Should I be concerned about my drinking?

Question

I'm a 22 year old male who just graduated college. Since school ended, I moved back home and have been consuming at least four drinks a night before bed. I work during the day and the drinks do not adversly affect my personality, but actually enhance my creativity while writing and reading. Nevertheless, I am still concerned because I do "yearn" these drinks and numerous days ellapse before a sober one. Should I be very conceared or not worry if this does not alter my daily life?

Answer 1

If you are asking this question, then you are drinking too much. Really, stop now before it does alter your daily life.

Answer 2

It would be better to ask those around you if they have noticed a problem. A close friend or family member may know you well enough to say. I used to drink heavily until my daughter came along, I did not have a single problem with the law or with work even though my average intake was near 8 to 10 drinks a day (more on the weekend). take stock for a week and see if it is addiction or being young and having fun, only you will know for sure.

Answer 3

I don't know if alcoholism runs in your family. It does in mine.
This is the first generation, though, where anyone is labeled an alcoholic. My brother died of cyrrhosis 3 years ago. He was a champion football player and all around tough-guy in college, but alcohol took him down. In school, he just liked to "party".

Well, your story reminds me of mine. I was a light social drinker.
To squelch a broken heart at 21, I'd start having wine in the evening to help me sleep. When I started to actually look forward to it, and crave it, it worried me.

I didn't do anything about it, then. But, I wish I had just STOPPED. It would have been easier. Drinking will progress and gain control over you, if you let it. Rehab and AA has helped me-- it's too late for my brother.

I'd recommend you sit in a few open Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. The meetings are in practically every town. In every country. They are harmless- and very helpful. You get to hear people's stories about their experience with alcohol. You can ask them questions. Members are always eager to help someone.
You're likely to hear colorful stories from the podium!

If you were drinking to feel a lift, tell your doctor. He may have a counsellor talk to you about anti-depressants or anti-anxiety pills.
If you were bored- join a gym.

Good luck to you. I wish I knew then what I know now.

Answer 4

Yes you should.

While the medical community thinks on glass of wine per day is good for your health, they also consider the person that does that a “light to moderate drinker.” Anything above that (more than 30 drinks in a month) they consider a “heavy drinker.”

Also anyone that consumes 5 drinks in one day out of the past 30 days is considered a heavy drinker.

I was in my 20’s partying on weekends like everyone else that I thought was normal. I had to fill out a form for my doctor since he was researching patients health for a study (nothing to do with drinking). It was entered into his computer and at the next visit he went over some things… including risks such as wearing seatbelts. Nothing was unusual but he eventually said, “We need to talk about your heavy drinking.”

I filled out the amount that I drank and also checked that I was a ‘teetotaler.” I thought that meant I didn’t drink much. He said a teetotaler was one that drinks less than one drink a year.

It opened my eyes and after asking around as you have, I found that I was drinking a lot more than “most” people.

Where it really hit home was when I almost quit going to bars for a couple of years and then went out with some friends for a party. I ran across two people that I met years ago at bars. We were sort of friends but more like “bar acquaintances.” I realized that they had not changed at all… exactly where I left them. I then realized that they had a problem. I still liked them and they were as friendly as ever, but I decided that wasn’t the life for me. Not real bad or terrible but being a barfly would gain me nothing.

You may or may not have a problem (probably do) but instead of looking forward to that drink, plan on doing something else. IOW, instead of “thinking” about the drink when you get home, start thinking about something else that is fun to do. If after a few weeks of this your mind still goes to drinking, you should get help.

I know from friends that have had problems in the past, it is much better to get this problem fixed now at your age instead of later.

Answer 5

It depends on how you are drinking these drinks. One sign of alcoholism is when you drink alone often. If this is the case, you might want to think about getting some help. Also, if you find that you can't go without drinking for even a short period of time, then you definitely need to quit. It will be really hard, but there are lots of places to get help such as AA or go to your doctor and he can recommend counseling programs in your area.

Answer 6

If you pine for the drinks when you are not drinking them, then it is affecting your daily life.
You have no idea if drinking is "enhancing" your creativity or if you have just convinced yourself that it is.
Since you're asking, you are probably at least somewhat concerned. For those who would be concerned about you, do a search for alcohol counseling or literature you can read up on.

Answer 7

Four drinks a night sounds a bit much. I would be concerned. See how long you can go sober. If it is a struggle to stay sober, get help. Go visit an AA meeting or call a hotline. They are free and there is even a quiz/questionnaire to see if you have a problem.

Answer 8

I would be worried. Maybe cut back to 1 or 2 drinks a night, 4 seems a little excessive every night! It also depends on what you are drinking.....4 glasses of wine a night or 4 beers are not much. But if you are drinking heavy drinks cut back for sure!

Answer 9

As long as you can still function when you have to, and wait until an appropriate time to drink, I think you are fine. It's when you wake up in the morning and think, "I need a drink" that you are in trouble. 4 drinks a night is a *bit* much, but you're still young. You will taper that off eventually, believe me, I've been there.

Answer 10

Yes, iwould be concerned, when you reach the point of yearning alcohol regularly, it has become a problem. also alcohol does not enhance creativity, it reduces inhibitions and therefore you are more likely to act on ideas, or find your ideas to be better