BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: MaineDog
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 10:23 AM

In my church it's more important to avoid alcohol than it is to receive the Blood, so we use grape juice.
MD

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: sue exhull
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 11:13 AM

Thanks El.Grecko for sharing the poems, they are really good .

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: GUEST,Friend of Bill W
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:19 PM

A guy from AA walks up to a drunk sleeping in the gutter and says - "If you come with me to a meeting there's a good chance that you'll never have to take another drink. No more sleeping in the gutter and you'll never have to be lonely again"

The drunk looks up at him and says - "Can I think about it for a little while?"

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:38 PM

Leadfingers, I suspect that quote has been used many times. The version I recall is in the movie While You Were Sleeping, uttered by Glynnis Johns at a family gathering.

The self-medicating aspect of alcohol consumption has proved problematic for a couple of friends dealing with depression. One committed suicide, the other finally got a good working diagnosis to a physical problem that the doctors at first told her was all in her head. Thanks for sharing your friends' stories, El Greko.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 03:42 PM

Not to make light, but it seems to reinforce what was in Keith and Kevin (both pretty good IMO). It seems they really might be saying to themselves:
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me
Than have to have a frontal lobotomy
I may be drunk but at least I'm not insane"

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 03:51 PM

There's part of me that thinks it's all about choice even though I know it's an addiction. Having watched a step parent and later a paramour drink themselves into oblivion...well, it was their choice...no one made any effort to put that bottle in their hands. When given a choice to become a permanent memeber of the family (that he desparately wanted) or to take the bottle, he chose the bottle over us. Even after he saw his brother killed due to a drunk driving incident, he continued to drink. He eventually died of liver problems. What a waste...he was a wonderful human being and my mother and I loved him dearly. The idea of it just makes me angry.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 04:42 PM

Theoretically it starts as a choice. At what point does the choice disappear though? Should we condem somebody for being of "weak character" and being unable to kick the habit or accept help? And what hope of curing such a person if the original cause still exists?

Both Keith and Kevin's slide can be traced to original "causes". Keith's was being passed over at work (he was a superb oil trader but had one bad year) - that blew his self-esteem to smithereens, and combined with his inability to have children just tore him apart: Nothing to leave behind, no fame no fortune, no family.

Kevin's was more commonplace: Wife left him, won custody of the kids, two sons and a daughter that he adored - almost pathologically - and moved abroad, so his access was severely limited. And then he became redundant at work.

Both "Keith" and "Kevin" are songs, by the way. I have not included them in any of my albums, and I never sing them in clubs, as they are too "dark" for my usual audiences. But I have a private recording of them; PM me with your address if you are interested in a copy.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: Peace
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 05:23 PM

Google

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Good site that answers lotsa questions.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 07:05 PM

funny

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 04:27 AM

I am a very lonely man because of alcohol and music. I miss my ex wife and children and am a lonely man, but I have realised to late and some other bastard has taken my place. I still have my alcohol and music but it is not enough!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 05 - 06:21 AM

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Subject: RE: BS: I'm NOT an alcoholic!
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 29 Jan 05 - 08:09 AM

Just to lighten it a little (!) it is significant that the wonderfully sociable people of Hull have managed to avoid this thread.