I've been drinking lately but know I could stop whenever I want to. I just don't want to right now. How does someone deterine at what point someone is an alcoholic? Is it only if they have to have a drink the morning because that is not the case with me at all.
__________________ ~Ignorance is bliss. ~Failure is success if we learn from it. -Malcolm Forbes ~Those willing to sacrifice freedom for safety deserve & shall receive neither. -Benjamin Franklin
I'm an alcoholic who was sober 16 months and relapsed 2 years ago. Sometimes I drink 2 drinks, other times 5-6 even more. I think the one tail sign is that you crave alcohol. Typically day 3 is the worse. Right now I have cut down to 2 a day so I'm hoping it will be okay.
Alcoholism is all about your relationship with alcohol - why you use it, as much as how you use it. I'm a recovering alcoholic - I NEVER drank in the AM, nor did I drink every day. I would binge drink when I did drink, though.
Ask yourself why you drink - do you do it to achieve a certain state of mind? To forget problem? Because of social anxiety? To relax at the end of the day? Do you feel dependent on it? If you can quit any time you want, why not try not drinking for a while?
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This is one doodle that can't be undid, Homeskillet.
I've been drinking lately but know I could stop whenever I want to. I just don't want to right now. How does someone deterine at what point someone is an alcoholic? Is it only if they have to have a drink the morning because that is not the case with me at all.
The comments you just made are common ones said by alcoholics and other addicts. "I could quit, but I don't want to quit." Not saying you are an alcoholic, but your reasoning is not adequate.
11. Minimizing
The substance abuser often minimizes his behavior and actions by talking about it in such a way that it seems insignificant. They discount the significance of their behavior. You will see minimizing when confronting substance abuser about irresponsible behavior.
Example:
“I only drank three beers and I could have drank allot more, but I didn’t.”
Unaware that his addiction and not he himself is calling the shots, the addict genuinely believes that he is choosing to behave the way he does and therefore he can stop doing so any time he makes up his mind. Unfortunately for him and for those who must deal with him, he seldom makes up his mind to stop(even though he most certainly could if he wanted to, &etc. &etc. &etc.)
I think the questions are...why do you do it? and CAN you quit? If you don't WANT to quit, why not?
__________________ “Fame and riches are fleeting. Stupidity is eternal." --Don Williams, Jr
It seems to me the above links are worded as such that anyone who drinks w/ any regularity, could be made out to be an alcoholic regardless of what the actual case is. While I understand that they are things that alcoholics say, they are also things people who aren't alcoholics, but just enjoy drinking say if perhaps someone makes a comment to them about their drinking.
Fun - an adequate way to see whether you are/aren't/other is don't do it, for a week, if you can do it without thinking much about it, you are probably ok, if by the second day you are heading to the liquor cabinet/aisle/store/nyquil, you may want to consider that you might have a problem. If you can't make it one day, call AA.
__________________
Endless choices, endless joys, endless sorrows & everything in between. Life is what you make of it.
It seems to me the above links are worded as such that anyone who drinks w/ any regularity, could be made out to be an alcoholic regardless of what the actual case is. While I understand that they are things that alcoholics say, they are also things people who aren't alcoholics, but just enjoy drinking say if perhaps someone makes a comment to them about their drinking.
Fun - an adequate way to see whether you are/aren't/other is don't do it, for a week, if you can do it without thinking much about it, you are probably ok, if by the second day you are heading to the liquor cabinet/aisle/store/nyquil, you may want to consider that you might have a problem. If you can't make it one day, call AA.
I dunno, dude. There are all sorts of alcoholics, from personal experience and also the AA meetings I've attended.
Some alcoholics can be alcohol free for years and still be considered alcoholics - "dry" alcoholics. It's not just about alcohol, it's how you deal with life, too.
When I drank, I would drink to excess - but only once or twice a week, if that. I could go for weeks without drinking. But once things got stressful, I would always reach for the bottle.
IMO HOW you use alcohol is more important that "how often" you use alcohol.
While I understand that they are things that alcoholics say, they are also things people who aren't alcoholics, but just enjoy drinking say if perhaps someone makes a comment to them about their drinking.
There is one thing that an Alcoholic or problem drinker says to themselves that someone with no drinking problem doesn't --
" I wonder if I have a problem with drinking "
Fun.. if you are wondering if you have a drinking problem then you do...
Saying that you can quit anytime is denial.. Someone who doesn't have a problem drinking doesn't say that they can quit anytime..
Only you Fun can decide if you are an Alcoholic.. but it sounds to me that you do have a drinking problem and are on your way to drinking Alcoholically..
Just my opinion based on my experiences...
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~~ One day someone will walk into your life and make you see why it never worked out with anyone else.. ~~
I am a working, normal, mother of 2 who is an alcoholic admittedly. I drink every day no matter if its 1 drink or 5. I think if you drink every day you need to consider it an addiction none the less. Especially if you crave it.
It seems to me the above links are worded as such that anyone who drinks w/ any regularity, could be made out to be an alcoholic regardless of what the actual case is. While I understand that they are things that alcoholics say, they are also things people who aren't alcoholics, but just enjoy drinking say if perhaps someone makes a comment to them about their drinking.
I agree. But the reasons that Fun gave so far are not enough to convince ME (FWIW) that she is not. However, I also do not say she is. The question is why does one drink with regularity. Personally, I don't, so I don't know that I am an expert in determining if someone is an alcoholic.
Quote:
Fun - an adequate way to see whether you are/aren't/other is don't do it, for a week, if you can do it without thinking much about it, you are probably ok, if by the second day you are heading to the liquor cabinet/aisle/store/nyquil, you may want to consider that you might have a problem. If you can't make it one day, call AA.
The question is still why alcohol is needed.
AA is not needed unless you do not feel that you CAN quit on your own. Not everyone needs AA, and the fact is many people simply quit and never feel the urge to continue drinking or can drink at social occasions only.
AA is not needed unless you do not feel that you CAN quit on your own. Not everyone needs AA, and the fact is many people simply quit and never feel the urge to continue drinking or can drink at social occasions only.
This is true James.. but one must address the reasons for having the drinking problem in order to stay sober..
There is such a thing as a dry drunk.. someone who no longer drinks but continues his/her behavior as if she was still drinking..
That type of person in my definition would not be sober but dry..
Sober to me is addressing the issues that drive a person to drink and staying off the Alcohol..
I've been drinking lately but know I could stop whenever I want to. I just don't want to right now. How does someone deterine at what point someone is an alcoholic? Is it only if they have to have a drink the morning because that is not the case with me at all.
This is just from my own experience but are there times when you feel you just HAVE to have it? (Be honest.) Or is it just that you would like to have it?
Also, in my experience, if people really have to ask generally that's your answer. People who have no issue with alcohol whatsoever rarely (not always) ask whether they're alcoholics.
Do you often drink more than you intended to?
Also, the fact that you say you can stop any time but don't want to, is kind of a red flag to me. Why don't you want to? And are you sure you can stop whenever you want to? How long have you been able to go without a drink in the past?
All questions to ask yourself. But in all honesty, it does sound like you have your answer already. And no, just because you never drink in the morning, it doesn't mean you're not an alcoholic.
One more question...do you ever drink and don't remember much the next day? Another red flag.
__________________
Do you really want to get rid of that monkey on your back?
I dunno, dude. There are all sorts of alcoholics, from personal experience and also the AA meetings I've attended.
Some alcoholics can be alcohol free for years and still be considered alcoholics - "dry" alcoholics. It's not just about alcohol, it's how you deal with life, too.
When I drank, I would drink to excess - but only once or twice a week, if that. I could go for weeks without drinking. But once things got stressful, I would always reach for the bottle.
IMO HOW you use alcohol is more important that "how often" you use alcohol.
I agree with this, it really is not about how much you drink, but how it effects your life.
However, the few alcoholics and by that I mean admittedly so, I have known, have to drink EVERYDAY. They have to have it purchased and on hand, and preferably drinking it. Whether at a slow steady pace thoughout the day, or binge on it in the evening.
I think it is also a matter of control - this is where the how does it effect your life comes into play. Do you drink alone? Do you drink and then drive? Do you pick fights w/ your H,SO,family when you have been drinking? Do you make important decisions/poor choices when you have been drinking? These are all factors.
And as all the different replies attest to, there is really no true "formula" for determining this. You may just be a conscientious person wondering how much is too much, wanting to make sure you keep yourself in control. It is a drug, and things can escalate over time, wondering if you may have a problem doesn't mean you have a problem. I don't agree with the PP who said that. (Sorry I didn't quote)
I think it actually makes you a responsible drinker/person/earth-dweller to wonder if you might have a problem and how much is too much. This is a good thread topic.
Last edited by MakeLemonade; 13th February 2008 at 4:33 PM.
I think it actually makes you a responsible drinker/person/earth-dweller to wonder if you might have a problem and how much is too much. This is a good thread topic.
I didn't see your edit...
I guess we see just see it differently..
I am making a distinction with the term problem drinker and Alcoholic in my point..
Last edited by Art_Critic; 13th February 2008 at 4:43 PM.
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not sure if alcoholic?
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