Would you consider me an alcoholic if I drink every day?

Question

I don't necessarily get drunk, but like having a few drinks to relax. Alcoholism runs pretty bad in my family but I feel I have it under control. my mom disagrees.

Answer 1

PLEASE do not be offended, OK? I'm only going to respond to your question. The answer to your question is "Yes," if you drink everyday and moreso if you have the URGE to drink everyday.

Can you go a month or so without a drink? Have you done this recently? Do you feel like taking a drink when you're happy as well as when you're upset?

Listen, alcoholism is like an allergy; some people can drink all day long and not drink for the next year! Some people will "need" to take a couple of drinks everyday or every weekend or every now and then when they get upset...

My oldest brother was a very, very bright man. He was going to graduate valedictorian from a very, very prestigious high school (only honor students attend this school) with 2 years' worth of credits... but, unknown to the family, he used to drink beer or a few shots everyday since he was about 16. He was City Champion in 2 events in Gymnastics and in 2 events Diving (1- and 3-meter) and in Fencing while in HS but he did this in order to be out of the home to get drunk. He dropped out of school 3 months shy of graduating, went into the Air Force and did his stint; he was getting drunk there, too. He got out and continued his drinking and went from job to job although he was by then a jet mechanic! He'd often tell me that he KNEW he was NOT an alcoholic, that he could "control" it but that he simply enjoyed it... he drank his whole life away and died penniless, alone and in poor health. He was diagnosed by several doctors as an alcoholic but HE "knew" better than they did...

Well, my mother's stepson was in a very prestigious university for Architecture, and was accepted into Medical School; my mother's husband and MY mother put him through medical school (while neglecting to help me when I wanted to go to college) and paid a fortune for his studies, books and his "debts" at bars and liquor stores. Guess what? About 2 years after he did his internship and was working in a hospital, he lost his medical license for stealing credit cards in order to get drunk. He had been drinking since he was about 14 and getting away because his mother (AND his father) always covered for him, paying for the cars he wrecked, the money he stole and the debts he accumulated. He later became an X-Ray technician; he lost that, too, for latenesses and excess absences and being drunk on the job! He will argue with anyone that HE is not an alcoholic; he works doing odd jobs in construction, still lives at home with his daddy and my mother (still getting drunk and making a general nuisance of himself with neighbors and the old folks).

I've had teachers, friends, several other relatives (very talented but frustrated because "luck" was against them) and some very talented painters I used to admire as a kid... but they're all dead, died of alcohol-related symptoms (cirrhosis of the liver, diabetic comas brought upon by alcohol consumption, etc). Alcohol was their answer to everything, and they've all died penniless due to alcohol. They've ALL had it "under control." Yeah, so much so that it ruined their lives.

The streets are crammed with homeless men AND women with alcohol-related issues, and it is worse for women!

My advice is that if you KNOW that there are some in your family that have a drinking problem, AVOID getting "addicted" to alcohol; alcoholism is an addiction, and like all addictions there are mental and physical issues involved, and NOT very easy to get away from after time. The longer you continue to drink, the more difficult it is to stop later on.

Hey, I LOVE the TASTE of BEER but I am afraid of alcoholism. What do I do? I buy and only drink alcohol-free beer (tastes just like regular beer but no alcohol effect). You think I'm kidding?

I saw someone not so long ago who was dying after a lifelong binge of drinking... her face was almost mishapen; she had the large puffy nose, alcohol-puffy face and hands... she really didn't look that nice with many missing teeth, her hair thinning like a man, and what was most shocking was that I remember her as a child that I used to carry in my arms and she looked like she was easily 20 years older than I am... and I'm 59 years old, and 15 years her senior! I looked at her on her deathbed, wondering what she could have been, might have been and all the contributions she might have made... her children taken from her years before because of her drinking and negligence... she was such a pretty little girl, but who would believe it looking at her as she lay on her death bed? The most surprising thing is that she grew up in a very Christian home; her sister also died of alcoholism, another of AIDS and yet another of a drug overdose (her mother had about 5 girls, all taken from her, and all died of drug-related or alcohol-related problems).

Well, you're still young. You have a decision to make, and it is going to be up to YOU when you feel the urge to drink. Just remember, some of us are simply born with the intolerance to drink and not need to get drunk... it's an addiction that we are pre-disposed to at birth... and the rest of your life can be a long and happy one, or one of misery and need for another drink.

Would you DARE go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting if indeed you have it "under control"?

Would you dare ask your doctor to administer Antabuse even though you have it "under control"?

IF you have it "under control" WHY are you still drinking... wasting a small fortune on drink when you can be buying yourself pretty shoes or pretty dresses and making yourself attractive?

You've never taken a close look at a woman (or man) that drinks a lot? Look at their bloated noses and the large pores on their noses and face... and look at the almost mishapen shape of the women... and the peculiar smell they emit from their pores, or how they often even forget to bathe or brush their teeth and groom properly (they lose interest)! Think about that, OK?

You're probably saying to yourself, "I'm NOT that bad, yet!" and the magic word you're not paying attention to is "YET."

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

Well, hmm....I think that you COULD get drunk if you use alcohol to relax. There are other ways than to trash up your body, like running; screaming into a pillow; icecream; etc...Alcohol only relaxes you, it doesn't help you with your problems. And drinking EVERY SINGLE DAY doesn't help, y'know? So chiilax in some other way, girl. Oh and are you sure that YOU DO have it under control? I disagree.

Answer 3

Hey there relax... I personally don't think you have a problem..
You see I'm a stay at home mother and me and my husband haven't gone out since is was pregnant... and yes pretty much every day we have a drink or two..
I say that though after i have put my son to sleep and my responsibilities are all done..
We do don't necessarily get drunk though some days it hit us harder then others..we too to it to relax and it's our way of pampering our selves..
Alcoholism was bad in my family too. my father actually died of liver cancer..but let me tell you I know for a fact i am nothing like him....
As long you aren't effecting any ones life and especially your own don't worry.
But saying that listen to your mom concerns and maybe flex a little bit for her sakes.. Trust me love your mom you only got one..She is just taking care of you..

Answer 4

If you can answer yes to any one of these questions, maybe it's time you took a serious look at what your drinking might be doing to you.

AA is a great group. My family has a history of alcoholism I went to meetings for families and kids. Today I am 31 and have not had any scares because of this group. I do enjoy alcohol but rarely.
Do you drink because you have problems? To relax?
Do you drink when you get mad at other people, your friends or parents?
Do you prefer to drink alone, rather than with others?
Are your grades starting to slip? Are you goofing off on your job?
Did you ever try to stop drinking or drink less — and fail?
Have you begun to drink in the morning, before school or work?
Do you gulp your drinks?
Do you ever have loss of memory due to your drinking?
Do you lie about your drinking?
Do you ever get into trouble when you're drinking?
Do you get drunk when you drink, even when you don't mean to?
Do you think it's cool to be able to hold your liquor?

Good Luck

Jen

Answer 5

Just how many drinks are "a few"? And what sorts of drinks are these?

A drink a day won't kill you. But that doesn't mean you won't get addicted.

You should keep in mind that many addicts think they "have it under control". It's only when they try to stop that they realize they're addicted.

As a general policy, you probably shouldn't drink much at all. Relaxation best comes from other sources.

Answer 6

Alcoholism, in and of itself, does indeed have a genetic link, in the fact that children of alcoholic parents have a much higher predisposition of becoming alcoholics themselves.
Medical studies have shown however that one or two glasses of wine are actually beneficial to the overall systemic health of the body and that the same two glasses of beer may help kidney function. The liver is another matter. The more you drink and the increase in frequency leads to increased tolerance. Having a high tolerance to alcohol is the start of a downward spiral leading to such things as hepatitis, liver failure, kidney failure, potentially deadly with-drawls, etc., etc.
My advice is an attempt at abstaining for periods of time and finding other ways to reduce your stress such as exercise, sex, hobbies, walks or something of this nature. Diet can also lower your stress levels with the right amount complex carbohydrates. JMO

Answer 7

no even doctors tell you it's healthy to drink two drinks a day, Making the liver work a little exercises makes it stronger. look if your not getting pulled over for dui's or hurting anyone or getting sloshed every night then keep up the good work cus you have learned self control and that is something an alcoholic doesn't have.

Answer 8

Millions of people relax without having to drink alcohol. So to answer your question, yes. If you have a slight inclination you might be, you are.

C U at a meeting!

Answer 9

I'd definatly say you're showing the traits. Regardless of your control of how much you drink. You might wanna just become a weekend warrior. Though some people consider weekend drinkers alcoholics too. I guess just do what's right for you as long as it isn't hurting you or other people.

Answer 10

Im with ya! After I put the kids to bed and let the dogs out then again, I have a lot onmy plate, Just need a few to take the edge off so I can relax and sllep well. Sometimes a few is a six pack, occasionally, none, but hey, gotta chill and get my z's. It helps me de-stress.

Answer 11

Can you go two weeks without any alcohol at all. Don't guess, do it. You will know the answer for sure. As for your having it under control, every alcoholic is possitve that they do too.