You're better at that when you're sober, clearly....

 

I think most people have that ability; we all know where our tipping point is....just seems most don't act on it. I am a cheap date mine is three pints

 

I'm much nicer in real life. And strangely, people are much nicer back.
I guess I don't tend to mingle with those that spend their lives stalking others on the internet.

 

Settling down to a nice ( ish) glass port

I usually go through a bottle over xmas

 

That's a good description, I'm good fun at about 50/50, any further towards extrovert and things can get a bit hairy!
l

 

I've a mate having a home detox starting 5th Jan. He's terrified, poor bloke! Anyone care to share their experiences of detox? I appreciate it's very personal, but I think these things are very helpful for others. My sister always backs out at the last minute when she's been booked-in.

I'm back to sobriety now after last weekend - it was how it should be: fun and sociable rather than necessary and I've had no desire to drink this week at all.

 

I'm not sure iv ever got to that stage

Does it involve something up the jacksie

 

I think you're thinking of an enema, Duncan. Home detox for somebody physically addicted to alcohol is a serious business.

 

Ah ok
Mates (aloholic) girlfriend may or may not be out hospital for xmas.

She's been detox on account of tripping over a road surface imperfection, in July

All sorts of complications, Inc bone infection ( week in ICU)

Still, she'll have 6 months dole to splurg

 

Presumably there's some psychotherapy

This one's dad had bit of habit, but that's no excuse

Neither is losing job in inland rev or splitting up with (possibly ) abusive marriage partner of 3 weeks, possibly due to her drinking

Impossible to get the whole picture from an alci

 

Well, I hope she makes it.

Therapy, meds' and detox, as well as a good support network, however, without will-power all of the former are good for nothing. I appreciate it's a cliché, but unless a person really wants to beat addiction, everyone around them - friends, family, medical staff - are wasting their time and energy and resources. It's about heart and desire.

I'm not sure it's impossible to get the whole picture from an alcoholic, although it certainly can be difficult. I think once someone is determined and they feel they can trust their supporter, they'll be brave enough to be completely honest. A trained listener (or a particularly gifted amateur) will know how to engender that trust.

 

I've bought one Stephen Fry's new book as a Christmas gift for someone. I had a sneak read before wrapping it, as I always do; without dog earing the pages. He talks about his coke indulgence- " I didn't take coke because I was unhappy (at least I don't think so). I took it because I really, really liked it."

That's ^ one sort of picture.