Hi, My name is Shelley and I've abused alcohol for many years, since I was 13. I can not begin to explain the trouble that it has caused in my life-now 23. I recently quit drinking when I discovered this program(right at rockbottom-another reason to believe in GOD!!). I've been told by AA that I am an alcoholic and it does run in my family, but now I am thinking the only reason that I abused alcohol was because of my anxiety/depression(I know alcohol is a depressant). I'm thinking that after I go through the program and I am much better that I won't have a problem with drinking, that I was just using it to self-medicate. Does anyone have any experiences with alcoholism or getting better?

This is a difficult one.

I very recently decided that drinking isn't worth it for me. When I go out, I can't have just one drink. I end up drinking to get buzzed & that is not healthy. It's not necessarily to get rid of my anxiety, because when I start to feel like I'm losing control I get anxious.

If alcoholism runs in your family and you've had a problem in the past, it may be wise to stay off of it. There are other ways to enjoy yourself.

The thing that's hard for me is that it is completely acceptable to go out & get smashed, when it shouldn't be. You get what I'm saying? It's so socially accepted that it almost seems like the norm to go out & binge drink.

I don't know. I feel like I'm just babbling.

Again, I would say try to stay away from alcohol. It's ok to have one or two drinks, but if you are doing anything beyond that I think it's a problem. It can contribute to your anxiety & depression as well.

Take care!

Shell I come from a family of alcoholics, and have been told by my mother many of times that we deal with things differently she drinks and I take my meds...to her it's the same thing. Many of times I have almost fell into the pit of alcoholism and I told myself that I will break the cycle in my family..and I have done that. I believe that some people do self medicate with alcohol and drugs when experiencing anxiety and depression. It's not for me to tell you you are an alcoholic...ask yourself this...how did you feel when you were told at AA that you were and Alcoholic? Did that statement make you angry and deffensive or did you accept what they were saying? Im curious to hear how you felt after you were told that. TC Karen Ps. From my experience with alcoholics in my family there is no such thing as one or two drinks...I think it's best to just stay clear of it. Just my opinion of course.

Shell,
I also come from a long line of alcoholics in my family, from my dad to all my brothers and sister. My oldest brother has been in AA 21 yrs. He speaks at many different chapters of AA.
I always thought an alcoholic was a person you see sitting on a street corner with a bottle of booz in a paper sack!!
Till he informed me there are all kinds of alcoholics.. Examples: A person who has to have a drink EVERYDAY! (maybe not several drinks all day long, but just that ONE drink) A person who JUST drinks on the weekends, but does it every weekend. A person who drinks everyday, carries alcohol in thier purse or in thier vehicle and on breaks, or during lunch drinks. A person who just buys a quart of beer every morning to get them going.
Some of these people it doesnt seem that they would be considered an alcoholic,,, but, if you take thier booz away after a couple of days, they start having withdrawals and have to have another drink.
I have Two brothers who have been in AA for years, One brother who went to AA, and even rehab,, and admits hes an alcoholic, but he is still drinking. And a sister who says, I only have ONE drink a night, and swears she isnt a alcoholic, but she doesnt do without that drink EVERY nite.
Many people with anxiety self medicate, with alcohol or drugs. The point is your not helping the disorder, you just becoming addicted to the drug you self medicate with....
I hope you dont think im preaching at you, thats not my intention, but ive lived with this my whole life and out of 4 brothers and a sister, im the ONLY one who never drank.... Im hoping what im telling you helps... take care Nelly