Just need a helping hand
Hey there everyone. I'm not exactly what I would call an Alcoholic (I'm 20) but I have an extensive family history of Alchoholism, and I have recently been through a lot of trauma. Over the last few days I have drunk considerably more than I usually would, and for varying reasons. On the first day, I drank just to have fun like I usually do. But after waking up the day after, I was craving more, not for the fun, but because i felt empty. Being drunk made me forget about the loneliness and emptiness i was feeling inside. So I drank again, but this time, it was so much worse than ever before. I sat on the kitchen floor with a bottle of bourbon, pouring myself shot after shot while isolating myself from everyone around me. When my friend found me with an empty bottle and crying about how terrible I was, I knew I had a problem. I havent touched Alchohol in about a day and a half now, but not for a lack of wanting. Mostly just fear. I dont think I currently have an addiction, but I recognize that my thoughts and reasons for drinking are lining up with those of Alchoholics. Any advice from recovering/recovered addicts for a young man in need?
Just because you're 20 doesn't mean you can't be an alcoholic. I was in therapy for drinking at 16 and joined AA at 17. I think stepping from alcohol for a while is definitely a good step. Just whilst you cope with this, because if you drink to cope you'll find it's a very slippery slope. Address the issues at hand, the grief as once you have recovered from this you will hopefully not have such a need. Whilst you're struggling with the cravings all I can suggest is distracting yourself. Try to keep doing something. I hope this has been somewhat helpful - it's good that you acknowledged this
I relate to a lot of this.drinking from loneliness and isolating oneself. I realize alcohol is sorta of an alternative for romantic love in my emotions.
I've felt this way and I've experienced this when I was 17-19. I had a lot going on in my life and from the first time I discovered the rush and the apparent happiness alcohol gave me I gradually started drinking more and more. It got to a point where I would be drunk in school in the morning. For me it was a solution to all my problems but in reality the minute I would get sober all those problems would come back and they would even seem worse. I would say stop now even with 'just a liitle bit' of drinking at a party. Remove every bit of it completely. Alcohol ruined me in so many ways that I still feel the consequences and I never realized what I was doing at the time
There are two components to abuse of alcohol. There is the physical addiction that some people develop — symptoms can include shakes, the need to drink all the time, dangerous behavior, secretive behavior. Then there is excessive use because of what alcohol does for you. I have experience with both. The addiction part is dangerous and life threatening in and of itself. Unlike most other drugs, you can die from not drinking if the detox is not monitored. AA is not for everyone, but it’s a good place to start. If nothing else you’ll meet people who know about local resources. I’d also reach out to a physician if you have one of find a therapist who serves people with addictions. Lean on your friend as well. This is not something to do alone. Isolation is part of the cluster of symptoms that can lead to increased use and death.