scared...not about UC but i still need help

so i tried to quit drinking to help my colitis and overall health. i couldn't do it. i have written a letter to my parents asking them for help and suggesting that i bring this into the open and go to AA and maybe rehab. i know i am drinking to take my mind off my health problems, but that is no excuse. i am at a turning point in my life and i am both happy and scared. this is the first time i have asked for help. now i must be held accountable and i can't lie anymore. it is really good and really really scary. i am sorry this is not about UC but this is the nest support network i have and i wanted to clue you all in. maybe someone else has gone through this?? sorry if this is inappropriate.

Best of luck Katie. One day at a time.

Admitting to a problem is the first step in fixing the problem!

I commend you in asking your parents for help! It takes "guts" to ask! (LOL - pun intended - couldn't help but throw in a little humor)

Best wishes and we're here for you!

I wish you the best of luck.  You're brave enough to own your problem and that's the first step to reaching your goal. 

I come from a family of alcoholics and I know that to stop drinking takes ALOT of will power. But with the right mindset and determination, I think you can do it. My brothers are hardcore drinkers and I have watched them for many years to try and quit - they're still a work in progress. And it took my dad a good health scare to make him stop. I think what you are doing is great! I don't have a drinking problem but I know what it's like to be around someone that is trying to quit - it's going to be a rough road and if you should need a good shoulder to cry on or support - I'm here for you as well as the rest of us. Just remember, that should you fall off the wagon - don't admit defeat - dust yourself off and try again and again - however long it takes to achieve what you want. Hang tough!

I am not an alcoholic, nor a psychologist, but something stood out in one of your posts, that you will now be accountable to your parents and you hope that will keep you in line (I'm paraphrasing).

In counseling, I had to make promises to do certain things to improve my situation and get better. Saying these promises out loud to my psychologist helped cement them for me. Ultimately, though, the promise is to YOURSELF, and you can only quit drinking or change your behavior because you want a different path for you, because you promised yourself to do that, not anyone else.

It will not be easy, and I don't want to anticipate a fall off the wagon, but what others have said is so true, it's a process, and if you relapse or fall off, don't admit defeat and give up. Keep trying.

Good luck to you! You are stronger than you think you are.

Mitz

i just came back from my very first AA meeting. as scared as i was/ am the kind words you all have given me on this forum really helped. i mean that from the bottom of my heart--i really thought about you guys. thank you for letting me come here for support (even though it is not colitis related). in fact, it is--i am realizing a lot of my problem started as a depressed way of "getting back" at my evil body. but thanks for letting me vent here, it truly helps and i think it will be a big factor in my staying sober.