how do you know if you`re an alcoholic? friends say i drink too much, how much is too much?

Question

i'm a landlady of a pub and can drink when and if i please. i never drink before 6pm and never get drunk in opening hours.

Answer 1

Some very good answers here.

If you friends are commenting on your drinking habits this is a classic sign that things aren't right. You say you don't get drunk during opening hours. That implies that you get drunk at other times. Therefore, at a minimum, you are a problem drinker. Why not try doing without alcohol for a week. If you cannot do it then you have a dependnacy problem an you will need to get help. Good luck!

Answer 2

A person knows they are an alcoholic, others cannot make that diagnoses, most people do not see there is a difference in being an alcoholic and drinking to much. It is much easier to slow down drinking when it is just the level of drinking to much, than to allow it to cause serious problems. You re friends are concerned for you, and you are starting to wonder, possibly becoming annoyed at what they are saying, maybe you could skip some evenings with the alcohol and go out with your friends somewhere else.

Answer 3

The one thing about being an alcoholic is you don't know, Being an alcoholic is when you can't do without a drink you get the shakes the stomach cramps and your a bag of nerves till you've had that drink.
Then Nothing can be done to help unless you admit it that's the hardest part admitting to friends and family, who already know but will be over the moon with you for at last admitting it to them.
Its not easy believe me I did it 19 years ago, for 4 months I was terrible with all the withdrawal affects. now I have a glass of wine and that's it.
When your told by the doctor you've got a choose keep drinking and DIE or stop and recoverer. recov erring is hard but worth it.
best of luck in your endeavour

Answer 4

The best way to find out for sure is to abstain from alcohol entirely for a week or so. If doing this causes you a problem, you may be an alcoholic. It would be good to find out right away because if yuo are then really owning a pub is just the worst situation you could be in. Check out this danger before it ruins your life. Good luck!

Answer 5

If your thinking about your next drink during the day,you may be an alcoholic . If you drink everyday more than 2 drinks I'd say get some help.

Answer 6

are you drinking every day?
do you look forward to the feeling alcohol gives you?
do you shake after drinking?
have you been spending more time with your drinking friends?
i used to drink a lot but now i only drink very occasionally, the trouble is now a days that drinking a lot is socially acceptable which blurs the lines of what is ok and what is too much. if you are worried make a diary of what you have to drink for a couple of weeks and take it to your dr. they are bound to tell you to cut down because that is what they say to all of us that drink but i think they would no the safe limits.

Answer 7

The difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse is a matter of degree. While many signs of alcohol abuse are present in alcoholism, occasional abusers aren't necessarily alcoholics. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of behavior; alcoholism is a disease. Both conditions require treatment.

Warning Signs of Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse
These are common signs of alcohol abuse:

drinking alcohol to get to sleep
drinking for socialization
drinking to relax or relieve stress
hiding alcoholic drinks or empty bottles
lying about alcohol consumption
no memory of events while drinking
inability to stop drinking
worrying that alcohol may run out over a holiday or weekend.

Answer 8

If the thought of doing without it for a few days makes you feel panicky, then your drinking is probably out of control. If you're using a drink to de-stress, sleep, avoid addressing personal problems, calm yourself down, lift your spirits, help you talk to people, accept yourself - whatever; there are better ways of doing all these things, but they're harder and we're too lazy or too scared to try. I think we all need to look at our drinking habits periodically and be honest about what we're using it for, because it's a very effective short term painkiller, but in the long term it destroys your health and your ability to handle life as a grown-up.
That's my experience.

Answer 9

If you don't drink before 6pm then you do not have a problem.
I drink every day after 8 pm when the kids are in bed.
If you were an alcoholic you would be drinking day time and night time.
You would have bottles hidden so no one would know you were having a crafty drink. You would be craving your next drink.
I think your friends are jealous of your lifestyle Cheers!

Answer 10

If you need to drink to feel normal then you are an alcoholic, If you started drinking then for some reason you COULD NOT get hold of any more, how would you feel?