drew888's Posts

Re: How close are you

6/29/2007 2:27:38 AM drew888
111 Posts

I think there are a lot of parents today that allow their kid's TVs and video games to essentially "baby sit" them and keep them occupied. People spend more time watching TV and playing video games now than they ever have before. This takes away from time that could be spent with family and being involved together in different activities. I know there are many families that spend quality time together but it seems less and less are doing that now.

Tackling Alcohol

6/29/2007 2:38:00 AM drew888
111 Posts

I used to look forward to going out with friends every weekend to party and have a few drinks. It was a fun time. Eventually over time I enjoyed it too much and those nights turned into mornings and continued all weekend. Then it moved into weekdays and yes even at work. It was hard fighting those demons and I failed many times. With the help of AA and some soul searching I was able to come back from the brink.

I didn't give up drinking completely as some are strong enough to do but I am able to control myself now and cut myself off after 1 or 2 drinks. I was never able to do that before and I can't explain how I can do it now.

Re: How old were you?

6/29/2007 2:48:27 AM drew888
111 Posts

I was 10 when I first tried smoking at started to regular smoke at 13. I was able to finally quick when I was 30 yrs old which is a good thing I didn't continue to put it off until I was older. I must admit it was only the first 2 weeks that were hard and then after that I didn't even miss it. Dealing with alcohol was harder for me. I just hope quiting smoking is all in your plans for those that still smoke.

Re: Where does it start?

6/29/2007 2:54:29 AM drew888
111 Posts

sunshine wrote
Where does alcoholsim start, it is when you drink to get drunk or is it when you drink for drinking sake (you know you have had enough but you carry on?)

That's how it was for me, I didn't want to stop after having a few drinks. I would want to finish everything that was there and when that was gone I'd HAVE to go find some more. I would always have it with me whereever I went even at work. I look back at that person and I don't even know who he is and I'm glad he's in the past, hopefully to stay.

Re: Feel like such a failure

6/29/2007 3:02:08 AM drew888
111 Posts

Missy just by posting here you are showing you are someone who wants to take control in her life. That's a huge positive first step. You want to be different that what you saw growing up and you are different. You want something better for yourself and that will be your driving force to deal with this. I know you are going to beat this too, you know why?

Read your name :)

Re: Taking it one day at a time.

6/29/2007 3:08:22 AM drew888
111 Posts

"Just get through today" is what I would say. "No matter what I just need to get through today." You can't worry about tomorrow if you're still dealing with today. Keeping yourself busy with activities that take you away from that place that drives you into the addiction is very helpful. My outlet was daily workouts. Then keeping to my schedule made sure I didn't fall back.

Sometimes just taking baby steps is what is needed and having a support group to catch you when you need it.

Re: marijuana

6/29/2007 3:14:41 AM drew888
111 Posts

I used to smoke marijuana on a daily basis in my teen years. I started when I was 13 but I managed to cut loose from it when I turned 18. I then found another demon in alcohol and well that's another story for another thread.

It's surprising though how marijuana is illegal yet alcohol causes more deaths. I'm not saying marijuana should be legal. Just wondering why alcohol is.

Insomnia is my new demon I deal with

6/29/2007 3:29:00 AM drew888
111 Posts

I quit smoking and drugs, fought with alcohol for a long time before finally being able to reign it in. Now I can't sleep even when I'm dead tired. I survive on maybe 4 hours a sleep a night, if I even get that. I know all the work I do has something to do with it and I try to cut back but still doesn't help. I don't want to have to resort to sleeping pills because that's a whole new thing to worry about having to deal with getting off them. So basically I just fight it out every night until I fall asleep. Then deal with it again the next night.

I'm hoping when I finally retire this will also be a think of the past, but I hope I don't have to wait until then.

Re: Homeless

6/29/2007 1:40:49 PM drew888
111 Posts

It's good that you're moving forward again in life and you just need to keep moving forward and staying positive. If you stay focused on what you want to do and set some reachable goals each day you'll be where you want to be. Life is tough and we're tested time and time again but when you reach the place you want to be you'll appreciate it more because you know where you've been.

Re: How to avoid it?

6/29/2007 1:55:32 PM drew888
111 Posts

Hopefully they'll make the right choices if they are ever in the situation where drugs and alcohol are involved but that's not always the case. I'm a good example of that because I experimented with marijuana, alcohol and I smoked at an early age. It wasn't because my parents didn't teach me right from wrong, I was just making bad choices based on what everyone else was doing. When I was young they made it look so cool in movies to party and get high. Just let your daughter know that she'll be given tough choices to make in life that could have a serious impact on her life. Just be there to talk and get her involved in things where she'll understand those other choices will hurt her chances at reaching goals she may have in life.

Online Work

6/29/2007 2:06:00 PM drew888
111 Posts

I run quite a few websites and I'm spending a lot of my time constantly improving and adding content to my sites that's it's become a somewhat of an addiction. I have insomnia which also allows me to put in long hours working online. When I try to sleep and I can't I'll just go back to work online. I know I have to work to bring in the money but I also know I need time for myself to just unwind and spend time with family. I know I'm going get back to work right now after I post in here. Always thinking of ways to increase my websites potential. When I see the orders come in it's like a drug and I want more. It's known that people who have been addicted to one thing they usually are suseptable to being addicted to other things.

Re: Is the lottery a form of gambling?

6/29/2007 2:15:30 PM drew888
111 Posts

People definately get addicted to the lotto. Buying a ticket every so often shouldn't be a problem but when people are spending their rent or food money then that's serious. The state doesn't care about anything except taking your money. It's just a tax against the middle class and poor. The state is addicted to the tax revenue that the lottery brings in and they will never give it up unless the people stand up and make them.

Keeping Busy is What Keeps me Going

6/30/2007 9:29:00 AM drew888
111 Posts

I have been keeping myself quite busy with various things ranging from working out, playing sports, working (sometimes too much), and there are various other interests that have helped.

I have goals I set for each day, week, month or year and I try to focus on them. It was similar when I was recovering from Alcohol, I would set my goals and try to reach them the best I could.

I can't predict the future but I have a good idea where I want to be.

Re: Alcohol problems are horrible.

6/30/2007 9:39:48 AM drew888
111 Posts

It's not a pretty sight when alcohol takes control of ones life. It not only affects the person drinking but everyone around them. I would regret waking up because I knew I would just continue the process but soon after a few drinks the regret was gone. Alcohol can destroy families, it can destroy carreers and it can destroy lives.

Re: I want it to stop..

6/30/2007 9:44:18 AM drew888
111 Posts

You past the first step of admiting you have a problem. That's one of the toughest parts. Actually admitting you have a problem. You need to find a support group in your area to help you through the next part. Call your local AA and they could help you find a sponsor and direct you to where the meetings are. You know you want to change and just by wanting to you've taken a major step to recovery.

Re: How does it effect you?

6/30/2007 9:50:00 AM drew888
111 Posts

The fact you're throwing up is a sign that you're body doesn't tolerate the alcohol you put into your body. I wish my body would have done that to me every time I would drink. When I had my problem it was drink from the time I woke up to the time I passed out.

Re: Doing well

6/30/2007 9:55:15 AM drew888
111 Posts

I glad for you and your daughter that you're doing well. It's just as tough on the family as it is on you when you're dealing with an addiction. Step by step and day by day. We know where we want to go and having someone that you want to be there for, like your daughter, certainly helps give you the strength to go on and make it through. Keep up the good work for you and your daughter and the rest of your family.

Your Best Friends AA

6/30/2007 10:02:00 AM drew888
111 Posts

AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, is there for you to help you through the recovery process. It was them who put me in touch with my sponsor and through him bringing me to meetings that I was able to start on the path to recovery. Just look up AA in your local directory and give them a call. They will give you all the information you need to start your recovery.

Re: Why did you start?

6/30/2007 10:07:08 AM drew888
111 Posts

I thought I was so cool with a cig in my mouth struting to school. Oh yeah look at em I'm soooo cool I'm a smoker...hack...hack. I can't believe I would do that to myself. I was really good in sports and smoking basically destroyed it all, along with drugs and alcohol. But yeah I basically started because I thought it was the cool thing to do at 13.

Re: What got you to stop?

6/30/2007 10:11:01 AM drew888
111 Posts

I honestly don't know what got me to stop. I just decided enough is enough and I quit cold turkey. It was tough for a couple weeks and them I didn't even miss smoking. Whatever it was I'm glad I finally stopped.

Re: Online Work

6/30/2007 11:26:51 AM drew888
111 Posts

Junglebunny wrote
If it is work related, is it addiction?

When you run your own businesses work can become a sort of addiction where you spend more time working than you do with family. It's not as serious as a lot of other addictions but it does have some of the same traits. I used to be a heavy alcoholic and I smoked, did drugs as well so I've been there.

Re: How to admit one needs help?

6/30/2007 11:34:16 AM drew888
111 Posts

Being here is the first step and it's really tough to admit you have a problem. I woke up one morning myself and something finally clicked. I did what I normally do just go right for the alcohol and I said I need to change something before I kill myself with this poison. I mustered up the courage to call AA and they were so helpful. I got a sponsor and went to meetings. Met new friends that were in the same boat as me. Here I am today better for it.

Re: Insomnia is my new demon I deal with

6/30/2007 11:39:49 AM drew888
111 Posts

Iddybit wrote

You should try some relaxation exercises. I heard they're really good and they often help. I tried them once and slept the whole day through.
However, I suffer from nightmares.. not insomnia.

Thanks for the tip I'll have to give them a try. My mind is probably all worked up from everything and I never just give it a break. I'll try the relaxation exercises and see how it goes. Thanks again!

Celebrate a Life...Not Grieve a Death

6/30/2007 11:48:00 AM drew888
111 Posts

When my grandfather past several years ago it was pretty devastating for the whole family. He was such a good man and always helped us whenever we needed help. He was like that with everyone. At his funeral the pastor said something that helped me every day from then on..."We are not here to grieve a death...We are here to celebrate a life." Everyday after that I would just think about all the good things about him during my life. He was the one that taught me how to ride a bike and I still remember that day and always will. It was one of many days that I'll never forget.

Re: DO the casinos set up addiction?

7/1/2007 4:44:22 AM drew888
111 Posts

hotwriter wrote
On Boston Legal the other night, there was a woman who was suing a casino for getting her addicted to gambling. There were actually some good points raised. The casinos ply you with free drinks, have researched lighting and music to facilitate comfort, and may even use pheromones to induce you to want to gamble more. I don't know how much of it is true, but as I say interesting points.

Everything you say is absolutely true. They created an environment, with carefully calculated planning and research, that would induce people to gamble more. Everything from lighting, color of carpet, sounds, etc all contribute to making people gamble more.

Addiction Treatment

Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Other Addictions