[teedee59]

What are some feelings about former addicts participating in social drinking? Is that person still considered practicing sobriety since that is not their drug of choice?

[Moogieotter]

The 12 step programs I have read about and attended, NA and CA specifically are built around the idea that abstinence from all controlled substances, including alcohol, marijuana, and scheduled Rx drugs, like benzodiazepines.

I hear whispers of certain home group cultures having a slightly slippery slope on these ideas. I know for me total and complete sobriety is the only way.

moogs

[notz]

One of the things that makes a good argument for not drinking is that alcohol lowers one's inhibitions. With that comes impaired judgment and the decision to go back to your drug of choice might be closer than you think. Staying ever vigilant is a full time job against addiction.

[cryingontheinside]

A friend of mine stopped taking heroin but still drank and smoked weed . she was proud of herself for stopping taking heroin and didn't see the drinking or smoking weed as wrong . I can see her point of view . she had stopped a hard drug and that's something to be proud of, but she did end up relapsing again on heroin. Its hard because the addiction wants us to think its OK and we can use alternative drink / drugs, but really I think abstinance is the best way forward . my mind is deviating me at the moment , I feel close to relapsing so I may not be the best person to give advice . oh I pray I am strong enough not to relapse .

Sent from my GT-S6810P using Tapatalk

It may not be their drug of choice but a drug is a drug is a drug and one can lead to another. So abstanence is a good choice cause once you go back out there is no guarantees of ever coming back again.

[tipper1492]

To fool yourself makes you the fool.

[emgreen]

I'll speak just of my own experience. There may be people who can drink socially, but I'm not one of them. Perhaps there was a time when I could have 4-5 beers & stop, but those days are long gone. For me, alcoholism has been a progressive disease. What started at 4-5 eventually turned into 12-15 beers. In fact, the mere thought of having just 4-5 beers sounds frustrating to me now! I've accepted that alcohol controls me...I don't control my intake of alcohol. YMMV.

As for other drugs, I found marijuana to be the same as alcoholism. Once I got high, I wanted to keep the buzz going. I'd wind up spending the whole day stoned. As far as psych drugs, I use them as prescribed. I've accepted the fact that I have an addictive personality, but for some reason that addictive nature doesn't include my psych meds.

[Chillaxinchick]

I'm in the same boat as emgreen. I have progressively started drinking more and even though I have not admitted that I'm an alcoholic. Went from socially to wine, to a big thing of wine, to Fireball whiskey and now beer and I don't mean just one. I have a hard time going to the store without picking up some "tall cans."

I know it's in my blood and my extreme personality. I don't have an answer for you OP. I wish I did because I'm struggling with the same question. I know the answer yet I still question. I am thick skull'd.

I am going to a women's church group tonight. I am not a big fan of organized religion, but I think I need to start building my own support network because I do not have my parents in my life. They are addicts and I've steered away from any type of relationship with them. I think I long for a sisterhood of sorts to fill the void that has been created since childhood. Sorry for the rambling. Back on topic. lol Hugs to all.