Think I have a drinking.

LegacyUser

My problem is that when I go out I tend to get way too drunk & wake up the next morning not being able to recall anything of the previous night.

For example I went out on Saturday night & have very little recollection of what happened. I've got a few flashbacks of going back to a random house & making a show of myself but that's about it.

The thing is that I could go months without drinking no problem but as soon as I start drinking I constantly need a bottle/glass in my hand. The worst part is known that I have interacted with people on nights out but not remembering or knowing what I was saying to them.

I don't even know why I'm writing this here to be honest but I just feel like I needed to get this off my chest.

RossFixxxed

You're writing it because you think you have a drinking problem. You do indeed have a problem with drinking. You're not an alcoholic, or regular drinker but out of control binging is an issue nonetheless.

Can you talk to your friends about it, tell them that the next time you go out you're not drinking?

If you are drinking, make every second drink a pint of water maybe?

You know there's an issue, and losing a night's memory is pretty dangerous potentially. There are plenty of support groups that could help, but I'd start changing the environment you drink in. No real friend will force you to drink, and if they try to: leave. Bring your car so you have an excuse for not drinking, or say you are on medication if you feel the need to have an excuse.

It's not a huge, life ruining deal here, but it's on its way to being a real issue. Take some small steps now and you'll reap the rewards!

catallus

Think_Ive_A_Drinking_Problem_ wrote: »

...The worst part is known that I have interacted with people on nights out but not remembering or knowing what I was saying to them.

Lots of people do this. They call it "going out" Don't beat yourself up over not remembering stuff....chances are the people you interacted with barely remember either.

If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I was younger it would be: if you don't enjoy doing something then stop doing it.

If you find the day after going out not being worth the hassle (the hangover, the apprehension of not recalling your actions, the gut-wrenching fear that you did something wrong) then maybe you should give yourself the opportunity to avoid it?

Like any drug, alcohol has its uses, but abuse is a scourge. If you can go for months without it then you really don't have a problem.

Kablamo!

catallus wrote: »

Lots of people do this. They call it "going out" Don't beat yourself up over not remembering stuff....chances are the people you interacted with barely remember either.

If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I was younger it would be: if you don't enjoy doing something then stop doing it.

If you find the day after going out not being worth the hassle (the hangover, the apprehension of not recalling your actions, the gut-wrenching fear that you did something wrong) then maybe you should give yourself the opportunity to avoid it?

Like any drug, alcohol has its uses, but abuse is a scourge. If you can go for months without it then you really don't have a problem.

I'd disagree with the above.
If you're drinking to the point of black out, it IS a problem. Who knows what potentially dangerous situations you could be getting into?
If you're posting here, you're clearly unhappy about your drinking too, so as another poster suggested, why not try alternating your alcoholic drinks with water if you feel you need to drink?

Big Bag of Chips

If you find that once you start you can't stop, then you have a problem. It's irrelevant whether that happens once a year or every weekend. If you cannot go out and enjoy your night without losing parts of the night then you are on a slippery slope.

Try limit yourself on the nights you do go out and see how you handle it.

You remind me of my brother-in-law when he started off going out. He is now separating from his wife and being treated for drug and alcohol abuse. He started off "going out", as another poster described it. It has to start somewhere, and if your drinking is causing you a problem, well then you have a problem.

aisoconnor

Think_Ive_A_Drinking_Problem_ wrote: »

My problem is that when I go out I tend to get way too drunk & wake up the next morning not being able to recall anything of the previous night.

I was like this in college, and I felt the exact same as you. I hated every single second of the day after. Even now I get flashbacks of embarrassing things I did but couldn't control, or friends all laughing about something I did the next morning. We'd be laughing together but inside I was so embarrassed I felt ill. I wouldn't go out for months because of pure moritfication, and then I'd do the exact same thing. I thought that was just how I drank and it couldn't be changed.

I guess it wasn't that hard for me to stop drinking so much because I physically couldn't handle the alcohol or the hangover. Having said that though I started being more aware of what I was doing. When I started drinking, while being part of the group and taking part in whatever conversations or games were going on, I'd keep in mind how I felt after the last time I went out and drank.

Now, not that I go out very often, but before every drink I pour or buy I ask myself if it's going to make the night better or worse. Do I need it? Usually I'll have a couple to make me feel more at ease, but then it slows down. I don't particularly like drinking, but I find sober nights out practically intolerable so I basically drink as little as I need to have fun, which is usually surprisingly little. I guess you need to find whatever it is that will make you think twice before each drink, to be sure you want it and aren't just drinking it for the sake of it. Maybe if you could just keep in mind how horrible you've felt before it might be the motivation to drink a little more responsibly?

Starokan

I have this problem , the only way to beat it is to either not drink at all or be very very conscious of your limits and how much you are drinking on a night out.

If you wish to drink on the night out and not black out, eat loads before going out, drink bottles instead of pints , drink slowly and avoid rounds, avoid spirits at all costs especially shots.

I pretty much don't drink at all now as even when I followed the above I would still get caught out every now and then. It took me a long time to see it as a drinking problem but that is exactly what it is, when drink is negatively impacting your life in such a way then its time to acknowledge it and find a solution that works for you.

skallywag

Starokan wrote: »

...avoid spirits at all costs...

+1 on that. I was also once prone to blacking out exactly like yourself OP, it was as easy as cutting out top shelf to sort it out.

aisoconnor

That's a great point actually, I stopped drinking spirits too! That's some excellent advice.

LegacyUser

Thanks very much for all the replies guys.

I've got some great advice off a number of posters and even though I won't be out any time soon. Next time I'm out I'm going to limit myself to a few bottles & rotate them with water like one poster suggested.

I'd normally drink double vodka & red bull on a night out so I'm going to knock that on the head & stay away from other spirits as well because I agree with the few posters who have stated that spirits are a major contributor to blacking out.

If them measures don't work next time I'm out & I continue to suffer blackouts that'll be me done with drink for good.

Once again thanks for the feedback guys

RossFixxxed

Best of luck OP, I think you're being sensible about this. It's not about never, ever drinking again. It's about your approach and attitude towards it. Double Vodka + Red Bull is pretty heavy stuff, depressant and stimulant all mixed up together. Plus the insulin shock etc. I say that from experience too!

I'd be willing to wager that you'll have a great time out, and when you wake up without the hangover and fear you'll appreciate the difference!

In my case I stopped altogether (different circumstances) and went to a club in the car. Had a good night, with zero booze, jumped in the car, home in 20 minutes, and up the next morning with a nice clear head. I've never looked back.

Big Bag of Chips

RossFixxxed wrote: »

I'd be willing to wager that you'll have a great time out, and when you wake up without the hangover and fear you'll appreciate the difference!

Not too mention a whole lot more money in your pocket. Double vodka and red bull is an expensive habit!

Good luck, OP. You've recognised the early warning signs. Nobody wakes up one morning an alcoholic. It builds up overtime. If you can get a hold on it now, you'll be fine.