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Date Posted: 09:53:05 11/15/06 Wed
Author: Nanette
Subject: Introductions

Kathleen S had the great idea of creating a post for introductions. So I thought I would start one.

I am Nanette B. I am 38 yrs. old. Considering my own previously problematic habit, I have a remarkably well-adjusted 16 yr. old son who happens to be deaf. I am still married to my second husband who is not my sons biological father. My husband and I have been together for 14 yrs., married for 9. I have 3 step-children, ages 25 thru 17, who live with their Mother.
Currently I work at a college as a Bio lab tech. asst. While I have amassed many college credits I have still not actually finished with my bachelors degree. My educational background is mainly in biology science, but, I've always been interested in psychology, and anthropology.
I started drinking when I was 14 yrs. old, partying with my friends on weekends. At some point, about 8 yrs. ago, my drinking habit turned a corner from social drinking to self medicating, and while I was able, most times, to maintain my drinking socially when around others, I always had a few more drinks either before the social get together or after, and eventually I started drinking copious amounts at home alone. Being a "responsible" alcoholic I didn't drive, usually, and I isolated a great deal, even from my family, so I wouldn't be a "burden", or so I thought, on them. I still woke up after passing out the night before, in the morning feeling hung-over and guilty. I did a lot of apologizing because I knew I was embarrassing, and worse than that, unavailable to my family. I was a binge drinker so I usually drank about every other day, or every 2 or 3 days when I had "resolved" to stop drinking and had promised my family I would stop. I still managed to hold down my job, and take care of the minimum requirements my family needed in order for everyone to barely function.
I actually tried to stop drinking on my own early this last summer. I managed for about 6 wks. then went on a family trip where I thought I would try to social drink again and went right back to my old pattern of drinking. This lasted about 3 wks. and I finally woke up late one morning, unable to help my child get up for school, and so out of it, I couldn't even drive him to school. He is older so he managed to take a long 2 hour bus ride to get there. But, I could have got him there, if I had been able, in 30 minutes. I was starting to call in "sick" to work, which I'd managed to avoid for a long time too. So, that morning I called SSH and arranged to be admitted the following night.
I went to SSH sober, because I'd had so many last "hurrahs" I didn't feel I needed another one. So, I didn't actually have to detox and I started the 10 day program the next day.
During my 6 wk. abstinence I went through terrible cravings, and attended a few AA meetings. I found, for myself, AA wasn't very helpful. (But, I recognize that many people have found groups they really like, and that it works for a lot of people. I think whatever works is a good thing.) I still felt as though my whole life revolved around alcohol, even though I was sober. I was miserable. SSH has been a life-saver, both literally and figuratively. I graduated from the 10 day part of the program about 4 weeks ago, and am going in for my first re-cap Nov. 6th. I have felt terrific since I left SSH, and am not having any cravings. Other areas of my life and habits created by the drinking I continue to work on. But, I love feeling clear, and without a single craving for alcohol, I feel like I will be able to continue to move forward with my life.

Please feel free to introduce yourself here. Don't feel like you need to provide as much information as I did, if you would prefer not to. Anything you wish to contribute is good. This blog was set up for you so use it as little, or as much, as you like. Hopefully, everyone is able to gain something from this site.
Be well!
Nanette

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