I’ve been hanging out on a Harm Reduction site. Here are some of my posts…

April 25, 2012 · Filed Under addiction recovery · 1 Comment

I used my fear and loathing of treatment as a way to stay in recovery. I decided that if I ever drank again I would go to inpatient treatment. I’m still sober and have not gone to treatment. Not afraid of it anymore but the deal is still on: if I drink I go. You could decide that if you drink again you will go to AA.

I found this quote very inspiring. It’s from “Treating Addiction” by Willliam R. Miller et. al. ”…addictions are highly treatable, and a variety of effective treatment methods are available . When people who have developed alcohol/drug dependence recovery, they really get better. You don’t need subtle psychological measures to see the change. They look better. They feel better. Their family and social functioning tends to improve. The are healthier and happier. They fare better at work, school, and play. And, contrary to public opinion, most of them do recover. “

One of my clients, who hired me to help her become a moderate drinker, buys wine in half-size bottles that only hold three drinks, which is her moderation standard.

Make friends with writing down each drink. You can chose each one but it requires that you actually chose each one. That said, I should be tracking my money. Okay. I’ll get going again.

Sorrow is natural after losing a pet. One way to honor your pet is to feel your feelings for them which drinking will numb. I have come to prefer to be in choice rather than reaction, and learned slowly to make choices based on principles I care about, rather than on my moods which come and go.

I like your question of who will I be if I am not a heavy drinker. I got to a point where I felt like I had learned all I could about suffering and hangovers and bad boyfriends. It was only by abstaining that I could learn something new about myself. I found out that I was ambitious, a hard worker, creative and funny. I didn’t know that when I drank.

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