I would like some help and advice on my drinking problem

LegacyUser

I think im developing a serious drinking problem I may be an alcoholic already, according to drinkaware I am but according to that site everyone in ireland would be.Basically I just turned 30 and my drinking habbits are every saturday I binge drink 10 to 15 pints of beer in one night sometimes I can keep it down to one night a week other times it strecthes to 2 or 3.Beer,cider are the only drinks I drink maybe wine sometimes.The thing about my drinking aswell is that I do it alone, I have just turned 30 and I am about 20 stone and while I do have friends I could go out with I don't bother because its not fun for me anymore as I have no confidence in myself so never chat to girls etc so i dont bother going out.I have been fat all my life and while I used to go out in my early 20s I just dont see the appeal anymore.I am now 30 and because I havent had much social contact with the opposite sex I get quite nervous taliking to them and this gets worse the older you get.I mean a 30 year old is meant to a bit experienced right.so I think my drinking is down to boredom and frustrating but I am beginning to worry about so I would like some advice or insight I dont want to let my 30s go to waste like I did my 20s.am I an alcoholic

NoQuarter

from what i see you dont particularly have a drinking problem, more a self-confidence problem! The amount you drink doesnt seem that bad and ignore what the PC brigade says, the whole drinking alone thing is a different story though.

AARRRGH

I don't think you're an alcoholic.

Here's my plan of action for you. Feel free to take it or leave it!

1. Look at this picture every day: http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/cirrhosis-liver.jpg. Use it to reinforce the damage you are doing to your liver.
2. Visit this website every day: http://wqd.netwarriors.org/forum.php. You will find all kinds of information regarding alcoholism, etc. there. It's a great website.
3. Start fixing your diet. You don't have to be obsessive about what you eat, but always make an effort to take the healthy option when there's a choice.
4. Join a gym. The confidence you will gain as you lose weight and get stronger will be amazing. You'll also improve your energy levels and posture.
5. Start drinking loads of water. You'll find with the better diet, exercise, lack of alcohol and lots of water your skin will start glowing.
6. Invest in a nice haircut.
7. Invest in some nice clothes.
8. Do a night course in something you enjoy. This will feed your brain and allow you to meet new people in a very non-confrontational way.
9. If you have anger issues, or similar, consider therapy. I don't know anyone who hasn't benefited from therapy.
10. Keep posting here whenever you need some support.

Best of luck.

EDIT: And my personal favorite... 11. Go to the Dentist and get your teeth cleaned. It's amazing how nice you feel when you have a gleaming, fresh mouth!

Monkey61

Hi,

From what you've said I wouldn't say your an alcoholic but you seem like you're stuck in a major rut.

For a man of your size, 10-15 pints isn't the worst but its still unhealthy and doing a lot of damage to your body.

Your self esteem and confidence really need to be tackled and as I'm sure you know yourself; a great way of starting that would be to majorly cut down on the booze and start a whole new healthy way of life.

If you change your diet, get yourself fitter and cut down on how much you drink, the weight will start to drop off and your self esteem and confidence will start to improve. Obviously these issues need to be worked on themselves, but for a start I think becoming healthier will put you in a much better position to start tackling all the other areas of your life which need fixing.

JuliusCaesar

my dilemma wrote: »

I binge drink 10 to 15 pints of beer in one night sometimes I can keep it down to one night a week other times it strecthes to 2 or 3.

10 pints = 20 units; 15 pints = 30 units.
At least 20 units once a week, at most 90 units a week. 20 wouldn't be TOO bad if spread over 3 or 4 evenings, but otherwise is a binge as the OP said. Binging is BAD!!

Yes DD is right: get the weight down, that'll help raise the confidence. Take exercise (walking is good) and the mood will improve. Reduce the alcohhol and feel you've got more control over your life, that'll help confidence and mood.

get off your barstool and into your life!

Fair play to you posting here. Good luck!

chuci

i have to echo with what dublin dude said in his post. start loosing weight and as im sure you know pints have a good few calories in them so if you cut them out and try to stick to a healthy diet as is feasible. maybe start going for a walk the nights you usually go to the pub during the week at the weekend if you think you can manage it go out with friends but only have 2 pints. if you think you need more because you will be out of your comfort zone then leave it go fo awhile. as the weight drops off go join a gym when you feel comfortable with yourself go to one with a trainer who can set out an individual plan to suit you and that you can build on. once you start loosing weight you will start to feel better about yourself and it will help you to get out of the rut you appear to be in. best of luck and fair play for realising there is a problem.