I have issues with alcohol...that much I can admit. Full on alcoholic I'm not so sure. I have been told a lot over the years I need to stop drinking, and finally this year this seems to be sinking in a bit. When I drink things get messy. But I'm just not ready to stop. I keep putting it off. There is always something to wait for. My current excuse is my birthday at the end of the week. I'll stop drinking after my birthday... but I know it won't happen. After that it will be other friends' birthdays, general nights out and just...there is nothing to do in this town that doesn't involve alcohol.

I need to find a way to stop putting it off..

[Skeezyks]

Hi HalloweenSkye: Hey... happy birthday!!! I gave up drinking years ago while I was first on antidepressants. During intervening years when I was back off of them again, I took up casual drinking again. I never really drank to excess in general. But, what I would do was if something went wrong... say at work for example... then I'd get snockered that evening.

At this point, I'm no longer on psych med's. But I don't drink at all either. I can't afford it... water is cheaper. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with drinking in moderation. I LOVE the taste of almost all alcoholic drinks (except I'm not a big beer fan.) Just please try to take it easy... okay?

[Sabrina]

I can identify. But I knew I was an alcoholic. I put off stopping for years and years. Also had one excuse after another. Mostly "this is the last weekend". Common sense won over when I knew I would lose my husband. He'd been patient for years. And I was sick! I couldn't tolerate the alcohol physically anymore, hadn't for a long time but still persisted. Almost 10 months ago I finally faced my husband and told him I wanted to stop drinking. Not knowing if I would (or could) or not. But I did. Perhaps it was easier for me than for others, but I have never looked back. I have not touched a drop since and sincerely believe I never will again.

Socializing became easier and easier. Now I don't enjoy watching those around me become steadily louder (and whatever else) as they become more intoxicated.

Stopping drinking was the best thing I ever did. I bought my husband a portable swimming pool for Christmas with the money I saved from not drinking. And I bought him a new wedding ring which I will give to him on our anniversary on Sunday. Also from my drinking money.

I have never looked back.

I wish you much strength. Just knowing there is an issue is a start.

Well it's scary to say, but I think I may have finally managed to make that commitment. I have been put on lithium and while I was told I could have maybe 1 or 2 drinks at a time I definitely have to not binge. Unfortunately for me one or two always then turns into a binge. So I am doing my best to abstain altogether. It has been about 3 days so far... Fingers crossed this is the kick up the butt I needed to get me to stop.