How do I cut back on drinking alcohol?

Question

I am a 26-year-old female who lives in Wisconsin. I grew up in a small town where everything we did revolved around drinking. I've found that when I go out to the bar, oftentimes I drink so much that the next day I can't remember a lot of what happened. I only drink on weekends and I don't crave alcohol during the week, so I don't think I'm physically addicted to it.

Is it possible to be "socially" or "psychologically" addicted to alcohol? It feels like it's all or nothing with my drinking. Once I start, I often can't stop.

Has anyone had success in "cutting back" how much they drink when they're out?

What other things do you do for fun that don't involve alcohol?

Do I need to just get some new friends?

Do I need to quit drinking altogether?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks!

Answer 1

Someone here said you're an alcoholic. That may be possible, but I doubt we're (on Y!A) qualified to say such a thing. However, I can say this... I took a psych class called Substance Abuse and Addiction and we covered the difference between abusing a substance and being addicted to it. The difference is that a person who is addicted experiences tolerance and withdrawal.
Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide if you are an alcoholic. At least, that's what they say at AA meetings.
I used to drink 'all or nothing.' I think that complete abstinence is the best way to avoid this if it's a problem. I think this because I haven't found a way to control my drinking or craving while drinking.
If you decide to abstain from alcohol, new friends may help. AA says to change people, places, and things. You may find that your drinking buddies don't want to have anything to do with you if you're not drinking. But if you have friends that keep the drinking away from you, don't pressure you to drink, and support you in all your decisions, they're keepers to me.
Fun things without alcohol? Find something that gets your adrenaline going. According to the group leaders at a rehab clinic, addiction is fueled by the rush accompanied with getting and using the drug (in this case alcohol). You may need something to give you a rush to replace alcohol completely. I have cousins in Wisconsin that like to ride four wheelers around. If you live in a mostly rural area like them, you might know someone who has a couple and can ride with you. Just be careful! A cousin took a nasty spill on one ride and wound up in the hospital. Aside from that, you might learn something new. I've been learning html and reading about css lately. I like designing web pages, so that's perfect for me. You could read up on something that would help your career. Two skills are better that one...
Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi there. I went through a similar issue. Though you do not crave alcohol during the week, because you do black out and can't remember things that happened while you were drinking... that is a major sign that you have the potential to become addicted to alcohol. I think that for me, I had to make a very difficult decision to make new friends and just be around new people. I had to end a relationship that was very important to me because our drinking was out of control. I wanted to cut back, but couldn't when I was with him. Though it was painful for me, I don't regret it now.

I don't know if you need to quit drinking altogether. That is really a question you probably know the answer to already. For me, I was able to stop drinking completely for a year and now have an occasional drink or beer without too many problems. I will admit, it has been difficult for me to refrain from overdoing it and getting trashed. Sounds similar to the "once I start, I often can't stop." Also a symptom of potential alcoholism.

Just keep it under control. If you lose power over it time and time again, it may be time to get help. Also, just as a precaution, if you have any reason to suspect that you may be physically addicted (or if you ever become physically addicted), you must detox under medical supervision as alcohol withdrawls can be fatal! I really hope this helps you. I also hope you can decide how to tackle this very tough issue! Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Quitting alcohol is the best advice but however it may not be a happy one for you. What I would suggest is like me I always pour the amount of alcohol I want to drink into a separate container before I start and afterwards whatever is the urge to drink ( which is always there) more I just do not do it and limit myself this way I have overcome the problem of forgetting what I am doing after drinking because I first reduced 30 ml I found that I still forgot next day I reduced 60 ml and then found that I was able to remember many thing and I finally cut 90 ml and I am very fine and sober and remember what all I have done after drinking and my level today is 210 ml per day and this way I have been continuing for more than 10 years and so far I have no problems and I am also a weekend enjoyer. All the best.

Answer 4

If you are blacking out and can't stop once you start , you have a drinking problem and may need help quitting . Both of my parents and several of my friends were alcoholics , so I have seen it before. Try going to AA meetings. That program will work if you work it. If you have problems with "the higher power " stuff , you can try " The Small Book " by Trimpy that deals with "rational recovery". You realize how dangerous it is to not remember what you did the night before- what if you drink and drive and hurt or kill someone, what if you sleep with someone with a disease, so many dangers...There are a lot of things to do without drinking where you can make new friends. And your "friends " that you drink with may give you grief for not hanging out with them any more , but that's their addiction talking - "If you're an alcoholic , maybe I am. " It is still early in your life and relatively easier to quit now than after you've been at it for 20 or 30 years. All alcoholics end up either institutionalized [jail, hospital, etc.] or dead . It got both of my folks , please don't let it get you.

Answer 5

I don't think one can quit drinking altogether but to just slow it down that would be a good thing.Make sure you have water available perhaps with a twist of lemon to jazz it up a bit.Perhaps involve the idea of less alcohol in the conversation as most of us are trying to be more healthy and eat and drink better. Try to have something that is really nice to eat as well as the drinking perhaps this will mean you have less to spend on drinking. Take up a hobby for which you may need to spend on so that you will need to budget. Exercise is also a very simple and a beneficial routine to get involved in. You are on the right track so keep right on as this is definitely progress and I hope I have given you some ideas without being too drastic try just a little change. You will probably feel so much better that it will be an encouragement to do more.

Answer 6

Even though you don't appear to drink during the week, it does seem you're psychologically addicted to drink on the weekends, and if you're doing this every weekend to the point where you can't remember what happened, you're killing brain cells, and for heaven's sake, please don't be driving while you're doing this.

You might talk to your friends and let them know how you feel and see if they feel the same way. If so, start doing other things on the weekends. Hang out at someone's house and watch movies, play games, etc and make sure your strongest drink is coke or pepsi.

If your friends aren't willing to give up their weekend lifestyle, then in order to make yours better, it does sound like you need to find some new friends. My father drank for many years when I was a kid, and it just about drove him (and my mom and me) crazy. He did eventally stop drinking, but he did have to change his lifestyle and friends in order to do this.

Good luck.

Answer 7

You are an alcoholic. Even though you only drink on weekends, you can't stop, once you've started drinking and don't remember things, the next day. Classic symptoms of alcoholism.
You should attend A.A., make new friends, quit drinking altogether and remove yourself from situations where you could be tempted to drink.
There are plenty of things to do which don't involve alcohol.
Go to the movies, go shopping, take up a hobby, check out the library, etc.........

Answer 8

If you are questioning your drinking habits, you probably know the answer. Only you can decide if you are an alcoholic. If you decide you are, you can't just cut back. Find an AA meeting, change the people, places and things. I am a recovering alcoholic w/6 years sobriety. It can be a whole new life!

Answer 9

Sounds like me. The "New" definition of an alcoholic is a person who once they have a drink they have an overwhelming urge for another and so on. All the things i do for fun have something related to drinking. I just try to limit the number of nights I drink and then try not to drink a lot of shots, and have learned to pace myself with the drinks. I find when i drink a lot quick and get hammered fast it is harder to control than when I start and pace myself.

Answer 10

Yes, your environment can effect your drinking.
What you are experiencing is called binge drinking followed by blackouts. Time to quit altogether if you find it impossible to go out and not drink alcoholic beverages. If you didn't have a problem, you'd be comfortable with drinking soda or seltzer regardless of what your friends are drinking.
AA is a proven resource to help with your addiction.
Good luck.