A liar with nothing to lie about?

[Yinzer]

Is it true that once you're an alcoholic you're always an alcoholic, or can a person really change? Any opinions or experience appreciated, as I'm a bit confused 'cos I used to have a drug problem and now over 3 years later would like to have the occasional drink when at a party. I feel fine about it, but maybe I don't know what's real.

[2nd row]

 hello again Yinzer, I count myself lucky, and thank God that i haven't had, and never will have such problems with either drink/ drugs.... known many who did walk them paths tho'..... and have wittnessed the massive problems both can be.... for you to now stand up and 'admit it ', is a huge step forward, 3 years clean ? well done,  .. those close to you must be thrilled, they know you can overcome it , i think you have already, i have faith in you, keep this faith inside youself and you can beat anything ! your complete experiences with drugs and how you have now won the battle should now be passed on to others, people can and do change, now its time for you help, not only their problem, but will strengthen your own cause/fight... i applaud you Yinzer, X

[Yinzer]

Well thanks!

[georgit79]

I think the label is always with you. I'd like to be proved wrong, but I don't think alcoholics ever really recover. It really is a terminal illness in my opinion.

[flanker]

I like a glass or three of wine every night - yes, every night - and in fact, I think I would struggle not to do that as I look forward to it and it relaxes me after a day at work.

 

So you could say I have a reliance on wine, and therefore does that mean I am an alcoholic?

 

During the day I drink about ten pints of water, very rarely drink beer these days, and haven't touched any spirits since I was a teenager for the simple reason I can't stand the taste.

 

I cycle to work, I play five-a-side footie on Friday nights and Saturday afternoon I play rugby: I like to think I am fit - but, because I like a drink every day, does that constitiute being an alcoholic?

 

I certainly don't think I am.

 

[natalie_1982]

LOL @ 2nd Row - he's mad!  I'm not a recovering anything so can't give you first hand advice but a close family friend was "on the wagon" for 15 years but "fell off" seriously a few years ago although, throughout the fifteen years he was able to have the odd glass of wine at special occassions, etc and know that that was enough for him.  Other circmstances led to the fact that he became a drinker again. 

I guess what I'm saying is it's probably safer not to touch a drop, although if you feel that you can have one and one be enough, and you know when to stop then maybe it would be ok.  It differs from person to person, different circumstances and people involved.

One question though, you said you had a drug addiction, is the drug you meant alcohol? 

And lastly, well done on getting so far!!  You should be really proud of yourself :)

[2nd row]

   flanker , youre not an alcoholic, and like me, should be thankful that the terrible adiction never took its hold on us, i can name many famous people alone whose life stories you can read about , but it can/does happen with anyone/anywhere....... as for drugs ( and as a rugby player  you darent take any ! ) you've never wanted to ? great , now thank god again,,,, someone out there may like/enjoy the puff on a joint ? totally different to one who is hooked on the hard stuff ! who's life, sheer exsistance, ( if it could ever be called even that ! ) depends on getting the next injection ..... big difference,,,, if that was Yinzers way of life (Life??? )   then shes needs our help.love and much support to remain where she has arrived at, no easy task, and to be back , into the reality world which you and i enjoy .

[Dark Angel]

Yinzer - It is possible to change if the person concerned makes a concerted effort to do so. For example my uncle was an alcoholic back in the 60s, I cant remember him back then, but he is supposed to have had a very bad problem.  Anyway, today he doesn't touch a drop of alcohol and he has even joined a group  which supports people who are stuggling to quit drinking.  

I hear its very difficult to change but at least I can definitely say that I know one person that changed. You say you've come out clean for the past three years and I wish you well for the future.

[georgit79]

flanker- you're definitely NOT an alcoholic. Alcoholism is the loneliest disease, and a horrible one too. I'm not saying anymore because it's personal, but I do think every single person's experience of substance abuse is unique, and there isn't one hard and fast rule for everyone.

[cardboard]

Yinzer, after 3 years of being 'clean' your body should have worked out any physically dependancy you had on the drug. The problem is the mental dependany. If the drug you were previously addicted to wasnt alcohol, then one or two glasses at a party might be ok. The problem comes when the mental dependancy starts to re-occur, because then you just substitute one kind of high for another, and you'd find yourself on the slippery slope again. I dont think you will ever completely be free of the original addiction, so if you're not sure, keep off it. However, as in all these situations, professional advice is the way forward. Good luck

[Bangkok]

Not directly relevant, but as someone who smoked, I know one cigarette would lead to 20 a day instantly.  I think the physical addiction has been beaten, but the mental additiction will always be there in the background.

If your problem was alcohol related, then I suspect most experts would advise you not to drink again in case it triggered an addiction.  If it was another problem, then I don't think there is a direct crossover (an ex-smoker can drink without becoming an alocholic). 

[Kay]

I've always been TT but I smoked from the age of 12. I was on 20 fags a day then gave up 11 years ago and I count myself lucky as I've never craved a fag since and have come to hate the smell of smoke and smokers,I think "I used to smell like that". On the other hand,my hubby gave up smoking last year and is using the gum and he is still having bad cravings,especially after a meal.He gave up as a lung function test showed he had the lung power of a 70 year old and he's 49.Must admit I do feel sorry for him at times though as he loved his fags.

[2nd row]

  Drugs,drink, gambling, smoking, so many addictions, never knowing that its creeping up on us until, in many cases its too late, must be some one out there who has a child, comes home from school, straight up stairs, onto their play station,,,, how many times have you screamed, " dinners ready, told them, how many times to clean their room up , some of you parents mustknow what i mean,,,, up until a few years ago, it was realised, and strict age limits were enforced to stop some kids spending all their time and money, even bunking off from school, to go into the slot machine arcades, we, you , me, are we not slowly becoming  addicted to this ' computer thing ', i am ! computer broke down, and i'm sure i began to suffer withdrawl symptoms ! i really missed it, sitting here, not shaving, dishes left in sink, already to go out, people waiting, must go back, see if someone has sent me an e mail ! already some have warned me that too much will damage my eyesight..... already , im becoming hooked ! , as for the other more serious addictions, help and support is needed to overcome  the situation and many problems they have.

[georgit79]

2nd row: I also think you're becoming addicted to writing in a stream of consciousness all the time! Your posts give me a headache...good sentiment though (I think)

[Yinzer]

About those cigarettes, although I quit about a year and a half ago I still take the odd drag from a friend's (odd like less than once every 4 months). My problem earlier wasn't alcohol, but the serious stuff. A lot of those others who are "clean" say that all things are on the same level - meaning to them 1 beer is as bad as 10 bags of heroin! I think this is bullsiht, but again they all say that that is what the addiction 'wants me to think'. Could I be different? Are they all brainwashed? The only thing that really concerns me is not going off on a fifth of vodka every morning, but (as someone else mentioned) losing my footing on this 'slippery slope'. I also wonder if maybe it was just a phase. Sure, many teenagers have their 'phase' and I was 14 when it all began and 18 when it ended. Others were barely scratching their 50 when it ended for them. Or perhaps fate just had mercy on me. So many questions... why do I care so much anyways? Thanks for all of the kid words. Any other thoughts on this?

[BUNNY]

Yinzer,you've done so well so far and should feel very proud of what you've achieved.I suppose technically if your addiction wasn't alcohol related then drinking alcohol should be a problem.Unfortunatley though, I think thats a theoretical and simplified way of looking at things.The dangers of cross addiction are very real and if you break down one of your rules you run the risk of breaking another.And for what??The odd beer or a glass of wine?Would that matter enough to put youself in a position where all you fantastic work was cancelled out or you found yourself developing a cross addiction to alcohol?I personally think youd be risking losing alot for very little gain.Well done so far.I have a very close friend who has been dry for 3 months now and I pray that he will have the same strength that you have shown so far.

[Yinzer]

Well it sounds like the census is in. Thanks for the support, I'll let go of the thoughts, you folks are right, there is a lot at risk just for the odd glass of beer.
Cheers!