Where do I start?

[Rebekah1]

Ive been a Christian for 12 years and have done so much through God in the past. He is amazing.

But I have an alcohol addiction, I drink every day, never before 6pm, not that that really makes it better! I drink either a bottle of wine per evening or nearly half a bottle of vodka. I am married, my husband has no idea I drink so much, I hide it from everyone. I do work although sometimes I really dont feel up to it. (nursing and currently studying midwifery).

No one knows. I have recently moved with my husband to a new area and have been attending a local church. I know really what I need, i need to be accountable to someone and tell them what is going on, but I just cant do it.

I feel so oppressed because of it, I know that God cant work through me because of this secret sin, I know all the answere, but Im still doing it.

My dad was an alcoholic (i saw was because he died a few years ago, i nevere saw him from when i was 3 till a year before he died when i found him). I believe its an addiction through him.

I do stop for a couple of weeks now and then, but go back to it through lifes problems.

Please help.

[RRRick]

First of all I will pray for you to overcome your addiction to alcohol,
but please feel free to be accountable to THIS group of believers. You can come here every day and ask for prayer and encouragement and before you know there are MANY people praying for you. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and there are probably those here who would partner with you and take the pledge also. God is all powerful! Trust him and step out in faith, he has great things in store for you.
PS... We know the power of Prayer and Intercessory Prayer!
Dear Jesus,
please be with our sister as she fights this addiction to alcohol, please strengthen her in her fight with Satin, and please make her path smooth so that she will not be tempted. Please let these Christian friends pray for her too as we know the power of prayer!
In the name of Jesus,
Amen

[kmw]

Rebekah, I will pray for your deliverance from alcohol. I agree with RRRick, you have confessed your sins here and you could use this forum to be held accountable. I think you should try to find a strong Christian, maybe in your church, maybe here, that has been where you are to talk to. We all have our cross to bear, and if alcohol is yours, you need support and encouragement from someone else bearing the same cross. Do not feel oppressed, do not feel discouraged, know that you are not the only one to fall short of the glory of God. Take this to the throne and lay it at Jesus' feet. Pray, pray, pray, and then pray some more!!

You are on my prayer list! God bless.

[helpalongtheway92]

Im sorry to here about your problem....but theirs only one thing you can do, and its to stop....i know it seems impossible and it will be really hard, but you have to quit....i will be praying for you, and i hope everything turns out ok....God Bless....

[stoneheart]

Dear Rebekah,

God bless your heart. You have taken the first and very important step to release from this sin by confiding in this community. I believe God led you here to begin your cleansing. You have got to surround yourself by others who believe in you and the wonders you can accomplish through your salvation in Christ.

I agree with others here that you must find a mentor that you can physically sit and talk to who will pray with you and expect you to be accountable. God grants us many strengths, but also brings others into our lives to support us in His name when we are too weak to go it alone.
Don't find your weakness to be related to your father's addiction. It will only make your recovery more difficult. You must remember that God is your Heavenly Father, your creator. He created you in His image.

We all fall short of perfection as humans and must fall and pick ourselves up again. It is easy to fall into the trap of alcoholism, gambling, drugs, etc. when we put too much focus on ourselves and our own pain. These are selfish indulgences that numb our senses and only make our problems worse. When we fully focus on God, His will in our lives, and how we can serve others through Him, the world changes for us. The focus is no longer on self, but self-preservation only that we may find ourselves able and prepared to be a willing servant.

Let us pray for you here. I will pray that you stop living in a lie and that you find the strength to confide in those who love you and ask for support and help. Find a pastor who can help you find a mentor who understands your pain. Whatever you choose to do, you must do it NOW!!!!!! It will be hard and take time, but I assure you at least you will not walk the path alone. This is only a stumbling block along you journey. You can overcome it.

The heartache you are facing now may be the training ground you will use to save someone else's life once you are healed. You can turn this madness into a positive situation if you take action now and give God you full attentiveness.

I will be praying for you.

[melbinell]

WIth God's help, you can do anything. Don't let Satan take control by continuing to feed your addiction. Lay that bottle down and never think of it again. With God's help, you can do it. God bless.

[vdmoore]

Dear Rebekah, Only satan wants you to keep this a secret. You really need to confined in you spouse. He will be your best supporter. You may be surprised at how much better you will feel after letting go of the secret. Fear GOD not people. Pray and get seek the help you need. You may be surprise, your spouse may know or at least know something is not right. I will be praying for you. Keep me posted.

[MarkinLA]

Hi Rebekah,

Let me testify to you a bit... I am in the biggest struggle of my life.

Everything that could possibly go wrong has done exactly that....

My mother and brother died last year, two and a half month apart...

I am a single parent and my children were taken from me TWICE....

I recently remarried and my wife lives seperately from me now as we try to resolve our problems.


I WAS in a SEVERE depression..... I finally came out of it but I have/had been struggling VERY much, almost everyday!!!!!!


I came here not knowing if people would believe me or pray for me but I can tell you SOMEBODY has been praying.

I feel SO much better, not perfect and I still struggle at times but nothing like before.

I do feel that Satan is trying to make me doubt at time and to see me fail.

.....but God has made my life so much more livable and made me so much more stronger.

I am seeing some changes. I know he is not finished and somethings take time but I can't tell you just how much things have changed.

I want you to BELIEVE that you can quit drinking and that God can help you with your problem. I am sure it will be difficult as many things which have been long term are often difficult to stop BUT it WILL happen.

I know its difficult but have faith.... pray you will have MORE faith.... pray God will help you with your problem and he will.

I will keep you in my prayers and may God bless you!

[Rebekah1]

Thank you so much for all the encouragement from the responses and especially the prayers.

I know prayer is an effective tool in the Kingdom. I have taken on board what has been said, maybe God will give me the right moment and time to share (you know what He is like!).

I have not secretly drank for two days, I had a glass of wine after a hectic late shift on delivery suite last night, but it wasnt a secret, normally it would be nearly half a bottle of hidden vodka every night. Please continue to pray for me, knowing that brothers and sisters are praying helps. May God bless and encourage you all. X

[Roxy]

Thank you so much for all the encouragement from the responses and especially the prayers.

I know prayer is an effective tool in the Kingdom. I have taken on board what has been said, maybe God will give me the right moment and time to share (you know what He is like!).

I have not secretly drank for two days, I had a glass of wine after a hectic late shift on delivery suite last night, but it wasnt a secret, normally it would be nearly half a bottle of hidden vodka every night. Please continue to pray for me, knowing that brothers and sisters are praying helps. May God bless and encourage you all. X
Rebekah,
I will pray for your recovery and strength. You need to come to realize that even one glass of alcohol is an enemy to you. When you have a hard day, try coming home to prayer instead. When you are feeling like having a drink, have someone around you that knows of your addiction to help keep you from it. When you are able to keep yourself from even one drink ( which you well know almost always leads to more) it will give you strength when you realize you really made it through whatever without it.
God Bless, remember God is there for you.

[Rebekah1]

Thank u RRRick,

Through admitting my sin to you guys I have been trying to find the right day to not buy another bottle. I appreciate your prayers, I know the power of prayer.

Well today Thursday 28 is day, I last drank secretly on sunday night.
Thanks again.

[Rebekah1]

Thank u kmw,

I really appreciate your prayers for a stranger, and I am feeeling the support from brothers and sisters on this forum praying. I have always been the one praying for others and its quite hard asking others to pray, but please keep going.
Thank you.

[Rebekah1]

Thank u vdmoore.

Gosh I know I need to tell him, but he is very much a MAN (from MARS !), wonderful as he is and indeed I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful husband, I just know he will want to find a solution instead of just being a support and I feel I will have to support him more than he will support me, I feel I cant trust that he will be what i need.

Although I know it is wrong not to give him the chance, but I need to help myself before I can help him.

Thank You and please keep praying.

[Rebekah1]

Thank u melbinell for your encouragement.

I am trying with Gods help, hopefully this time will be the one.

I have never asked for help or admitted this to anyone before.
Thank u.

[Rebekah1]

Wow MarkinLA,
What a wonderful testimony, God will use all you have been through to help others, no tear will be wasted.

You have encouraged me with your words. I know God can help me, He took my addiction to tobacco away 12 years ago when I became a Christian, I have never smoked since, Praise God, I know He can do this too.

God bless you and your children.

[peterpeter]

removing yourself from all addictive tendencies is crucial. Stopping alcohol and using other substances to cope will only leave you at the brink. You must stop grabbing all addictions and step back from the edge. Sugar, cigarettes, white flower, coffee (stimulants) and of course alcohol. buy doing this your body will stop craving and help give you the strength to break free of these bonds of death. Alcohol is a one of the most dangerous drugs on the planet, and it kills more people word wide than any other. Continuous prayer will be vital but make know mistake about it - it is not easy. If you go to aa everybody will be smoking, eating ice cream and drinking coffee - fueling the addictive fire and never allowing their bodies to stop craving. that is one of the reasons they must Go everyday fighting the urge to drink. Oh and buy the way you must want to stop!!! No one can help you with that except You and God. love eric

[musique]

I have just prayed that you would be rid of this addiction. God is the only one I believe that can help you get rid of any type of addiction. Pray and ask Him to help you to stop drinking. God wants you to live a life that is long, happy and free. He doesn't want you to hide things from your loved ones. Your dad is an example for you to learn from. The Lord cares or you and wants the best for you. Talk to Him, He would help you once you truly want the best for you and your loved ones. I am sure you do not want drinking to affect your marriage or your family life, don't let it reach that stage. I would stand with you in prayer. God bless Rebekah.

[tryin_so_hard]

you relle have to pray very hard and get evrey one u kno to pray for u as well there is power in numbers remember god won't make a mountain that u cant climb ill pray 4 u tonight

[Rebekah1]

Thank you for praying,
I last drank secretly on sun 24/6/07. I have drank a can of beer or a glass of wine or two most nights since then, but it has been out in the open not secretly.

The vodka i was drinking every night was very secret. But I know this is no good either, I really must stop all together as I can feel myself wanting more and more again.

I know I must seek God's face more, instead I look forward to the evenings only so I can get a drink!, its what keeps me going through the day, I want that craving to stop, I know its up to me to stop myself.

Its really encouraged me knowing there are people out there praying for me, I feel as if I have taken a step forward, but its slowly slipping back, I need to say no to myself.

Sorry for rambling, it helps just to put it down, u know.
Thanks again

[Roxy]

Thank you for praying,
I last drank secretly on sun 24/6/07. I have drank a can of beer or a glass of wine or two most nights since then, but it has been out in the open not secretly.

The vodka i was drinking every night was very secret. But I know this is no good either, I really must stop all together as I can feel myself wanting more and more again.

I know I must seek God's face more, instead I look forward to the evenings only so I can get a drink!, its what keeps me going through the day, I want that craving to stop, I know its up to me to stop myself.

Its really encouraged me knowing there are people out there praying for me, I feel as if I have taken a step forward, but its slowly slipping back, I need to say no to myself.

Sorry for rambling, it helps just to put it down, u know.
Thanks again
Rebekah,
You are right, you have to stop completely. Saying that you have a drink out in the open is no better than drinking secretly, in fact it's worse because you are no longer pretending to people that you don't your showing them you do. I have been through this with a very dear friend. She started drinking when she was 30. She lost her husband, kids, family and friends and her job. She has recovered at least 10 times in 15 years. Every time she cleans up she gets a descent job and then loses it again to the booze. I have another dear friend who died at age 35 because of alcohol. Alcohol is not your friend. You will never not have the craving, but denying the craving one day at a time will make you stronger. Your day of 24/6/07 is not a day of celebration because you are still drinking. Start now, no more secret drinking or any other way. I saw how difficult this is and I am in no way discounting what you have accomplished so far but, please take that next step. Clear your home of all of it, ask friends and family to help you get past your cravings. Have people you can call if you feel weak. And you MUST attend regular AA meetings. You cannot do this all by yourself. You need support on this earth and from above. I'm praying for you.

[Roxy]

Thank u vdmoore.

Gosh I know I need to tell him, but he is very much a MAN (from MARS !), wonderful as he is and indeed I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful husband, I just know he will want to find a solution instead of just being a support and I feel I will have to support him more than he will support me, I feel I cant trust that he will be what i need.

Although I know it is wrong not to give him the chance, but I need to help myself before I can help him.

Thank You and please keep praying.
Is your spouse also a drinker?

[Roxy]

Is your spouse also a drinker?
If so, this will not work for you to try to come clean if you are living with or even hanging with drinkers. You cannot save your husband only yourself. But you must talk to him, maybe he is in the same place you are and he is tired of it too.