[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Alcoholism.... (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 11/29/2011 7:33:46 AM EDT
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I had a moment of clarity this morning.
I honestly believe Im suffering from alcoholism. I didn't really drink that much until I got stationed in Korea, but it got really bad after my dad passed away. Mind you, his passing was 7 years ago. I did get better with it, but I went back into the Army after a two year break and I thought that a couple of tours would cure me of that. we didn't have any KIA in the first tour I was there, but we had a death by accident. A female water purifier as tasked with refueling a hot generator and it flashed. The roughest thing was she was a mutual friend and a fiance to a good friend. The second tour, we lost 3. I knew 2 of them. One was an E-6 in our 1st Patrol and a second was an E-5 in our 4th Patrol. The E-5 was a dear friend of mine. Now, Im not blaming the specifics above for my actions, but I do believe they were a contributing factor. I mean, Ive been functional for the last 2 years, but lately, Ive been noticing that I need at least one drink to get me through a few hours. I know the VA offers substance abuse programs. My question is, has anyone been through their programs because I seriously need to make a change in my life. Thanks Brothers. Any comments would be appreciated. |
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I have no experience with the programs. All I can give you is prayers and good wishes. ETA: If you think that you need help, go get it. Even if you find that their program isn't a good fit for you - for whatever reason - it is a start. Thanks, friend. I plan on making a few phone calls later on in the afternoon. |
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I have no experience with the programs. All I can give you is prayers and good wishes. Same here. A sincere good luck to you. Same. And keep an eye on this thread––––there's a couple folks who spring to mind, though I shan't name them, who will likely be along to give good advice either here or via IM. |
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I had a moment of clarity this morning. I honestly believe Im suffering from alcoholism. I didn't really drink that much until I got stationed in Korea, but it got really bad after my dad passed away. Mind you, his passing was 7 years ago. I did get better with it, but I went back into the Army after a two year break and I thought that a couple of tours would cure me of that. we didn't have any KIA in the first tour I was there, but we had a death by accident. A female water purifier as tasked with refueling a hot generator and it flashed. The roughest thing was she was a mutual friend and a fiance to a good friend. The second tour, we lost 3. I knew 2 of them. One was an E-6 in our 1st Patrol and a second was an E-5 in our 4th Patrol. The E-5 was a dear friend of mine. Now, Im not blaming the specifics above for my actions, but I do believe they were a contributing factor. I mean, Ive been functional for the last 2 years, but lately, Ive been noticing that I need at least one drink to get me through a few hours. I know the VA offers substance abuse programs. My question is, has anyone been through their programs because I seriously need to make a change in my life. Thanks Brothers. Any comments would be appreciated. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first and biggest step towards fixing it. Good for you for being able to see it. Good luck. |
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Have you considered going to an AA meeting? You don't have to talk at one but you can if you want to. VERY nonjudgmental. These people have been through it. I honestly wouldn't trust myself in a meeting environment. Those to me look like its too easy to be tempted to cheat. I think I need to do some in-patent help. I'll be discussing that with the fam this afternoon after I make some inquiries at the VA office. |
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Have you considered going to an AA meeting? You don't have to talk at one but you can if you want to. VERY nonjudgmental. These people have been through it. I honestly wouldn't trust myself in a meeting environment. Those to me look like its too easy to be tempted to cheat. I think I need to do some in-patent help. I'll be discussing that with the fam this afternoon after I make some inquiries at the VA office. Go to some meetings and see what it's about. I've seldom encountered a less judgmental and more caring group in any walk of life. The part I marked in red doesn't make sense to me... in fact, the meetings are a big part in keeping me sober (2.5 months now). If you have been doing maintenance-level drinking, you may require inpatient anyway. Sorry I can't be of any help relative to VA/etc. |
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Have you considered going to an AA meeting? You don't have to talk at one but you can if you want to. VERY nonjudgmental. These people have been through it. I honestly wouldn't trust myself in a meeting environment. Those to me look like its too easy to be tempted to cheat. I think I need to do some in-patent help. I'll be discussing that with the fam this afternoon after I make some inquiries at the VA office. Trust me.... go to meetings. |
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Go to an AA meeting. Seriously. And not because you need support or some shit. When you see the riff-raff that haunts some of those meetings, you will see your future if you don't stop. It's pathetic, really. When you're ready, you'll put down the bottle. Then again, you may never be ready. Good luck. A lot of people die shitty deaths in hospital beds from being unable to stop drinking. My brother is getting a wake-up call right now about this. Of course, in his case, alcohol has been replaced with anxiety meds and anti-depressants courtesy of the high priests at the temple of modern medicine. Maybe that's what you need, too? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted: Anyone have experience with the VA doing in-patient stuff for substances? Not something you couldn't find for yourself, and not actual experience, but. http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/res-vatreatmentprograms.asp |
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CONGRATULATIONS! You are at step one. That is HUGE! Living sober is a blessing, not a curse and you are not alone. Look up AA meetings in your area and get counseling help as soon as possible. Know the triggers H -Hungry A -Angry L -Lonely T -Tired Stay positive and focus on your sobriety first and foremost for the next two hours. Take it from there. YOU CAN DO THIS Prayers sent! |
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Go to an AA meeting. Seriously. And not because you need support or some shit. When you see the riff-raff that haunts some of those meetings, you will see your future if you don't stop. It's pathetic, really. When you're ready, you'll put down the bottle. Then again, you may never be ready. Good luck. A lot of people die shitty deaths in hospital beds from being unable to stop drinking. My brother is getting a wake-up call right now about this. Of course, in his case, alcohol has been replaced with anxiety meds and anti-depressants courtesy of the high priests at the temple of modern medicine. Maybe that's what you need, too? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Two things here. One, AA might not need your sympathy, but they certainly don't deserve that kind of denigration. There's nothing pathetic about getting help. I've known plenty of alcoholics, both in AA and out, functional, recovering, and chronic. Some of them are in or were in pretty rough situations, but that doesn't make them pathetic. Comments like that don't help anybody and you're really better off just saying nothing if you can't do it without disparaging people. Two, going to an AA meeting to "watch the zoo animals," so to speak, is exactly the WRONG reason to go, and they would be well within bounds by kicking you out. Going to that meeting with denial already in your heart ("I'm not like THEM...") isn't going to do anyone any good. OP, keep your chin up and commit to the fight. Alcoholism is something you can't fight on your own, no matter how strong you think you are. You are powerless by yourself, and there's no getting around that. But, with help, you can beat it. The best thing you can do is commit to the fight and commit to seeking help. The rest is just details. |
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Get help now while you realize you may have a problem. My first wife Ginger passed away in 2001 from her alcoholism. It was a contributing factor in her death. She had a BAC of .24 when she passed. She told me she liked to drink and wouldn't stop. She had been to rehab twice while I was in the service.
Don't just think of yourself, think of the ones you may leave behind. RIP Ginger, you are forever a part of me. |
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The first step is recognizing and admitting that you have a problem. What you describe sounds like you are an alcoholic. I don't know what is going on in your life but if you have hit rock bottom, be glad if you have done it without your life, job, family, health etc being completely destroyed.
Go to AA, the VA may even be able to help you with this...Plenty of guys that are retired and even current military go to AA meetings. http://www.hiv.va.gov/web-resources/substance-use.asp Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Have you considered going to an AA meeting? You don't have to talk at one but you can if you want to. VERY nonjudgmental. These people have been through it. I honestly wouldn't trust myself in a meeting environment. Those to me look like its too easy to be tempted to cheat. I think I need to do some in-patent help. I'll be discussing that with the fam this afternoon after I make some inquiries at the VA office. Trust me.... go to meetings. This is very good advise. There are also many sober people on this site you can talk to. ( I am not one of them )  Good Luck to you.
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Meetings. There are many and they are all a little different. If the one you are at doesn't fit, try another. Many very fine people have used AA to change.
This is not the end of the world. Make a decision, make some changes. One day at a time really helps. Good luck. |
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I don't have any personal experience, but my brother was with them for a 72hr hold once and hasn't tried to go back since. I'm not saying the inpatient treatment can't work and we all know every VA facility is different.
Another piece of advice I can give you, do you have any close family who are combat vets also? I don't have many issues myself but I have been there, my younger brother who was in OIF has some problems that we have been working on. He got out of the Army about 4 years ago I got out last year. He spent 3 yrs in and one tour in Iraq and he moved back here to Kentucky and didn't have any friends who had experienced anything similar to talk to. He has been doing a lot better since I came home and I am really glad I could be there for him when he needs someone to talk to. |
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I don't have any personal experience, but my brother was with them for a 72hr hold once and hasn't tried to go back since. I'm not saying the inpatient treatment can't work and we all know every VA facility is different. Another piece of advice I can give you, do you have any close family who are combat vets also? I don't have many issues myself but I have been there, my younger brother who was in OIF has some problems that we have been working on. He got out of the Army about 4 years ago I got out last year. He spent 3 yrs in and one tour in Iraq and he moved back here to Kentucky and didn't have any friends who had experienced anything similar to talk to. He has been doing a lot better since I came home and I am really glad I could be there for him when he needs someone to talk to. The only two were my dad who passed in 04 and granddad who passed in 07. |
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You've made the first step, OP: Recognizing you have a problem. Unfortunately, it gets harder from here on out. Take advantage of the VA's programs and maybe check out AA in your area. And recognize that you are not going to beat this overnight or by yourself, and there will be "relapses" along the way. It's a long process, and will take time, but you can do it. Good luck. |
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I had a GF who was a drop-down alcoholic, 2 DWI's, blackouts, the whole bit. Wine was her passion.
Whenever I'd suggest she seek professional help, her standard reply was "Meetings are for quitters" and laughat my suggestion I started attending Al-Anon, which is for the friends, family, and loved ones of the alcoholic. Run them the same as the AA meetings. Congrats on the first day towards your sobriety! |
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Two I work with are recovering alcoholics. The less severe one stopped cold turkey, the one that was about an inch from his life collapsing went into detox for a week, and is doing some AA like program. Neither will touch a drop now. Now that you recognize, you need to determine your commitment to stopping... |
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Let me ask you this; are you in the closet with it? Well, Im telling ARFCOM, but Ive only broke it to one friend and teling the fam will come this afternoon because they're all busy until the afternoon I understand. The biggest problem with putting it in the closet is that you will walk around wishing you could quit for a lot longer, because you have to swallow your pride and admit it to the people you've been lying to about it. Even if it is a lie of omission, getting past that point take a LOT of courage. Once you do tell them, let them help you. You can't put the cat back in the bag once it's out. The best thing you can do is spill the beans, then you won't have an easy way to hide it. Good luck to you. I've been there, almost exactly the same way. Getting and reading the AA books in private without going to meetings can help as well, if you don't want to buy into the whole AA mental, their mindset can be too much sometimes. The philosophy is good, but the meeting route wasn't for me. I hate people going out of their way to fuck with me when I'm not ready. |
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Just quit. If it concerns you that much....just stop it. You do realize that you are the only one who can choose...to either stop.....or to let it consume you? You have the key. Turn it off. How fucked up is it that we know you can stop...but you don't? Stop rationalizing why you do it....and stop. People drink to 'feel better'. Identify what is making you feel bad and deal with it. Then man up and just stop. Good luck with it, brother. |
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I don't have any personal experience, but my brother was with them for a 72hr hold once and hasn't tried to go back since. I'm not saying the inpatient treatment can't work and we all know every VA facility is different. Another piece of advice I can give you, do you have any close family who are combat vets also? I don't have many issues myself but I have been there, my younger brother who was in OIF has some problems that we have been working on. He got out of the Army about 4 years ago I got out last year. He spent 3 yrs in and one tour in Iraq and he moved back here to Kentucky and didn't have any friends who had experienced anything similar to talk to. He has been doing a lot better since I came home and I am really glad I could be there for him when he needs someone to talk to. The only two were my dad who passed in 04 and granddad who passed in 07. You said you have problems in a meeting type setting and he has some of the same issues. Maybe you can reach out to some old friends from your unit. I just know from what he has told me... ...he didn't like the group of strangers because of anxiety he has. ...also he got the impression from the VA counselors that they had only read about what he was going thru and never experienced it so he had problems talking to them without some mutual understanding. If you are asking questions I think you are over halfway there and hope that you find a place that works for you, even if something happens and your first plan doesn't work out just don't give up, you have alot of options out there for help. I am not knocking the VA and it is worth a try to see if it works for you I just know what he has told me about it. |
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Just quit. If it concerns you that much....just stop it. You do realize that you are the only one who can choose...to either stop.....or to let it consume you? You have the key. Turn it off. How fucked up is it that we know you can stop...but you don't? Stop rationalizing why you do it....and stop. People drink to 'feel better'. Identify what is making you feel bad and deal with it. Then man up and just stop. Good luck with it, brother. Agreed, but depending on how much you drink, you may need to get medical help to get off the booze. I had a close family member go through treatment and this was one thing they stressed. AA is definitely a good place to start. |
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Have you considered going to an AA meeting? You don't have to talk at one but you can if you want to. VERY nonjudgmental. These people have been through it. I honestly wouldn't trust myself in a meeting environment. Those to me look like its too easy to be tempted to cheat. I think I need to do some in-patent help. I'll be discussing that with the fam this afternoon after I make some inquiries at the VA office. I was going to suggest you contact the VA. Good to know you have. They can be a bureaucratic nightmare at times from what I hear but if you're diligent and persistent you should be able to get some counseling thru them. I'm sure they have programs and options for this problem. The good news is that you recognize you have a problem and want to take care of it. That's actually a very positive thing. Hope it all works out for you. |
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Oddly enough, the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous actually uses the term "moment of clarity" to describe what you're talking about.
It's that moment when even you yourself ain't buying your own shit anymore and the cover is lifted and you finally see the situation for what it truly is. Congrats, it sucks and it's awesome at the same time. I'd be glad to help you any way I can. Find a meeting, a treatment center, whatever. IM inbound. 
11/20/05 for me. |
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I had a moment of clarity this morning. I honestly believe Im suffering from alcoholism. I didn't really drink that much until I got stationed in Korea, but it got really bad after my dad passed away. Mind you, his passing was 7 years ago. I did get better with it, but I went back into the Army after a two year break and I thought that a couple of tours would cure me of that. we didn't have any KIA in the first tour I was there, but we had a death by accident. A female water purifier as tasked with refueling a hot generator and it flashed. The roughest thing was she was a mutual friend and a fiance to a good friend. The second tour, we lost 3. I knew 2 of them. One was an E-6 in our 1st Patrol and a second was an E-5 in our 4th Patrol. The E-5 was a dear friend of mine. Now, Im not blaming the specifics above for my actions, but I do believe they were a contributing factor. I mean, Ive been functional for the last 2 years, but lately, Ive been noticing that I need at least one drink to get me through a few hours. I know the VA offers substance abuse programs. My question is, has anyone been through their programs because I seriously need to make a change in my life. Thanks Brothers. Any comments would be appreciated. Hey Brother; Sorry about all your losses. 
Increased alcohol intake can cause alot of damage in our lives. Sounds like your ready to stop.––You can do it!! Best Wishes, Josie
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I had a moment of clarity this morning. I honestly believe Im suffering from alcoholism. I didn't really drink that much until I got stationed in Korea, but it got really bad after my dad passed away. Mind you, his passing was 7 years ago. I did get better with it, but I went back into the Army after a two year break and I thought that a couple of tours would cure me of that. we didn't have any KIA in the first tour I was there, but we had a death by accident. A female water purifier as tasked with refueling a hot generator and it flashed. The roughest thing was she was a mutual friend and a fiance to a good friend. The second tour, we lost 3. I knew 2 of them. One was an E-6 in our 1st Patrol and a second was an E-5 in our 4th Patrol. The E-5 was a dear friend of mine. Now, Im not blaming the specifics above for my actions, but I do believe they were a contributing factor. I mean, Ive been functional for the last 2 years, but lately, Ive been noticing that I need at least one drink to get me through a few hours. I know the VA offers substance abuse programs. My question is, has anyone been through their programs because I seriously need to make a change in my life. Thanks Brothers. Any comments would be appreciated. Hey Brother; Sorry about all your losses.
Increased alcohol intake can cause alot of damage in our lives. Sounds like your ready to stop.––You can do it!! Best Wishes, Josie One more thing OP: The VA used to have a Great Program in/around San Diego and Clearwater area––Are those still there Guys??? |