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Binge Drinking


13 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Don,
 
Thank you for the support . I have been reading the experiences shared by members in the forum and also going through the informative knowledge in the toolbox . It has surely made me think and realise that my life will be much better without Alcohol . I have not had a drink this whole past week and have not had a drink today either nor will I have one tomorrow :) Its early days as anyway I was a weekend drinker albeit a heavy drinker .  I look forward to implement the ideas , tips and advise from this site and achieve my goal of a alcohol free life .
 
Thank you all 

13 years ago 0 74 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Jerry , just wanted to say you made the right choice to stop now, it will continue to get worse as I did not have the good sence to stop early and was drinking daily before I stopped.Used to think I was pretty good at hiding my drinking, but I was was only kidding myself,the family knew what I was doing, it was a joke.
Also had no problem stopping smoking, but quiting drinking is alot tougher at least it is for me.
13 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
 
 I have gone through this site and found lots of information in the toolbox. Interesting posts also in the forum . I am sure  I can reach my goal .
 
Thank you for the help .

13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
What you referring to as craving is actually in AA they call it an obsession. A sudden thought that this time its going to be normal and you take a drink. But then there is a phenomenon of Craving kicks in AFTER you take that 1ST Drink and then you end up dunk. And you are right, its a progressive disease, as we get older, we loose more enzymes and the physical craving gets harder and get into this vicious cycle.
13 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you  Ashley ,
 
I do want to give up alcohol completely . I quit smoking 18 years ago without any help or support . One day I just decided  to stop and till date havent touched a cigarette . Wonder why I have not been able to do the same with alcohol .  I drink  twice a week on weekends occasionally during the week and its binge drinking and is  creating problems for me as time moves on . I havent been able to stay away for more than two months before going back to the weekend drinking . .
 
 I want to stop before it gets to a stage where I start craving  for alcohol everyday and was searching for help online. 
 
 
13 years ago 0 11221 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome Jerry!
 
You have come to the right place.  What has pushed you to come here today?
 


Ashley, Health Educator
13 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
 2011 New beginning ,
 
My story is very much similar to yours . I am a successfull person careerwise .   I dont drink in the mornings or afternoon and not even everyday . I exercise regularly and am reasonably fit for my age . Its  on the days I drink perhaps  twice a week where I lose all control and cannot stop . There have been times where I have stayed without drinks for two months and then have gone on a binge again .
 
As the tolerance level to alcohol has increased over the period of time  I  have crossed the line and my binge drinking is affecting my family . I have got into verbal arguments and hurt them and felt lousy about it the next day . I have also experienced black outs on a few occasions .  Luckily my family is  with me and hopefully its not to late to make amends . I am sure they will forgive me and since  I have a problem with Binge drinking its better for me too stop drinking completely . I was surfing the net looking for a site like this and am  glad to find this forum . I am sure that this time I will quit for ever .
13 years ago 0 74 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Good Luck on your quest to remain sober 2011 new beginning.
 
When I think back on my life most times I ended up in trouble was because of binge drinking.
The last time I blacked out I was at a party,they thought I had a heart attack and called 911,ended up in emergency,my family was very upset. I told them someone must have put something in my drink,big lie!That was one hell of a scare to wake up with a doctor checking me over.
 
Like they say take it one day at a time!
13 years ago 0 1 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello,
 
Binge drinking is the reason I actually joined this site as it culminated in my last episode New Year's Eve just 1 week ago.  I have been a regular drinker for a very long time beginning in high school.  98% of the time I could remain in control of my drinking, or at least not do any harm to myself or the ones I love. I has not ususally impacted my abilities to function at work, or as a parent.  I would never start the day with a drink or be drunk for long periods of time.   It was the 2% of the time where no matter how many drinks I had I would always feel I could have just one more.  It seems also to be subconscious as I may not remember the episode where I continued to drink (blacking out was often a symptom of my binge drinking).  These blackouts are probably the most scary and painful part. Not know what you have said or done leaves one feeling scared and humiliated the next day.
 
I joined the network because on my last binge I do not remember doing it but obviously said some very painful things to hurt the one person I love the most and who was always there for me.  Because of this they ended a 5 year relationship saying that they could not see or speak to me because of the pain I caused.  Not knowing what was said only adds to the internal pain as there is no way of knowing what I did so I am not sure how (if ever possible) I could make amends.
 
I have not had a drink since and now finally accept the fact that I can not control myself when it comes to alcohol.  I have stopped drinking in the past for upwards of 6 months, but always had the feeling in the back of my mind that someday I could have just one or two, and contrl myself.  Now I realize that this is just fooling myself and a starting point for trouble. Those one or two will always escalate. I am committed to removing alcohol from my life and one of the reasons I found this site was to try to build a support network to help achieve that goal.  Short term it is relatively easy to stop, I am heart broken that my realization came at the cost of a loving relationship that meant the work to me, but understand I must accept that (although it is terribly difficult and it is still so raw I find it difficult to stop thinking about my partner and how much pain I caused them).
 
I think my biggest challenge will come 3 months, 6 months or a year from now when the pain I am feeling has subsided. I need to stay focused on not becoming complacent and thinking I can control myself and have the first 1 or 2 drinks. I feel confident that I will be successful but this realization has come at a very great cost, to myself and in the pain that I have caused to those that mean so much to me. I remain focused on moving forward and being the best person (and parent) that I can be. Thanks for listening.
 
On a long hard road to a brighter tomorrow.
13 years ago 0 2606 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Members,

It is commonly believed the binge drinking often only applies to young adults & college students; however binge drinking is defined as 5 or more consecutive drinks for a man, 4 or more for a woman.

At the start of a binge drinking episode, a person may feel:
·    more relaxed, sociable
·    drowsy, dizzy and flushed
·    may do things they normally would not do

As the binge continues, the individual may experience:
·    trouble walking or moving
·    slurred speech, blurred vision
·    lowered blood pressure, breathing and pulse
·    aggressive or violent behaviour

Taking many drinks in a short period can lead to alcohol poisoning. This individual may experience:
·    vomiting
·    a blackout or loss of consciousness
·    cold, clammy skin & shallow breathing
·    coma or death

What do you remember about your last binge drinking episode? What did you learn about yourself or about your world as a result of this experience?

Samantha, Health Educator

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