Am I becoming an alcoholic?

[WV Cowboy]

Every alcoholic started somewhere.

You are on that path.

Not saying you are one now, or that you will become one, .. but you have turned onto the road that leads to alcoholism.

Some alcoholics I have known drink every day, .. but some don't drink during the week but binge drink on Fri. or Sat., .. thinking that they "earned it" by not drinking during the week.

Like some have said, stop drinking for a month, .. if you can't do it, then you do have an issue that you need to address.

 

[Idgit]

My own rule of thumb for friends who ask if they're becoming alcoholics is 'is your drinking bringing negative consequences to your life, and you still do it anyway?' If you're continuing to drink despite the negative consequences, you have a problem, whether the problem is addiction or not.

The other thing I typically say (has apparently already been said several times): 'if you're asking the question sincerely, then just quit drinking for a month and see what happens.' A month is a long enough time to find out if you have an issue, but not so long to crimp your style if you're just drinking socially.

 

[ologan]

My own rule of thumb for friends who ask if they're becoming alcoholics is 'is your drinking bringing negative consequences to your life, and you still do it anyway?' If you're continuing to drink despite the negative consequences, you have a problem, whether the problem is addiction or not.

The other thing I typically say (has apparently already been said several times): 'if you're asking the question sincerely, then just quit drinking for a month and see what happens.' A month is a long enough time to find out if you have an issue, but not so long to crimp your style if you're just drinking socially.

Damn good advice, especially the part "If you're asking the question sincerely.....". I could give you all kinds of tip offs, based on 28 years sober, but start here!

 

[Denim Chicken]

Some alcoholics I have known drink every day, .. but some don't drink during the week but binge drink on Fri. or Sat., .. thinking that they "earned it" by not drinking during the week.
.

If you can go all week without drinking, by choice, you are not an alcoholic.

 

[WV Cowboy]

If you can go all week without drinking, by choice, you are not an alcoholic.

Your opinion.

I have seen guys do just that, .. but then on the weekend drink themselves into oblivion, .. passing out in odd places, urinating on furniture or in closets, not remembering anything.

They swear during the week that it won't happen again.

And then repeat the same activity the next weekend, and the next, and ...

Binge drinking has to be some level of alcoholism.

 

[DFWJC]

Your opinion.

I have seen guys do just that, .. but then on the weekend drink themselves into oblivion, .. passing out in odd places, urinating on furniture or in closets, not remembering anything.

They swear during the week that it won't happen again.

And then repeat the same activity the next weekend, and the next, and ...

Binge drinking has to be some level of alcoholism.

It absolutely is.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I suppose then you would have to define 75% of college students as alcoholics.

 

[ethiostar]

This May help a little.

Bolded parts seem to apply to you based on what you shared in your post.

This is not to suggest you have a problem with alcohol. But, you can have an issue with it without becoming an alcoholic.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, even when it has not progressed to the point of alcoholism. Problem drinking means you drink too much at times, causing repeated problems in your life, although you're not completely dependent on alcohol.

Binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male consumes five or more drinks in a row, or a female downs at least four drinks in a row — can lead to the same health risks and social problems associated with alcoholism. The more you drink, the greater the risks. Binge drinking, which often occurs with teenagers and young adults, may lead to faster development of alcoholism.

When to see a doctor
If you feel that you sometimes drink too much or your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your doctor. See your doctor even if you don't think you have alcoholism, but you're concerned about your drinking or it's causing problems in your life. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health provider or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Because denial is common, you may not feel like you have a problem with drinking or that you need help to stop. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to family members, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help.

 

[Idgit]

I suppose then you would have to define 75% of college students as alcoholics.

This is why it comes down to the consequences of your drinking. Some college drinkers are just social drinkers who have the social part on steroids at that time in their lives. Some are alcoholics and don't know it yet.

In my own age group, I have highly intelligent friends who are able to negotiate around many of the consequences of their drinking--reactions from spouses, compromises to the quality of their work, whatever--without too much trouble. They're still high functioning, and it's easy for them to rationalize because the effects on their life aren't pronounced...yet. They might develop physical consequences (gout, for instance). Or find themselves (depending on the friendship and how protective they are of their condition) talking to me about the same types of problems over and over.

The answer is always the same. If it's affecting your life negatively, as with anything, try to stop it and see if that solves the problems. If you can't stop it, then you have to seek help if you ever want the negative consequences to stop. Or keep from getting worse.

Heck, there's nothing in my life I wouldn't give up for a month if it meant alleviating worry on a topic for my wife or my mother or my kids. It's a small price to pay when you think about it. If you can't pay it for some reason, get help.

 

[Rackat]

As an alcoholic I can tell you this: if you are questioning it, then there is cause for concern.

I can also say that there is no such thing as a "functional alcoholic", there is just alcholics. Like you, I only drank on weekends, limited my amounts, and still wound up with a drinking problem. If alcoholism is present in your family history, then I would consider that a precursor to what you 'could' become.

Alcohol is powerful. Do not treat it lightly. If your wife thinks you have an issue, and you are worried enough to seek advice, then you might either be on the path to alcoholism, or blind to the fact that you may already be one.

I thank God every day for my sobriety. If you wish to discuss it further, send me a PM.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I was a non drinker up until 2004. Started drinking a few beers every other week.

Now I am drinking around 12-14 beers weekly.

I don't drink everyday. I mostly drink on Friday's and Saturday's and on Sunday's during football season. I don't drink more than 5 beers at a time and my weekly consumption is always below 15 beers a week.

My wife thinks I am becoming an alcoholic.

What is your take on this issue?

I think your Married.

:laugh2:

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Your opinion.

I have seen guys do just that, .. but then on the weekend drink themselves into oblivion, .. passing out in odd places, urinating on furniture or in closets, not remembering anything.

They swear during the week that it won't happen again.

And then repeat the same activity the next weekend, and the next, and ...

Binge drinking has to be some level of alcoholism.

Perhaps, but I didn't get the feeling that this is what this poster is experiencing. What you are suggesting here, while probably true to some degree, does not seem to be indicative of this person's situation.


If I'm wrong, I'm certain the poster will correct me.

 

[Idgit]

Damn good advice, especially the part "If you're asking the question sincerely.....". I could give you all kinds of tip offs, based on 28 years sober, but start here!

As an alcoholic I can tell you this: if you are questioning it, then there is cause for concern.

I can also say that there is no such thing as a "functional alcoholic", there is just alcholics. Like you, I only drank on weekends, limited my amounts, and still wound up with a drinking problem. If alcoholism is present in your family history, then I would consider that a precursor to what you 'could' become.

Alcohol is powerful. Do not treat it lightly. If your wife thinks you have an issue, and you are worried enough to seek advice, then you might either be on the path to alcoholism, or blind to the fact that you may already be one.

I thank God every day for my sobriety. If you wish to discuss it further, send me a PM.

By the way, these are brave posts guys, even on an anonymous forum. Props.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Perhaps, but I didn't get the feeling that this is what this poster is experiencing. What you are suggesting here, while probably true to some degree, does not seem to be indicative of this person's situation.

Right, I never suggested that this was his situation.

Merely pointing out that you don't have to drink every day to have an alcohol issue.

 

[Shunpike]

Guys (and gals if any)

Appreciate the comments

2 things

1) I might be on the path to becoming an alcholic.
2) I need to test myself

No more beer for a month.

I will assess the situation once the month is over. If I crave to beer heavily or drink even 1 beer during that 30 day period, I am heading to a doctor.

Like I said I do have little kids that depend on me and I can't even take a small risk

 

[WV Cowboy]

No more beer for a month.

If something is broke, you are the only one that can fix it.

Good decision.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

To me the question is 'is this a problem?'

My dad used to pound beer on the weekends, far more than you do and it was never a real problem for him. He moved well up the ranks in his job, he never drove drunk and never was a problem. In fact, he would still be up at 7am on the weekends at at 5 am on the weekdays.

On the flip side, my cousin should be nowhere near alcohol because if he has a few beers, he'll do something stupid like drive drunk (3 DUI's already). Good guy, but he gets only a few beers in him and he simply can't be trusted.

If you're wife thinks it's a problem, then she needs to come clean as to why it's a problem for her. But, I do think she needs to come up with valid points other than her not liking you drinking. The latter is quite common from my experience and it's usually that the wife/gf has a problem with you having fun. And that will be an issue for you in the end.






YR

 

[Denim Chicken]

To me the question is 'is this a problem?'

My dad used to pound beer on the weekends, far more than you do and it was never a real problem for him. He moved well up the ranks in his job, he never drove drunk and never was a problem. In fact, he would still be up at 7am on the weekends at at 5 am on the weekdays.

On the flip side, my cousin should be nowhere near alcohol because if he has a few beers, he'll do something stupid like drive drunk (3 DUI's already). Good guy, but he gets only a few beers in him and he simply can't be trusted.
YR

So true. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can handle their liquor and those who can't. The latter should stay away from alcohol.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I love those questionaires that say you have a drinking problem if:

1. you need one to hit on women, well duh

2. to feel more comfortable in a social setting, well duh

If that is the case, the entire population are alcoholics.

To the OP, you don't have an alcohol problem but you are literally pissing away your money.

 

[WV Cowboy]

So true. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can handle their liquor and those who can't. The latter should stay away from alcohol.

I think some have an alcoholic gene, and some do not.

Two people can drink the same, but with very different results, .. short and long term.

One can stop when he wants to, whereas the other can not.

YR's example of his Dad and cousin nails this.