I'm really struggling

[Archied]

One of the best things I can advise is to break everything down into manageable sizes , there were times when it was case of me not having a drink for the next ten minutes , then the next ten ,it turns into days ,weeks , years ,

same goes for life’s problems ( they don’t go away just because we stop drinking though there are far less of them we create through drinking) , most of us alcoholic/ addicts have what I call washing machine heads, always spinning,this problem that problem this scenario that scenario, I’ve learned to pick one problem at a time to deal with , if I don’t I see all the problems and get swamped 

[Anag Ram]

18 hours ago, Bob The Badger said:

This is the hardest message I've ever typed sorry but I need help I'm an alcoholic

Bob, I hope you find the strength and help you need. I suspect you want change in your life and that’s always somewhere between scary and exciting.

The very best of luck to you and those who are on your journey with you.

[Kinder]

Bob, you’re an incredibly brave man / woman / badger.  It takes huge guts to admit you need help. You absolutely can and will do this mate.

I managed to kick a very nasty addiction and I’ve been clean for 4 1/2 years now.  I couldn’t have imagined that for a minute when I was in the throes of addiction. The hardest and most important decision I made by a mile was getting it out in the open.

It’s hard work Bob and it’s baby steps, but you will get through this. And you’ll be so much happier and healthier for it.  Good luck.

[Bob The Badger]

A massive thanks to you all for your advice and support, it's been much appreciated.

I've had issues for about 3 or 4 years now but it's really escalated since I moved back to the UK.

My doctor referred me to We are With You a year or so ago and i have been attending meetings online (sporadically) but had stopped seeing my caseworker through sheer complacency.

And that's my problem. I stop, have zero problem stopping for a few weeks and then think I've got it cracked and I haven't. I never will have, but reminding myself that when I'm not even arsed about not drinking seems really tough.

And then I have a terrible nights sleep or have some super stressful stuff going on work-wise and Vodka seems like a brilliant idea and I can just have it once and I'll be ok. But it's never one. I mean literally NEVER. And it's progressive. I got to my mid-50s managing my intake well and knowing when to stop, now I've hit 60 those days have gone 

Coincidentally my caseworker texted me this morning for the first. time in months and asked if I wanted to book something, so I have.

I'm also seeing an addiction specialist privately and I've blocked out the time to attend at least 2 meetings per week.

So, I know what I need to do and I'll get there, it's just two steps forward and one back at the moment.

Thanks again to all of you

[PistoldPete]

On 15/11/2022 at 19:08, Bob The Badger said:

This is the hardest message I've ever typed sorry but I need help I'm an alcoholic

Tell everyone . And soon you won’t be. 

[Cisse]

On 15/11/2022 at 22:04, Bob The Badger said:

@David I apologize for this post bringing the mood down. Please feel free to delete with no hard feelings. 

Your message doesn't bring the mood down in my opinion. On the contrary you are lifting peoples spirits by having the courage to  admitting your problem. Alcoholism is something you can recover from. You can recover from many things when you have the courage to get help. There are doctors and support groups to help people out. 

I wish you all the best with your recovery. 

[JuanFloEvraTheCocu'sNesta]

Nothing to add to the advice already posted and I don't know you personally, but if you want to DM me and set up some time to talk I'd be happy to oblige.

No judgement, just here to listen if it helps. Same goes for anyone on here that is ever struggling.

You're never alone even though it might feel that way.

Edited November 16, 2022 by JuanFloEvraTheCocu'sNesta

[vidalslastapostle]

Hi. I look at this site for news and gossip. I participate on another site and have never joined this one becaue although some posters have very interesting, insightful and amusing comments to make, there are too many pompous and condescending people for my liking. I have joined tonight purely to say how much I admire you for having the guts to come out with this, and to wish you all the best. I have no doubt at all that having made this step you will come out the other side a better and happier person. Cheers mate.

[i-Ram]

54 minutes ago, vidalslastapostle said:

Hi. I look at this site for news and gossip. I participate on another site and have never joined this one becaue although some posters have very interesting, insightful and amusing comments to make, there are too many pompous and condescending people for my liking. I have joined tonight purely to say how much I admire you for having the guts to come out with this, and to wish you all the best. I have no doubt at all that having made this step you will come out the other side a better and happier person. Cheers mate.

I once saw a dwarf climbing down a prison wall. Newbies like you probably have no idea what I am on about, but the brighter posters on here will know that it is a little con descending.

[ariotofmyown]

1 hour ago, i-Ram said:

I once saw a dwarf climbing down a prison wall. Newbies like you probably have no idea what I am on about, but the brighter posters on here will know that it is a little con descending.

Typical of you to make a weak joke on this serious thread. Reminds me of when you went to Austraila and developed that nasty boil on your chest. You thought the green mess that oozed out of it was alien, until a local pointed out it was just pom puss.

[ariotofmyown]

2 hours ago, vidalslastapostle said:

Hi. I look at this site for news and gossip. I participate on another site and have never joined this one becaue although some posters have very interesting, insightful and amusing comments to make, there are too many pompous and condescending people for my liking. I have joined tonight purely to say how much I admire you for having the guts to come out with this, and to wish you all the best. I have no doubt at all that having made this step you will come out the other side a better and happier person. Cheers mate.

You do realise that all the interesting, insightful and amusing comments are made by the pompous and condescending posters, right?

[ariotofmyown]

4 hours ago, Bob The Badger said:

And then I have a terrible nights sleep or have some super stressful stuff going on work-wise and Vodka seems like a brilliant idea and I can just have it once and I'll be ok. But it's never one.

I don't know much about this sort of thing, but sounds promising that you understand the triggers.

Perhaps try posting on here when you feel a drink coming on. Now people know your situation, they can debate harder with you to keep you occupied.

[Anag Ram]

8 hours ago, ariotofmyown said:

I don't know much about this sort of thing, but sounds promising that you understand the triggers.

Perhaps try posting on here when you feel a drink coming on. Now people know your situation, they can debate harder with you to keep you occupied.

Luckily we do have some hard mass debaters on here.

[jono]

On 15/11/2022 at 19:08, Bob The Badger said:

This is the hardest message I've ever typed sorry but I need help I'm an alcoholic

The hardest message perhaps. The bravest message .. 100% certain. Good luck and the best of wishes.

[Premier ram]

On 15/11/2022 at 21:07, Bob The Badger said:

Thank you all so much and I may take you up on that @Archied

my brother was an alcoholic who would not accept he had a problem , believe me mate the hardest thing is admitting it and seeking help , i am so pleased you have reached out , im always on here if you need a chat either on the forum or private message , stay strong mate you can beat this

[Elwood P Dowd]

The journey of a 1,000 miles starts with the first step.?

Youve taken the first step and that is probably the most difficult step as you have identified the direction you need to take.

[Mostyn6]

HI @Bob The BadgerI don't want to hijack or digress from this thread, but about 7 years ago, I started the Mental Health thread. I attempted to disguise my struggle back then as questions about others. One thing that thread has taught me is that awareness is a massive hurdle. Many people do not even recognise that they are struggling. So as many have already pointed out, you've taken a massive massive step in your impending recovery just by being honest with yourself. Whilst your full recovery may come in stages, you will hopefully develop recognition and coping strategies that will, whilst not quite getting you to where you wish to be, will undoubtedly prevent you from the depths of where you definitely don't want to be.

I will tag you in that thread. It's a special thread and makes me proud of this forum as it possibly saved my life, as the most important thing to know, and it seems so obvious and almost frivolous to say is that whatever your problem(s), you are not the first person, you won't be the last person and you certainly not the only person to suffer from it and you are definitely not alone. Best of luck in your journey and I sincerely hope you enjoy the reward of achievement when it comes.

[Bob The Badger]

15 hours ago, vidalslastapostle said:

Hi. I look at this site for news and gossip. I participate on another site and have never joined this one becaue although some posters have very interesting, insightful and amusing comments to make, there are too many pompous and condescending people for my liking. I have joined tonight purely to say how much I admire you for having the guts to come out with this, and to wish you all the best. I have no doubt at all that having made this step you will come out the other side a better and happier person. Cheers mate.

To be fair mate, when it comes to pomposity I'm as goos as anybody in this group. Appreciate you taking the trouble to join and comment.

 

16 hours ago, JuanFloEvraTheCocu'sNesta said:

Nothing to add to the advice already posted and I don't know you personally, but if you want to DM me and set up some time to talk I'd be happy to oblige.

No judgement, just here to listen if it helps. Same goes for anyone on here that is ever struggling.

You're never alone even though it might feel that way.

Appreciate the offer you made and @Archiedand @Premier ram for talking.

I may reach out, but at the moment I always have somebody I can talk to. My problem is actually calling them when I'm struggling.

[Ram-Alf]

There's nowt I can add that's not already been said, Drink, Tobacco, Drugs, Medicines, And all the other addictive stuffs out there, How do people get to be addicted to these.

I wish you well Bob ?

[Comrade 86]

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time of things, Bob. Hope you re-find your balance soon.