Alcholism......

[Flaptail]

sucks. How does a person get to the pits so fast? A co-worker is going through a period where the only way out is the big sleep or re-hab and we aren't winning the re-hab battle. Booze blows!

[Karl F]

as someone who works in the booze industry, been impacted by the disease on several levels, seen things happen, that most of youse would never believe.. i will just agree,....

only thing flap, is i bet is wasn't as fast as you think... the cover slipped and allowed others to see... usually happen once they are in waaay too deep to maintain the cover...

I hope your co-worker, will accept the help of re-hab... the one thing i know for certain, is if the person does not truly want the help, it will never work.

it is still the onlhy legal mind altering substance, (other than coffee, which blows too)....

legalize pot......i know a lot of folks that would actually benifit, from that

[FishermanTim]

What REALLY gets me, even to this day, is the cop-out reply: "I don't have a problem, I can quit anytime I want!"
I had an achoholic father who changed after a near death accident (not drinking related).
I've got brothers that thought they were fooling everyone, when in fact they were only fooling themselves.
Fortunately enough for me, I never had a problem with booze or drugs, even though I did "experiment" briefly in my youth. My feeling was that I didn't like the feeling of "losing control" so I just gave up on those negative influences. Now I exercise regularly, fish more regularly, and look and feel better than my younger siblings.
By the way, I'm 46 and could EASILY pass for someone in their 30's.

There was a saying that I heard years ago that has stuck with me for many many years: The best thing you can do is to live better than your peers. I don't have more stuff, make more money or eat at finer diners, but I like to think my experiences are creating a fuller life.

[ProfessorM]

They have to want to quit Steve or all the help in the world won't win. Rock bottom has not occurred yet I would think, sometimes it never does. A very frustrating disease to those involved. Good luck

[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

sucks. How does a person get to the pits so fast? A co-worker is going through a period where the only way out is the big sleep or re-hab and we aren't winning the re-hab battle. Booze blows!

You work in the school system? if the person is a teacher or works around children this is not good.

The only thing that can help is get him involved in AA and he must go to a meeting at least once a day sometimes twice works morning and night. Go to meetings and use the phone when you feel like drinking.
There are people there that have been thru it probably worse than most. But like most say he or she has to want it first. If the person has close family maybe an intervention could work then rehab then meetings, they need to know people love and care for them to really want to try. If there not doing it for themselves maybe they could be doing it foe a son, daughter of wife.

[striperman36]

Intervention and AA, it's the best way.
The next best way is hospitalize him and get pysch treatment.

It sucks either way.

[Clammer]

All of this advise is good.great ;;

but the person has to want it for himself /not others ..

&&& if he does he [HAS} to be a active person in the recovery ;;


&&&&&&&&& unfortunity there are those that want soberity soooooooooooooo bad && just can,t get it ;;

IMO .. if they don,t do the twelve steps [HONESTLY} they will not have the tools to deal with [THIS PROBLEM} when they need them ::

been there >> done that >>

I,m living proof /ya can still be f $%^&*( nuts without booze

[tattoobob]

My higher power is Clammer

[Goose]

There are lots of alcoholics living right under our noses. The truth is you don't know the amount a person drinks. Its sad but they gota get real low before they clean up

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Goose

There are lots of alcoholics living right under our noses. The truth is you don't know the amount a person drinks. Its sad but they gota get real low before they clean up

Very true, sometimes you have to feel real pain before something gets your attention. Unfortunately, addiction is an illness that is often overlooked and left untreated. Sometimes it's an attempt to cover up something else deeply subconcious.

I do agree that the person has to want to participate in the rehab and yes, you need to understand and go through all of the 12 steps to even come close to succeeding with the AA treatment.

[Jenn]

Flap- I have seen more than my share and dont think it usually "happens fast".....fact is most have had a problem LONG before anyone would ever know it. Masters of disguise.....their problem is hardly noticed until their addiction has already escalated .....
Being supportive is noble but disheartening to say the least. You will never convince them to get help.....you can only suggest and hope they already have it in them to seek help themselves. You can be a friend but dont ever think you wont be deceived or lied too in the process......and with that last statement I will say that is the best advice I could give you to prepare for whats ahead.

[thefishingfreak]

There is a solution.
If AA doesn't help right away an addictions therapist could work wonders.

I've got 392 days worth of proof that recovery is possible.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

There is a solution.
If AA doesn't help right away an addictions therapist could work wonders.

I've got 392 days worth of proof that recovery is possible.

Congrats for you!!! Anyway you can do it, as long as you want it, helps you onto the road to reality and freedom

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

I've got 392 days worth of proof that recovery is possible.

A whole-hearted thumbs up to you Mike - Keep Up the Good Work.



My father was a very smart man and lost it all when he became an Alcoholic. He never was successful in recovery and died that way. I truly and deeply applaud those that make the turn and recover. I wish my dad had and was able to be a grandfather to my son.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

solution.


I've got 392 days worth of proof that recovery is possible.

I'm proud of you .. sometimes your darkest day, looking back turns out to be the brightest.. enjoying your family and life itself is what its all about . helping others comes back to you ..

[justplugit]

Fortunately alcoholism doesn't have the horrible stigma it once had,

so families can and should confront, and not hide the person's problem for the person or from others..

A person needs to take responsibility for themselves. As Clammer says," has to want it for himself[herself] not others".

Always takes the low of lows for an awakening.

Alcoholics believe there is no other happy life aside from drinking and are afraid to
give it up. Ya can't covince them otherwise.

The ones i know who have gone to AA or couseling, seen the light and gave it up, one for 27 years now, have never been happier in their life.

Tough row to hoe.

[Adam_777]

Interested in what exactly you have to do to be an alcoholic ? Is there guidelines somewhere to tell if you or someone you kow has a problem ?

[Karl F]

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/....cfm?PageID=13

read the 44 questions, gives food for thought...

[Clammer]

If ya have to ask >>ya don,t have to ask ><

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by Clammer

If ya have to ask >>ya don,t have to ask ><

Sometimes the one with the disease is the last one to find out.

[Adam_777]

Thanks for the info on this.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Adam_777

Interested in what exactly you have to do to be an alcoholic ? Is there guidelines somewhere to tell if you or someone you kow has a problem ?

To paraphrase what Clammer said: If you think you have a drinking problem, then you probably do.
My situation was that I was always looking forward to 5:00 PM and the first drink of the day. I'd do anything so I was done with my responsibilities by the time I poured the first drink.
I never missed work, an appointment, things with family. I always took care of business but it got to the point where I worked around what I had to do so I always got to the old bottle by a certain time everyday.
I don't miss that part of my past life at all.

[justplugit]

Great, Paul, just Great!