Not everyone needs to stop drinking.  I don’t begrudge those who can handle alcohol responsibly. All I know is that every time I got into trouble, I was drinking.  Moreover, the bottom line is I’m a blackout drinker who simply cannot drink responsibly. When I quit drinking, I had many reasons to do so.  My …

I’m a recovering alcoholic and recovering perfectionist. I can recount many instances of where perfectionism dominated my life during my formative years.  It’s also impacted me during early recovery.  In fact, in early recovery, perfectionism really reared its ugly head with my pursuit of perfect physical appearance (a really awful form that unfortunately afflicts many …

Not only do you have to deal with gut-wrenching alcohol cravings when you quit drinking, but there’s also the crushing loneliness. I didn’t go to a treatment center, where I’m sure it’s less lonely than battling out sobriety on your own (especially if you’re single like I was), so I struggled tremendously with being lonely …

I try not to be a purist in recovery, but I’m afraid I am for myself when it comes to near-beer. I don’t drink it at all for 2 reasons: It does contain alcohol There’s no need for me to maintain my taste for beer 1. Non-alcoholic beer contains alcohol I’m an alcoholic so I …

When you attend an AA meeting, do you slip out the back as soon as it’s over?  Do you arrive just as the meeting starts to avoid small talk? I’ve been there and done that.  While any meeting is better than no meeting, when I arrived late and left early I shortchanged myself for sure. …

What’s required to join AA? Are there any requirements?  YES, you must have a desire to stop drinking. Is there an application process?  NO.  Anyone who desires to stop drinking is welcome. Does AA cost money?  NO.  Dues are collected, but it’s not required.  The dues are used to pay for the meeting rooms and …

It’s expensive being an alcoholic! I quit drinking fairly young (27 years of age), but at that time I still spent a fair amount on alcohol.  I suspect that had I continued drinking, I’d be spending a lot more now that I earn more money. Although my living expenses have increased since I quit drinking …

When I started thinking that I might have a problem with alcohol, abstinence was not a consideration.  Instead, I wanted to learn how to curb my drinking and control my drinking so that I could be a highly functional alcoholic.  After all, at this time I had a college degree, a job, owned growing side-business, …

Whether you just started AA or are thinking about it, you might be concerned with the fact many members attend for years … many their entire life.  You might think to yourself “do I really need to attend AA for the rest of my life?” Here’s the deal with AA.  You do NOT have to …

In AA there’s an unwritten 13th step referring to people with longer term sobriety hitting on and going out with people new to recovery. I do NOT advocate 13 stepping at all.  The fact is that people new to recovery are vulnerable and easily misplace trust in people who are kind to them and have …

I never wanted tenuous sobriety that was dependent on me avoiding all situations, places and persons where drinking was involved.  After all, if I can’t stay sober around some people having a glass of wine, my sobriety sucks.  Moreover, my sobriety days would be numbered. In fact, I like that I have solid enough sobriety …

Disclaimer:  I’m not a medical doctor or psychologist.  This article on depression on alcohol is restricted to my experience only and what I did about it.  If you have a drinking problem and/or are depressed, please consult a physician and/or a therapist. Unfortunately for me, alcoholism and depression went hand-in-hand when I got sober.  When …