Alcohol and Depression - Chicken v Egg

A fresh look at what alcoholism really is, by a recently diagnosed sufferer.The first time I tasted red wine, I was 17.  I was working as an au pair in France for the summer.  And thought I was just oh-so-cool.  It was absolutely foul stuff.  I actually spat it out!  Uber-sophisticated...  There are many things I do not like the taste of.  Like seafood.  I don't keep going back to try to acquire a taste for it!  But I did with the red wine.  And as a 33 year old, I was getting through at...Read Full Story

While I was having my tea and biscuits, I thought of a few more things that I am both amazed about and grateful for today:1. My relationship with my mum is back on track. We have always been very close, but the last 2 or 3 years have seen a decline in that. While I saw an increase in my drinking and in my intolerance for anything or anyone that tried to interfere with it. But I phoned my mum the night I came home from my first AA meeting, and told her everything. Everything about the love of...Read Full Story

Wow. What a week. It amazes me that I have days where I realise that I have no inclination whatsoever to drink. I never thought that was possible - and it was certainly not possible for me! But I have heard it said in Alcoholics Anonymous many times that all of us are never more than an arm's length away from the next drink. I recently encountered another AA who slipped up and drank this week. After 15 years of sobriety. There are no guarantees - other than the fact that alcoholism is a...Read Full Story

So much for my busy day at work. I was pretty sick this morning with this cold, then I had some meetings cancelled on me for the afternoon. And there I was yesterday feeling under pressure about work, but I ended up having the day off! OK, I was sick for most of it, but at least I was given the time to rest instead of trying to have a busy day while feeling like death warmed up.I therefore found myself in the position of being able to see my sponsor this afternoon and together we worked...Read Full Story

The programme of recovery suggested by Alcoholics Anonymous is simple. So simple, I'm afraid I might miss it. Because I, by nature, like to complicate things. A lot. What if?... What about?... Yes, but did you think of?... And I nearly always think I am the exception to the rule. But this programme is really not rocket science:1. stay away from the first drink just for today.2. go to meetings and have fellowship with other alcoholics regularly.3. work the 12 steps.Of course that last bit is...Read Full Story