I have a drinking problem. Need help.?

Question

I am 34 years old and I think i may have a drinking problem. I don't know that it has blown up into alcoholism. I have recently gone through some difficult times with a relationship. Last night I drank to try to dull the pain that i was having and I did some really stupid stuff. I don't drink every day but when I do I go way over the limits. I would equate it to binge drinking. My father and grandfather are alcoholics. My question is: Who can I talk to about this? I don't think I'm an alcoholic but I feel that it could eventually lead to that. Recently I have hurt the person that meant most to me because I said and did some really stupid things after drinking way too much. I don't think i need AA but I do need some sort of professional help or some sort of support with handling my emotions. I don't want to hurt anyone else with my drinking habits. Can someone please point me in the right direction? I need someone to talk to about this who understands.

Answer 1

Will,

Sounds like you are trying to be ahead of the game and catch a problem before it starts. You are a smart man... Crap happens...I have said things and made people upset when I have been drinking, and like you decided that it was not worth it. Plus, binge drinking can and will kill you.
It seems like you want to try and work on your problems without the liquor and just don't know where to turn. Again, good call catching yourself and reaching out for help. You have really put yourself on the right track.
I would recommend that you go ahead and go to an AA meeting. You don't have to be a full fledge out of control drinking maiac to get help there. Most of the help you receive is from people that have been in your shoes and can really tell you what you need to be hearing right now. Also, YOU are helping these people keep their own sobriety by allowing them to share their story.
Do not put a label on yourself, most of these meetings are vey laid back and comfortable. People are not judging people, they just listen and understand. Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 2

Well you have taken the first step, you are admitting that you might have a problem. Maybe you should check out AA, there are many forms of alcoholism, I have one of them. Let me explain myself: I don't drink on a regular basis, I may drink once a month maybe once every 2 months, but I am a problem drinker. When I do drink on those certain days, I just don't have one or two I guzzle those beers. That is a form of alcoholism, you do not have to drink everyday to say you are an alcoholic. You hit on a key note, you drink to dull the pain. The pain will be there the next day though and what will you do then? Probably drink to dull the pain or drink because of depression. Go find some help before the problem worsens. I know, I have been there and don't want to go back again. There is life after alcohol

Answer 3

Will, I read your other questions to gain a little more insight on your relationship problems. You had a girlfriend who said she was starting to see someone else, you said you'd give her space and freedom to be happy, out of love. But I guess you're having a really hard time letting go. She called you a Drunkard in Phillipino. You're experiencing a lot of pain over her and much of this pain is caused by your drinking.
You are not a totally bad guy because you feel remorse. I commend you for having a heart and admitting to a problem. However your steps are only half hearted because you say you don't think you're an alcoholic, yet, because you don't drink everyday. The truth is in the rest of your statement: "but when I do [drink] I go way over the limits." That is alcoholism. You say you don't think you need AA, I think you do. (I'm sincerely trying to help). AA is not a bad thing or a disgrace. AA is a good thing, to live in denial could be a disgrace. To tell yourself that you have other problems but you can drink is a harmful falsehood. Perhaps you do need some anger management therapy but you also need not to control your drinking but to stop your drinking. Which is more shameful, Will, going to AA and admitting that you're an alcoholic and standing up like a man to get help; or living in denial, hurting the ones you love? At AA you meet new people, you make new non-drinking friends, you become part of a support network, you gather back your dignity and rebuild your self-respect. Many of these people have lost loved ones, jobs, their homes and even their entire families, because of the things that happened when they drank. They understand your pain, and how hard it is, because they've been there and done that. Who better to talk to?
I really encourage you to follow up on my advice, for your sake, for the sake of those who love you. Please reconsider AA and the things I've pointed out. I wish you well, Will. You gotta let go of the drinking because if you don't you'll hit rock bottom, if you haven't already. No one wants that. I really care, and I don't even know you, imaging how much others care! Best to you!!!

Answer 4

You have done step on In AA....Alcoholics Anonymous. There are zillions of these meetings all around, and you must attend at least daily meetings if not twice a day for at least one month. You do not realize that being an alcoholic has nothing to do with whether of r not you drink every day. It is only your relationship with the chemical. You are an alcoholic, . You should also attend Codependents Anonymous meetings, where you will learn about the underlying feelings which are causing you low self esteem and self destructive behaviors, and you will learn new behaviors to build self esteem.

Do not try to rationaize this. You are addicted to the substance when the heat is on. You have to change the body chemistry, and also, you must build yourslef up and rid yourslef of destructive ways and people.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I am 34 too. I don't drink anymore b/c I have migraines. Is it possible that in a few days or after some cooling off time you can apologize to the person you hurt and they can help you? At least having someone there who knows you and can support you and remind you that you have the strength to do it is all you need. I know you can get past it. There is NOTHING that you have done that is unforgiveable. There are people who truely love you, that is what you need. With their support, seek professional help. You need to know you have backing first. Good luck man. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS, YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH! I KNOW IT!

Answer 6

I'm 21 years old and already can relate to your problem i started drinking very young aged thirteen and for it never had any bad affects on me till about two years ago i'm 21 now and at 19 i started binge drinking badly i have a fionce and a kid but recently the binges have left remembering sinister things; fighting screwwing around falling out with everyone around me. i wake up on a sunday either completely appauled with myself or completely ignorant, but the bliss doesn't last long and i think my darkest hours are about to haunt me and i know that i will probably (and very desearvedly) loose everything one thing i have noticed though and i wish it wasn't to late for me i'm so much better even when binge drinking if i've been Fairly active i find if ive been excercising 'thrashing out a bit of the red mist'(my dad says) i'm a lot more passive. i think your the best person to deal with your emotions just get some alone time and learn who you are find out what makes you tick. hope my story helps you if not then at least i hope you can relate to it

Answer 7

I did a lot of drinking to forget my problems in college and I turned away from Christ too. It took me a lot of bad things before I prayed and asked for his forgiveness and healing.

I don't think AA is a bad idea at all. The definition of an alcoholic isn't someone who drinks every day, it's someone who cannot just have one...they have to drink to be drunk.

Answer 8

Go to a counselor. They would be the most objective and best able to help you. Don't wait, do it right away. Call your doctor for a referral and your health insurance will pay all but your office visit copayment.

Answer 9

im the daugher of an alcoholic father who died at the age of 46....if you wanna chat,,,michelledd382000@yahoo i understand

Answer 10

Go c a shrink. or somethin. but if u keep gettin drunk u could end up hurting more people.