Posted by:
pollythinks
(
)
Date: November 28, 2016 09:50PM
"cantsay wrote, 'I wish that I could just enjoy a "hard liquor" drink, however when I do, I go completely overboard with that shit! Home brew is probably the way to go for me. 2017 will probably be the year I learn how to make beer!
Wine-making may be in my future as well!"
I've got news for you, "cantsay". As my brother, an alcoholic, found out during his "cut-back" years, beer and wine are just as much negative and addictive as "hard liquor" to alcoholics.
"Alcoholics" have a hard time admitting that is what they are, because if one admits this, one understands he/she has to stop doing what they like to do most--drink an acoholic beverage.
This is the h..l of alcoholic drinks (which INCLUDES beer and wine). If you can't control all alcoholic drinking, the only way out is to STOP ALL, PERIOD.
My alcoholic neighbor became an "interviewer" for others (after her own long treatment with professionals in order to quit her own addiction).
Maybe it would help to read "Bob's(?) GREAT original "Blue Book" (sometime found free in library's, as no one is allowed to sell the book--it can only be given away, as it's already been payed for by other, recovered, addicts).
My other brothers and I, and my addicted brother's daughter, hired my neighbor to hold an "intervention" for him. (You need the whole family to gather-around for this event, as otherwise, the alcoholic will excuse him/her self as not being alcoholic, as "so-and-so understands he/she is not an "alcoholic".)
"Cantsay", I want you to know that my brother later admitted that he had intended to kill himself that week, to get out of his trapped condition.
Happily, (by prearrangement), after the families intervention (guided by my experienced neighbor), we got him admitted to a Veterans hospital which treated alcoholics (among other patients, but in their own wing of the hospital).
The "drying out" period is very difficult and exhausting, and uses (among other tactics), a round circle for the addicts to talk among themselves, and call out "bull-s.t" when they recognize "self-excuses" from members in the group trying to avoid admitting what they have become (an out-of-control alcoholic). (One staple line that is used in this group is, "So you've tried everything--your very best--and still ended up with an 'out of control' drinker problem".)
After a certain period of hard work (where they are "wiped clean" of their preconceptions of being able to stop drinking on their own--which they finally have to acknowledge didn't get them anywhere). These person are genuinely SICK.
Eventually (if they don't drop from the program), they graduate to "half-way" houses, with roommates, to try and aclomate themselves back into society on their own. Many can't make this step at first (or at least not until after a couple of tries). And, unhappily, many professional "rehab" programs are not very good at accomplishing what they are supposed to do.
Even so, happily, some addicts do get "well" (like my brother). Even so, they have to remain on guard.
Upon first getting out of treatment, many (who have lost their jobs), need to "dipster dip" for awhile (seek food and clothing out of big trash containers), to help survive economically, as they are not supposed to depend on others to support them, but to become independent and support themselves. Roommates tend to steal their "roommates" food, and a can of beans stolen is enough to kick someone out of the roommate routine, or back into rehab.
Fortunately, my brother is now "dry", but still goes to an alcoholic mtg. EVERY DAY, somewhere in his city, and often leads the group as he is such an experienced person now.
Recovering alcoholics are advised to attach themselves to a "dry" alcoholic who has made good (be this person a "nobody", or lawyer, etc, but is a "recovered" addict), a person with whom they are to appeal for help when/if they feel they are in a "slip-back" danger.
My best wishes to all who are brave enough to tackle this awful addiction. Maybe start with the "Bob's" ORIGINAL "Blue Book" (many later additions equivocate and loose their effectiveness) to see how many excuses for this addiction people go through, before they admit they need help.
The good news: My brother has been at his "recovery" stage now for one or two decades--good for him! He helps prove it can be done.