I go to the bars atleast 4-5 days out of the week and drink about an 18 pack and a few shots every time. I have a good job and my drinking does not affect my work. In fact, I just started going to the bar with my bosses and they promised me a promotion.. My girlfriend doesn't see it as a problem either but then again she is usually on the stool next to me hammering them down.. I love my life and my job.... Would you consider me an alcoholic??
2006-09-27 07:23:31 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
absolutely not.
in my opinion, an alcoholic is chemically dependent on alcohol. it sounds like you don't need alcohol to function.
in the eyes of other people, you may have a drinking problem. if you become violent or do stupid things when you're drunk, then you have a drinking problem.
if you drink that much; and you can handle yourself, then you probably don't have a drinking problem - just a high tolerance for alcohol.
just don't get behind the wheel or anything...
2006-09-27 07:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by loveholio 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is really hard for an outside person to call you an alcoholic. To me, you are definitely a guy who drinks A LOT, but that is really not too unusual in some guys in their 20s. You make it appear that alcohol is not causing any "problems" in your life, but if that were totally true, why would you be asking others what they thought about your drinking habits?
I think you are very lucky that your level of drinking has not caused any major problems in your life...YET. Of course I do not wish anything bad upon you, but unfortunately, the alcohol-rich lifestyle WILL catch up with you eventually. Even though you probably look and feel young and healthy, you are really causing your body unnecessary harm and age! Your liver won't be able to process the amounts you are drinking forever. Plus, it is truly a matter of time before your drinking gets you a DUI, an accident, or in any other kind of trouble. Leaving bars and parties is where this most usually happens.
Only you can truly know if alcohol is affecting your life in negative ways. You DON'T have to be an "alcoholic" for alcohol to cause problems and consequences. Try not drinking (ANYTHING!) for a week straight...Do you think you can do it? Do you think you can have fun/let loose/feel good without your buzz? You'd probably be surprised at how big a role alcohol and its lifestlye plays in your daily life. Go without drinking (or being around people drinking) for a week and see if you can have fun and relax being sober. If you can't (for ANY reason), you might want to reconsider the grip alcohol has on you...
2006-09-27 14:37:09 · answer #2 · answered by sugarmagnolia0417 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many professionals would deem more than 3 drinks a week to be a problem, but more moderate health professionals would tell you that it is not so much the amount you drink that makes you an alcoholic, but how you handle yourself and your life when you drink.
If drinking is a problem, you lose your job, lose friends or family, get DUI's frequently, then you would be considered to have at least a 'drinking problem' and possibly alcoholism.
Everyone is different and genetics play a big part in how you deal with alcohol consumption.
2006-09-28 01:57:52 · answer #3 · answered by Oats 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all...how old are you? I am an alcoholic or recovering alcoholic and i am 47 and i can't drink like i use to when i was 25 or 26...........but have you ever been in any legal trouble? Or does your family ever say you drink too much? Now there ARE some people they call "FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLICS and they can work and it doesn't seem to hurt them but in the LONG run, trust me.......it WILL hurt you.....at least your health!!!! If not your job eventually and relationships..............good luck...i would try to SLOW down before it DOES get to be a really bad problem!!
2006-09-27 15:12:18 · answer #4 · answered by VICTORIA L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just browsing through the answers makes me laugh, ONLY YOU can decide if you are an alcoholic, not even doctors, pschciatrists or even other people can make that decision on you even if they believe that you are. The frequency of your drinking and the amount are worrying - do you feel that you couldn't stop once you started to drink ?? - that could be a sign of alcoholism. As for drinking to get a promotion - dont feel pressured to drink - even if it means promotion. As for your girlfriend - maybe she has a problem with alcohol too - but only she can decide for herself, obviously shes gonna be cool with you drinking lots if she too drunk to notice it herself - bet if she didnt drink it would probably be an issue. Anyway if you want to stop drinking I suggest giving AA a go - go to as many meetings as you can, sit and listen to the people and then you will be able to make up your mind if you want to stop drinking and AA will help you.
2006-10-01 08:51:51 · answer #5 · answered by CrazedPscyhoticKillerBunny 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
could you put it down tomorrow if you had to without a problem? that's one question to ask.. if you can then you are probably not mentally an alcoholic yet.. next question.. if you don't drink, do you feel ok? if you feel fine then you probably aren't chemically an alcoholic yet... and finally, is this doing any damage to your body.. check with your doctor and they will be able to run some tests on you to see.. if you don't have any damage then you are still fine.. even if you aren't mentally or chemically an alcoholic and you don't have any body damage, you might consider cutting back on the alcohol so that you don't develop problems in the future.. because in time that amount of drinking will catch up with you.. as for do i consider you an alcoholic.. i'd have to know the answer to the questions i asked above to answer that..
2006-09-27 14:31:09 · answer #6 · answered by pip 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How is your health? If alcohol is interfering with anything (including your health, family life, work, social life) then you might be an alcoholic. Personally I can't imagine that your health could be that great if you can consume that amount of alcohol and still get to work the next day. Can you run a mile in under 10 minutes? (without passing out after wards)
Of course your girlfriend doesn't see it as a problem if she's next to you doing the same thing.
2006-09-27 14:28:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I consider someone who has to have alcohol to feel "normal" an alcoholic. I don't think it matters if you drink everyday, I know lots of people who drink some everyday but they are not alcoholics because they are not dependant on alcohol. What if you didn't go out drinking this evening? Would it bother you not to drink? Would you feel like you NEED a drink? If so, then yes, you may be an alcoholic.
2006-09-27 14:42:59 · answer #8 · answered by Tallulah 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Can you NOT go to the bar for a week? How would you feel? If you DON'T think you can stay away for atleast aweek then YES you have a problem. About going with your boss's and getting a "promotion" were they saying that because they were drinking?
2006-09-27 14:32:25 · answer #9 · answered by babyN 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not necessarily. In my opinion, an alcoholic is someone who drinks daily, even without social settings. A good indicator is if you're looking forward to that first drink all day long (which I am guilty of somedays :) but also if its become a such problem in your life that you have to hide it from ppl close to you. And if things you do when youre drunk are adversely affecting the rest of your life, say DUI's, or beating your kids.
Doesnt seem like you have these problems, so not an alchy yet, but pls be careful for your health.
2006-09-27 14:40:04 · answer #10 · answered by ::A'La Mode:: 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋