[1969]

Hello all
this is my first post so please bear with me . I have allways liked drinking but never considered this to be a problem as it has never had a negative impact on my life in any way . I have had a pretty miserable couple of years and found that the social drinking I once enjoyed has now become a daily event. Have allways enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine in the evening, but this is now almost a bottle of red nightly. Tho odd hangover every month or so has now become almost daily , I feel really rough today....... I'm not alcohol dependent in the sense I have withdrawal symptoms or the shakes but I guess I have become dependent on that feeling it gives me - like well whatever.... to be honest my problems dont feel so bad when I have had a drink. I dont crave alcohol through the day, or even think about it , but as soon as I get home I open a bottle of red and get a bit hammered. Every day I tell myself I'm not going to drink tonight , but cant seem to stick to it. The only time I dont is when I have such a bad hangover and I cant face it. I think I have answred my own question really, just reafing this back kinda says I do. I would really welcome some one else's opinion , my partner says I'm being stupid and that every one enjoys a drink and I have a very responsible job, if I was an alcoholic then I wouldn't be able to do it.
I was diagnosed with mild reactional depression and was on prozac for 6 months , since I have been drinking more I have felt quite low and anxious , but I'm good at hiding it , can any one tell me me if alcohol can be a depressant
thanks so much for reading this
xxxx

[chalmette70043]

Hi 1969. Alcohol is a depressant. For me i started drinking when i was in my teens on a regular basis. The older i got the more i drank. After the storm, Katrina. I drank all day, every day, expect for the little bit of time i did have a job.

I never thought i had a problem. But it got to where i just didnt enjoy drinking. It stopped making me forget those things i wanted to forget. The depression just became worse.

I've since quit. And it was not easy saying no to that first drink. I still have urges, but they are getting less and less. I'm feeling better as far as depression goes since i've quit drinking. Working on other things through therapy and meds.

I wish you the best in whatever decision you decide on. There are alot of people here in this forum that could give you much bettter answers than I. Good Luck.

chalmette

I hope

[splitimage]

Alcohol is definitely a depressant & it's amazing how quickly we can get into the habit of drinking every day. It's good that you're not physically dependent on it yet, but even being psychologically dependent can be a little scary. Only you can decide whether or not you have a problem. I was pretty far gone before I got help, fully addicted and lost my job due to drinking so if you think you have a problem better to deal with it sooner than later.

Stopping drinking isn't easy, and it doesn't make your life get better right away, but it does get easier with time.

And there's a line I heard at an AA mtg, that I found pretty realistic and helpful "Most non-alcoholics don't sit around wondering whether they're alcoholic." If you do decide you want to stop you'll find lots of support here. There's also AA which I go to. And you can talk to your dr. about treatment programs too.

Good luck.

--splitimage

[1969]

Hello both
thanks ever so much for replying to me , it has been really helpful just by posting and I suspose actually being honest , I had such a crappy day yesterday and had every intention of getting completely hamered, I drank nearly two bottles , fell over and bruised my knee and have the hang over from hell and sobbed like a fool, cant really remember what I was crying about., this is a problem.... I have actually been researching AA for a while , I guess if I didn't have a bit of a problem I wouldn't have done this or found this site. Luckily, my job has not been affected as of yet , but I am aware my concentration is not what it was, and of course daily hangovers arent that helpful. I have found it very easy to justify my drinking , but it's getting harder to do this. I just spoke to my partner about it and he got quite cross with me and told me i was being dramatic , although this morning he told me I had been a mad angry ***** the night before. Not sure if I have the confidence or guts to actually go to a meeting yet, but it actually feels like a bit of a releif to actually admit I'm heading for trouble if I don't address this. Thanks so much again to you both for replying , sorry if I have gone on a bit , if it's okay I may post on here for support
xxx

[ziggy1]

Hello 1969, yes Alcohol is definetly a depressant. I've been depressed in the past and when I took a drink I naturally felt better.

Next day was worse though, I even felt more depressed. So you feel like driking all over again the next day. So it becomes a
viscious cycle.

Some people can drink every night after they come home from work,
get up the next day with no problem. Then go right back to work the next day. The fact is some people can drink some can't. I'm
one of those peope who can't drink.

I used to drink socially too at one time, only over the weekend. Then I used to drink through the week too. Now I find its better
if I just leave it alone completely.

I think it's good you recognized your drinking pattern and asked
about it.

[ECHOES]

Alcohol is a central nervious system depressant.

It sounds like you're numbing yourself emotionally with the wine and the reasons that make you want to do that might be something you could explore in psychotherapy.

[3kittycat]

What I have learned at the tables of AA is that normal drinkers rarely if ever question if they have a drinking problem.

I have been sober in AA for 3 years. I was not physically dependent on it, but was psychologically for sure. I was using it to treat my bipolar depression. Mixing the antidepressant with booze was bad news. Sometimes the same enzymes needed to break down the med are the same needed to break down the booze. This results in you getting even drunker on the same amount.

I did not find relief from my depression until I got sober. You still may have time to clean up your act. I don't know. But depression and alcohol and meds do not mix well.

[StarPonysMama]

Wow, you could have just written my life over had you said BEER instead of WINE.

I was in your EXACT SAME BOAT A month ago. Today is the 30th day that I have quit drinking. It is a depressant and almost causes a vicious cycle. Looks like you're falling into the cycle in my opinion. I was never physically dependent on it either but, when I got home, it was "on". You'll feel much better if you decide to quit. BUT - you have to make your mind up.

I knew I was on the verge of having a real problem. I work for a worldwide Ad agency and I did it ...........it's called "functioning". I see a huge difference in my job performance. Having to work while hungover is certainly no fun.

I hope whatever you decide that it works for you. I can just tell you that the clarity of being sober allows you to face your problems head on with vigor, instead of putting them off.

I wish you the best of luck!

[1969]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to me, it certainly has made me think, I was able to relate to almost all of your posts and they have all been very helpful.
I have been stuck in a viscious circle, depressed and low , drink to feel better /numb, feel worse the next day etc etc . i managed one night without getting hammered, went out yesterday for a civilised lunch date, insisted to my friends I wasnt drinking, decided to have just one, six hours later, very drunk and cant remember getting home. Feel totally ashamed and angry with myself today and very anxious. I really do need to get a grip of this , feel a bit better that I have now come to the realisation that this is getting out of hand now and no longer in a state of denial about it.

Thanks ever so much
xxx

[chalmette70043]

((((((1969))))))))))))

Just wanted to let you know if you are interested there is a Recovery Chat here in one of the chat rooms on tuesday evenings at 9central time. Raynnadi, the moderator is the person who runs this forum.

Come by and check it out tomorrow night. Hope to see you there.

chalmette

[Cyran0]

1969, I don't have anything to add except good luck. I hope you find your way.

Cyran0

[1969]

Hello all
just wanted to let you know haven't had a drink for 7 days , I feel really good , focused and getting up for work is not so difficult . I'm surprised that I have found not having my evening binge quite easy to get used too.It was really helpfull being ale to share my concerns on this site as it kind of gave me a kick up the butt , wake up call and made me realise that it was important to make some changes, if it was feeling like a problem , then I guess it was becoming a problem .
Thanks ever so much to every one that replied , good honest advice and support .
xxx

[splitimage]

Congratulations on your week of not drinking, That's great.

--splitimage

[Cyran0]

Lucky day 7! Woohoo! Congrats!

Cyran0

[1969]

Thank you both xx

[Lenny]

You are a miracle...keep going..it gets better.

Lenny

[1969]

Thank you Lenny , it's pretty amazing how the support and kindness of strangers thousands of miles away can mean so much.

[Lenny]

Yes 1969,,,amazing but true,,,hang about and you will witness some amazing things within these fleeting electrons...

Lenny

[Raynaadi]

Congratulations 1969!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StarPonysMama]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

YES, getting up for work is easier!

And it will get easier and easier and you'll kinda look around and say, "Why would I ever want to go back to that routein?"

PC is one of the best things that ever happened to me!

Keep us posted! We love to hear your progress!