Alcohol

LegacyUser

hey just wondering would you consider someone who doesn't touch a drop of booze during the week but goes on binges at the weekends to have a problem that can't be fixed except for giving up drink? i don't get cravings or anything i just find it hard to stop when i start.to be honest i dont really want to give up drink. any thoughts?

Karen_*

I'm the exact same OP, I can't stop once I start. Didn't used to get cravings during the week but they came in time. Never got cravings during the day even when I was drinking every night. If you can't stop then don't start would be my advice because short of having someone there with you who will wrestle the drink out of your hand then what else can you do.

I think you should spend a bit of time with non-drinkers doing non-drinking things. When you do that then not drinking doesn't seem to be so terrible. I couldn't even consider sorting myself out only I happened to meet a non-drinker and spent time with them and then I wanted the life they had.

I'd tell you to cut down but you can't stop so thats impossible. Giving up is your only option I think.

Stheno

Could you give up drinking for a month or does that thought fill you with dread?
Edited to add: just saw Karen's post, more helpful than mine

abi2007

I bring very little money out with me, enough for a taxi there and home and for about four drinks, usually about 40 euro does it. prevents me from getting drunk and also from buying a take away on the way home. works for me.

Karen_*

Yours is helpful too Nougatti. All suggestions are. I am giving advice coming from someone who has a problem and the OP may not have so different views are needed. Its a good idea to try a month if you can OP. If you can't do that then there could be a problem. Life is better without drink it really is.

MagicMarker

Unregistered wrote: »

hey just wondering would you consider someone who doesn't touch a drop of booze during the week but goes on binges at the weekends to have a problem that can't be fixed except for giving up drink? i don't get cravings or anything i just find it hard to stop when i start.to be honest i dont really want to give up drink. any thoughts?

You and 80% of the population tbh.

I wouldn't say it's a 'problem', more so a reflection on drinking culture in Ireland in general.

We've all drank more than we should at some stage, but most of us grow out of it. It's just a lack of maturity if you ask me.

Know your limits, don't be stupid.

Senna

The problem is drink is such a part of socialising in Ireland, if you dont want to drink then it can often feel like you cant go out socialising.

Maybe on your next night out, be more concious of how many drinks you have, maybe limit yourself to a certain number of drinks. If you cant do that, then it might be starting to be a problem that may become bigger.

LegacyUser

thanks for the replies guys. all taken on board. yeah i think i will try stop for while and see how it goes. just for the record i'm in my late twenties so i don't think it's a question of growing out of it or anything.

thanks again

DublinWriter

The old question they tell you in AA is that out of two people, person a who has to have just one pint at lunchtime and person b who only goes out once a month, but when starts to drink cannot stop, which is the alcoholic?

The answer is of course person b, as that person is letting drink control them rather than vice-versa.

I think it's possible to wean oneself out of what I term a 'stunt' drinking mode back into a normal sociable drinking mode.

OP - I get the impression your weekend binges happen outside your house? If so, the one thing I would warn strongly about is not to start solo drinking.

You may also need to change your circle of drinking friends if you feel they are helping contribute to your desire to binge.

Best of luck.

petethebrick

I'm the exact same as you OP. I used to go out on a friday and would be out all night drinking and then at it again all afternoon/night saturday. Maybe try to stay in on a friday or do some hobby or something. Head out late when you you do go out and until you get it under control set yourself an amount of drinks you'll have and only bring money for that number of drinks...... I also started playing football on sunday mornings which means that I need to get home at a reasonable time on saturday night (it's still 4/5 tbh ). As another poster said don't be drinking on your own either

mazcon

My Dh is an alcoholic and his pattern of drinking was the same as yours for years op. It's just in the last 7 years it got really bad.(He is in his 40s now btw) He had to give up completely as when he started he couldn't stop until he was physically unable to function. Alcoholism is progressive so if you have a problem it will continue to get worse if you don't stop. I think the advice to try and stop for a while is good, it will give you a good indication of whether or not you have a problem. Good luck.