CFA 3 and an alcoholic

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cipherap15

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Just read a thread from Citi with regards to CFA 3 and alcoholism and I fall into that group as well. I went into level 3 this year knowing the material well. Two weeks prior to the exam I started having nasty dreams of relapsing. The night before was a horrible dream and I didn’t sleep all night. I was crying the morning of the exam and my girlfriend calmed me down. I failed the exam but I would have got band 1 without her.
My head wasn’t in it for the exam and three months prior to the exam I lapsed. I’m an actuary as well and know how to write exams. The toughest part for me seems to be with regards to addiction even when not drinking and using.
I read Citi’s post and he/she said he got a lot of helpful PM’s. If anybody has anything to share please share with me as well and it’s highly appreciated. You can share here or PM me.
much love
 
By first instance, try with some medicine (sleeping pills). By second and forever and ever, don’t drink.
If you have a girlfriend, job, study etc., you have a good motivation. It shouldn’t be a place for recidivism.
 
I’m sure you mean well, Flashback, but you’re out of you’re league here. Sleeping pills? Just don’t drink? You have solid, tangible things in your life so that should be plenty? That’s a complete fundamental misunderstanding of alcoholism.
 
^ regarding alcoholism I am just a technician, not a fundamentalist. Also have not drunk any kind of alcohol since Easter 2010.
 
ltj wrote:
I’m sure you mean well, Flashback, but you’re out of you’re league here. Sleeping pills? Just don’t drink? You have solid, tangible things in your life so that should be plenty? That’s a complete fundamental misunderstanding of alcoholism.
Click to expand...
Right? “Don’t drink….get some pills instead!!”. Hm, what could possibly go wrong with that?
 
Pills for insomnia only because a person who did not sleep for a few days cannot be functional. And as I said this is just for the first instance. Try don’t sleep for 3-4 nights and then tell me how you feel.
Everything else is simple action but at same time not easy decision and this is - just quit drink forever. If he make a recidivism each time will be worse and this is straight way to drinking on the street behind the drugstore and destroying him and his family and loosing job, nothing else. Who cannot understand this such person cannot understand addictions.
 
As I stated and will repeat, you mean well, but you have no idea what you’re talking about. Stop digging yourself a larger grave. Addiction is a progressive illness, some people are wayyyy too deep in it to “just quit forever” no matter how gravely it’s affecting their life or loved ones. It’s hard wired into their brains and requires a paradigm shift beyond the scope of this forum’s advice.
 
No. You have an idea what you’re talking. Otherwise, do we know each other so you may conclude if I have idea? Doesn’t matter, over and out. If you are experienced just give him an advise. If not, I really wonder why you felt comfortable to response to me and not to OP.
 
I appreciate all the PM’s i got from people. And with regards to sleeping pills. That’s definitely not the way to go. I’ve been going to AA meetings but only recently have I felt comfortable going. Requires an individual to relate to others in the room and it was difficult at times. Living downtown toronto it has changed a lot. I’ve a joined a group where there’s a lot of professionals who are in the same boat. At times I felt alone because I would go to a group and I felt I’m an idiot for being an alcoholic. I would compare my problems which seemed insignifcant compared to some in the group. I have money, job and a great family.
With the PM’s ive received I’m not alone and there’s a lot of professionals who deal with this. And this AA group I’m attending has helped a lot. Next year I’ll be doing level 3 again, and I think I’ll be good. Just need to stay focused and not get overconfident.
Thanks all.
 
I have a slightly different personal spin on what you are experiencing OP.
My biggest demon is idleness (the spawn of this demon is alcoholism). When I don’t have some certification/exam/major project to work on, I begin to spiral deep into the bottle. That is one of the reasons I picked up the CFA in the first place - not because of the standard reasons people talk about but because it would make sure I keep busy and not drink my evenings away. I live alone so studying after work and on weekends made sure I didn’t turn to booze to fill the time. After 3 hard years, including an L3 band 10 last year, I finally cracked L3. At face value, I am overjoyed because I am finally done with the curriculum and can get part of my free time back. But deep down, I am nervous because I am am “losing” one of the key things that has kept me relatively sober. Coworkers have always been amazed at my work ethic but none knew what was really driving it.
I am also pursuing my MBA at a very well respected school - yes my workload was ridiculous with my job/CFA studying/MBA classes. But in an attempt to aggressively avoid alcohol, I put my all into the CFA curriculum which meant I was prepared well enough to pass. Knowing I had to wake up early morning to study meant I wouldn’t touch any booze the night before. Knowing I had to study after work meant I had a reason to avoid post-work happy hours. While I keep getting congratulations at work, a part of me is deeply worried about what else I can do to keep me focused.
I dont have the solution to our problems but I do want you to know that you are not alone with your struggles -irrespective of whatever stage of the CFA process you are in. Stay strong brother.
 
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