[ItsmeTC8888]

Well I am thinking about quitting alcohol. I am definitely an alcoholic because I have drunk very heavily in the past and currently drink daily about a 6 pack. It is causing financial difficulty and resentment from my daughter for the finical difficulty (who I live with because I can’t make it on my own because my ssdi and ssi is so low). I know I have to quit because I am on medication and drinking daily and the medication is going to destroy my liver and I don’t want to have problems with my daughter.

I am struggling with this decision because I like my beer in the evening because it’s the only time I feel happy and it helps me get sleepy. It seems like I never experience happiness anymore (unless I am drinking) because I am medicated. My therapist says it’s because I have experienced manic episodes in the past and now I don’t experience those manic times so I compare my happiness to those time. All I know is I want to experience happiness. Does anyone relate? What do you do?

[madisgram]

welcome to this forum, itsme. do you know alcohol is a depressant? drinking caused my bipolar to play havoc.
i'm a recovering alcoholic. once i was told a very helpful idea-"if i drink to gain a feeling or drink to rid myself of a feeling i probably have a drinking problem".
in recovery i've found a peace, a serenity, a happiness i had never experienced before in my entire life. why not consider AA for a start? you may learn there are others with the same concerns there who have suggestions. there are other methods used to put down the drink but for me it was the one i chose. i'm thankful i did. i wish you well.

[ItsmeTC8888]

Originally Posted by madisgram

welcome to this forum, itsme. do you know alcohol is a depressant? drinking caused my bipolar to play havoc.
i'm a recovering alcoholic. once i was told a very helpful idea-"if i drink to gain a feeling or drink to rid myself of a feeling i probably have a drinking problem".
in recovery i've found a peace, a serenity, a happiness i had never experienced before in my entire life. why not consider AA for a start? you may learn there are others with the same concerns there who have suggestions. there are other methods used to put down the drink but for me it was the one i chose. i'm thankful i did. i wish you well.

Well I have made a decision to quit. I did some reading about how alcohol causes depression and anxiety. I am more clear now on the topic. I thought that alcohol only caused depression when you are drinking. I am glad I did some research. I going to make a plan of action right now which includes attending one meeting a day online and one face to face meeting once a week. It is going to be really hard to go to a face to face meeting because I have people anxiety but I will set a goal.

[madisgram]

good for you itsme. you've made a start. and a willingness to stop was the key for many of us who are in recovery. as for irl meetings-every person at an AA mtg. once had to walk thru that same door. please know that no expectation will placed on your shoulders. you can just go and listen. i know it sounds scary but we all basically have the identical "story". alcohol was destroying our life, our spirit, our soul. it denied us the happiness we deserved. it promised us everything, but in reality took everything away from us.
please keep us posted. we do care about you. we're here for you.

[ItsmeTC8888]

Well I went a day without drinking and I went to two online meeting. I read Chapter 1 in the big book (with an open mind seeing the similarities),and in the process of reading Step One in the Twelve by Twelve and next I am going to work on a Step One worksheet that I found on the internet. I no I can't work the steps by myself but I feel the need to get in action.

I am feeling inspired because I have been in AA before and I know it works because when I was working it I got 3 years clean and sober.

It is my plan to go to a Saturday night face to face meeting (because thats when there will be a lot of people there and I won't feel pressure to speak and I can kind of get lost in the crowd), get some phone numbers and use them the following week so I can get to know some people and hopefully find a sponsor.

So this is my plan of action. for me please!

[madisgram]

thanks for the inspiring update, itsme. my sponsor once told me when i picked up that i lost my sobriety date but everything i'd learned in AA was still up there.
your plan is a good one. if you have what is called a beginner mtg. in your area it might help too. so glad u know the ropes. it will help you tremendously to get back on track.
happy for you. one prayer coming up!

[iscarabaider]

I also have a drinking problem, and am 'trying' to quit as well. Here's hoping we both succeed.

[Willcat]

Good for you ItsmeTC8888, having a recovery plan of action is of the utmost importance, IMO, for living alcohol free.