Craving, having it mess with your relationships, your job, these are the warning signs. It slowly takes control until it becomes everything. And it is subtle and sneaky.
An AA speaker meeting can be useful, if you find that they are just like you, you know something is cooking there. That is a meeting where they tell their story, what happened to them, what its like now sober.
Check the internet for AA intergroup in your area, and give them a call.
I know craving all to well.
AA is cool. You don't have to commit to anything, you don't have to say anything, you can hang out in the back and just listen.
If you are alcoholic, the sooner you get there, the better. I am alcoholic. AA was the best thing that ever happened to me. Saved my life back in the day, from booze. I still go I enjoy it and I like helping others.
Alcohol is a separate issue totally from dysphoria. It may lie to you and say it is linked, or use dysphoria as an excuse to justify drinking, but ultimately, if you are addicted to booze, no justification is needed. Booze wants booze. Dysphoria may drive you there, to relieve any associated pain, but booze is about booze. And AA only cares about helping you not drink, they won't worry much about presentation, unless it becomes an excuse to drink.
Worth a little visit. They are very nice people. If you don't feel like it applies, you have an answer, your gut will know. You don't have to join anything, all you have to do is not talk outside the meeting about whoever is there, that is our rule, it is an anonymous program.
Sobriety does help by the way in accepting and coping with GD. It made a big difference with me.
Good stuff here from Vicky too, I agree with her.
