Posted by Mark H. on January 24, 2002, at 17:47:50
In reply to For some alcohol is medicine...How to sort it out?, posted by Mr. Scott on January 23, 2002, at 22:48:50
Hey Scott,
I think there are a lot of myths about "alcoholism," but the genetic tendency to alcohol addiction is not one of them: either you have it or you don't.
Those of us who have it sooner or later realize that we cannot drink at all. Period. "Recreational" or "normal social" drinking is basically meaningless to us. We can dress it up any way we want, but either we abstain or we eventually get into trouble with it.
No one ever thought I was an alcoholic, and neither did I -- until about 3 years AFTER I completely quit drinking. I've never been to an AA meeting, although I have great respect for those who go through 12-step programs for any reason. The fact remains that the vast majority of people quit drinking on their own.
I lost a part of myself when I quit drinking, but I learned a lot as well. One thing I learned is how I had been kidding myself about alcohol. Another thing I learned -- to my disappointment -- was that alcohol was NOT causing all my problems.
You can't judge yourself based on comparisons with others. I used that excuse for a long time. Hey, I never missed work, I didn't drive drunk (usually), I didn't hide drinks, I didn't drink during the day, I didn't even go to bars. So I couldn't possibly be an alcoholic! (hahaha)
From my perspective after having been sober for just over 20 years, there's nothing to sort out. If you've got the gene, you need to abstain. Don't wait until you're stopped while driving to "sort out" why your blood test will show a mix of psychiatric medications AND alcohol. You can argue your competency to drive on your regular regimen of meds, but mixed with alcohol? Maybe you were just tired, but you'll be convicted nevertheless.
I was a police dispatcher when I was in college, and I was surprised -- as a civilian -- to learn that the most seriously punished regular crime is driving under the influence. A single DUI will cost the average driver $3,000 to $5,000 in fines, legal fees, increased insurance costs, and time lost attending mandatory rehabilitation programs. It just isn't worth it.
Good luck. I'm not scolding or preaching -- I'd have asked exactly the same questions 25 years ago.
With kind regards,
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:91360
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91456.html