Why do we do this to ourselves??

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:12 am

Alcoholism ?

At least that was it for me.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:16 am

You're young yet!

I like to drink but I never did understand drinking so much you felt

like poo the next morning... kinda seemed to take the fun out of it

for me.

I pretty much don't drink at night any more, interferes with my sleep.

But since I like champagne, I can have that on a nice warm summer

afternoon... or with breakfast!!

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:33 am

I still drink, just not to excess.

I love margarita's on a hot day, and it's 90 to 112 degrees here 300 day's a year, that's not excessive..HA HA just kidding.

I usually drink wine, if I drink at all, now that my body is in pain 99 % of the time, I know I drink wine more than I should, and if I'd stop drinking wine I'd probably loose the 20 lbs I keep complaining about. It's a revolving door, pain / 20 lbs,

pain/20lbs.

Patsy

Babies_Mama00 · Post by **Babies_Mama00** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:47 am

I may be the youngest out of everyone on here, but I am past my drinking stage. I had one really bad night with a few fridns and drank a 40oz of vodca in 10 mins. Also my boyfriend does not drink(1/2 a beer and hes tipsy) so the two of us live a basicallly sober life.

I dont like hangovers either and I hate myself when I am drunk. Also with being pregnant I cant really drink lol. But I can see it that after I have the baby I wont drink much either.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:04 am

I was never a heavy drinker. Even when I was in my 20's..I would buy a mug of beer and would carry it around all evening, nursing that one beer.

I do have issue with mixed drinks...if they go down too easy I may over indulge. But MY over indulging may be 2 or 3 drinks rather than just one.

I think people do it over and over due to alcholism, as Nomad suggested, or just simply abuse of it. Younger people (college age) feel indestructable..and the hangover is thier badge of honor.

I think the good feeling one has outweighs the shittiness of the next day...at least for some. Plus, like childbirth for mothers...do we tend to have selective memory...and forget the pain of the last time, therefore opening toe door to go out and do it again?

But, as I said, I am one who is just as happy having one drink, and switching to Pepsi. Or I will just take a sip or two of Rick's beer and that is enough for me.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:09 am

Or I will just take a sip or two of Rick's beer and that is enough for me.

Thats not right. Leave Ricks beer alone !

Babies_Mama00 · Post by **Babies_Mama00** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:11 am

Marie5656 wrote:

I think people do it over and over due to alcholism, as Nomad suggested, or just simply abuse of it. Younger people (college age) feel indestructable..and the hangover is thier badge of honor.

.

It may be the same for men?? I know I will never understand my fathers love for beer.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:12 am

Patsy Warnick wrote: It's a revolving door, pain / 20 lbs,

pain/20lbs.

Patsy

Patsy

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this vicious cycle. Chronic pain just sucks.

I can understand that, given the choices, the absence of pain wins out *every* time.

I like to drink. I never start before 5:00 p.m. and I usually have one or two glasses of champagne. Good-sized glasses. Just about every day. I guess I would say that I drink consistently but not extremely heavily. I rarely get hangovers.

Do I think I drink too much? There are many times I wrestle with this. I look forward to my cocktail at the end of the day. It's a nice way to segue from workday to evening.

No, I don't have seven drinks at a sitting. But I still worry that I drink more often than I should. It doesn't seem to affect my productivity or impede negatively on my life.

But still I wonder. :-6

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:13 am

Nomad wrote: Thats not right. Leave Ricks beer alone !

Busted. Oh, OK Nomad. If you say so.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:15 am

Babies_Mama00 wrote: It may be the same for men?? I know I will never understand my fathers love for beer.

Babies, you have a point there. I think it is the younger men, more than the women who feel they have something to proove. The older men, too. I often feel they do not like to admit they have problems with anything...appearing weak.

Babies_Mama00 · Post by **Babies_Mama00** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:17 am

The thing that gets to me most is that for a while there my father had to have been the stupidest man alive. He was drinking all of the time because he was off work on "disability" and he was taking huge ammounts of anti depressants. Not a good combo and not something your children should know about!!

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:28 am

Hamster wrote: Sometimes just having one drink EVERY day is as addictive as "binge drinking" don't you think? And yes I have been there too...

I know what you mean, Hammie.

That's why I'm afraid to *really* listen to my answer when I ask myself that question.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:40 am

Hamster wrote: Yep...I know that feeling too!! Still..I suppose at least if we can face it then thats a start! :-6

Here's another thing, though: I don't want to stop. I enjoy it. I don't drive when I drink. I don't start terrible fights with my husband.

I just like it. A lot.

So where does that leave me?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:46 am

Hamster wrote: Yep...I know that feeling too!! Still..I suppose at least if we can face it then thats a start! :-6

Funny thing, in AA they tell you admitting the problem is the 1st step. I never had any doubts about it. Growing up with it on both sides of the family and in the house, I knew what it looked and acted like and I had become the same thing. I always knew it. It got really bad when I just accepted it and didnt care.

I drank for more than 20 yrs but it took the last 5 of agonizing over giving it up or dying. I didnt know which was more important to me. Its a process for sure.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:22 am

Nomad wrote: Funny thing, in AA they tell you admitting the problem is the 1st step. I never had any doubts about it. Growing up with it on both sides of the family and in the house, I knew what it looked and acted like and I had become the same thing. I always knew it. It got really bad when I just accepted it and didnt care.

I drank for more than 20 yrs but it took the last 5 of agonizing over giving it up or dying. I didnt know which was more important to me. Its a process for sure.

You deserve a pat on the back, Nomad. Admitting an addiction is hard enough...kicking it and staying off is even harder.

My uncle was an alcoholic. Lost his job as a cop because of it. He would quite, go to AA meetings and all. But rarely stayed sober longer than a year or so. I was a kid when this all happened, so I never really understood it...but I know it was hard for my aunt.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:26 am

valerie wrote: You're young yet!

I like to drink but I never did understand drinking so much you felt

like poo the next morning... kinda seemed to take the fun out of it

for me.

I pretty much don't drink at night any more, interferes with my sleep.

But since I like champagne, I can have that on a nice warm summer

afternoon... or with breakfast!!

I'm posting again Hamster so I don't make light of this. I didn't mean to,

and I thought about it on my morning walk.

Someone told me once long ago (they were in counseling) that if you

can go 3 months including a holiday (a holiday can be anything that's

a holiday to YOU, like a wedding anniversary) without drinking, and

then only have 2 drinks whenever you drink, you're not likely an

alcoholic.

I know so many people who do all the drinking in their early 20's and

then just slowly drift away from it because other stuff becomes more

important.

I could be considered a "binge" drinker I guess... I drink a bottle of

champagne when I drink. A bottle is 4 1/2 glasses. But it takes me

about 2 1/2 hours, so I figure that a glass about every half hour isn't

bad, and I have food with it. I don't get incredibly wasted with it,

either.

But champagne is expensive, so right now I'm not having any!!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:28 am

Marie5656 wrote: You deserve a pat on the back, Nomad. Admitting an addiction is hard enough...kicking it and staying off is even harder.

My uncle was an alcoholic. Lost his job as a cop because of it. He would quite, go to AA meetings and all. But rarely stayed sober longer than a year or so. I was a kid when this all happened, so I never really understood it...but I know it was hard for my aunt.

Its not that big of a deal to me except in that sobriety allows me to live in a way now I couldnt then. Otherwise I dont think about it much.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:32 am

My niece is a recovering alcoholic. She was heavy into drugs too. But is pretty much turned around. She knows it is always uphill.

She was bothered because she was told NOT to tell my father (her grandpa) that she was in recovery. He was in poor health, and her parents did not want him "upset". Anyway, when he died, she "told" him...by placing her 1 year sobriaty medalian in his coffin with him. She slipped it into his suit pocket when no one was looking. She told me about it a few weeks after his funeral.:-1

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:45 am

There are several countries where a glass of wine with dinner is as "normal" as a glass of water or cup of coffee. It is what they do. Do you think it is a part of the "children learn what they live" thing. If it is normal to have just one..and not over indulge, then maybe they will be less inclined to do so themselves?

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:02 am

my mother was an alcoholic and nomads post of what he went through as a child with abuse from a drunken parent was very similar to what i had to go through , i never ever drink at home i just don't need to the only time i will drink is if i am in good company

but if it was not for suzy keeping me in line i would probably be dead now ,for i'm afraid old jimbo is jack nicholson Oliver reed and George best rolled into one if i am in good company and start drinking there is no stopping me 2 or 3 day benders were a common thing ,when sue and i broke up i spent six months totally pissed as a parrot ,the trouble is i have such a great laugh i just don't want to stop

Ive cut my drinking right down now and ones again i'm looking to the future i'm even buying the occasional green banana

2 years ago the doc told me if i drank any more I'd die

so now i don't drink any more

but there again i don't drink any less either :wah: :wah:

weber · Post by **weber** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:03 am

Hamster wrote: No offense taken Val :-6

Val I agree here..and with Nomad too..

I firmly believe alcohol is the most addictive substance ever..made doubly dangerous by the fact that it is still largely socially acceptable unlike smoking.

The "Tee-totaller" is the exception still and not the rule...

I don't drink very often but I know for a fact that when I open a bottle of wine I wont need the cork again:o I also had a problem with Sherry-I can't have it in the house now unless I plan to do nothing the next day.

I would be an alcoholic except I take meds that make me halucinate if I drink, so I don't(well only a little bit here and there).

Alcohol may be the most addictive substance Hammy but I figure FG is a good runner up in the addiction game:D

weber · Post by **weber** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:13 am

Hamster wrote: Nope Weber..I can switch off my PC anytime I like......Anytime at all....Yesiree no addiction here!! :-5

:yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:28 am

Hamster wrote: Wow .. Jimbo thanks for being honest...

No more black bananas eh? :wah:

i'm not really sure what your implying hammy

i have never ever ever woke up in the morning and thought i need a drink even when i have been on the sauce for a couple of months solid i can stop just like that no shakes no withdrawell syptoms nothing and guys i can really drink i mean loads bottles of jack d at a time

the only thing apart from hangovers was the eyes used to go a funny yellow color and my lower back used to really hurt but that was it

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:33 am

[quote=Hamster]I was just saying that you will be ceasing the moment and eating your bananas whilst they are yellow...

You are lucky to not get any withdrawal at all!![/quote]

you just dont know when to stop do you

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:41 am

guys how many of you smoke its my pet hate

my dad used to chain smoke when we were young and he would not let us wind down the window we used to hold our jumpers over our mouths when i drive along to work and i see all the moms driving their kids to school smoking i really feel like it should be made illegal honest you would not let a 5 year old smoke so why is it OK to share your cigarette with him, knowing that he has to breath it in and its been proven second hand smoke kills

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:43 am

I guess I feel O.K. about my drinking consumption. It's really one of the only things I do moderately in my life :rolleyes:

I am (unfortunately) quite comfortable with excess: I OVEReat, OVERnuture -- you get the idea.

But self-acceptance is a journey, not a destination -- at least for me. I don't think I'll ever fully get there :-6

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:52 am

Hamster wrote: I think that it is a journey and it is important to enjoy that journey Cher...

I agree Hammie

Or better said

"I'll drink to that!" :p

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:57 am

Hamster wrote: Yup!!

*Hammy cracks open a can of lager*

Just to round off the weekend of course..

Well . . .

it must be 5:00 somewhere, right?

Cher pops a cork and goes for it :guitarist

weber · Post by **weber** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:05 am

Pinky wrote: Me too! Cheers mateys! Raise your glasses to enjoying everything!:-6

Hey Pinky.....is statue....you are pretty....nice to know what you look like.

Another catching smile:-6

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:12 am

oh i get it your all smokers ashamed to comment on your disgusting habbit :-5

get it ash shamed

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:13 am

I am "almost" tee-total wheras my brother is "almost" an alcoholic. Some very bad experiences with alcohol in my teens shaped my adult life. It's tough being tee-total when you're a man. For some people its a measure of how much of a man you are and the derision can make you feel uncomfortable at times. I often feel unmanly myself sipping my way through 3 pints of coke while watching football in the pub. In the glass it looks like beer, but I feel myself whispering at the bar when I ask for it

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:45 am

I would sit next to you, Unc', with my diet coke.