Hi, iam new to this...and i need a lil advice..

Blackouts can be dangerous, not just because you don't know what you're doing during them, but also because you could be seriously poisoning your body and if you don't know the issues you could cause with alcohol poisoning, look them up. I'm not going to lecture you on it.

It might be helpful to talk to your pastor if you attend a church. If you don't attend a church, try finding a good one that shares your beliefs. I also suggest counseling for the issues that surround the alcohol abuse. And if you just can't seem to set the bottle down and need help with addiction specifically, get into an AA program.

If you still have alcohol in your house, dump it. I'm serious. I know...all that precious alcohol. If you can't do it, give a friend the keys, leave the house and have them take what they want and dump the rest or dump it all for you. It would be best if you did it though, because it's the first step toward gaining control over this. Get an accountablity partner, someone you trust, to help keep you on track. They shouldn't be judging you, just gently nudging you, or spending time with you in new activities that don't involve alcohol. If your friends drink and you can't hang out with them during non drinking times, find new friends to hang out with until you are sure you can be around them and not drink. During the early stages of sobriety it is especially hard to not drink, so stay away from bars, friends who drink, tailgating parties and all that sort of stuff. it will be hard, but the benefits are much better than drinking yourself to death.

It's not going to be easy, I promise you that...but you will be living better and it will be good. Open your bible and get in touch with God. Spend your drinking time in the word. For any minute you would be drinking, be praying, soaking, meditating, reading the word, praising, singing.

themerc said:

Hi, iam new to this...and i need a lil advice..

So my friends suggest i get help as far as my drinking goes. And i can tell its gotten worse because i no longer get hangovers...just blackouts...its just so hard to stop. Not a walk thru the park ya know...but i know its cuz of deep issues i have. Any suggestions??? Thank You.

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Hi merc. welcome to Recovery. I agree with Main Exception and will also suggest you on this link

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=6080657

there are links to AA and Celebrate Recovery as well as other recovery resources (like the AA Big Book online).

I highly suggest and recommend Celebrate Recovery - a christian "version" of AA. Click on the link, then type in your area and check whats in in your town.

I been thru blackouts (got married once in Reno on one) and its scary waking up the next day not knowing where you been or what you did.

You need to take action now, take that first step.

I will be praying for you.

Sound Like you have some sound information. I will agree with justanoberser and themainexpadition. However ACTION is the key word. God be with you in Jesus name.

Most of my success (4 years), I attribute to a close relationship with God and service/fellowship in HIM.

I've learned:

Admit problem (duh )...or should I say DONE

IDENTIFY TRIGGERS...me it was usually anger
You said you had issues...identify what about said issues really triggers your relapses. Pre-plan alternate reactions to triggers...(decide if said thing that usually triggers occurs, I'll "go to a movie", "call friend", "read bible", etc..

RELAPSE LETTER If you have someone close enough, share with them. Write them a letter of instruction of what to do if they see you slipping. This can happen behaviorily weeks in advance of actual relapse. Sometimes we have people close enough to us that they even know at those times.

MOST IMPORTANT: Perseverance...I've learned with every slip up that , had I just persevered a lil longer...Blessings were in the wait. Over the years that is one of the most valuable lessons I've had in life and in sobriety...PERSEVERENCE. It will take plenty of it for you to succeed.

These are my suggestions. Seeking counseling may not seem good to you but, even in trying various types...you will discover and develop tools that will help YOU. I just shared these with someone else here and thought they really might help you.

Blessings! DVNA

The advice of going to Celebrate Recovery and Alcohol anonymous meetings are the things I would have suggested. God bless and help you as you seek His help.
Diana

That's right, it is going to be quite the journey. Alcoholism is never a quick or easy thing to fix. Because you're young yet, it is a lot easier than if you had been doing this for 20 years and are trying to quit after solidifying those habits into hardcore addictions. You are still maleable and your lifestyle can still be easily changed.

Whenever you need help, come on here man. Don't just walk off the scene. We want to know how you're doing, what other questions you have. We want you to vent and talk to us...and as you go along, help others if you have any suggestions you think someone could benefit from. In my struggles through all sorts of things, I've found that helping others has helped me far more than I ever could have thought. One foot after the other, drag it forward, you can do it.