Anonymous wrote:If you are a woman, AA may not be the right approach for you. Read “Quit Like A Woman” and get yourself into a good rehab program.

This is OP and I believe AA is unsafe for women, based on my experiences. It frustrates me too that this is considered to be the gold standard in addiction management when (a) people who quit on their own have higher success rates than those in AA, (b) the program totally disempowers people and continually attending (until death?) is an expectation, and (c) the founders of the program weren’t all that great.

All of that aside, I am not acutely at risk/experiencing delirium tremens or anything like that. It’s just that when I try to moderate my alcohol intake, it just doesn’t work. While I might manage one or two drinks a day for a while, I will always end up binging. I brought up Naltrexone with my PCP in the spring and she referred me to a psychologist instead (which I haven’t explored - I had an AMAZING psychologist who retired a couple of years ago, hesitant to start this process again but probably need to.)

I’ve read different books, tried different approaches - the only thing that seems to work is complete abstinence. But the idea of never ever having an alcoholic drink again is overwhelming. I’m just lost. Thanks all.

It's time for rehab.

The fact you drive drunk well I have no positive things to say to that. You are a horrible person and you can kill an innocent person or a child, or a parent, anyone. That is so incredibly selfish. YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS.

DON'T EVER DRINK AND DRIVE AGAIN.

Anonymous wrote:Go to a doctor and ask for naltrexone. You can also find online places. It reduces the urge to drink.

Also consider a GLP. my doctor told me her a number of her heavy drinking patients stoped drinking

Agree with both.

And even though you can't control your drinking, you can control not driving. Don't bring your car and also get an ignition interlock installed. https://www.lifesafer.com/

Anonymous wrote:Just have fun. Who says you need to change?

Perhaps you missed the drunk driving and the poor work performance. Neither sounds like fun.

If you are a woman, AA may not be the right approach for you. Read “Quit Like A Woman” and get yourself into a good rehab program.

as someone who has been sober for a long time, go back to AA. Its difficult to stay sober & the best thing about AA is the group. You dont have to say anything, just listen. Try different meetings. Maybe AA didnt work for you at that time & it might now

Just have fun. Who says you need to change?

You can’t moderate drinking means you cant drink at all.

An Rx for Naltrexone is a good place to start to help you stay sober. Talk to your doctor, they’ve heard it all.

You are brave for asking for help.

Go to a doctor and ask for naltrexone. You can also find online places. It reduces the urge to drink.

Also consider a GLP. my doctor told me her a number of her heavy drinking patients stoped drinking

Your doctor or the emergency room can prescribe med to help you.

Then go to rehab.

Alcoholism kills. My brother died at age 50 from alcoholism and my Dad also died from alcoholism.

Do WHATEVER it takes to NOT to kill someone (including yourself!) while drinking & driving. RED ALERT!

Handcuff yourself to your desk
Call Rehab
Get Naltrexone

DO ANYTHING but drink and drive

If you can't drink in moderation, then you have a problem and should be completely sober. I don't understand the question.

If AA doesn't work, look into other programs or an in-patient treatment option. You can't continue to drink if you are driving drunk. You will kill someone.

You call your doctor and ask for rehab.

I’ve tried AA and it did not work for me. I’ve tried SO many times to moderate alcohol and I always end up binge drinking, driving drunk etc - I’m lucky not to take suffered lasting consequences but that could all change. Recently my job performance has suffered due to heavy drinking (being hungover). What do I do?