I seem to drink a lot....

It's strange but my drinking hasn't been this bad since I lived near these yahoo's who were always partying. But not due to a rather stressful time in my life, like job loss etc etc, I find that I tend to drink a lot. But it's only about 3 times a week. That's not that bad is it??? And I don't get drunk, just buzzed a bit. What are your thoughts?

Is that too much?

a reply to: lavatrance
I'm not sure if it's too much or not. At least you're not getting blind drunk and making other people's lives miserable like somebody I know; that, and passing out and pissing yourself. There's something to be happy about.

I knocked down a half-gallon of distilled spirits and a twelve-pack of barley-pop every day for over a year. I decided to quit cold-turkey when I noticed my health was visibly deteriorating. Man, was that a mistake. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree and watching cartoons on the ceiling for 3 days.
I still drink, but I have learned to not over do it. Withdrawals from alcohol are a bitch.

If you find it difficult to enjoy yourself or relax without having a drink, then it’s possible you’ve become dependent on alcohol.

I think we all have had our period of a little more drinking than usual.

A six pack and a bottle of whiskey is so nice, sometimes it just takes over.

I'm currently dealing with fatty-liver disease, and having a beer, go figure, so I'm kinda up to date with the issues of drinking.

I cannot say it any more bluntly.

Your drinking is too much if you are concerned about your health.

originally posted by: Skid Mark
a reply to: lavatrance
I'm not sure if it's too much or not. At least you're not getting blind drunk and making other people's lives miserable like somebody I know

How do you know me??

:/ I hate alcohol. Hate hate hate it. Can only pray this time I make it clear away from that insidious evil crap...

and maybe in time, people might forgive me even a little... doubt it..

originally posted by: laminatedsoul
I hate alcohol. Hate hate hate it.

Clearly you have never tasted a pint of Wadworth 6X, or Badger Best. I may dislike the over indulgence in alcohol, but I like real ale, beer, cider and a good wine. Everything in moderation.

There's a difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol enjoyment.

a reply to: lavatrance

I never used to touch alcohol and from that perspective I was always considered odd or even anti-social by most people. I think its just apart of our culture and considered totally normal to have a couple of beers a few nights a week, or a few glasses of wine if your female or consider yourself upper class.

I've also come to the conclusion that society usually define's an alcoholic by someone who drinks more than they can afford... Like, most people wouldn't say my rich uncle has a problem, even though he drinks wine everyday and is known to start drinking at breakfast... But I'm sure most people wouldn't have hesitated to tell me I had a problem when I lost my job and was getting blind pissed for 2 days straight every 2 weeks when my dole payment came in.

But now I'm working and can afford it, I'm sure most people would consider my 4 beers (or so, lol) and few shots of 101 wild turkey every night just completely normal for a hard working single bloke.

But, I suppose most good women don't like it when you drink/smoke a few nights a week (or more), and they don't mind letting you know about there objection, from my experience... I guess its the price you have to pay, to have something worthwhile in your life.

a reply to: lavatrance
When I was younger I went through highs and lows with my alcohol consumption. I was always very aware of my excesses because I have quite a few alcoholics in my family tree, and I saw first hand the impact alcoholism can have on a person and the whole family.

I was very lucky. All the alcoholics in my family were the pleasant drunks. They never got mean and nasty. The drunker they got, the merrier, and sillier they got, until they passed out. In a lot of ways it made it worse for me and my siblings, because we started out in life believing alcohol was the magic key to being happy, and having a good time. Thank goodness the majority of us came to realize just how false that belief was. My siblings and I were not the only ones affected. I saw my cousins go through the same debris field, and I am pleased to announce that 98 to 99% made it through, whole and intact. We lost one or two in each family grouping, and some came through a little battered and bruised (egos, again all were good time drunks), but the majority of us now abstain from drugs and drink or only have a glass or two with meals or in a social setting.

I can remember the first time I noticed that after one of our huge family gatherings, the trash was full of soda bottles and soda cans, and very few wine or liquor bottles. I remember thinking. Wow, we all had a great time and almost no one was drinking beer or booze. After a few more of our gatherings with the same results, I realized my family was growing up. We had much more important things in our lives to be concerned with. We had to go to work in the morning and didn't want to smell like booze or have a hangover. We had children we had to watch out for. We were the designated driver. We now had more excuses for not drinking than for drinking.

Drinking to excess usually is a filler for a hole in your life or a bandaid. Not saying that it can't happen accidentally, but if you notice it becoming a pattern, step back and take an honest review of your life. Don't be afraid to look in the corners and under the bed. Check out the attic, the basement, and the front and back porch, while you are at it. Move stuff around, shake the covers and your shoes, take a good look, like you are looking for that lost gold coin. You just may find what is sucking at your soul.

Once you find out what is missing or what you lost you can start working on a permanent and sober solution.

Good Luck.

originally posted by: lavatrance
It's strange but my drinking hasn't been this bad since I lived near these yahoo's who were always partying. But not due to a rather stressful time in my life, like job loss etc etc, I find that I tend to drink a lot. But it's only about 3 times a week. That's not that bad is it??? And I don't get drunk, just buzzed a bit. What are your thoughts?

Is that too much?

I have a massive problem being in alcoholic I drink at least a half a bottle a day sometimes of whiskey, its starting to scare my friends and family and is hindering me with my anxiety problems and depression. I'm starting to lose control and I am holding on to all my friends that love me and doing everything my family is asking of me So I can have my life back

It's not as easy as you think it is to live in Alaska

If you got to drink booze do it at home or at your friends house and throw the keys in the toilet,trashcan, wherever you're not gonna want to reach for them

a reply to: lavatrance

I posted a similar thought once on this board.

Now, my suspicion is - if you truly have a problem,
you wouldn't be asking yourself this.
The people who drink too much and are dependent will tend to deny it to themselves.

I got worried because at parties I would drink more than I planned- I'd tell myself I'd have only one glass, and I would end up having four. This made me concerned that I have a tendency towards alcoholism.

I started looking up lot of info on alcoholism, and what is considered abusive or addictive usage, and found I am far, far, from it. I currently will have a glass of wine probably once a week- weekends, if we go out to dinner.
Then maybe once a month or two, we'll have a party or soirée, where I'll partake of a few more glasses of champagne.

In this country, the common measure is that it is only alcoholism if a person goes beyond Two glasses a day for women, or three, for men. Geezus, I figure anyone drinking two glasses everyday has got a huge problem !!

I'm pretty troubled by what I see on the american tv shows I follow, like "The Good Wife" or "Homeland"- seems the world of politics and law is filled with drunks, according to them.

Test yourself- stop drinking for several weeks, and just see if you feel a need or urge for it.
If you don't, that is a sign you aren't dependent.

Though... even though I came to the conclusion I did not have a problem, I still find that I am better off not drinking much, even at social events. I can better take part in conversations and activities if I don't. (contrary to my thinking, when young, that it would lessen my social anxiety- when drunk, I make more social faux-pas, which stick in my memory as evidence that I am socially inept... causing me to drink the next time, and make more social faux-pas, in a vicious circle).

Found out I can be just fine without drinking.

originally posted by: Bluesma
a reply to: lavatrance

I posted a similar thought once on this board.


The people who drink too much and are dependent will tend to deny it to themselves.

Hence the anonymous post on a forum that will receive no backlash. THIS IS THE FIRST PLACE PEOPLE SEEK GUIDANCE!

Let me give you a lil heart-felt

The owner of my job just recently passed away from cirrhosis of the liver. He's a drinker like I am. This actually affected me like no other, because the guy was like a father to me. He went in with jaundice on Friday, and passed away Monday evening.

Alcohol kills you, just like it kills all other living things, hence why we use it as a disinfectant.

If you progress beyond drinking more than 3 days a week, get treatment, trust me.

a reply to: lavatrance

Seems like you are just enjoying alcohol if you're saying you only drink 3 days a week and drink 3 or 4 drinks(?) each time to get that 'buzz' ?
Do you drink alone on those evenings?

Me too.

It's hard to stop. This time last year I had kidney stones so stopped. But then the doctor said booze wasn't the cause and it would actually help to flush them out. Bugger.

originally posted by: Vector99
Alcohol kills you, just like it kills all other living things, hence why we use it as a disinfectant.

lol... ethanol! You can use it to clean your toilet, or use it to make life feel easier!

If only this so called god bitch would show himself and convince us that us homo sapiens have some kind of higher purpose. Then we probably wouldn't be deliberately poisoning ourselves, just to feel significant for a few hours a night....

originally posted by: Subaeruginosa

originally posted by: Vector99
Alcohol kills you, just like it kills all other living things, hence why we use it as a disinfectant.

lol... ethanol! You can use it to clean your toilet, or use it to make life feel easier!

If only this so called god bitch would show himself and convince us that us homo sapiens have some kind of higher purpose. Then we probably wouldn't be deliberately poisoning ourselves, just to feel significant for a few hours a night....

pretty sure thats spot on

Too much to drink can be identified as drinking related negative effects on your life.
I would strongly suggest against drinking when dealing with stress, once passed the buzzed stage, you enter what I like to call the "primal" stage where everything Is the end of the world and poor, llife-changing decisions are made without much thought.

I rarely drink more than 1-2 beers. The losses I've experienced forced this.

The marketing involved with the alcohol industry is nuts. In reality, you don't end up with the Lambo and the hot girl, you just end up with toasted organs, a leather face, a smashed car, broke with legal fees, and crap the bed, Then get up and do it all over again.

It's a viscous cycle that ends in death or jail for many.

ROOT BEER

a reply to: Bluesma

Test yourself- stop drinking for several weeks, and just see if you feel a need or urge for it.
If you don't, that is a sign you aren't dependent.

Not a reliable test. There are some who are binge drinkers. They go for weeks or months at a time and then........BOOM. They go on a 3 day bender, destroying everything they touch. Relationships, legal problems, nothing is safe.


OP - Being aware that you may have a problem is an excellent first step. You can keep an eye on yourself and if you have the self control, stop it before it really starts. Alcoholism can sneak up on you. The "just a little buzzed" 3 times a week, can quickly turn in to a serious problem. 4 beers gets you that buzz now, but when your body becomes used to the alcohol, it will take more to get to that level. Next thing you know, you're downing a fifth a day to feel "normal" and stop the shakes. No one goes from their first drink to a bottle a day. Set limits for your drinking and if you can't stick to them, get friends to help. If that doesn't work, you should consider professional help.
Recovering alcoholic with 16 years sober.