Anyone been through rehab?

[cgarr]

Just quit for today, don't worry about tomorrow...

When I would listen to people who have been sober for 6 months or a year, I said there was no way I could do that, my heart started pounding, blood pressure went up, then they said you don't have to quit for 6 months or a year, just today....Its like moving a downed tree, if you look at moving the whole thing its impossible, but if you cut it up into small pieces you can do it!

[Moses]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

At various stages in my life i quit coke, pot, alcohol, and cigarettes- all cold turkey.

It's the only way to go IMO, and surprisingly easy. Cigarettes were harder to kick than any of the others, and in retrospect, had i known in my youth how easy they would be to kick, i'd have given them up years ago. Havn't had a smoke in almost 3 years now.

Partial cutbacks are a waste of time, and so are other drugs that replace the first drug.

I don't know spit about rehabs, i've never been to one.

My dad was a big drinker in his youth. He also smoked. He quit both habits cold turkey without a hitch. No big deal for him. You see, he wasn't an alcoholic. My dad just doesn't have an addictive physiology or personality. Quitting bad behaviors is no big deal for him.

It's not that simple for true addicts. Real alcoholics rarely put the bottle down without a struggle. Gassy, If you want to get sober you're likely going to need a lot of help and support. AA is a great starting point. If it turns out that AA is not "your thing", try another route. Reach out. Get sober. Stay sober. If you are truly an alcoholic your life is at stake.

[dhoward]

I hear the chicks at AA meetings are cheap dates.
Just sayin'...

[lendaddy]

Adding to the levity,

True story:

I have a buddy that was forced to do AA (do the math) and he went through the paces. The guy was only 22 and had no intention of quitting. I met him at the bar after one of his classes for a few and we were talking about this and that when the waitress delivers a round and says "compliments of the gentleman at the bar." I looked but didn't recognize the guy but my buddy just shakes his head and starts laughing, it was the leader of his AA group and yes he was also drinking.

Moral of the story....we all fail sometimes.

[mschuep]

I am not a doctor, but I do know that quitting alcohol "cold turkey" can have serious implications on the body, both physically and emotionally. You haven't said how much you drink per day, and it seems as if you are a functioning drinker/alcoholic, but please be careful. If you do decide to quit drinking alltogether, immediately, I suggest that you talk to a medical doctor first. They may recommend detox, some meds for withdrawal symptoms, etc. This may not seem as "manly", but alcohol and alcoholism is serious.

I'm not trying to scare you, but one of my best friends' father died from the physical effects of alcohol withdrawal while trying to quit "cold turkey" with no help, so again, please be careful.

Best of luck man

[scottmandue]

I would just like to add... as far as counseling... all counselors are not created equal... just like AA meetings you may have to try a few before you find one that fits.

I have been to three different counselors at different points in my life all with differing results. I also have the odd fortune of having two close friends that are trained as counselors and they can be... uh... rather odd at times.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by dhoward

I hear the chicks at AA meetings are cheap dates.
Just sayin'...

True dat!




However nothing in life is really free.

[Dottore]

Great song on the subject:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhL4cFjaMhM

[kach22i]

Just in time....................I found this.

http://www.merch-bot.com/index.php?cPath=56

[badcar]

Find a meeting. There are many different styles out there that can work for you.

I did go through an outpatient program...it stuck. 14 years, 278 days.

[targa911S]

Just go to AA. The "professionals" will string you along for profit. They also will put you on anti depressants. Just wait until you try and quit those. AA did it for me. I still carry my one year chip.

Sober 24 years 5 mos. 8 days. ( had to get my calculator out for that one)

[Schrup]

I have now been sober over 11 years. I also had a huge drug problem, but alcohol was the biggie. I went to NA for a couple years then switched over to AA. I didn't go to rehab because I never got caught. I only go to a few meetings a year now, but it worked for me. A lot of folks stick around for 20+ years to keep sober & help others, but I'm a selfish bastage & have moved on.

BTW, I met my wife (sober 12 years) in AA, but we had both been sober for several years. If you go to AA looking for a hook-up, chances are you'll end up drunk or worse.

[porsche4life]

Is this what you call rock bottom Nostatic?

[nostatic]

I've seen worse.

[porsche4life]

That's what is so scary about alcoholism.