Comment by Bald and Fabulous AKA Terri on June 1, 2011 at 12:18am

I agree with Alice. The first is acknowledging the problem and then taking steps to help yourself. I'm happy to hear you are working on your substance abuse. I think your therapy sessions are indeed helping you. Stay strong and know we are here for you.

Comment by Tallgirl on June 2, 2011 at 7:59pm

The alopecia is NOT an excuse to continue substance abuse: addiction is a problem in itself. That takes a whole new, lifetime counseling...maybe via Alcoholics Anonymous. Believe me, they (at AA) have heard all the excuses. They can help with lots of encouragement...but one must not exceed his/her own time limit when sharing in the group. The group is there for everyone, not one.

I had a heart doctor tell me NO wine, chocolate, caffeine or cola once, and I actually lived like that for a whole year before another doc said one glass of red wine only limit per day, and not daily. Having to drive to work, teach, babysit for a child, be clear (and not an emotional yo-yo) are also incentives to keep away from excessive drink. Coffee or diet lemon-lime soda, or water, can supply the warmth or coolness needed. I never even kept alcohol in the house when my kids were teens, and I wouldn't let them drink at holidays and daily gatherings (under-age!)....this also made me not fall for that "adult, jazzy" style the media sells us on alcohol. No one HAS to drink or overdose, and that lesson has to be SHOWN to our children.

"It's how I can cope." If you are NOT coping with life totally, then this method has NOT worked as well as you THINK it has (check the up and down nature of moods and writings). You said "can," and I know there are safer ways you ALSO "can" do the things you need to do during the day for self and family. Can. Will. Might. Must. WORD CHOICES. We all know humans CAN survive without certain foods, drinks, and favorite-but-harmful choices.

By the way, I just got my remaining hair shaved off, and took a chance to remove my wig and hat in some very public places while on vacation. I did survive. Sometimes it is just attitude or fear involved, not actual illness or physical injury to us as bald women. I saw your pix, and you are way cuter than I am bald!

Comment by BTB (John) on June 5, 2011 at 8:56am

Hi Lisa thanks for the personal message had my own addictions and it not easy in recovery in fact its plain hard people dont choose to have an addiction it is not a moral issue its a medical issue and should be treated as such. In Australia we are more tolerant of addiction and opt for treatment over incarceration and we have a high degree of success with this methodology. Spent 20 years in Law Enforcement and never saw anyone jailed for substance abuse come out a better person, and judgmentalism just exacerbates the problem. We can be addicted to so many things from shopping to religion the only difference is that some addictions are legal and some are not, in essence they always have the same effect on us and if we aware of them we have a better chance of dealing with them. Tome i feel your facing your issue's and you are one the most honest members on this site you dont hide how it is for you and your emotions always appear as valid to me. Your an inspiration keep doing what your doing and your recovery will follow John

Comment by Pat on June 5, 2011 at 9:26am

So dealing with one problem, alopecia, has unearthed another! Seems like you're feeling overwhelmed with it all. Don't let the enormity of it get to you, keep it simple by not trying to make sense of it all. Just do the next thing you need to do, then the next thing after that and so on. You're dealing with a lot right now and you're facing all these things with such courage. Don't sell yourself short on that!

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