Are you addicted to alcohol?

TeddyTedson

I always try to give up but can't. I'm not drinking every day or anything but I binge like crazy. I'd often start on a Friday after work and be fairly pissed till Monday morning.
People never think I'm too drunk either because I don't act much differently. But I blackout basically every night I go out, like a lot of people - in this country anyway.
What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.
I love to give the **** up for ever, not that it's affecting me too badly or anything its just that life passed you by living for the weekends.
Do you think you could give it up - if you wanted to?

Da Shins Kelly

I could, but I don't want to.

AnonoBoy

Ah toughen up and stop your whining.

You're rubbish at drinking is what's evident.

beeroclock

Yes I am in fact im having one right now

TeddyTedson

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Ah toughen up and stop your whining.

You're rubbish at drinking is what's evident.

I see I've marked you down before

TeddyTedson

I think I;m drunk still actually. Can a mod lock this

Deus Ex Machina

I think the important distinction is whether you could stop if you weren't in social situations where drinking is the number one activity. If you are drinking because those around you are doing it, it's probably not alchie territory, but if your desire to drink is more intrinsic and not socially motivated, then I'd say you're probably a big ol' alchie.

I myself am not addicted to alcohol. I am perhaps addicted to other equally harmful things, but that's for another day and another thread....

AstridBean

Deus Ex Machina wrote: »

I think the important distinction is whether you could stop if you weren't in social situations where drinking is the number one activity. If you are drinking because those around you are doing it, it's probably not alchie territory, but if your desire to drink is more intrinsic and not socially motivated, then I'd say you're probably a big ol' alchie.

I myself am not addicted to alcohol. I am perhaps addicted to other equally harmful things, but that's for another day and another thread....

Yep, if you'd never drink alone, you're probably grand. Except if you purposefully (or subconsciously) surround yourself with heavy drinkers to normalise your own.

Do you have a limit, OP? I find I do, I get to a stage where I think "I'm done!"

Logical Fallacy

TeddyTedson wrote: »

But I blackout basically every night I go out, like a lot of people - in this country anyway.

Hey, whatever makes you feel better man.

TeddyTedson

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Hey, whatever makes you feel better man.

sad, but true. I'd say most people who are in a nightclub blackout.

saa

Most of us binge that doesn't mean addiction alone, I could give up if I wanted to If I was addicted (which is what addicts say sorry :p_)
its usually not the behaviour but how its affecting your life that is the problem, the drink binge once every 2-4 weeks isn't draining my money or affecting mood (ongoing), relationships or work luckily but it could become every week and then every week day without me noticing hopefully I will never have to battle that.

For anyone who worries they are addicted:
What is stopping you from taking a few drinks one night a week because it might be emotional.
whether it be another drug, prescribed pills, sex, food, exercise or whatever its still addiction presenting in a different way.

I will be honest I'm not sure of all the options are and will not tell anyone what to do but AA is a good place to start if it is an issue for anyone some good mental health services so your GP is also another option.

Logical Fallacy

TeddyTedson wrote: »

sad, but true. I'd say most people who are in a nightclub blackout.

lol, like i said, whatever makes you more comfortable with your relationship with the bottle dude.

saa wrote: »

I could give up if I wanted to If I was addicted

No doubt man, piece of piss.

Except the fact that you would be addicted.

PseudoFamous

I rarely drink, and even if I do, I even more rarely get drunk. But I usually have less than €20 to my name, so I can't afford it anyway.

im invisible

Addicted? Yes. Yes i think i am...

spirit_77

i only drink alcohol on days beginning with T.. tuesday , thursday.....today,tomorrow

TeddyTedson

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

lol, like i said, whatever makes you more comfortable with your relationship with the bottle dude.



No doubt man, piece of piss.

Except the fact that you would be addicted.

Well that's annoying.
Come off it, you know its true. Everyone always tries to piece the night together after a night out.

TeddyTedson

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Well that's annoying.
Come off it, you know its true. Everyone always tries to piece the night together after a night out.

no, I don't think they do

TeddyTedson

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I always try to give up but can't. I'm not drinking every day or anything but I binge like crazy. I'd often start on a Friday after work and be fairly pissed till Monday morning.
People never think I'm too drunk either because I don't act much differently. But I blackout basically every night I go out, like a lot of people - in this country anyway.
What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.
I love to give the **** up for ever, not that it's affecting me too badly or anything its just that life passed you by living for the weekends.
Do you think you could give it up - if you wanted to?

Reading that back I sounds like a right alco. Try to read it in the least dramatic way possible if that makes sense..

Logical Fallacy

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Well that's annoying.
Come off it, you know its true. Everyone always tries to piece the night together after a night out.

No Teddy, they don't. They really, really don't.

I would say that 90% of the people i know who drink have a very healthy relationship with drink and don't blackout. They get pretty drunk, but they don't need help with a memory like a jigsaw the next day. They don't drink nonstop from Friday to Sunday night and they don't project their problems on to everyone else to feel better.

About 10% of them are ****ing loser lushes though, who insist the rest of the country is just like them.

Nope.

Next question?

Shane.C

I don't drink. Also...I'm Irish! Huzzahh!

later12

Personally I don't seem to get along well with non drinkers.

I find them a little judgemental on nights out. The reason I sometimes find them a little judgemental is because although I drink, I tend to look and sound reasonably sober even when I have probably lost the use of my legs (I'm exaggerating,all you non drinkers). And so many times I have been approached by non drinking acquaintances (usually 30 something women) to "look at the state of X" (usually 20 something women) and has she no self resepect? I think she must be depressed.

I really dislike this.

On the other hand, no, I'm certainly not addicted to alcohol. Could I give it up for ever? Not exactly. There would always be an inevitable birthday, wedding, funeral or Christmas party where someone asks "Carlsberg or Heineken?" and I would give in. But that's probably more to do with self-will than anything biochemical.

AnonoBoy

TeddyTedson wrote: »

sad, but true. I'd say most people who are in a nightclub blackout.

No they don't. If you black out every time you go out drinking then you're rubbish at it.

Robdude

Some people really don't know if they are or not.

My Uncle is normal, hardworking, 50 year old family man. He's up for work in the morning, bicycles to work each day, works hard, bicycles home. In his younger days, he'd go out and get smashed - not in 20 years. Now he just enjoys a beer or two with dinner or during a game.

I've never seen him drunk in the time I've known him.

He got pretty sick though and ended up in the hospital. And he couldn't have any alcohol while he was there. He went through withdrawl/ the DTs (I think that's waht they call it).

Kind interesting. He was absolutely addicted but you never would have thought it. He probably didn't even think he was.

Captain Chaos

AnonoBoy wrote: »

No they don't. If you black out every time you go out drinking then you're rubbish at it.

Or are drinking too much or maybe should just not drink full stop.

Captain Chaos

TeddyTedson wrote: »

sad, but true. I'd say most people who are in a nightclub blackout.

Nightclubs here sober me up, I have to make sure I'm extra hammered to even consider going to one.

TeddyTedson

AnonoBoy wrote: »

No they don't. If you black out every time you go out drinking then you're rubbish at it.

You just need to drink more.

Immaculate Pasta

Shane.C wrote: »

I don't drink. Also...I'm Irish! Huzzahh!

I think it's time to hand in your passport fella :cool:

Acoshla

Am I addicted to alcohol? Nope, but I think you are OP. I never piece together nights out, not since I was in college and experimenting with how much alcohol suits me, even then I might just miss a few minutes of the activities, I have never not remembered how I got home. I might go weeks at a time without drinking, I might have a glass of wine two nights in a row, or I might play drinking games with friends on a Saturday night, but even the big drinkers in my group don't start on Friday and still be drunk on Sunday. I don't know any one close to me who has blacked out from drinking tbh.

Edit: Not a very AH answer but I just think it's frightening that the OP thinks his drinking habits are normal.

MagicMarker

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Alcoholics always try to piece the night together after a night out.

FYP

MagicMarker

Only once have I forgotten a large portion of the night before, I was 17 at the time.

AnonoBoy

TeddyTedson wrote: »

You just need to drink more.

You just need to learn how to handle your booze sunshine.

G.muny

Personally I am not and could easily go the rest of my life without. But growing up I hung around with a group of 5 girls and 8 lads. 7 of the lads have drink problems these days which I find so sad and shows you the times we are living in. I don't think its a coincedence.

cocoshovel

Some pathetic posts in here.

mackg

TeddyTedson wrote: »

1.I always try to give up but can't. I'm not drinking every day or anything but I binge like crazy.2. I'd often start on a Friday after work and be fairly pissed till Monday morning.
3.People never think I'm too drunk either because I don't act much differently. But I blackout basically every night I go out, 4. like a lot of people - in this country anyway.
5.What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.
I love to give the **** up for ever, not that it's affecting me too badly or anything its just that life passed you by living for the weekends.
6.Do you think you could give it up - if you wanted to?

1. What do you mean here? that you genuinely want to quit or that you swear off it when hungover?

2.I refer to this as going on a session. When I'm home with my friends it's a common way to spend a weekend, pub Friday then back to a house, down to watch the games Saturday and out Saturday night, games again Sunday then home or out again.

3.Had a problem myself with this for a while myself, wasn't particularly drunk but couldn't remember what happened. Not a problem any more. Not sure what caused it or caused it to stop.

4. Different people will tell you different things regarding how common this is depending on their own social circle and personal experiences, I personally know plenty of people who fall into this bracket.

5.Are you being talked into going out drinking by your mates or are you sitting at home alone despite not wanting to drink?

6.Yeah I'd say I could but hard to know until you actually want to give it up, now I often go extended periods of time without drinking when I'm busy with other stuff: Friday night I turned down a night out with free pints and shots and free club entry because I had things to do but I have no wish to stop drinking permanently.

flanders1979

used to be like that in my early twenties, grown up a small bit, still drink too much according to the government health warning on my can.

HOS 1997

Blackouts while drinking are very common from my experience. I have often had nights that I can't remember large parts of and other people have told me they have experienced the same.

Liam Byrne

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Hey, whatever makes you feel better man.

sad, but true. I'd say most people who are in a nightclub blackout.

Keep telling yourself that and you'll probably feel less embarrassed by it.

UglyBolloxFace

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I always try to give up but can't. I'm not drinking every day or anything but I binge like crazy. I'd often start on a Friday after work and be fairly pissed till Monday morning.
People never think I'm too drunk either because I don't act much differently. But I blackout basically every night I go out, like a lot of people - in this country anyway.
What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.
I love to give the **** up for ever, not that it's affecting me too badly or anything its just that life passed you by living for the weekends.
Do you think you could give it up - if you wanted to?

Without wanting to put a downer on this thread, you are showing the characteristics of an alcoholic.

If you feel up to it, get in touch with the following: http://alcoholireland.ie/get-help/

Fear Uladh

Best to take a break from alcohol teddy, even a month off can make all the difference.

At least you're only a wanker when drunk though, whereas some posters here come across as being **** even without alcohol.

UglyBolloxFace

AnonoBoy wrote: »

You just need to learn how to handle your booze sunshine.

I really hope you're joking with all of your posts in this thread. But if for some reason are you actually being serious, then you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol (like I used to).

shellib

I went off it for the 1st time there since I was 14, I'm 25 and have drank pretty much every weekend, not always mad but usually something, like having a glass of wine. I decided to see if I could do it so went off it for November. It was really hard and didnt see much of my friends, but I could do it and saved a load of money!! You should try to go off it for January, when people ask you to go drinkin you can say you are having a drink free month after Christmas. I have only had the odd glass since November ended and honestly I am dying for a mad one!! But You should try to do it for a month, it will give you an indication of what you might need to change in your life, including friends and pastimes. Good luck! :-)

woodoo

TeddyTedson wrote: »

What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.

Thats the big one i think. If that's consistently happening then that is not a great sign.

Kasabian

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I always try to give up but can't. I'm not drinking every day or anything but I binge like crazy. I'd often start on a Friday after work and be fairly pissed till Monday morning.
People never think I'm too drunk either because I don't act much differently. But I blackout basically every night I go out, like a lot of people - in this country anyway.
What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.
I love to give the **** up for ever, not that it's affecting me too badly or anything its just that life passed you by living for the weekends.
Do you think you could give it up - if you wanted to?

Teddy, 5 years ago this was me except the drinking slowly became a 7 day a week thing. The blackouts were replaced with dread and embaressment as the stories filtered back to what I was getting up to. I basically was addicted to drink, it nearly ruined my life, the lives of others and I still have trouble holding my head up when I meet certain people.


Drinking to the point of a blackout is not healthy or smart, trust me I know. I also unknowingly at the time damaged my health to the point that I nearly died. Too drunk to realise.

Addiction to drink is as deadly as addiction to Heroin, it may take longer but it will eventually get you.

I was also constantly saying I would give it up, eventually I did and have remained sober for 5 years, the fear of an early death helped.

orourkeda

I think its fair to say that we've all succumbed to the demon drink

Paparazzo

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I always try to give up but can't. I'm not drinking every day or anything but I binge like crazy. I'd often start on a Friday after work and be fairly pissed till Monday morning.
People never think I'm too drunk either because I don't act much differently. But I blackout basically every night I go out, like a lot of people - in this country anyway.
What's really **** is not wanting to drink one Saturday night to find yourself drinking a few hours later.
I love to give the **** up for ever, not that it's affecting me too badly or anything its just that life passed you by living for the weekends.
Do you think you could give it up - if you wanted to?

They're the worrying bits.
Lots of people have blackouts the odd time, but if it's happening every night you go out it's definitely bad. And if you set out to not drink but end up doing it anyway, not good.

Wattle

later10 wrote: »

Personally I don't seem to get along well with non drinkers.

I find them a little judgemental on nights out. The reason I sometimes find them a little judgemental is because although I drink, I tend to look and sound reasonably sober even when I have probably lost the use of my legs (I'm exaggerating,all you non drinkers). And so many times I have been approached by non drinking acquaintances (usually 30 something women) to "look at the state of X" (usually 20 something women) and has she no self resepect? I think she must be depressed.

I really dislike this. /QUOTE]

Have you any idea how irritating drunk people are to non-drinkers? Stay on the dry one night when you go out with your mates. You'll see them in a whole new light.

Temptamperu

I gave up in september, used to love a few beers now im happy enough shooting gear in between me toes.

Wattle

Temptamperu wrote: »

I gave up in september, used to love a few beers now im happy enough shooting gear in between me toes.

Please take heroin responsibly.

gurramok

What does the OP mean Fri thru to Sunday though? Is that drinking only on evenings or drinking also from early afternoon straight thru to the late hours of the night?

To help you stop drinking is up to yourself when you know you have a problem from excessive drinking. Also, try some exercise in the daytime\evening, I think that helps against the urge to drink. Just do some activity that keeps you away from the pub or from home drinking, you are the only one who will know what that activity is which helps you 'think away from the bottle'.

Deus Ex Machina

Temptamperu wrote: »

I gave up in september, used to love a few beers now im happy enough shooting gear in between me toes.

You can't be having much fun in the toe sucking department...