by: a bloody yank

I also did the rehab thing back in the 80's. It was mostly a brain wash consisting of 10 hours of group therapy every day for 2 months. I got out and started using again as all the others that i knew did. I admire what AA can do for some, but, it did not work for me. I stopped using cocaine on august 1st 1989. I had to do it by myself. I still drink and smoke on occasion. I think that a person needs to go cold turkey for at least 2 years. Then, if you want to drink again it might be possible, but you have to control yourself diligently. I think a 2 year abstinence is a minimum. Good luck to you. From the way you write, I think you have the intelligence and the will to do it.

by: Santa

Thanks for your comment, aby.

I am now just a few days short of a year sober.

Because of the cost of the antabuse, I attend a weekly support group and get the antabuse free. The man who controls the group - a learned and likeable man - advises that if a person has been a practicing alcoholic and quits, they should stay quit as any attempt to become a social drinker will fail. I simply accept that I can never drink alcohol again in my life without serious risk of a relapse into my old ways, and I WILL NOT allow that to happen.

I quit smoking over 18 years ago, and I stay quit. If I can do it for the weed, I can do it for the booze.

All I have to do is maintain my determination.

Oh, Yeah... I originally went to the support group for the free medication; now I go there because I like the people there and their company with the free meds being a secondary attraction.

Comments / Feedback: Thanks, Tom

by: a bloody yank

by: Santa