I am impressed Philo,

Knowing you personally I witnessed your troubles first hand, you really went through the mill but tried everything you could to get sober,I honestly had very serious doubts that you would ever do it,so I am so very happy for you, reading this thread has made my day....apart from the a**hole who thinks he is better than everyone else.

I used to be a moderator and if I still was I would have given that member at the very least a warning about his conduct. That kind of negativity has no place on this particular forum.

People post here about their troubles with alcohol,if they did not find anything written here helpful they would not come back again, Philo's story proves that you do not have to die from this disease and gives hope and strength to people still struggling with their own demons.

For that I commend him, everyone (well apart from you know who) loves a success story and this is one of the best I have read on Thai Visa.

I only drop by this forum once in a blue moon, but I must admit it was great to hear such a great success story, maybe more of us who have battled and won against addiction should post stories as inspiration, as this certainly was.

And as a comment to the moron Maynard420, the only 'pathetic' individual is you my friend. Everyone deals and overcomes addiction in their own way, and it's far from pathetic to admit and recognize that you need support from AA.

I gave up without help, does that make me any braver than someone you does AA, Hell No. In some respects it takes a helluva lot more guts to admit to a group of people how far you have sunk, than to sit alone toughing it out.

Good job......stay strong. When you try and give it your all there will always be people you dont even know on your side......

Thank you for all the positive posts. If I can go some 3 weeks and a few days more, I will have 3 years without alcohol . Lucky me.

To my friend ThaiPauly: Hope you can do and stick to the moderate drinking. If alcohol doesn't get too hard on the brain and the liver, I guess one can drink till one dies of (a bit shortened) old age. Most nonalcoholic drinkers probably do. Regrettably, civilized drinking was impossible for me.

Anyway - I'll report after Songkran

Stay sober for a year and we will hunt maynard420doper down.. .and make him blow out your candle.....

Stay dry P. You have it in u....pm me if you need a snide smartass comment.....its what I do

peace.

Thank you for all the positive posts. If I can go some 3 weeks and a few days more, I will have 3 years without alcohol . Lucky me.

To my friend ThaiPauly: Hope you can do and stick to the moderate drinking. If alcohol doesn't get too hard on the brain and the liver, I guess one can drink till one dies of (a bit shortened) old age. Most nonalcoholic drinkers probably do. Regrettably, civilized drinking was impossible for me.

Anyway - I'll report after Songkran

R

Hi Philo,

I don't do moderate drinking anymore,I quit altogether some time ago now. I don't go to meetings, and I am doing just fine,very contented with my lot. Health was the main reason I quit,I have a great life and still have a great many friends that are in the fellowship.

Take care.

TP

Thank you for all the positive posts. If I can go some 3 weeks and a few days more, I will have 3 years without alcohol . Lucky me.

To my friend ThaiPauly: Hope you can do and stick to the moderate drinking. If alcohol doesn't get too hard on the brain and the liver, I guess one can drink till one dies of (a bit shortened) old age. Most nonalcoholic drinkers probably do. Regrettably, civilized drinking was impossible for me.

Anyway - I'll report after Songkran

....'course, life without alcohol ( and that's alcohol use at ANY stage of one's 'career'), is so much better, so could be viewed as slightly ironic that we have to, grit out teeth, steel ourselves, etc etc , in order to arrive in a much better place-the power of attachment is formidable....

Well ... Songkran is here - with its usual alcohol fuelled carnage. I now have 3 years since my last beer on the first day of Songkran 2012.

In one sense I would give my left arm if I could drink. But I know too well that it would take me to a place where I would beg for the right one to be cut off in order to stop.

Hence I have no plans that includes drinking. And if I am aware of the daily dangers of unplanned drinking, I will die sober. Hopefully - so be it.

It is all in the mind. Being born and growing up sober, we end up not being able to imagine life without alcohol. Some drink themselves through unfathomable horror until death release them - some commit suicide because it is a better option than continuing drinking or trying to stop. This is - imo - the true face of alcohol. I am grateful I got out alive.