand for relief of these symptoms
2) Fantasizing about using substances or behaviors to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms
3) Obsessing about using substances and how his or her life will be after the use of substances
4) Engaging in the addictive activity, such as using substances in order to gain relief (acting-out)
5) Loosing control over the behavior (substance use)
6) Developing a feeling of remorse, guilt, and shame, that lead to feelings of dissatisfaction
7) Making a promise or resolve to oneself to stop the behavior or substance use
8) After a period of time, the pain returns, and the addict will again begin to experience the fantasies of using substances

This cycle can rotate on a variable basis. For example, binge users will rotate through this cycle more slowly; whereas, daily users may rotate through the addictive cycle daily, or several times throughout the day. This cycle can be arrested at any point, once the addict or alcohol makes a decision or is forced to get help. Sometimes, the consequences that arise due to the use, such as legal, financial, medical, or social, will force the addict or alcoholic to stop using. However, typically in the absence of outside help, the substance use or behavior is likely to return.


Breaking the Life Cycle of Addiction is Possible

Prochaska's stages of change illustrates the addictive cycle and it's relationship to recovery.

1) Pre-contemplation - the addict has not yet considered stopping the behavior or use of substances
2) Contemplation - the addict is starting to consider making a change in behavior
3) Preparation - the addict is mentally and, possibly, physically preparing to make a change
4) Action - the addict has taken an action, such as seeking treatment, self-help groups, or counseling. Treatment has been provided and th addict has stopped using.
5) Maintenance - the addict is maintaining his or her new lifestyle and behavior, following a recovery program.
Unfortunately, relapse can occur during the action or maintenance stage, which will require the addict or alcohol to again enter the cycle at some point.

The "Drug Personality"

The "Drug Personality" develops though continued, chronic use. There is a typical set of behaviors that an addict or alcoholic will exhibit. Not all alcoholics or addicts exhibit all these behavioral characteristics. Likewise, many people who aren't addicted to drugs or alcohol will exhibit some of these behaviors. However, when taken as a whole, the following symptoms are strong indicators of addiction.

A drug personality may:
• Have mood swings
• Be unreliable
• Be unable to finish projects
• Have unexpressed resentment and secret hatreds
• Be dishonest and lie to family, friends, and employers
• Isolate and withdraw from loved ones
• Appear chronically depressed
• Begin stealing from family and friends
• Engage in risky sexual behavior
• Exhibit strong, primitive defense mechanisms (denial, rationalization, minimization, projection, justification, blaming)
• Difficulty paying bills
• Difficulty with interpersonal relationships
• Difficulty with work relationships or unable to hold a job
• Engage in illegal or immoral activities to obtain drugs

Treatment Helps Break the Cycle of Addiction

Some alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs focus mainly on spiritual talk therapy but without tackling the disease's underlying physiology. Quality addiction treatment programs focus on correcting the neurological imbalances caused by substance dependence. Psychosocial counseling, addiction education, and a variety of therapies, counseling, relapse prevention, and aftercare plans empower the patient with the tools to stay on the road to recovery.

[kimber45]

Good Morning Everyone. DH has made it a full week . He told his mom last night and she was in tears. He still has the urge, but so far has resisted. We still have alcohol in the house, just put away so it's not visible.

He is one that does not want to do AA because like Iggy said small town, business owner, etc. He is seeing a private counselor twice a week though, thank God for good insurance.

[hamsterwheel]

Oct 10, 2011 8:31:59 GMT -5 kimber45 said:

Good Morning Everyone. DH has made it a full week . He told his mom last night and she was in tears. He still has the urge, but so far has resisted. We still have alcohol in the house, just put away so it's not visible.

He is one that does not want to do AA because like Iggy said small town, business owner, etc. He is seeing a private counselor twice a week though, thank God for good insurance.

That's awesome Kimber45!! Send my congrats to your husband.

[kimber45]

Thanks Hamster! Will do.

Sounds like you are on your way as well. I wish you well on your journey

[kent]

Oct 10, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Kimber! Side note: I did tell my Dad over breakfast Saturday morning I'd stopped drinking, which will help me to attack my latest marketing campaign here at work more healthfully. He said NOTHING.

I obviously don't know the "history" between you, your father and discussions/actions relative to your drinking situation but I wouldn't read too much into his lack of response.

If you've had discussions with him in the past regarding drinking and he has expressed concerns, maybe he's just taking a hopeful "wait and see" approach? Let it rest for now and continue doing what's best for you. After a period of time he will
"notice" the lack of alcohol in your life and will likely step forward to say he's proud of you (because you have shown what you said was true).

Just my two cents....

[chiver78]

great job, Iggy and hamster!

as for me, I'm spending the day relaxing. after drying out since the cruise (except that half glass of wine to check the morning blah...) I decided to pour a glass of a pre-mixed bottled margarita that a houseguest left in my fridge. past experience with this particular type said water it down, so I did. can I just say, I have a splitting headache right now, and will be pouring the rest (glass AND bottle) out?

I will say, though - last night after my hockey game I went out with the team. I ordered a water at the bar, and half the crew turned around and said "who are you, and what have you done with chiver?" hmm....

[chiver78]

aw... back to you too. I'm just annoyed with the headache. really? WTF.

[femmefatale]

I sat and watched someone I cared for deeply, sit there and drown himself in binges to the point where I couldn't take it no more. Of course, when I left him, guess who he blamed? Me, of course. Little did he know I tried to help him. He simply didn't want that. He was incredibly miserable and selfish. I did feel for him at first but then I cried, thinking omg...what can I do but move on? That's what I did. It brings down the alcoholic, but it also brings down the one who loves them and is living in it with them. I felt so helpless and so sad. Hopefully, in time he will get the help he needs but unfortunately I wasn't enough for him. Guess, he will have to decide that he wants the help on his own.

[roygrip]

Oct 10, 2011 8:31:59 GMT -5 kimber45 said:

Good Morning Everyone. DH has made it a full week . He told his mom last night and she was in tears. He still has the urge, but so far has resisted. We still have alcohol in the house, just put away so it's not visible.

He is one that does not want to do AA because like Iggy said small town, business owner, etc. He is seeing a private counselor twice a week though, thank God for good insurance.

AWESOME KIMBER! And I always say, AA is NOT the only way, but most everyone needs help. God for him!

[roygrip]

Oct 10, 2011 12:28:12 GMT -5 kent said:

Oct 10, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Kimber! Side note: I did tell my Dad over breakfast Saturday morning I'd stopped drinking, which will help me to attack my latest marketing campaign here at work more healthfully. He said NOTHING.

I obviously don't know the "history" between you, your father and discussions/actions relative to your drinking situation but I wouldn't read too much into his lack of response.

If you've had discussions with him in the past regarding drinking and he has expressed concerns, maybe he's just taking a hopeful "wait and see" approach? Let it rest for now and continue doing what's best for you. After a period of time he will
"notice" the lack of alcohol in your life and will likely step forward to say he's proud of you (because you have shown what you said was true).

Just my two cents....

Lets make four cents with my two. Great Kent!

[roygrip]

Oct 10, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Kimber! Congratulations to DH!!!

RG, you asked how I was doing this morning: Frankly, life has been soooo busy lately, I am wondering how I had time to drink for hours and hours! Went on a 6 hour ATV ride yesterday and I am very sore, but in a good way! And I know how I got the bruises. One fellow rider brought a beer to accompany his lunch when we stopped. It didn't even sound good. I used to drink and ride. Now, I drink coffee beforehand which lends itself to a better riding experience.

Side note: I did tell my Dad over breakfast Saturday morning I'd stopped drinking, which will help me to attack my latest marketing campaign here at work more healthfully. He said NOTHING.

LOL, I've been riding dirtbikes since I was a kid! I ride most sundays with a revolving group of sober guys and gals in the Ca. desert. Sometimes as many as 30, mostly 5 or 6. We find other things to do with our drinking time! Good for you!

[roygrip]

Oct 10, 2011 13:48:13 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

great job, Iggy and hamster!

as for me, I'm spending the day relaxing. after drying out since the cruise (except that half glass of wine to check the morning blah...) I decided to pour a glass of a pre-mixed bottled margarita that a houseguest left in my fridge. past experience with this particular type said water it down, so I did. can I just say, I have a splitting headache right now, and will be pouring the rest (glass AND bottle) out?

I will say, though - last night after my hockey game I went out with the team. I ordered a water at the bar, and half the crew turned around and said "who are you, and what have you done with chiver?" hmm....

Oh Lordy I was a tequila drinker (with that sweet margarita mix) UGH, those sugar hangovers.
LOL, Where'd Chiver go???

[roygrip]

Oct 10, 2011 14:16:38 GMT -5 @femmefatale said:

I sat and watched someone I cared for deeply, sit there and drown himself in binges to the point where I couldn't take it no more. Of course, when I left him, guess who he blamed? Me, of course. Little did he know I tried to help him. He simply didn't want that. He was incredibly miserable and selfish. I did feel for him at first but then I cried, thinking omg...what can I do but move on? That's what I did. It brings down the alcoholic, but it also brings down the one who loves them and is living in it with them. I felt so helpless and so sad. Hopefully, in time he will get the help he needs but unfortunately I wasn't enough for him. Guess, he will have to decide that he wants the help on his own.

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.

[chiver78]

Oct 10, 2011 18:20:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oct 10, 2011 13:48:13 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

great job, Iggy and hamster!

as for me, I'm spending the day relaxing. after drying out since the cruise (except that half glass of wine to check the morning blah...) I decided to pour a glass of a pre-mixed bottled margarita that a houseguest left in my fridge. past experience with this particular type said water it down, so I did. can I just say, I have a splitting headache right now, and will be pouring the rest (glass AND bottle) out?

I will say, though - last night after my hockey game I went out with the team. I ordered a water at the bar, and half the crew turned around and said "who are you, and what have you done with chiver?" hmm....

Oh Lordy I was a tequila drinker (with that sweet margarita mix) UGH, those sugar hangovers.
LOL, Where'd Chiver go???

I'm still here. I spent the morning out in the sun, and was sort of still on vacation in my head. the margarita bottle has been poured out. I did not appreciate the headache.

[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

[roygrip]

Oct 10, 2011 18:33:46 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Oct 10, 2011 18:20:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oh Lordy I was a tequila drinker (with that sweet margarita mix) UGH, those sugar hangovers.
LOL, Where'd Chiver go???

I'm still here. I spent the morning out in the sun, and was sort of still on vacation in my head. the margarita bottle has been poured out. I did not appreciate the headache.

LOL, I was reffering to what the team said. Glad your here

[Deleted]

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

When did you hit your personal rock bottom?
My first time was at age 18. I had become addicted to Demerol after I found an old bottle of pills that had been prescribed to my mother after surgery. If you've never had Demerol, it's like the most massive drunk you can imagine in a little white pill. I hit bottom one night when I reacted to it, and my heart went into wild palpitations along with wild nausea. I lay in agony for hours. It's probably fortunate that Demerol is a muscle relaxant, which prevented me from puking and choking on it, as I sure couldn't have stood up to make it to the bathroom. No way was I going to call out to my parents and let them know I was a junkie, so I toughed it out and survived. I traded the rest of the pills to a friend for a motorcycle helmet.
Funny thing - the episode seemed to sensitive my system. After that, I could not tolerate alcohol in even tiny amounts. One sip of beer would have me puking for hours. That lasted for years. I finally cautiously tested the (fire ) waters about ten years later, when my fiance dumped me. Lo and behold, I could now drink, and I did so with wild abandon.
Second episode - March 2006. I woke up one Saturday, lying in the middle of my bedroom floor, with multiple bruises from falling down drunk. I had apparently tried to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and had not made it, as the bedroom wall, nightstand, and floor were covered in my puke. What really clinched the deal was the puddle of urine where I had wet myself. That was enough to make me jump on the wagon, all booze down the drain.


Haven't reached rock bottom yet on this episode.

[roygrip]

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

When did you hit your personal rock bottom?
My first time was at age 18. I had become addicted to Demerol after I found an old bottle of pills that had been prescribed to my mother after surgery. If you've never had Demerol, it's like the most massive drunk you can imagine in a little white pill. I hit bottom one night when I reacted to it, and my heart went into wild palpitations along with wild nausea. I lay in agony for hours. It's probably fortunate that Demerol is a muscle relaxant, which prevented me from puking and choking on it, as I sure couldn't have stood up to make it to the bathroom. No way was I going to call out to my parents and let them know I was a junkie, so I toughed it out and survived. I traded the rest of the pills to a friend for a motorcycle helmet.
Funny thing - the episode seemed to sensitive my system. After that, I could not tolerate alcohol in even tiny amounts. One sip of beer would have me puking for hours. That lasted for years. I finally cautiously tested the (fire ) waters about ten years later, when my fiance dumped me. Lo and behold, I could now drink, and I did so with wild abandon.
Second episode - March 2006. I woke up one Saturday, lying in the middle of my bedroom floor, with multiple bruises from falling down drunk. I had apparently tried to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and had not made it, as the bedroom wall, nightstand, and floor were covered in my puke. What really clinched the deal was the puddle of urine where I had wet myself. That was enough to make me jump on the wagon, all booze down the drain.


Haven't reached rock bottom yet on this episode.

Dawg I'm here for ya buddy, you know I love ya!

[femmefatale]

Oct 10, 2011 15:05:50 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Femme, ah. BTDT. Years ago I lived with a drinker who liked to smoke pot, too. The resulting blackouts made for horrible behavior I won't go into here. I am glad you left him. I know it is difficult during the process, but in the end, we really are stronger for it.

Thanks. It was hard to walk away.

[roygrip]

As Dawg (my buddy) says there can be several bottoms. (we always have a lower one) And after a lapse of drinking we go right back to the level we were at, we don't get "better" for awhile.

I have several. My last escapade that led to me getting sober stands tall, so, ya'll wanted to know (LOL)

My parents (whom I was taking care of) both passed away within three months of each other, very badly after a long illness from cancer/congestive heart failure. I had taken a leave of absence and had gone to stay at my parents home (my childhood home) to take care of them. At this point I was drinking some and using cocaine here and there, (functioning for my parents sake). Most of the family deserted me, I was left with nurses and by myself to cook, clean, nurture them. It was horrendous to watch your parents wither away. My father 6'4" 230 pounds withered to 92lbs, and died in my arms, my mother died three mon ths later to the day as I cooked her breakfast. I was a numb shell. My wife couldn't come to help, SO! I was off and running Quickly consuming up to a half gal. of Vodka and a quarter to a half ounce of cocaine a day (it built up over 6 months) My wife couldn't do anything, nor friends. I was on a mission. No semblance of normalacy of a life left. Money was not a problem (you ask, that must have been expensive) 3 times I did to much alcohol and coke and went into "the flop" (heart palpatations) rushed to the hospital by using "friends" (you meet all kinds in Hollywood doing drugs) I would check myself out and continue. This went on for 5 yrs. My wife and friends tried interventions (ran away) Finally in my drunken wisdom, my neighbor, an attorney friend (also a partier) was gone for the day. So I wouldn't have to drive, I went to get a bottle of wine from his garage, broke a window by accident. When he arrived home he thought a burglar had been in, Mean while I was passed out next door. Long story short, I was arrested, for breaking and entering (he dropped charges when he found out it was me.) Locked up for a week (my wife smarly refused to get me) My mind cleared enough, I had the moment of clarity and sought help. Interestingly, my attorney friend got sober soon after and I sponsor him to this day. I believe I don't have another recovery in me. To this day I get dry heaves if I smell liquor or cranberry juice. It took it's toll on my body.

[femmefatale]

What causes "binge" drinking grip? Can you explain that one to me?

[roygrip]

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!!!!

[roygrip]

Oct 11, 2011 7:13:33 GMT -5 @femmefatale said:

What causes "binge" drinking grip? Can you explain that one to me?

Femme, your talking to an original binger (before I learned to keep drinking, no hangover )


I would drink for a day or two, or three, pass out, wake up with a hangover and remorse/guilt for being drunk and what I would have done, swear off alcohol/drugs, and it might last three to five days, then I'd be back. Let me look up a medical def, be right back!

[femmefatale]

Oct 11, 2011 7:16:55 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oct 11, 2011 7:13:33 GMT -5 @femmefatale said:

What causes "binge" drinking grip? Can you explain that one to me?

Femme, your talking to an original binger (before I learned to keep drinking, no hangover )


I would drink for a day or two, or three, pass out, wake up with a hangover and remorse/guilt for being drunk and what I would have done, swear off alcohol/drugs, and it might last three to five days, then I'd be back. Let me look up a medical def, be right back!

Thank You. I would love to understand why people do this. It is what split me and my last beau up.

[roygrip]

Nine Types of Binge Drinkers Identified

By Buddy T, About.com Guide September 24, 2008
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British researchers have studied the social and psychological characteristics of drinkers who regularly consume twice the recommended amount of alcohol and have identified nine types of heavy drinkers. The U.K. Department of Health hopes to use the information to target public health campaigns at those who are drinking at risky levels.
According to the British National Health Service, alcohol-related illnesses cost the government about $5 billion a year in healthcare expenses.

"This will be a tough one to crack," a spokesperson told Lucy Cockcroft in a report for The Telegraph. "Research found many positive associations with alcohol among the general public - even more so among those drinking at higher-risk levels. For these people alcohol is embedded in their identity and lifestyle: so much so that challenging this behavior results in high levels of defensiveness, rejection or even outright denial."

Nine Types of Binge Drinkers

According to The Telegraph, these are the nine personality types of heavy drinkers:

•De-Stress Drinkers use alcohol to regain control of life and calm down. They include middle-class women and men.


•Conformist Drinkers are driven by the need to belong and seek a structure to their lives. They are typically men aged 45 to 59 in clerical or manual jobs.


•Boredom Drinkers consume alcohol to pass the time, seeking stimulation to relieve the monotony of life. Alcohol helps them to feel comforted and secure.


•Depressed Drinkers may be of any age, gender or socioeconomic group. They crave comfort, safety and security.


•Re-Bonding Drinkers are driven by a need to keep in touch with people who are close to them.


•Community Drinkers are motivated by the need to belong. They are usually lower middle class men and women who drink in large friendship groups.


•Hedonistic Drinkers crave stimulation and want to abandon control. They are often divorced people with grown-up children, who want to stand out from the crowd.


•Macho Drinkers spend most of their spare time in pubs. They are mostly men of all ages who want to stand out from the crowd.


•Border Dependents regard the pub as a home from home. They visit it during the day and the evening, on weekdays and at weekends, drinking fast and often.

[roygrip]

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