Welcome to our online peer support community. Connect with others making change in their alcohol and other drug use. Join our online community today.
  • Connect, be inspired, motivate others. Share your experience & strategies.
  • Safe. Anonymous. Professionally moderated. Free of judgement.
  • Worried about losing my family

    Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in Australia. Join this forum to discuss issues and find support relating to alcohol use and recovery.
    PD7
    Junior Member
    Posts: 2
    Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:07 pm

    Worried about losing my family

    Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:39 pm

    Hi

    I’ve had issues with alcohol for as long as I can remember. In my teens and 20s the consequences were minimal though, a bit of embarrassment from time to time, etc.

    Now I have a wife and kids and the stakes are much higher. I was successfully hiding the extent of my drinking until a year or so ago. My wife suspected I was lying about my drinking so she got a breathilser. Now there’s no hiding what I’ve been up to when she gets suspicious.

    I’ve had countless chances, each time promising I’ll quit drinking (or take a long break). Sometimes I last a month or two, sometimes it’s only a few days. I’m rarely severely intoxicated (especially when the kids are awake), but the lying is the main issue my wife can’t tolerate. Even though I don’t lie about other things, it’s pretty hard for her to believe that.

    I know I need to abstain, but I’ve been here before and it hasn’t lasted. So want to get some ideas to get it right this time. This could be my last chance.

    Thanks
    0 x
    Astraia
    Moderator
    Posts: 60
    Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2021 1:34 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Fri Jun 24, 2022 6:35 pm

    Hi @PD7 ,

    Reading your post makes me think that I can barely imagine how important this is to you and your relationship. I am glad you are here sharing your experience in this safe space where you can find so much valuable information and care. We are a committed community willing to see you thrive.

    It sounds as if your relationship with alcohol use has been challenging across different stages of your life. This time in particular seems to be more difficult as you have been trying hard to stop drinking and find yourself relapsing. These relapses leave you feeling ashamed and embarrassed. You are not alone, many people go through this journey which is not an easy one but if you are willing to keep working on it, eventually you will see changes happening.

    PD7, I also notice that you have tried to make some changes in the past. In a recovery journey it is common for people to try different coping strategies before they find what works best for them. I would like to explore with you about your previous experiences.

    I wonder what you have tried? and what are your strengths that you think will help you to change?

    Regards,
    Charis

    ;)

    @ScorpionPW @Lhiver @SunflowerSeed @PnorkelPW
    0 x
    PD7
    Junior Member
    Posts: 2
    Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:07 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Fri Jun 24, 2022 7:20 pm

    Hi Charis

    The main things that have helped in the past are fully committing to an extended break from alcohol and also having a fitness goal to keep me motivated. I’m planning to do both of these soon, with Dry July and a run.

    The problem I’ve encountered though is that, even if I achieve these, I get a false sense of security. Think all my issues are solved, forget about how much damage alcohol can do for me, etc. Then I relapse, often thinking I can just gradually re-introduce alcohol and keep consumption low. This inevitably ends up with me back where I started though.

    Similarly with counseling, chat forums, etc. I’ll feel like I’m getting on top of things but then don’t stay on top of it. I don’t really want to attend AA meetings, was hoping to have a select person or two to talk to that hold me accountable. Not sure if that option is out there though (outside of family and friends, which I’ve struggled to confide in).
    0 x
    Lhiver
    Community Builder
    Posts: 750
    Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 9:59 am

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:57 am

    heya @PD7 that false sense of security is something I kn ow a lot of people can relate to. I know our peer workers @PnorkelPW and @ScorpionPW have both talked about it in their own journies. It's important that you're recognising it because it means that this time around, with DRy July and your running goal you can start to think of ways to counter that voice and remind yourself of the importance of staying on track.

    I can see you don't want to attend AA, but have you considered a peer group such as SMART Recovery? it isn't a 12 step program and the meetings are open to anyone who has any problematic behaviour they are looking to change. There are online and in-person meetings and it might help you in finding that support from others. you can check out more on their website here

    Let us know how you're travelling this weekend, this is a journey with a lot of ups and downs but I can see a lot of determination and self-awareness in your post.
    0 x
    ScorpionPW
    Peer Worker
    Posts: 835
    Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:06 am

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:17 pm

    Hi @PD7...Firstly, well done for being so open about where you're at and reaching out, I know how much courage that takes and it's a huge step in the right direction.

    I can really relate to some things that you're saying as well. For a long time, everytime I would try and stop I would focus on external factors to work towards that I thought would help me stop and stay stopped. Whether it was a health goal, wanting more mental clarity or just not feeling so exhausted and sick all the time. Whenever I tried to rely on external factors it would never last because like the experience you've had, I would fool myself into believing I had control over it and that I could start using substances again in a more manageable way. I thought if I only do it at specific times in specific ways and around specific people that it would end up different, but it never did. Sometimes it would take longer than others but I would ultimately always end up in the same hopeless place all over again.

    In saying that though, having short term goals and giving yourself any reason you can to motivate stopping again is a really great thing. In my experience that was really important but what was equally, and ultimately the most important was finding a way to live my life recovery focussed and to form new habits by doing whatever it takes to not pick up one day at a time, no matter what.

    For me as well, I discovered through lots of trial and error and trying every option I possibly could that I could not do it alone. In my journey 12 step meetings are ultimately what made the difference, being connected to a recovery community and learning that it was possible to find a new way of life without substances from other people who had done it and were doing it. But in saying that, I totally hear that you don't want to give AA a go, as @Lhiver mentioned SMART Recovery is another peer group you could attend that isn't 12 step based. It's an opportunity to be in a safe space where you can work towards small, achievable goals in relation to your substance use whether it's complete abstinence or a more manageable way of drinking that you're seeking you are supported to set any goals you feel like are realistic for you. Everybody else attending the groups are working towards their own goals as well. There is also SMART meetings you can attend face to face or online so if you want to check it out, let us know and we'll share the links.

    Ultimately, the realisation I had to come to was that I had to treat every go at recovery with a mindset of discovering what didn't work last time, what changes did I need to make and what do I need to do differently that I hadn't tried before. This will look a little bit different for everybody, your recovery is as individual as your fingerprint. It wasn't until I felt like I had absolultely no other option, completely backed into a corner by my addiction that I was able to commit myself to do literally whatever it took to stay clean, but not everybody necessarly needs to go to those lengths, that's just what my journey was.

    I really hope you continue to reach out on here and if you ever want to touch base you can tag any of us by putting the @ symbol before our usernames on a post and we'll be sure to respond :)
    0 x
    PnorkelPW
    Peer Worker
    Posts: 930
    Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:14 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Mon Jun 27, 2022 10:28 pm

    Hi @PD7 and thanks for sharing here on the forums. It really sounds like you want to make change but it’s damn near impossible alone…………at least that was my experience.

    @Lhiver made the suggestion of SMART Recovery Meetings which I would totally recommend. It’s about setting a goal for the week and getting support to achieve it. You mentioned setting goals and working towards them as having worked for you in the past so this could suit you. It seems that maintaining the change is a struggle for you so maybe committing to these meetings could be the accountability you need.

    Setting a routine is important and diet and exercise can play a major role in that. You’ve mentioned these as having worked for you in the past so it sounds like maintaining it………again………is going to be key. Have you thought about a training buddy to help keep you accountable???

    I tended to want to make change alone and it was maintaining it that was my downfall. I kept thinking I’d be able to control my drinking one day if I did things differently but nothing ever worked. Eventually I had to make the decision that the only way I could have any form of control over my drinking was not to drink at all.

    I only share this next bit because it was my experience ad it helped me. I read that you don’t want to attend AA……….I was the same for many years while my drinking got worse every time I took a break and picked up again. After many trips through AA something eventually clicked. I realised it wasn’t a religious thing and just how much support was available and that there were people who would help keep me accountable. I no longer go to meetings and haven’t had a drink for 6 and a half years but I wouldn’t be where I am without having gone in the beginning. But I understand that it’s not for everyone too and totally respect your decision not to go.

    On the subject of accountability I found that it’s a difficult space for family and friends to hold. They can try but the eventual commitment and change has to come down to you. Having professionals such as GP, drug and alcohol counsellor, psych can be beneficial because they’re impartial and don’t feel the same emotions if things don’t go to plan……….just something to think about.

    I hope some of this has been helpful and if I can support in any way moving forwards then let me know. Just tag me in your post so I get a notification and can respond.

    Oh………there was a time a few years ago where I was on the brink of relapse but life was going pretty well. In talking to a friend I was able to uncover that I had no goals at the time. I’d worked towards many things and they were falling into place and I was kinda spinning on the spot because I didn’t have any current goals I was working towards. These days I always make sure I’ve got goals. It doesn’t matter if I achieve them…………I just need a focus to work towards because if I go back to drinking I’ll lose all focus on what’s actually important to me.
    0 x
    ShawnK
    Junior Member
    Posts: 3
    Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:01 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:13 pm

    Astraia wrote:
    Fri Jun 24, 2022 6:35 pm
    Hi @PD7 ,

    Reading your post makes me think that I can barely imagine how important this is to you and your relationship. I am glad you are here sharing your experience in this safe space where you can find so much valuable information and care. We are a committed community willing to see you thrive.

    It sounds as if your relationship with alcohol use has been challenging across different stages of your life. This time in particular seems to be more difficult as you have been trying hard to stop drinking and find yourself relapsing. These relapses leave you feeling ashamed and embarrassed. You are not alone, many people go through this journey which is not an easy one but if you are willing to keep working on it, eventually you will see changes happening.

    PD7, I also notice that you have tried to make some changes in the past. In a recovery journey it is common for people to try different coping strategies before they find what works best for them. I would like to explore with you about your previous experiences.

    I wonder what you have tried? and what are your strengths that you think will help you to change?

    Regards,
    Charis

    ;)

    @ScorpionPW @Lhiver @SunflowerSeed @PnorkelPW
    I strongly believe that alcoholism is not a cause, but a consequence. I believe that a person escapes into an alcoholic state because something in his normal reality bothers him greatly. This is difficult to deal with without qualified help.
    1 x
    Sunflowerseed
    Community Builder
    Posts: 406
    Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2022 10:33 am

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:01 pm

    Hi @ShawnK,
    Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing some of your thoughts with us.
    I totally understand when you said you used to live one kind of life and one day you just felt that you are not able to do that anymore. Sometimes we need sometime to realise and accept the fact that we have to make certain change. But we can find different kinds of fun and enjoy the new way as well.

    I hope you can find some inspiration from this forum. These are our two peer workers here, @ScorpionPW and @PnorkelPW. If you have any questions, feel free to @ them, myself or @Lhiver. :)
    0 x
    ScorpionPW
    Peer Worker
    Posts: 835
    Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:06 am

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:45 pm

    I can relate to what you're saying @ShawnK and thanks for sharing.

    I completely agree in that more often than not addiction is almost always a form of self medicating to cope with some kind of trauma. That was definitely the case for me and until I found the right kind of help to learn how to cope with life and what I had been through in other ways, I was unable to break out of the coping and protection mechanisms that I had relied on for so long.

    It would be great to hear a bit about yourself and where you're at on your journey? :)
    0 x
    PnorkelPW
    Peer Worker
    Posts: 930
    Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:14 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:05 pm

    @ShawnK ………changes to drinking are definitely hard to make alone. I always encourage people to try and build a network that may comprise of any combination of family, friends, a good GP, drug and alcohol counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health counsellor, AA meetings, SMART Recovery meetings, hobby groups, sporting clubs, and anyone else who can help. A big part of maintaining the change is filling time and building a life with activities that give us reasons not to drink.

    Do you know what’s been driving your drinking?

    Who can help you with the changes you want to make?
    0 x
    Plus1
    Junior Member
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2023 8:53 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Tue Apr 11, 2023 9:30 pm

    My experience with losing family because of alcohol hit home recently when I became aggressive after just 3 hrs of drinking alone but felt like I drank them too quick where I was not only binging but neglecting being a dad as well.

    Instead of meet them with love I pretended that I was more important and they didnt tell me I would miss out on dinner because I was away drinking. So i engaged in loud music when I returned home where I had a partners mum step in and call police on me after saying negative things that led me to spiral downhill with my own retaliation of hurtful comments and being pushed outside the house. I couldnt use self control I put them in danger of verbal abuse and although i didnt escalate to the point I got in serious trouble I think eveyone could hear the pain from the mothers voice who was looking out for my partner (now ex) and both our children.

    Instead of seeking help with counscelling I prolonged getting help due to a lack of money but now I am dealing with not only an inability to see two kids and ex I also desperately need work and cant comprehend why I didnt give it up to stop something like this. I can only remember it was because I would cover up my stress from failure to manage small tasks that I procrastinate and then feel like I want to give up due to fatigue or poor goal setting.

    If not for my own reason to stay sober I need to prove to my partner I am enacting change but feel like before there was no options. Reading some of these comments helps me see there are things I should do so I can better take on my next path.
    0 x
    Sunflowerseed
    Community Builder
    Posts: 406
    Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2022 10:33 am

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Tue Apr 11, 2023 9:46 pm

    Hi @Plus1,
    Thank you for sharing. It must be so difficult for you to see the consequences of the drinking, loosing those you love so much. It shows great courage to see and take responsible for what happened, more importantly, taken a step further to try to make some positive change. You mentioned counselling, you can access free alcohol counselling service. Just give the national number a call (1800 250 015) and talk to a counsellor for more information.
    You are not alone on this journey, don't hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can help you with.
    1 x
    PnorkelPW
    Peer Worker
    Posts: 930
    Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:14 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Mon Apr 24, 2023 9:26 pm

    Hi @Plus1............thanks for sharing with us.

    I resonated with your share. I waited too long and let alcohol cause far too much damage before I was able to do anything about it. There were times I lost control completely and said and did things that were waaaay out of character for me but that's what booze can do............especially if drinking too quickly.

    You said you didn't have the money for a counsellor. There are a number of free services around that provide drug and alcohol counselling and could really be of benefit to you. They'll be able to help you work on strategies with your drinking and help you to achieve your goals. Even chatting with your GP could help, mine was instrumental in my journey of change.

    It'd be great to hear some updates from you and how things are going.
    0 x
    Plus1
    Junior Member
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2023 8:53 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Sun Apr 30, 2023 2:38 pm

    @PnorkelPW
    Hi i get the feeling I am starting to take everything in and be able to maintain some healthy outlook now. I did seek family who are so generous to listen 8-) but also provide their home, utilities and meals which allowed me to think ahead.
    As for the family I know I must adhere to a action plan set out through text that my ex has considered a neccessary step to see my kids. I am unsure about legal advice altho I am ready to phone given I have some desire to research now. I am looking into this course to attend for mens behaviour. I am still struggling to stay clean but know the place is filled with more stability but I also have to try for things to change long term
    2 x
    PnorkelPW
    Peer Worker
    Posts: 930
    Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:14 pm

    Re: Worried about losing my family

    Sun Apr 30, 2023 7:49 pm

    That's great that you're looking into a men's behaviour change program @Plus1. It's a really proactive step in difficult circumstances. As my marriage broke down over the last few years I needed to spend time out with friends to get myself together and one of the most important parts of that was the emotional part of me. The separations were really tough and I missed my daughter like crazy. I was stuck in a really negative headspace and just needed some time to start being able to see a pathway forwards. I was totally at fault and my drinking was the source of all the problems.............but it was just so hard to stop. Having family to turn to is a big bonus, I'm glad they were there for you.

    I'm here to share my experience and every situation is different. It sounds like your ex has put some stipulations in place so you can still see your kids...........that's not a bad thing. At least she's still letting you see them. My ex did similar and part of it involved no drinking the night before I saw my daughter or at any stage when I had her. That was totally fair given the circumstances. I chose not to go down the legal track for fear of it creating confrontation. Luckily we were able to talk things through and reach an agreement that we could both make work as far as seeing my daughter. Having said that, getting some legal advice so you know what your rights are and can get a fair outcome for yourself is a reasonable thing to do.

    If I was to say anything else it'd be to just take your time. Keep seeing your kids with the arrangements that are in place. Keep taking the steps to work on your drinking and the changes you want to make on your behaviour and don't rush things. Separations are bloody hard and the more you can keep the peace, the better the chance of a positive outcome in the long term.............not a perfect outcome, a positive outcome.

    Thanks for the update. Let us know how things keep progressing and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to tag me and ask.
    0 x

    Return to “Alcohol”