Posted by Brenda on February 27, 2000, at 18:48:09
In reply to Dang depressed, Part 2--The Alcohol, posted by Cass on February 27, 2000, at 15:06:50
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> I saw my pdoc, and I told him about the bad week I have been having. I was going to suggest certain meds like Naltrexone and Adderall, but we got onto the subject of alcohol. The issue has been on my mind. In fact, I posted a thread in last month's archive about it. I didn't use my regular screen name. I used the name Leah. I know it's silly, but I felt embarrassed about the subject. Here, I'm already anonymous, but I wanted to be anonymous in my previous anonymity. Part of the reason is that I am very conflicted about bearing another label. Between physical and mental health, I already have too many titles and sets of intitials. And to bear yet another stigmatizing label? Anyways, although I don't drink everyday, and can go a month or so without drinking, my pdoc thinks I am an alcoholic. I have binged to the point of jeopordizing my life, more than once. So, I went to an AA meeting, but I really couldn't identify with the members. It seems like they were all heavy, daily drinkers from a young age. Their lives have been destroyed by alcohol. Many cannot drive or have been homeless because of it. My condition has not led me to circumstances like that. I believe that I have a problem, but there must be different levels of alcoholism. Fortunately, I'm not on that level. Input and suggestions are always welcome. Thank-you, Noa, for asking about me.Cass - It took lots of courage to go to that AA mtg. Did anyone go with you? Take somebody next time. Non-alcoholics can go to open mtgs. I have had 19 yrs without a drink, and have "cycled" through AA and AlAnon a couple of times. I understand exactly what you are saying. I was only 25 when I quit. I certainly could not relate to all those folks sleeping in the gutter and ruining their entire lives. However, my life was a shambles, my health totalled and I wasn't taking care of my toddler son very well. My suggestion would be to find another meeting. I live in a large city and there were lots of meetings to choose from. I did not like the coed meetings. Too much man/woman stuff going on - I wanted to get sober, not find a mate. May I strongly suggest a Closed Women's Meeting. Find a sponsor with a similar background as yours and stick with it for about a year. I went faithfully when I quit drinking and again when I quit smoking dope. The AA folks weren't too keen on a "pothead" in their group, but they got over it. I also was lucky to find a sponsor for about six months who had a similar history of depression and drug abuse. Whether or not you go back - see about getting a copy of the Big Book and checking out the Steps. I still live by them even though I don't attend mtgs. anymore. Good luck. Let me know how you're doing. If you live in San Diego or near San Diego I'll go with you.
poster:Brenda
thread:24347
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000220/msgs/24422.html