Hi, new guy :)

Hi,
Drugs have always had an affect on myself and my twin brother while growing up.
From a very young age we were seeing the affects, our older brother and dad had different substance addictions.
Dad would have spells where alcohol was like oxygen to him, couldn't live without it.
Brother would just take anything and everything.

My experiences is from the angle of someone who has had to see and help someone through their addictions, it did give me an interest in studying counselling as I know that the physical addiction to a drug is only part of a reason a person goes back to it.
There are usually other things that need to be addressed.

I hope I get a chance to talk to some great people and help them feel the strength and worth they have in them

Hello Bozz.
I can definitely relate with having an alcoholic father.
Personality changes with an alcoholic makes it seem like you are living with a totally different human being than your own father.
Glad to have you here.

I feel unjust in bad mouthing my dad as he has since passed on and, after gettng through his addiction, I couldn't have wished for a better dad.

But yeah, personalities and priorities change when a person is in the grip of a substance or addiction.

Thank you for the warm welcome

Hello!
Well, is interesting to see problems from another perspective, especially if they help you to understand things better or even help some people. I agree with you at the physical addiction thing, sometimes you just can't take the control over your body, and I think that's one of the saddest things in additions.
Welcome to this forum, I'm glad that you're here.

Welcome to the forum, Bozz! Your presence is such a blessing, and your willingness to help is very much appreciated. I think the members will benefit from listening to your advice on their issues, so see you around the forum!

Hello @Bozz and welcome to the community. We need people like you here who can provide help and support to those who are struggling with substance abuse. Glad to have you.

Like you, I also had an alcoholic father. It was tough growing up with the presence of alcohol in the house. My dad was a very responsible father but alcohol destroyed him. And not before long, my brothers and I followed in his footsteps. I already got it out of my system, as well as my second older brother. But our eldest is still struggling with it. It's funny because I can give advice online to other people but I can't reach my own brother. He just doesn't listen.

Thank you all for being so welcoming.

@Mara you probably already know this, but, the sufferer needs at least a tiny spark of wanting and feeling like they can handle their problems and also addiction before anyone can get through to them. Everything you do for your brother, I'm sure is what he needs, just he may not have that spark yet to ignite into pushing through to recovery.

Thank you all again for being so welcoming

Hey @Bozz, you're right. I know that my brother needs to acknowledge that he has a problem. I will still try my very best to convince him because I love him and that I don't want him to end up like our dad. Thank you for your kind words.

I think you made a great decision by joining this community because you'll definitely benefit from it. The members will go out of their way to help you and give you the best advice you need. I hope you enjoy your stay and that we can help you and perhaps you can help others. I know parents can have a big influence on addictions and my parents had me in a similar situation by I avoided it by acknowledging the fact that my life would have been in turmoil if I took the path my parents did. Enjoy your time here.

Welcome to the site! I'm sorry that you & your family have been dealing with addiction. I hope that you find the site helpful!

Hello and welcome, @Bozz. It's great to have you join us. Thanks for sharing your story. I've seen the personality shift you're talking about. It sucks. Experience, strength and hope is the name of the game. Here in the forums is where you'll find your own, hopefully, then share it with others. You might also consider phoning AlAnon World Service Office for meetings of that group near you. You're qualified. Keep coming back.

Welcome to the forums! I definitely think that going through this kind of thing makes us so much more empathetic to others. I too have wanted to pursue the counseling route as well - because I know I was able to change my life, I know that others can too...and having been there and done that I think I could relate, you know?

Glad to have you here.

Hi and welcome to the forum. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am sure you will be able to help others who are struggling with their addiction. Glad you found us here!! I am sure you will really enjoy being here.

Welcome to the community, dear friend. Remember, we are all here to help you. Feel free to post here. You will get help from a lot of people on this forum. I am glad you joined the forum. Thank you for joining.

Hi there and welcome to the forum I'm glad you decided to join us, you will notice that many if not all of us have some experience with addiction, whether first hand or by seeing someone we love struggle with it. You will be glad to hear this is a definite safe heaven, very free from judgement and such. So feel free to share with us whatever you feel like sharing Be careful not too divulge personal data you could be identified for though, like names dates and such. Because well, this is still an internet forum

Thank you for the advice on personal data, I'll be sure to stay on the side of caution and be vague

I feel like I'm in an amazing place in my life, I just want to help where I can

Thank you again