Am I an alcoholic?

Question

I'm trying to evaluate whether or not I'm an alcoholic. I wouldn't say I fit into the criteria of a stereotypical alchoholic - I don't shake, drink in the morning or become violent (In fact, my personality barely changes when under the influence - however I'd harboured concerns for some time that I may be overdoing it.

- I drink every night (4 cans of lager at least) unless I'm purposely trying not to drink
- When I make a concious decision not to drink I feel restless, or cave in and drink anyway
- When I'm desperate for a drink, I'll drink anything, including my girlfriend's stuff that I don't like the taste of
- Sometimes when I drink, I drink with the intention of passing out so that I don't have to worry about my responsibilities, my job or life in general
- I drink alone, a lot
- As I type, I'm pissed as a fart

So, based on what I've written - am I an alcholic even though it's not doing any serious, noticable damage to my life?

Answer 1

You are the only person that can diagnosis yourself. I am an alcoholic, because my drinking was causing a problem for me, and I know that I cannot control my drinking. I am not a stereotypical alcoholic either, and to be fair, I've not met many alcoholics who are. We come from all walks of life, and lots of us live with this illness for many years, with few people knowing.

The fact that you've asked this suggests that you are concerned about your drinking. You now have to decide what to do. You can carry on as before, but I don't think that would make you happy. You can try and control your drinking, but one could argue that an alcoholic cannot control this at all. The final option is to give up the drink. It isn't as hard a descision as you'd think - you only have to decide that in this moment, you don't want to drink. One Day At A Time - don't plan for the future, just get through this moment, this day, without a drink. There is support if you want it - you can get in touch with AA http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ or look in to Rational Recovery - http://www.rational.org/
You can discuss with your doctor what services and support is available locally. You can talk with friends and family. Counselling or CBT might help you with your issues with your job and responsibilities. There are chat rooms (Based around the twelve step programme) at http://stepchat.com/
And, you can get in touch with me if you'd like. There are a lot of us out here you know, and if you want to talk, just let me know.

Best wishes, I hope you can find the answers to your questions :)

Answer 2

I'd say that you have a drinking problem. There are many types of alcoholism but needing alcohol is the general clue of whether you are an alcoholic. I gave up drinking a year ago after having stomach problems and would drink between 70 and 90 cans a week. I, like you, never needed a beer in the morning but I would drink every night and at weekends till I passed out. If I were you I would quit drinking or at least limit it to once a week. The quantity you drink will only increase if you keep going the way you are...Good luck!

Answer 3

I hate that you're dealing with this. One piece of advice i will provide you with, on condition that you're 12, is to look ahead to an afternoon even as he comes living house sober and tell him that you want to consult him about what he's doing to himself and the kinfolk and the way it truly is hurting all and multiple jointly with himself. maximum alcoholics don't realize that they change right into a countless human being even as they drink and hence damage those round them devoid of regard. in case you do this and it would not paintings, then try entering into contact with a counselor. many of the time, they are going to recommend what you ought to do. I didnt have an abusive father, notwithstanding, I had about 4 below the impression of alcohol uncles that i change into round maximum of my formative years. i understand the abuse, even if it were verbal or actual. i'm sorry that you're dealing with this really.

Answer 4

You definitely have a drinking problem.

1.) You get desperate for a drink
2.) You drink till you pass out
3.) You drink every night.

You are lying to yourself that you are not doing any noticeable damage to your life.

You are playing a game with yourself that it is all good unless you are labeled "Alcoholic".

My Mother in law used to think that as long as she waited until noon to start drinking that it was all good.
She would tap her fingernails on the top of the beer for an hour until the clock hit noon.

You are doing similar things so you can feel in control of your drinking even though you are not.......one of them is whether you qualify as an "alcoholic" or not..........

Answer 5

i think if you r thinking about it all the time and you drink everyday that much then yes i think u r. i have a big history of alcholics in my family and it sounds just like them but at least you r realizing that u might be. u might consider going for help. you shouldn't be ashamed at all for going to get help. if anything you should feel proud of yourself. good luck