comfort drinking

[capslock]

I didnt know where to post this. I was going to post in health but then I realised that I am feeling depressed so thought it was better to post in here.

I am drinking too much. I dont drink every night, but when I do drink I drink a lot. There are times when I desperately need a drink and there are times when I need to get drunk to cope. Everything seems so much clearer then and hurts so much less. I mostly drink in secret (although I only drink in the evenings when the kids are asleep). I know it isnt good for me, but I cant stop myself. I'm not even sure I want to stop. I like the relaxed feeling alcohol gives me, and then the couldn't-care-less attitude of being drunk.

Is anyone else like this? I feel so ashamed and so alone.

You might find good support here?

HTH.

As you will see - you are not alone!

Thank you

capslock - you are certainly not alone! When you're feeling down alcohol numbs the ache that you have in the pit of your heart, makes things ok for a little while, but then you start to feel a little too woozy and you realise that you've drunk a whole bottle of wine or whatever your poison is (mine's whisky) and the rememberance that you've got to get up early with the children and/or for work hits you like a slap in the face and you start to feel even worse for letting yourself get into this state in the first place. In the morning you wake with a thumping headache and when you eventually look in the mirror you look like death warmed up, pale and bloated face with dark puffy circles round the eyes because of the poor quality sleep you've had.

We've all had too much to drink at some time or another, the difference between someone who is dependent on alcohol is that whereas someone who isn't dependent can drink one or two glasses of wine or ginnantonix and stop, a dependent drinker wants to carry on, wants the feeling to stay the same, maybe hopes that by drinking more they will feel better, but it doesn't work like that.

With any addiction the biggest hurdle is admitting to yourself that you've got a problem. Whether it be alcohol, drugs, nicotine, gambling, shopping, whatever, if you don't want to stop and do something about it then it won't work. Just telling you that you're damaging your health won't work, though it may be one of several catalysts. You need to accept that you have a problem and address it.

I don't want to sound like a touchy-feely counsellor but you really are not alone, and talking with people who are in the same position as you in a specialist situation, such as Alcholics Anonymous, might help.

I have never thought of myself as dependent before. Butt the things you said are so true of me. I know you only meant to help ginmummy but now I feel bad

I'm in exactly the same boat. Some days are good, some are bad, and I know it will only make me feel worse in the long run, not to mention damage my health and make me fatter, but alcohol is highly addictive!

Go to bed, have a decent night's sleep, tomorrow's a new day. Your head might hurt and you might feel like crap but it's a fresh start and you can try and take it from there.

Have you spoken to your gp or a counsellor or the Samaritans about how you're feeling?

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Thank you Giddy1. I would like a hug. But that wont solve anything will it?

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thank you Giddy1. Have one back. Going to try hard tonight. Craving already

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