If You Suspect You Might Have A Drinking Problem (An Open Letter)

RobFromGa | December 11, 2004 | RobFromGa

[xcamel]

Great question - Riddle me this...

"Would you go to a whorehouse just to talk to the piano player?"

and no smart a$$ remarks about "if she was cute...."

[kjvail]

This condition is due to a genetic "defect" where your body does not manufacture the enzyme necessary to break down acetaldehyde (a close chemical relative of formaldyhyde) into acetic acid (vinegar).

How Alcohol Works

This defect is most common in Japanese men.

This is also where the drug "anabuse" acts, so what you are feeling is the same thing as what someone who drinks while taking anabuse feels - theoretically it can kill you.

(So don't drink)

[raybbr]

Prayers for you and your wife. It's a long road but one that doesn't need to be travelled alone. Don't be afraid to talk to others in your position. You will find that people want to help.

[LowOiL]

BTTT...

[raybbr]

Where do "non-alcohol" beer and wine come into the picture? I imagine one has to keep away from them as well.

I sure do. I sometimes think about it but just the taste would bring back old demons. I am pretty sure I would go back to where I was in hurry.

[xcamel]

There are a few basic caveats:
Beware "double-digit" sobriety.
Addiction is always a symptom of deeper problems.
The only one who doesn't know, is YOU.
Alone you must do it, but you can not do it alone.
The farther you are from your last drink, the closer you are to your next.
Vader: "Use the STEPS, Luke..."
Even sober, your disease does not rest. If you drink, you do not "start over", you pick up where you left off...
One is too many, and a whole ocean is not enough.

[Crawdad]

Please add me to the ping list. With the help of AA, I'll have 6 years next June 1 thanks to the Grace of God and the company I keep. There is so much that can be said in reply to your post, but all I will say is "God Bless You".

[jra]

congrats

[TheMom]

Guess that depends on the person. We have a friend who's been sober for almost 15 years that has been enjoying the non-alcohol beers since they first came out. It has not led him back to drinking the "hard stuff", although he swears he gets a bit of a buzz off of them - which is one of the reasons he does not drink them oftem.

RobFromGa - Congrats to you and please add me to your ping list.

[xcamel]

It helps to have my anniversary on Halloween - I take out a picture of my "old face" and it scares me to death. :-)

[Ditter]

Thanks for explanation, I always wondered. My father was the same way, he could not drink at all. I remember once or twice when I was a child him getting deathly sick from having one drink or two. I noticed back before I quit drinking anything that if I did not have even a sip for 2 or 3 months that I could have a half a glass of wine with no headache but if I had another half glass or even a sip within the next month, I suffered a severe headache. That is when I decided that I had become allergic and I stopped even tasting alcohol in any form.

[TC Rider]

Thanks for your kind thoughts. The Mrs is not a secret drinker or one who starts in the AM. She just can't quit after downing the first beer, etc.

It wasn't that big a deal here at the house, but over the last several years she started going out with the gang to bars after work.

It didn't help that she was mean and bitter while drunk.

[TC Rider]

Thanks for your prayers. I know it's going to be tough, we have a lot of other problems unrelated to the drinking but I see a dim light at the end of the tunnel.

[Riflema]

Congratulations and good luck!. I just completed 4 years, 7 months and 7 days (but then, who's counting). I confess, GWB was my inspiration.

[Tribune7]

Good for you. God Bless.

[Osage Orange]

Rob, you are to be congratulated....It's not easy admitting one's fault's.

Much of what you said...I can relate to. Alcohol abuse has been a part of my family for many years....Mom, Dad, uncle's, aunts, sisters, cousin's, me.....

I could tell you a lot of stories....some no doubt, would be familiar to you. I won't trouble you with all the details....but I've not drank since 1988. My story isn't like yours, but it's not far off. Ha!!

Anytime you want to talk...just holler..!!

Best FRegards,

[Ditter]

I am not a Japanese man BTW. LOL

[RobFromGa]

you might be interested in helping me spread the word

[Katya]

"Hmmmmm...that's interesting....do you believe, as some do, that alcoholism is genetic?"

This is probably somewhat anecdotal, but I have noticed that quite a few drinkers, ex-drinkers, smokers and ex-smokers have one thing in common: A tendency towards hypoglycemia.
Alcohol and tobacco both do the same thing...raise blood sugar levels.
In individuals who quit smoking, many grab a hard candy to fill in the intervals. I do think that some of these "addictions" are physical in nature...because they fulfill the bodies immediate need for a surge in energy. If indeed, they are hypoglycemic...the sugar high can be pretty potent. GTF chromium (Glucose tolerance factor) can be very useful for anyone quitting sugar as it will help balance your sugar levels.