am i an alchholic or have a prob with drink?

Question

hi everyone,

everyday for the last month i have always had a bottle of paul massons white wine. i start off at midday and just have small glasses until it is all finished.

it doesnt get me drunk or tipsy, doesnt do anything but i only have one bottle a day and stop at that and have no urge to have any more. i can stop this but when im on my own as i live out in sticks with no busses and i cant drive.

why do i do this. i like to have a bottle a day but i dont think im an alki if i only have one bottle and can stop at that.

what can i do to limit myself. i feel lonely

Answer 1

There's nothing wrong with you. You have about 24-25 oz. of wine a day spread out over what? 7 or 8 hours? That's no big deal, you're just fine. (It is more fun to drink with other people, though)

Answer 2

Since you're drinking about twice the recommended maximum for a man, and you're drinking on your own (which is a real danger sign), I'd say you have at least the beginnings of a problem. If you drink a bottle of wine and don't get even tipsy, you are obviously developing a high tolerance too. One bottle might easily turn to two in a month or two.

I could recommend Alcoholics Anonymous, but it sounds as though there might still be hope short of that at the moment. The key is clearly to get yourself some other interests. You don't say if you work - that's a great way to occupy yourself that (usually) doesn't allow you to drink. Join clubs and societies - anything you're interested in. Tackle the loneliness and you'll probably lose the urge to drink.

Best of all, learn to drive. A lesson a week will cost less than all that wine - and once you've passed, you can get out and about and away from temptation. And I found that once I passed my test, I drank much, much less because I enjoyed being the one to drive my mates home.

Answer 3

Loneliness is a reason people mention frequently as what brought them to start drinking alcoholicly.

People who recover from alcoholism have found a way to counter that loneliness, often by attending meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous.

What can you expect at a meeting of AA? Probably not what you think. While there will (hopefully) be some people who are desperate to stop drinking and have lost everything dear to them, the majority are likely to be kind, helpful people who have been able to remain free from the burden of alcoholism for many, many years--and are happy just being of service to anyone who wants help.

There is no judgement of you. No expectation of you. No forms to fill out or records kept. No dues or fees. You do not have to be an alcoholic to attend.

If you want to go once and never come back, that is fine.

If you want to come back, you will come to know unconditional love and a fellowship which will remove your feeling of loneliness, and you will find the obsession to drink lifted. You will be able to live life on life's terms without heavy drinking.

The comment in a previous post that only you have the power to stop drinking if you want to... is simply wrong. Willpower doesn't work with alcoholism, anymore than willpower works with diarrhea, or cancer, or any other disease.

No one else can tell you whether you are alcoholic, you have to answer that for your self, based on your own experience. But keep in mind that alcoholism is a progressive disease. Rarely is someone an alcoholic from day one. It usually happens as the result of the kind of drinking that you described.

AA meetings are everywhere. Just go to the website aa.org and you can find a meeting in your neighborhood. Even if you can't find one close, just call the number and let the volunteer know that you would like a ride. Someone will volunteer to come take you and take you home after. You just have to ask. They are good people who stay sober and have found joy in life through helping others.

There is no reason to wait until you are desperate. You can check it out right now. Its free and anonymous, so you have nothing to lose.

Answer 4

It could become a problem because you seem very lonely. I would suggest that you start by only having a half bottle a day and make some friends then you can share the wine with them

Answer 5

You can look on Alcoholics Anonymous on line and they have a good definition of what determines an alcoholic.

If what you are saying is true, than you have a problem with alcohol.

A bottle of wine should get just about anyone drunk. If you don't feel intoxicated, than that could be sure sign of a problem.

Answer 6

You may not feel the effects of this drinking but, your body is caving it. It may be a physiological addiction such as smoking. The fact that you are concerned about it makes it a problem. A counselor would tell you the same. A simple suggestion would be to not have it available. As far as a real solution, this is something you will have to work this out for yourself. Only you have the power to stop if you really want to. A friend or counselor will be needed to help and guide you. God bless and live well.

Answer 7

If you are lonely go for a walk and get a dog. A bottle a day would have had me passing out so the amount your body has got used to is worrying. If you are out in the sticks don't buy any next time you go shopping then you won't have any to drink.

Answer 8

It sounds like you have another problem and that is that you are lonely. You being lonely is the catalyst to drinking. One bottle a day cannot be good but at least its not hard liquor. why are you out in the sticks anyways? If you say you can stop when you want then why haven't you done so?? drink tea its better for you .

Answer 9

So, how do you get your wine? If your buying the wine, then why don't you venture a little farther? Say a library, the Mall, the gym, a coffee-shop anywhere.
Drinking everyday is a problem. Life is too short to spend it drinking.
You have axis to the Internet, maybe you could find some people to hang out with.
Do you work? Find someone at work to hangout with.

Answer 10

You should only have a glass a day or occassionally more, but not everyday. Get out of the house and meet people, go for long walks, read, and do yardwork. Excersizing is always a good alternative as well.