topic Re: Alcoholism... in Wellness

Alcoholism...

Imadickens — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 20:46:28 GMT

News anchor Elizebeth Vargas has written a tell all memoir about her battle with alcoholism! She says its so overwhelming she couldn't even stop for her children, for who she would die! I think she is doing an interview tonight on ABC with Dianne Sawyer. She said she wanted to be the one to tell her stories, not have them leaked. Anxiety is a major trigger for female alcoholics! I know it's what caused my father's! He never had a drink until at 30, he was on a plane on a business trip, and encountered such bad turbulence that the stewardesses were hysterical. When it stopped he told the stewardess to bring him the stiffest drink they had. That was the beginning of his problem! He had to fly for business and by then I was born. He had a family to support. It was mid 50's and the memories of The Depression had not dimmed much. A job was like gold! You did what you had to do. He was the part of the age group who were big drinkers and partners, Bon vivants, so he was never found out! At one point, it was hard to hide it, but he kept going. Now, it's considered a real disease and does not have as much of a stigma. I wish anyone suffering from this disease luck and urge them to get help ASAP! I can attest to the toll it takes on those who love them!

Re: Alcoholism...

Mz iMac — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 20:56:00 GMT

I have no desire to read a celeb's story regarding their alcohol and/or drug abuse or watch them tell their stories.

As far as I am concerned, they have all the $$$ needed to get the proper help.

That being said......

I do watch the movie Days Of Wine & Roses starring Jack Lemmon & Lee Remick every time it comes on.

Re: Alcoholism...

esmeraldagooch — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:00:46 GMT

I've never heard it was a trigger to female alcoholic's, but I guess I could ask a consensus my next Ladies AA meeting and see if they think it's true. It's not for me.

Re: Alcoholism...

Kachina624 — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:05:22 GMT

I could write my own book about how alcoholism affected my family and I rarely if ever drink.

Re: Alcoholism...

software — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:08:54 GMT

Count me out, too.

When Dianne Sawyer interviews her family, I'll watch it.

Re: Alcoholism...

Iwantcoffee — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:24:14 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
I have no desire to read a celeb's story regarding their alcohol and/or drug abuse or watch them tell their stories.
As far as I am concerned, they have all the $$$ needed to get the proper help.
That being said......
I do watch the movie Days Of Wine & Roses starring Jack Lemmon & Lee Remick every time it comes on.

Celebrities also have the money needed to purchase alcohol, drugs, food or any vice they wish to indulge.

Re: Alcoholism...

colliegirls — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:35:48 GMT

I always liked Elizabeth Vargas so I will watch 20/20 tonight, and there is nothing else good on TV.

Re: Alcoholism...

esmeraldagooch — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 22:42:24 GMT

I'm not interested, but perhaps someone who is sick and tired of being sick and tired will decide to get sober after listening to her story. That's how AA works.

Re: Alcoholism...

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 22:50:41 GMT

I may tape it and watch later because I've always liked Elizabeth Vargas. However, do we really need another celeb's story of alcoholism or drug abuse? Seems to me that there's really nothing new to learn. It doesn't seem "newsworthy" to me.

Re: Alcoholism...

MomCat — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:10:34 GMT

Yes, a disease that will not be cured unless the alcoholic decides to seek help. I agree with some of the others - I don't need to see "celebrities" whine about their issues, like their story is somehow so special they really need to grab a microphone. Talk to your circle of friends like the rest of us do.

Re: Alcoholism...

maestra — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:13:32 GMT

Thanks to Bill W. and his friends my DH has celebrated 25 years of sober living. I have spent 15 of those years w/him.

We know that nothing would be possible w/out God and sobriety.

Re: Alcoholism...

hckynut — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 00:06:42 GMT

@Imadickens wrote:
News anchor Elizebeth Vargas has written a tell all memoir about her battle with alcoholism! She says its so overwhelming she couldn't even stop for her children, for who she would die! I think she is doing an interview tonight on ABC with Dianne Sawyer.

She said she wanted to be the one to tell her stories, not have them leaked. Anxiety is a major trigger for female alcoholics! I know it's what caused my father's!

He never had a drink until at 30, he was on a plane on a business trip, and encountered such bad turbulence that the stewardesses were hysterical. When it stopped he told the stewardess to bring him the stiffest drink they had. That was the beginning of his problem! He had to fly for business and by then I was born.

He had a family to support. It was mid 50's and the memories of The Depression had not dimmed much. A job was like gold! You did what you had to do. He was the part of the age group who were big drinkers and partners, Bon vivants, so he was never found out! At one point, it was hard to hide it, but he kept going.

Now, it's considered a real disease and does not have as much of a stigma. I wish anyone suffering from this disease luck and urge them to get help ASAP! I can attest to the toll it takes on those who love them!

@Imadickens

I have been a recovering alcoholic since the late 1970's. I had many a tough discussion with a good frien of mine, also an alcoholic, if this was/is a disease. In my opinion it was not, and is not. As one that has gone, and will be going through recovering the rest of my life, it is not a disease.

Now my 2 heart attacks? Those ARE a Cardiovascular disease. Something I worked much of my adult life to avoid. Getting all the Major Risk Factors, I could possibly get, on the best terms. I could not/can not change my age/my gender, or my genetics. That I consider a disease, as I do cancer.

My alcoholism? That was a choice I MADE at that time and I am paying and will be paying the price FOR MY CHOICE for the rest of my life. I too have read most of the literature about alcoholism being a disease, I as an recovering alcoholic, do not agree with it being the same as my Cardiovascular Disease.

ETA. Wanted to add that my alcoholic dad(?) left my mother to raise 4 of their kids by herself. Thus, that means I also had/have a genetic predisposition for alcoholism.

While I did all humanly possible to avoid my genetic predisposition for Heart Disease, I could not avoid it. Had I put that same amount of effort into avoiding my genetic predisposition for alcoholism, since it WAS MY CHOICE, I may not be in the position in which I found/find myself as a recovering alcoholic.

hckynut(john)

Re: Alcoholism...

SANNA — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:31:48 GMT

I agree, I am not interested in hearing another weak persons story. Alcoholism, just like smoking and other drugs is very much possible to win ONLLY IF YOU WANTIT.

I smoked since I was 14 but when I turned 40 I put it down ( cold turkey, taking my DH with me) and never went back.

I love my wine though... Not quitting unless I will see a problem. In fact I am going to France next summer to explore the new regions and drink more of a good stuff!!!!

It is all in your head, we are our own enemies, I do not believe that someone can love booze more then the kids ( unless the kids are rotten).

Re: Alcoholism...

Gioiella — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:32:42 GMT

I am very excited to read her book. I had been following her issues with alcohol in the news for quite a while, and was hoping that she would tell her story when she was ready.

I read many, many books about alcoholism and drug abuse from both celebrities and unknown individuals, and I find that each one brings some new clarity to the picture. Addiction is very complex, and every person's story can add to our understanding. I have a lot of compassion for alcoholics, and have learned that it doesn't matter how much money you have, addiction can still drag you down and destroy you.

Re: Alcoholism...

MickD — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:34:38 GMT

According to the DSM's 1,2,3,4, & 5 it is a disease it is an addiction; and an addictive disease. If one is in recovery and wants to reframe it as not a disease, then so be it. Each person has his/her own opinion and path. As a trained professional, It is a disease.

Re: Alcoholism...

violann — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:44:04 GMT

I think that anyone who thinks there's something rich famous people can buy to be freed of an addiction, isn't an addict..

Re: Alcoholism...

chessylady — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 23:49:08 GMT

As a recovering alcoholic, I have learned many things attending meetings. Most alcoholics have the tendency in their DNA, they share certain emotional attitudes. The work just begins when you get sober. Part of the AA tenents is to help other alcoholics when they really want to get sober. Ms. Vargas is absolutely following this tenent when she tells her story. Who knows how many alcoholics she may inspire to seek help. The fact that she is a celebrity or has money does not protect her from alcoholism. We alcoholics have to decide every day not to take a drink.

Re: Alcoholism...

proudlyfromNJ — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 00:06:22 GMT

Being wealthy has nothing to do with conquering alcoholism. I have seen it in my family. Best rehabs, many times were useless. You have to have it inside you to get well.

An addict crosses all professions and boundaries. Famous or not, the struggles are the same.

Re: Alcoholism...

libbyannE — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 00:07:05 GMT

@chessylady wrote:
As a recovering alcoholic, I have learned many things attending meetings. Most alcoholics have the tendency in their DNA, they share certain emotional attitudes. The work just begins when you get sober. Part of the AA tenents is to help other alcoholics when they really want to get sober. Ms. Vargas is absolutely following this tenent when she tells her story. Who knows how many alcoholics she may inspire to seek help. The fact that she is a celebrity or has money does not protect her from alcoholism. We alcoholics have to decide every day not to take a drink.

Good for you. I am glad that I learned in high school that alcoholism is a complex disease. When I had to deal with my mother's alcoholism years later, at least I did not bring a judgmental attitude to it. I knew she was sick. She blamed herself, and I think my more enlightened attitude helped her to stop hating herself and finally agree to go into a good hospital program. She has not had a drink in 15+ years! The counselors and MDs there told me that most people are not successful the first time they go into treatment. So proud of her and of her determination and strength. I'm not sure I could do as well if I had to. Needless to say, I don't drink because I know this reaction to alcohol can be in the genes.

Re: Alcoholism...

violann — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 00:22:09 GMT

Thank you to all here who have spoken of the management of your addiction.