Am I an alcoholic?

Question

I think I'll probably get a lot of answers like "if you ask, then you are...", but here are the details.

I usually drink a couple of beers or a couple of shots each night when I get home from work. I never feel like I "have" to take that drink, it is just something that I do. I have gone months without drinking, and I never have the "shakes", and I never stress getting drunk, but when I'm home I like to drink.

And I've never woken up and taken a drink "to get through the day", or to cure a hangover.

I have no problem being the designated driver, but if I am, I usually have a couple of drinks when I get home even if my wife goes to bed. I've noticed this habit between me and my wife. Regardless of what the drink is, be it wine, beer or whiskey, we usually have a couple of drinks every day.

Is this the sign of an alcoholic, or is this just a bad habit that we've formed over the years?

Also... is it social drinking when you aren't in a group?

and I know, I know... I'm a drunk, alcoholics go to meetings. (funny guy!)

Another note... there are some nights when I know I don't have to get up early the next day that I stay up late, even after my wife's gone to sleep, just watching TV or playing playstation football or something, and keep drinking... Those are the nights that I worry about really, because I seriously had no real reason to stay up, I just did because I could.

Answer 1

The "Signs" of an alcoholic are exansive and vary from person-to-person. The best way to determine if you're an alky is to do the following:

Go two months where you can only have 10 alcoholic beverages per month. If you can make those two months with only drinking 10 per month - then you are certainly not an alkie. Being dependant on alcohol is not the same as enjoying a nice cold one.

Whether you are or are not an alcoholic, I would advise you cut down to no more than 7 alcoholic beverages per week. Any more and your liver will not thank you.

Why not replace your beer with red wine? it's good on the CV system. Also, you mention that "...gone months without drinking..." - that is a good indication that at that time you were not an alkie. Why not put yourself to the test. 10 drinks per month times two months.

Best of luck to ya.

Answer 2

I lived with an alcoholic for 20 years, and what I would say is.... at the moment probably just a habit. A lot of people have a drink or two a day to relax after their day. The big question is it effecting your life? Does it cause you to be late or cause fights between you and your spouse. If no one is ultimatly being effected and you could manage to go with out it without becoming upset chances are you are NOT an alcoholic just a person that enjoys a couple of drinks, however be cautious of this habit it can turn to alcoholism easily before you know it. Good luck

Answer 3

Think about it this way:
Most European's drink beer or wine with every meal. They even serve beer in movie theaters and McDonalds! There is nothing wrong with drinking a little bit every day. As long as you're not getting DRUNK. Alcohol can have a very calming effect on jittery nerves which is probably why you prefer to drink after work. Don't fret over having an alcohol problem. The whole thing about "If you have to ask..." is only half true. most people who have a drinking problem KNOW that they have one, they just choose to ignore it. They only ask to find out if anyone ELSE has noticed. You KNOW you don't have a problem... So, lift up your glass and have a pint! Prost!

Answer 4

My husband is an alcoholic and has been sober for 10 years now. In your case, the fact that your behavior, and the behavior of your wife is of enough concern for you to post this question does raise some red flags. There is commonly a history of alcoholism and/or other dependency behaviors in families. Look at your family tree. Might you come from one? I know that I do, and when I feel myself getting caught up in some addictive activity, I'm very aware and gain control of it before it's too late. Perhaps this is just your sub-conscious knocking on the inside of your skull trying to focus your attention to something that may be becoming a problem. Alcohol, of course, isn't a life sustaining necessity, so taper off. Consider why you find it necessary to drink daily. Stress relief? Replace with evercise or other fun activities. Do discuss your feelings with your wife, because it's really difficult for a spouse to do this without the other person's support.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Thats just a bad habbit like smoking. I like to drink to relax and whined down after a long day too. But I smoke everytime I go to the bar. When I leave I dont smoke anymore it is just something I am used to doing when I go out which happens about once a month. It is a habbit but nothing I am addicted too. Kinda like your drinking your not addicted you just have a habbit of doing it at a certain time. It would be different if you had to drink to manage or if you were drinking all day long. But your not.

Answer 6

Can you stop taking the drinks? It's not healthy for you and really not helping you out to take a couple before bed. You may not be an alcoholic yet, but you should cut back on drinking before it becomes more serious.

Answer 7

If you aren't drinking until you get drunk, it just sounds like you like beer and other drinks a lot. If you aren't actually getting drunk then I don't think that can be considered abuse, nor could you be considered an alcoholic. If you drink that much so that you can get drunk, however, that's a problem.

Answer 8

Bad habit. From what I've read I think you have a bad habit.
However really and truly, only you can say if your an alcoholic. You have to be true to yourself...and alcoholics have a tendency of not being honest with them self and everyone else around them.

Answer 9

no your not an alcoholic... alcoholics revolve thier lives around alcohol and have to have it.... it dont seem as if its a bad habbit either it seems as if you just like to have a couple drinks after a long day..... my boyfriend is the same way... its just something you do.... i used to be the same way, but then i started getting bad with it. As long as you dont let it take over your life or u HAVE to have it your fine..... Also as long as it don't start ruining your relationship thats a big thing that happens with alcoholics.... my father was one and still is so i kno exactly wat an alcoholic.....

Answer 10

Bad habit........probably. Alcoholism..........seriously doubtful.

Alcoholics use the drug (and it is a drug, in a sense) to deal with everyday problems. You sound, from your missive, as an ordinary, typical individual that chooses to drink simply to relax, as opposed to using it to dodge any kind of responsibility. You don't use it to alleviate stress, per se.

I see nothing wrong here. Enjoy!!