Re: Buddhism and alcohol
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:29 pm
oncereturner, can you share why AA meetings are a let down for you?
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Of course. Facing the truth is hard, they tell stories about their suffering. They try and fail, just like me. Some of them beated the addiction, but they don't tell us how.dharmacorps wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:29 pm oncereturner, can you share why AA meetings are a let down for you?
I think it helps to understand that the doctors and the other medical staff in hospitals and recovery programs and similar are there to do just two things: 1. prescribe and give medications, and 2. facilitate some conversations with patients about the topic of addiction. That is all.oncereturner wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:32 amOf course. Facing the truth is hard, they tell stories about their suffering. They try and fail, just like me. Some of them beated the addiction, but they don't tell us how.
After the meeting I was anxious, this is maybe an incurable disease. The doctor also said there's no cure. Almost every illness is curable but this is not. I think this lets me down.
You're having the reaction you are supposed to have when you start-- facing the truth is hard. It hurts. Stay with that-- don't shrink away from it. Its only with persistence that you can begin to listen to what is being said at the meetings. Read the big book. It will begin to sink in. Be willing to admit you don't know anything about how to fix this and every effort you have made to do so up until now has failed. Be willing to consider other people probably have succeeded. Listen to those who have solved their problem with alcohol. Leave your pride and self involvement to the side and just listen. There is the message of the solution there you are probably just too wrapped up in yourself right now to hear it. That's how it is for people new in AA.oncereturner wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:32 amOf course. Facing the truth is hard, they tell stories about their suffering. They try and fail, just like me. Some of them beated the addiction, but they don't tell us how.dharmacorps wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:29 pm oncereturner, can you share why AA meetings are a let down for you?
After the meeting I was anxious, this is maybe an incurable disease. The doctor also said there's no cure. Almost every illness is curable but this is not. I think this lets me down.
Idk enough to comment on your particular situation but sure hope you get twice the help you need.oncereturner wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:45 pm I was in the hospital asking for help. I talked to a doctor, and described my problem, heavy alcohol addiction. He said go to the emergency station, if I have delirium, they will accept me as a patient, so I went there.
At the emergency station they told me they only accept non conscious patients, and ambulance cars. I was told to go to a foundation, which is only open in working hours. As I work every day I can't go there. And I need a referee to get into the hospital. Doctor told me at the local mental facility, in his opinion I shouldn't go to rehab and I was not given a referee.
This is an eastern European nightmare, but I don't give up and find a way to get into the rehabilitation center.
I don't exactly know what is Satipatthana meditation. Only dhamma can help me now.User1249x wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 8:35 pmIdk enough to comment on your particular situation but sure hope you get twice the help you need.oncereturner wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:45 pm I was in the hospital asking for help. I talked to a doctor, and described my problem, heavy alcohol addiction. He said go to the emergency station, if I have delirium, they will accept me as a patient, so I went there.
At the emergency station they told me they only accept non conscious patients, and ambulance cars. I was told to go to a foundation, which is only open in working hours. As I work every day I can't go there. And I need a referee to get into the hospital. Doctor told me at the local mental facility, in his opinion I shouldn't go to rehab and I was not given a referee.
This is an eastern European nightmare, but I don't give up and find a way to get into the rehabilitation center.
Do you practice Satipatthana meditation?
Don't count on that.No_Mind wrote: ↑Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:06 pmSince Istanbul is very interesting city (I think the most historically significant place in Europe after Athens and Rome) you will not be bored and your mind will not turn to alcohol. You are from EU schengen zone so travel to Turkey is hassle free.
If you do need alcohol .. it is available but you have to work hard to find it.
I was in hospital again, asking for help. Doctor released me after one day, and gave me rivotril (strong benzo). The worst thing a doctor can do with an alcoholic. Next day I drank 12 beers and took rivotril. Congrats doctor, but you didn't managed to kill me.No_Mind wrote: ↑Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:06 pmLate to this topic .. I drank a pint of whiskey daily for five years in my twenties and gave it up. I still drink an occasional peg but with friends (birthday and such)oncereturner wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:17 amI feel very good, but next day is very bitter. Every morning I feel I'm going to die.I was in hospital 6 times related to toxication. I've already lost my self-control, I'm heavily addicted, doctor says I have 10 more years left at maximum. I'm 36. Without alcohol, I have no life, I feel depression.
Question is, to live with pain, mental illness, or die young with some joy?
Alcoholism is not a disease and alcoholic can return to social drinking.
What you need is a massive "pattern interrupt". You live in Hungary. Go someplace for five days which has totally different culture. I would suggest Istanbul (by train so people can frown at you if you drink). Drinking is not as prevalent in Turkey as in Hungary. So .. it will be tough for you to find a bottle easily (I know those who drink can manage to find a bottle even in middle of the desert .. I have done so many times)
The shock to your system would carry you over next five days by which time you will have detoxed.
Since Istanbul is very interesting city (I think the most historically significant place in Europe after Athens and Rome) you will not be bored and your mind will not turn to alcohol. You are from EU schengen zone so travel to Turkey is hassle free. If you do need alcohol .. it is available but you have to work hard to find it.
Eat Turkish food (doner kebab and pilaf and baclava with tea) .. visit bazaars .. completely different culture from what you are used. If you can make it to one week (counting the train trip 168 hours outside Hungary) you will be cured
In my case after my immediate detox (first ten days) I took up exercise and got a six pack .. set a target .. I will run 11 miles in an hour and just do it .. that enormous amount of exercising for four years cured me of any wish to drink .. when I next drank after several years it tasted different.
Bottom line .. it is very easy to get rid of alcohol if one gets really interested in something else to fill the void .. exercise is the most usual filler.
Buddy, all of us are trying to help him for last 9 pages. Who are you to say we are giving bad advice?dharmacorps wrote: ↑Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:25 pm Great job Oncereturner. I am sorry about the bad doctors and bad advice you get in real life and on this forum. Keep persisting and go to rehab.