New Member

[Little UK Star]

Hi all I'm new here. I have decided that enough is enough with my drinking and I need to realise that I can't handle alcohol, alcohol handles me. I'm not an alcoholic or alchol dependant, but my problem is once I start I can't stop and I have ended up on some states that I am ashamed and angry at myself for the next day and for a few days afterwards.
I have always loved drinking and going out for a dance and getting drunk with my friends, but I'm only 5 foot and really shouldn't be drinking the same amounts as they do. I still live at home with quite over protective and concerned parents, so I don't actually get drunk that often, but when I do I don't do it in halves! I am moving out into my own place next year and I am worried that once I get the freedom to do what I want I will be drinking far too much and putting myself more at risk. I always start with 'just the one drink' and then end up paraletic and unable to eat, drink, do anything for three days afterwards.
The turning point has been in the last few weeks. I got drunk a few weeks ago, had two cans of lager and as usual 'got in the party spirit' and went out to get some more, aiming to spread them over two nights. Of course they all went in the one night, I made a complete fool of myself and had to be put to bed. For two days afterwards I was ill, ashamed and depressed. Monday night I went to a do after work, everyone else was having just the one glass of wine, I was downing them one after the other. I got dropped off near my road and I was taking ages to get home, texting stupid messages etc, I found myself on this wall and I have no idea why I was there. I can remember jumping down to the pavement, it was a high wall and I was in the air for about 3 seconds before slamming into the floor. I can remember lying there thinking 'oowwww!' I arrived home with cuts on my forehead and the bridge of my nose and a big graze on my chin. Have four bruises on my knee, have badly scratched my glasses and really damaged my foot. It is swollen up and bruised and I can only walk flat footed as the toes on the foot have been bent back. I rang in sick at work yesterday which I felt so guilty and stupid about. I just couldn't walk and had to crawl everywere. All my family is angry with me for coming home in that state once again. They've told me so many times to avoid alcohol because I can't handle it.

Anyway after Monday night I have realised just how stupid I was, I could have been killed or been attacked or anything. I don't want to live my life getting over the pain and humiliation of hangovers, so I have made the break and decided to go teetotal. I don't know whether I will achieve this but I am pretty determained and this site looks a really supportive place, I'm so glad to have found it and been able to join you all.

[DeeBee]

Welcome Little UK Star,

You are in the right place! By the sounds of it you are still young... hope I'm not getting that wrong LOL! Anyway my point is that it is really awesome that you recognise that it is a problem and you want to do something about it. I know I started off pretty much the same as you but it escalated into me being an alcoholic... I wish I'd the foresight when i was younger to put a stop to my drinking.

The first thing I did was download and read the book, from there you can make your goals and put a plan into action.

Wishing you the best!
Dee

[vlad]

Hi and welcome Little Star! I'm in the UK too - a good place to start is to download the book!

[Rachelita]

You can do it!!!!!!!!! I am proud of your maturity and realization.

[Nurseindistress]

Just keep working at it. I have had many ups and downs, but the good days are getting better and a little easier, thanks to this site and the program. So don't feel like you have to be perfect--just keep working at it.

[Chelle12]

Hi there, Im in UK too
Sending you lots of hugs and support... you can do this!
C

[Little UK Star]

Thank you to everyone for your messages, it was lovely to find so many supportive people on here and I have made up my mind that I am determined to stay sober. If I don't drink anything, I can't end up in some of the states I have ended up in.
DeeBee- That's correct I am young, only 22!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support

[New Day]

Welcome Little UK Star ---- good for you for recognizing what you need to do at an early age. You have your whole life ahead of you and what a different road you could be going down if you didn't take hold of the problem now! Stay strong and you'll be a much happier person for it. You've come to the right place!

[Seacailin]

Hello and Welcome Little Star
Well done on recognizing that alcohol is a problem at such a young age. I knew from my teen years that I drank differently from most of my peers, but I did not really recognize a problem until my mid-twenties. I went the AA route at the age of 28, and did not drink again, except for one horrific night, until I was 39. I used to come home all bruised, and banged up, with little memory of what had happened. The worst was when my kids would tell me what happened the next day. My kids are close to your age 20 and 21. I truly believe that I am lucky to be alive. I have been give so many second chances. They are bound to run out at some point. If this is your first time around, I just want to tell you that: Relapse is not a Requirement!! Many others have done it for you, and you can learn from our experiences. I wish you well as you begin your journey.

[lil.michelle]

Hey!!! Wow.. 22... i'm 24. Funny how things turn out! This is a great site. It'll be hard to give up completely (that's what i'm doing) but be strong and you'll get through it!!!
Welcome and good luck! Look forward to reading your posts!!!