What do I do when I feel so bad?

Question

I don't consider myself an alcoholic. I only drink when my thoughts get so heavy and I don't want to feel. I do not do this everyday. When i do drink, I drink very heavily. It seems to help ease the pain of having to think about my situation. I try to focus on anything but my pain. I even try to help other people so I don't have to think about myself. Is this normal? Am I becoming an alcoholic?

Answer 1

If you are using it to dull your pain, you are on the verge of becoming an alcoholic. You need to find something constructive to take the place of alcohol. Slowly get off of the alcohol, and dont beat yourself up if you mess up. Habits that include physical excercise are especially helpful, b/c they build chemicals in your body that will give you a high similar to the alcoholic high, without the side effects. Start a habit that will dull the pain (bicycling, running, walking, target shooting, golf) - but will not hurt you. By replacing the way you deal with the pain with something constructive, you will prevent yourself from becoming an alcoholic.

Answer 2

you have a drinking problem.
you are drinking to hide or mask your pain.

The Promises of AA (try a meeting)

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

"Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them."
From Chapter Six of "The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous."

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Answer 3

I don't think so. It's good that you are aware of the possibility. You are doing the right thing by getting out of "yourself" to help someone else. I have found running to be a great way to stave off depression. And believe me, I'm not the athletic type. It truly does up your endorphins and fights depression. And it's much better for you than drinking. Although an occasional drink is fine.

Answer 4

Yeah, I think you are.

An alcoholic does consist of someone who is trying to numb their pain. If you feel so bad, try targeting your issues. Something getting you down? Realise what it is, and try to solve it.

If you're not the kind of person who analyses their life, then remember.. it's a short life.. whatevers keeping you down isnt worth it!

And hey, rather then doing this to numb pain... try kickboxing or something. Or martial arts or sports, anything physically draining. Try even running... whenever I feel like crap I run!