I find myself wanting to drink...

[Anonymous41005]

I used to drink almost every day when I was 18, then I got back together with my boyfriend and he can't drink because of the meds he's on, so I decided I don't want to drink anymore either plus he didn't want me to drink anymore. Well, it's been a couple years and I've gotten much closer to God (with the exception of the past week or so I've been struggling with some stories in the bible that seem like God is mean - like when he lies to a guy by telling him he has to sacrifice his little boy, so the guy actually goes to do it and God says ok nevermind, that seems so rotten to me and God lied to the guy). Anyway that's another topic altogether. So anyway, I find myself pondering the fun times I had when I used to drink with my female friend (who I haven't hung out with in like a year, but we're going to be having lunch this saturday and I hope it goes well). i find myself wishing that it was acceptable to drink because i have more fun when i'm buzzed. i'm turning 21 in a couple of weeks and i'm afraid that i might start wanting to buy drinks when i go out to eat, etc. part of me is saying "just a little is ok, just get buzzed, not drunk" then part of me is saying "avoid it altogether, you'll get hungover, sick, and you'll become addicted again". there is so much pressure to drink when you turn 21, there is so much pressure to drink even under 21, it's everywhere and it seems like everybody does it and they make it seem so fun and i feel like it IS fun, but is it really wrong? i know it's wrong to get drunk, but what about just having a little drink and get a bit buzzed? what does the bible really say about drinking? i have been wanting to drink so badly lately and i feel like if i could just drink i would have so much more fun. :-/ which is bad because i want to be able to have fun without drinking. i don't want to be so tempted. ugh, i'm just confused.

 

[mpok1519]

Its not socially unacceptable to have a drink or two now and then. (although you should probably wait till you're 21 to go out to the bars)

Moderation is the key.

But, if you really feel you should not, and don't want to, by all means, dont.

 

[TheMainException]

Hey...I think you've got a negative twist that comes about around the age of 20 to most people. We start to see things in new ways around the college age and sometimes that includes seeing God as different than we had thought before. God didn't lie to Abraham, he really did want him to kill his son, at least, God wanted him to obey him with his heart and mind and body and in order to do this, he needed to command him to do something.

I think it's good that you want to have fun without drinking. I remember those fun times...until the morning I woke up with the worst hangover ever, my roommate picking up my closet door from the floor, realizing I had no pants on (I always sleep with shorts or sweatpants on), and having no clue what the heck happened from 9pm until 6 am. I later found my sweatpants, jeans, and shoes covered in my vomit and my very christian roommate wanting to know what the heck was wrong with me (we go to a college with a strict no-alcohol policy). Having a drink or two...go ahead. Your boyfriend should be understanding of it if you are having a few. If it gets out of hand and begins to go towards blackouts, getting carried away, doing things you wouldn't normally do, being unable to stop, being compelled to drink/craving alcohol, etc...then it would be a problem. Is it a problem?

 

[UnitynLove]

Well we all get tempted. There is nothing wrong with temptation the problem is giving into the temptation. Jesus was tempted but never gave into the temptation.

 

[healy]

Terribly hard to just say no,thats what alcoholism is.

 

[madison1101]

I used to drink almost every day when I was 18, then I got back together with my boyfriend and he can't drink because of the meds he's on, so I decided I don't want to drink anymore either plus he didn't want me to drink anymore. Well, it's been a couple years and I've gotten much closer to God (with the exception of the past week or so I've been struggling with some stories in the bible that seem like God is mean - like when he lies to a guy by telling him he has to sacrifice his little boy, so the guy actually goes to do it and God says ok nevermind, that seems so rotten to me and God lied to the guy). Anyway that's another topic altogether. So anyway, I find myself pondering the fun times I had when I used to drink with my female friend (who I haven't hung out with in like a year, but we're going to be having lunch this saturday and I hope it goes well). i find myself wishing that it was acceptable to drink because i have more fun when i'm buzzed. i'm turning 21 in a couple of weeks and i'm afraid that i might start wanting to buy drinks when i go out to eat, etc. part of me is saying "just a little is ok, just get buzzed, not drunk" then part of me is saying "avoid it altogether, you'll get hungover, sick, and you'll become addicted again". there is so much pressure to drink when you turn 21, there is so much pressure to drink even under 21, it's everywhere and it seems like everybody does it and they make it seem so fun and i feel like it IS fun, but is it really wrong? i know it's wrong to get drunk, but what about just having a little drink and get a bit buzzed? what does the bible really say about drinking? i have been wanting to drink so badly lately and i feel like if i could just drink i would have so much more fun. :-/ which is bad because i want to be able to have fun without drinking. i don't want to be so tempted. ugh, i'm just confused.

I am sorry you are struggling with the confusion of drinking/drunkenness and not sure what is what.

First, let me address your concerns about God and the Bible. It can be a very confusing book to read or study, and make sense of. Don't worry about it right now, except the part in the New Testament where it talks about developing a personal relationship with Jesus. The other stories in the Bible are not as important as your relationship with Him.

Second, if you think you might be drinking too much on occassion, chances are you might be drinking too much. If you want to learn how not to live with the idea that alcohol must be a part of your everyday life, try attending some AA meetings and learn how millions of people, all ages, sizes and races, live for years, decades without alcohol. AND WE HAVE FUN.

Good luck.
Trish

 

[hotsauce5000]

i would say that - for you - it would be a good idea to go to an open aa meeting and talk about it. i think people there would talk about the choices you can make now instead of later. many have spent years and years and THEN making the decisions you are making now. they will tell you of all the crappy hangovers, lost loves, trips to jail, hospitals, and treatment centers.
it would most likely open your eyes to the potential of your future, which road you will pick for your life. its easy to find a meeting, in some cities its

w w w . aa your city . org

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[healy]

A.A. is not -has not worked for me because I have trouble being open. I hope you can find the ability to be open. I find myself wanting to drink say's it all.

 

[madison1101]

A.A. is not -has not worked for me because I have trouble being open. I hope you can find the ability to be open. I find myself wanting to drink say's it all.

Most people have trouble being open in the beginning of recovery. AA is more about the 12 Steps than being open, though one should have an open mind to embrace the Steps. Three things that help a person in working the Steps are Honesty, Openness and Willingness. But, the recovery is in the Steps. That is the program. Nothing else.

Have you read the first 164 pages of the AA Big Book? I highly recommend it.

 

[ReverendRock]

I don't know of an alcoholic who does'nt struggle with temptation. These people here have some good advise. Read the Big Book online. Go to an open meeting, you don't have to say anything, just sit there if you like. Understand that you are not alone. Understand that the bottle is a liar. It will tell you that it can be your friend and be nice to you but then it will break you until you are so broken you don't think you can be fixed. Explore your relationship with God through Jesus, don't worry about the books of the Old Testament right now, you need the New Covenant, with God and with yourself, read the Gopel of Mark or Luke. Understand that all you can do is not drink today. I myself will not drink today, or smoke a cigarette, which I am quitting again for the upteenth time. Do not give in. Do not give up the fight.
I will remember you in my prayers today.
peace,
revrock.