alcoholism

Fly Free said:
yea Lasza -- my dad was an alcoholic too -- was sober for only 4 yrs and relapsed anyway even tho he went thru AA programs with their so called "12-steps" -- i personally dont believe in the AA/NA programs cuz ive seen WAYYYY too many ppl relapse after having "graduated" from the program
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I know what you're talking about, but I've met quite a number of people in A.A. who had over 10+ years of sobriety. It really depends on individuals -- on how determined and willing they're going in remaining sober and never drink again. I know it's not an easy thing to overcome as I've been there before.
I mentioned in an earlier post of mine from last year that I am a reformed alcoholic -- some are lucky to be able to change thier drinking habits and be alright in drinking in moderation whilst others aren't and have to really, entirely abstain from drinking.
Yes, it's a lifetime disease -- alcoholism, that is. The only ones who can overcome this is themselves who are the alcoholics and receiving support and sharing at meetings...that'll help.
I was in A.A. from 1990 until 1994 -- then after that, I would say one day, I just found out that I was able to drink in moderation and not have any cravings for anything alcoholic in the mornings or when depressed, etc. I just knew that something in me had changed and I was able to drink again, but with reasonable judgement of how much to drink, etc.

Everyone who has a drinking problem deals with it in different ways -- not one are the same nor will work for all. At least, they're trying.
 
WaterRats13 said:
I know what you're talking about, but I've met quite a number of people in A.A. who had over 10+ years of sobriety. It really depends on individuals -- on how determined and willing they're going in remaining sober and never drink again. I know it's not an easy thing to overcome as I've been there before.
I mentioned in an earlier post of mine from last year that I am a reformed alcoholic -- some are lucky to be able to change thier drinking habits and be alright in drinking in moderation whilst others aren't and have to really, entirely abstain from drinking.
Yes, it's a lifetime disease -- alcoholism, that is. The only ones who can overcome this is themselves who are the alcoholics and receiving support and sharing at meetings...that'll help.
I was in A.A. from 1990 until 1994 -- then after that, I would say one day, I just found out that I was able to drink in moderation and not have any cravings for anything alcoholic in the mornings or when depressed, etc. I just knew that something in me had changed and I was able to drink again, but with reasonable judgement of how much to drink, etc.

Everyone who has a drinking problem deals with it in different ways -- not one are the same nor will work for all. At least, they're trying.
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i uddy what u saying WaterRats -- im glad u have met more ppl who has stayed sober for 10+ years -- ive not met more than mebbe 5 that has managed to stay sober for 10+ years -- i also personally do not think that alcoholism/drug using is a "disease" nor a "disability" due to them being a person's choice to be drinking or using while for those who has a bona fide disease or disability are those that happened to individuals who had no choice -- i dont consider addiction to be a "disease" nor a "disability" due to it being a choice to start using so how does it become a "disease" doesnt make sense to me altho ive heard of documentations where genes become a factor in this kind of situation where a parent would be an alcoholic/drug user and it passes onto the child in either form (drinking or using drugs or both) and it be a "disease" i think its more of a behavior modification issue -- ahh ok im about to veer off topic so ill shaddup here :D
 
Are you all saying once an alcoholic will always be an alcoholic? even if the person quit for good? im confused here..I thought once a person quit drinking for good is NO longer an alcoholic?...
I dont think AA does work for everybody...I have heard some people who went to AA for years still go back to drinking again..oh well.....
 
That's right, DeFee, once a person is an alcoholic, he/she will always remain one.
Once a person quits drinking, it doesn't matter how many years of sobriety is involved, that person will always always be an alcoholic because if that person takes one drink after that, all control is lost.
There is no such thing as a "recovered" alcoholic.
"Recovering," yes.
 
True, Defee.

My mother had been went to secure home to dry herself THREE TIMES... :(

It´s rarely that someone quitted drinking for good.
 
I am recovery from alcohol for 9 years. I decided to not go to AA meeting because they said it the same thing every time I go there.. I just like nod and was ready to fall asleep. The last time I went to AA meeting is 7 years ago. How can I keep sober? Friends and Therapist are my "AA meeting" They are so supportive and understand. I dont explain to them abt my drinking problem. All they were doing is to make sure I am happy and take care of myself instead of doing stupid thing.

Once a while I go to bar with FRIENDS.. I dont feel tempt to drink any alcohol. I ignored it. Once a while I felt like I want a drink. I asked my friend for a cigarette instead.

Two years ago, I almost relapsed after my aunt died. My friend were scaring for me. She kept her eyes on me 24/7 for 4 days where I were staying with her after I found my aunt died on the kitchen floor. So, I called therapist and told her I need to come back and told her why. My therapist said COME BACK. So I went back and it helped. In a few months later, I left therapy since it wasn't help much. BUT my friends help alot. Its much better than therapy.

So far I am good and still recovery. We alcoholics knew that alcohol is our weakest and is so hard to stop. Some people can quit easily, some dont. I can easily as long as I am happy, focus on my life and keep myself busy instead of focus on alcohol.. ;) I think I have enough saying it.. :)
 
I don't drink every day. I get drunk in once in a while. I only drink with people not by myself. I don't drink beer or achoicli (?) every day..
 
Liza said:
A few of my deaf friends have a problem with alcohol from their RIT and gally partying days. I was shocked to learn that a friend, uh, couldn't live without alcohol (drinks beer everyday actually) but he doesn't think it's a problem as long as he moderates it... and even told another mutual friend that she doesn't have a problem and that AA support groups are stupid, and that she can just moderate her drinking. But I know that she gets "crazy" whenever drunk... being physically abusive to her GFs and other friends.

I do drink a few times every year and I don't think about it.

Do you think some people do have issues with drinking and that there is actually an alcoholic disease? If so, what constitutes such a thing?
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Hi Liza,

To answer your questions, yes. And, I know first hand what alcohol can do to a person and to his or her family. My Mom is an alcoholic and has been for a good portion of my life. She started off as a social drinker, I'm sure. Now, she drinks until she nearly passes out. And, she does so, several times a week. Growing up, I was blissfully unaware of her problems with the bottle until my later years of high school. From that point on, though, things have gotten progressively worse. And, like your friend, my Mom won't seek any kind of help. She knows she has a problem, though. She openly will say "I know I'm an alcoholic". However, she doesn't want to quit drinking.

As for myself, I've pretty much accepted that she has a problem. And, I'm not ashamed of her for it. She is sick, and I love her despite her problem. Now, I'm not naive, either. I don't like to be around her when she's drinking. In fact, I go out of my way to NOT be around her when she's hitting the bottle. I just don't want to deal with her when she's like that.

And, I guess this has also shaped my habits now. As a result of seeing her "stupid" for so many years, I find drunks distateful. I won't condemn someone for "having a few", but I don't like to be around people who are obviously drunk. Nor, will I put myself in situations where there's a lot of drinking going on. I really want no part of that now.

:::Steps of soapbox::: OK, I'm done! lol
 
I remember attending an alcohol workshop at RIT. They said some weird shit. They said that one of the signs of being an alcoholic is denial. They said that if you drink but deny having a drinking problem, that's denial and shows that you are an alcoholic! Jeez, that's bullshit... :fu2:
 
VamPyroX said:
I remember attending an alcohol workshop at RIT. They said some weird shit. They said that one of the signs of being an alcoholic is denial. They said that if you drink but deny having a drinking problem, that's denial and shows that you are an alcoholic! Jeez, that's bullshit... :fu2:
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Well i dont know about that, Vamp. I know a person who is an alcoholic but denies it ONLY when they are drunk! then when they are sober, they admit that they DO have a drinking problem! Thats what alcohol does to a person, it impairs their rational thinking and behaviors! I have confronted this person what he did while drunk and he denies everything! he just dont remember what he said or did while drunk! Thats pretty sad.
I agree with you, Fly Free that being an alcoholic is not a disease or a disability, if it runs in the family like your parents who are alcoholics, they are more likely to drink too but not always. Some children who are so traumatized by their parents drinking, they dont want to become like them..I know (i dont really know her but was my ex father in law's ex wife) one lady who started drinking her parents alcohol when she was 13 yrs old and became a full blown alcoholic by the time she was 18! She was 42 when she died due to her constant drinking..she drank from the time she got up in the morning till she passes out at night!..pretty sad! I do drink only occasionally when we go to some events but i limit it to like 2 drinks cuz it gives me a migraine headaches!
 
VamPyroX said:
I think the definition of "alcoholic" is still very vague. They say that when you drink, you have a drinking problem. I don't really think so. I have friends who like to drink but doesn't always drink. He drinks when he goes to parties. Sometimes, when he drinks at parties... he overdoes it and gets really drunk. Yet, I wouldn't really call him an alcoholic. I am also an occasional drinker as well. I drink when I feel like it and it's usually when I'm at clubs or parties. Other than that, I don't drink. I might have a drink or two when I go out to dinner with friends but that's pretty much it. Just because I drink doesn't mean I have a drinking problem. That's why I think the definition of "alcholic" and "drinking problem" is still very vague.
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The best way to define an "alcoholic" is - if a person decides that they have a problem with drinking because it causes them problems.

Left vague for a reason. See most people who start going to AA come into the walls because the drinking has caused a problem. It is up to the drinker to admit they have become powerless over alcohol. That is the first step.
People have different levels they are willing to reach. that is called reaching bottom. Some are will to lose it all before getting help. loosing homes, friends and even family. While others seek help much sooner. seeking help before they the hole was to deep.

It all come down to how low they want to go...
 
VamPyroX said:
I remember attending an alcohol workshop at RIT. They said some weird shit. They said that one of the signs of being an alcoholic is denial. They said that if you drink but deny having a drinking problem, that's denial and shows that you are an alcoholic! Jeez, that's bullshit... :fu2:
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those statements should not be said. It turns people off and pushes them away. Those statements are usually made by a rookie and some one should have talked with him. Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic.

Here is an example of denile.

waking up after a blackout from excessive drink. as waking up the drinker finds himself to be dressed in drag. In another state. Married to a woman woman that looks like a warthog he doesn't know... If that drinker says alcohol doesn't cause problems that is denile. :bump:
 
One of the things that makes an alcoholic, in my understanding, is when a dependence on drinking, either psychological or physical, arises, and the drinking interferes with normal living. There's definitely part that's physical because of the chemical tolerances that build up over time (not to mention getting the DT's when you try to dry out). Another part is psychological...sometimes people drink to forget or avoid something. Not sure if all of that is true in all cases, but these are some of the things I've seen. There was a boy who lived in the apartment under me when I was in undergrad, who had a very severe drinking problem. Thankfully after half a year, he seemed to come to some sort of realization, and moved home to be with his parents, and I heard that he cleaned up and was doing well. :)
 
HERE IS A MEDICAL DEFINITION OF THE TERM ALCOHOLISM:

In a 1992 JAMA article, the Joint Committee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine published this definition for alcoholism: "Alcoholism is a primary chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, mostly denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic."

There are many people who believe that if you are a true alcoholic you will always be one and you can never drink again. There are others who believe it is possible to moderate drinking.

It does not surprise me to hear that there is alcoholism in the deaf community because it is easy for people who feel like they don't fit in or are not welcome as a part of "society" to become alcoholic - people drink because they feel very bad and because they do not know how to cope.

Alcoholism tends to run in families and they have determined there are genetic predispositions to it, but it also has to do with how one is raised, depression and many other factors.

Lots of people can drink occasionally and be just fine. Alcoholics find that when they drink they cannot control how much they drink, and cannot control what they do, and that when they are sober they crave alcohol and think about it all the time.

The good news is that there is hope.

There are many free or inexpensive treatment options out there, and some especially geared toward deaf people. Many AA meetings also provide interpreters.

If you are worried about your drinking, or someone close to you, speak to your regular doctor, and also research on the internet. To locate AA Meetings anywhere in the United States, visit www.aa.org

If you have a family member or friend who is an alcoholic, there is also help for you at Alanon Family Groups.

The important thing is to get help before alcoholism ruins you health, your family, your job...

Talk to your regular doctor about it. He or she will be able to help you figure out if you need medical care or just therapy or meetings.
 
I remember that my mother's friend had a drinking problem 10 years ago. She took some pills from her doctor to stop drinking. The pill helped her to throw up if she drinks it. Just let you know about it. I do not remember what was the name of her pill. That was a long time ago.
 
webexplorer said:
I remember that my mother's friend had a drinking problem 10 years ago. She took some pills from her doctor to stop drinking. The pill helped her to throw up if she drinks it. Just let you know about it. I do not remember what was the name of her pill. That was a long time ago.
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I am thinking of a drug called Narcan, but I think that is an antedote given to someone who overdosed on narcotics? There is such a drug as you mentioned, though. I just can't remember the name of it. :dunno:
 
That would explain why deaf people are nearly 3 times more likely to have alcohol problems than hearing people.
 
webexplorer said:
I remember that my mother's friend had a drinking problem 10 years ago. She took some pills from her doctor to stop drinking. The pill helped her to throw up if she drinks it. Just let you know about it. I do not remember what was the name of her pill. That was a long time ago.
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The medicine is called Antabuse.

Most people need more support than just a pill - but if it helps...
 
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