Expert: Beverley Glazer - 2/28/2009

Question
Hi Todd,

So, I have a question for you.  

A little background first:  I'm a 27 year old female professional - who has
been a functioning alcoholic for about 6 years.  It all began in college with
drinking recreationally...and then I ended up becoming a daily drinker, then
ended up having to drink in the mornings to make it to work without the
shakes.  Vodka is my drink of choice.  Anyway, for the past 2 years, I haven't
even been drinking to get drunk, but rather to stay 'sane' if you will.  I kept
rationalizing that I couldn't take off time from work to get the proper help I
needed, as I tried quitting myself and became violently ill on a number of
occasions.  To make a long story short, last Wednesday I hit the
bottom...couldn't keep down food, was severely dehydrated, and my blood
pressure was through the roof.  My boyfriend didn't really know the gist of
how much I drank either, but brought me to the ER.  Ends up my liver is kinda
messed up from years of abuse and I even have a slight case of
pancreatitis...at 27!  So, I let help in and went to a detox program to get over
the 'hump" I couldn't get over alone - more physically than mentally.  Well,
though I feel great today (9 days without a drink) I still want to drink socially
at some point.  I don't know what else to do.  The doctor's told me I need to
stop - or I'll literally die.  But since I drank about a 5th of vodka every 2
days....would drinking a glass of wine on ocassion be that bad for me?  I'm
also a bit anxious...social anxiety, I've realized, led me to drinking in the first
place.  So, for the first time in YEARS, I am not numb and am learning to
realize what my sober self is all about.  It scares the shit out of me...I'm
basically an adult child.  I'm just not sure what to do with myself sometimes.  I
mean, I'm 27...nightlife is bars and drinks.  Do you have any suggestions on
how I can continue to stay sober and stay happy/content?  I tend to love
drama...life almost seems boring to me without a drink in me.  However, I
have tons more energy and feel great throughout the day...but when
nighttime comes, I just want to drink.  I don't know about AA meetings...I've
been to a few and I don't think they're for me.  Do you have any advice?  
Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Niki,

It's not Todd, it's Bev here.

I'm glad you've been detoxed and that you're on the road to recovery. Congratulations on 9 days clean!

Social anxiety often leads to drinking and drug use, because it takes the edge off. No you have to change the way that you've been living your life and develop more interests and sober friends.

Participate in group activities, join a gym, become involved in community organizations etc. Drinking has become a recreational activity and you have to change that as well, by developing new interests.

AA meetings are helpful for support as well as for developing sober friends, but it's not for everyone. To get into it, you have to keep on going to the meetings and eventually you should get a sponsor who can help you get through the difficult times. It's very effective for many people.

Finding an addiction counselor will give you 1 on 1 help to deal with your issues as well as give you strategies for relapse prevention. This can also be done through Recovery Coaching. It's effective by phone or on the computer

http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com/coaching-information.html


You're not only creating a life without drink, you're creating an entirely different life. It seems like you're on the right track.

I hope this information is helpful,
Thank you for writing All Experts

Best of luck!!

Bev
http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com