I want to apologize to the young people at RHP. In my posts I have inadvertantly made 'Beer' and drinking seem romantic and a 'good thing'. It is not. I have been an alcoholic since I was twelve years old. I only drink once a month or so... but there was a time when i wasn't sober for about five years. When I was 17 to 22 years old I was a mess, mostly because of beer.
You on RHP can tell when I am drunk. I start spouting poetry, and seeming to be having an all round good time. The truth is I am morose when I drink and am alone. With people around, I become 'Mr. Wonderful' who cant say or do any wrong. But I always end up alone and morose. I used weed when I was young too. Bad stuff. It makes you stupid folks. Please don't think it is cool. It will just make you stupid. We have enough of that, don't we?
Anyway... I am not proud of my drinking. It is a miserable addiction that has caused nothing but suffering in my life. I can't quit though because booze makes me able to open up and communicate. I am rather shy , reserved and withdrawn when sober. My family jokes about it. I have 'Doorbell-Basement' syndrome. If I'm sober, and the door bell rings, I run for the basement. If i'm drunk, I have a good time and am the 'life of the party'. That is what makes it so addicting. I want and need to be a part of things. Beer allows that to happen. But it also makes me so carefree that I neglect the important things like family obligations and making a living. Not good.
So all you young kids... Now is the time in your lives to 'figure it out'. All booze and drugs do is make you 'not care'. That isn't a good thing. Please forgive me for not telling you up front that beer has been way more of a harm than a joy in my life. Rare is the person who can say differently, with any honesty.
Originally posted by StarValleyWy
I want to apologize to the young people at RHP. In my posts I have inadvertantly made 'Beer' and drinking seem romantic and a 'good thing'. It is not. I have been an alcoholic since I was twelve years old. I only drink once a month or so... but there was a time when i wasn't sober for about five years. When I was 17 to 22 years old I was a mess, mo ...[text shortened]... e of a harm than a joy in my life. Rare is the person who can say differently, with any honesty.
I adnire your courage for openly confessing your (past) addiction.
Michael
Originally posted by StarValleyWyMike, this post wasn't motivated at all by the gibberish I posted the other night, was it? Because you may have read a bit more into that than was strictly necessary, as I was entirely sober 🙂.
I want to apologize to the young people at RHP. In my posts I have inadvertantly made 'Beer' and drinking seem romantic and a 'good thing'. It is not. I have been an alcoholic since I was twelve years old. I only drink once a month or so... but there was a time when i wasn't sober for about five years. When I was 17 to 22 years old I was a mess, mo ...[text shortened]... e of a harm than a joy in my life. Rare is the person who can say differently, with any honesty.
Originally posted by royalchickenPartly, I will admit. But the advise NOW is just as valid. Take it for what is worth and discard the rest. You know me. I am not really hung up on the "pride" thing. Just want to do the most good for the most people.
Mike, this post wasn't motivated at all by the gibberish I posted the other night, was it? Because you may have read a bit more into that than was strictly necessary, as I was entirely sober 🙂.
Originally posted by StarValleyWyAnd good advice it is. I understand your intentions, and they seem good. I decided a while ago, based on little experience, that I can be weirder sober than many people I know are several beers strong. I understand why you would have come to said conclusion.
Partly, I will admit. But the advise NOW is just as valid. Take it for what is worth and discard the rest. You know me. I am not really hung up on the "pride" thing. Just want to do the most good for the most people.
Originally posted by royalchickenYou kind of "freaked us out" as the old saying goes. Glad it wasn't the bad crap. I wondered if it wasn't lack of sleep. You seem to suffer from that.
And good advice it is. I understand your intentions, and they seem good. I decided a while ago, based on little experience, that I can be weirder sober than many people I know are several beers strong. I understand why you would have come to said conclusion.
Originally posted by StarValleyWyHmmm. I'm not quite sure what to say, but I really want to reply to your post. I guess I'll just start ranting on about how your post is so good and see what happens to this post.
I want to apologize to the young people at RHP. In my posts I have inadvertantly made 'Beer' and drinking seem romantic and a 'good thing'. It is not. I have been an alcoholic since I was twelve years old. I only drink once a month or so... but there was a time when i wasn't sober for about five years. When I was 17 to 22 years old I was a mess, mo ...[text shortened]... e of a harm than a joy in my life. Rare is the person who can say differently, with any honesty.
Hey Mike.
Like Michael, I admire you very much for posting this. Although, I must make one quick desperate attempt. Can we please play a game?! If so, only move in the game when you are drunk...my rating needs a little help 🙄.
That being said, I'll get serious.
You say that you became an alcoholic when you were twelve, which is very brave of you to say. But, I must ask, why did you start drinking?
Did you start taking weed for the same reason? Does any other member of your family drink? And, finally, what did you do with your life from age 17 to 22?
Originally posted by zach918At age twelve... I had gone through four divorces... much physical abuse involving guns,knives etc.
Hmmm. I'm not quite sure what to say, but I really want to reply to your post. I guess I'll just start ranting on about how your post is so good and see what happens to this post.
Hey Mike.
Like Michael, I admire you very much for posti ...[text shortened]... k? And, finally, what did you do with your life from age 17 to 22?
My parents abandoned us kids. They were so busy fighting that they never remembered we were alive. We went to our "freinds" after school. I spent most of my time at Johnny B's house. His parents had "booze". We drank.
Of the six childern... My sister Elaine died of cancer a couple of years ago. All but one of the remaining 5 kids are alcoholics. Dan would be, but he has the will power to see what happened to us and avoid drink.
From 17 to 22 I talked to psychiatrists. I got psychoanalysis. I didn't care. My life was bust. Then after staring at a light bulb for a year ... I got it... You have to do it. Nobody else cares. So do it.
Life's a weird thing. Then it gets strange. Then you die.
I did weed because "it was there.' Not much else. Carpenters I hired offered. I smoked. Dumb.