I'm an Alcoholic

Smidge · 23-05-2012 7:57pm

@ Peach
And you really didn't remember anything at all about the singing etc????
I didn't realise it was like that.
Here was me thinking it was having "gaps" in the nights revelries!
Which in fairness has happened to me when younger ie someone would say "Did you see suchabody last night?" and you didn't remember that. Quite obviously, not the same thing as a blackout

My name is URL · 23-05-2012 8:02pm

I love how some people think that you're not an alco unless it's negatively affecting your life. It's like saying that cancer doesn't kill you unless you've been told you have it.

23-05-2012 8:08pm

I do love alcohol. I do get drunk regularly. I do think "oh this is beer garden weather" when the sun comes out. I [generally] don't drink during the week. I don't drink in January. I can go out to a pub and not drink (wouldn't go to a club).

No. I am absolutely not an alcoholic.

Micky Dolenz · 23-05-2012 8:09pm

I love a drink now.

cesc77 · 23-05-2012 8:09pm

bootybouncer wrote: »

Cool to have an addiction now is it not :rolleyes:............................ dude sounds like max payne, get a grip lad, another self centered bit of drivel

Jesus lad,youre either very young,thoughtless or just plain cruel.

Grow up and I know this is AH but sometimes serious issues are discussed here,which can save lives or cause people to realise where they may be making mistakes within their lives.

flutterflye · 23-05-2012 8:10pm

Despite extensively reading up on this topic, and talking to loads of various professionals and experts in the country, I still have trouble distinguishing between alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

My dad is an alcoholic - that is for sure.

But my little sister (who is 18) - I just can't figure it out.
She should really be dead and gang raped 100 times over at this stage, yet she keeps getting really lucky.
She is actually breaking my heart.
I have had to distance myself from her a great deal because I just can't deal with her.

hairyprincess · 23-05-2012 8:11pm

Guill wrote: »

My last black out happened like this:

While away for a party we went to the pub, had a nice few drinks. I have a vague recollection of going to a nightclub. Bam, I'm in bed with a massive hangover.

At breakfast the next morning people are chatting about all the dancing I did, the shots I bought, the craic we had. I have no idea.

Doesn't that scare you? Something you chose to put into your body is doing that to you, taking control of you. If you (and by 'you' I mean anyone) didn't drink alcohol and that happened you would be racing for the nearest doctor to find out what the hell was wrong.
I once had my drink spiked, and I completely blacked out. Scariest experience of my life thinking I could have been with anyone or said or done anything and I knew nothing. I couldn't willingly do that to myself

CommanderC · 23-05-2012 8:13pm

No-one even made an attempt to agree with me or even say "Me too".

So what if no one else admitted to it ?

As an alcoholic you should seek help for yourself- not other people.

Jim_Kiy · 23-05-2012 8:15pm

Similar to OP but I can weeks without a drink (2 max) .
I dont feel a craving for alcohol regardless of how much I drink so therefore Im not an alcoholic.Simple enough.
Ciggies-now theres addiction

To Alcohol · 23-05-2012 8:15pm

I like an oul drink myself

Guill · 23-05-2012 8:15pm

CommanderC wrote: »

Guill wrote: »

So what if no one else admitted to it ?

As an alcoholic you should seek help for yourself- not other people.

No one attempted to agree that maybe I was right about me.

EGAR · 23-05-2012 8:37pm

I don't drink.

TeddyTedson · 23-05-2012 8:37pm

I think lots of people were thinking BBQ and booze today.

But yea, hard to define someone as an alcoholic.

What pisses me off is getting the sweats and the irregular heart beat trying to sleep after a weekend.

Last Saturday I had a fair few drinks, but didn't blackout (first time in ages) and even left early. Woke up the day after at 11 and felt quite fresh.
That's how to do it

Didn't feel like death in work on Monday either or get any depressed emotions.
Progress:D

But you only know yourself. If you start getting things like inflamed liver, miss work and start pissing people off with your drinking, it's probably a bad sign.

I'd personally like to be able to control my consumption while drinking but find it very hard to do so. The week before last I spent half my wages for the week on nights out:eek:

The key for me is starting earlier I think so I'm not just trying to get locked after starting. Start late afternoon, get some food and take it nice and slow. A lot better than rushing to the off license at 21:50 and knocking back 8 cans before heading out.

Not a really big fan of Guinness but it's great in the fact it sort of fills you and you don't tend to knock them back as quick, well that's what I find any way. I'd say in a night club I take 5 gulps of a pint of Heiniken when I'm fairly far gone. Then I start getting vodka redbulls or Whiskeys and that kind of finishes me off. Although I tend not to be seen to be drunk but the next day I'll have only remembered about 30 mins after getting to a club....

...Bah I'm rambling!

Guill · 23-05-2012 8:42pm

Like you I spend alot on drink, every month I say to myself that I am going to save. (saving for me means buying beer and having a few around to drink cheaper). But I usually just end up driniking as much money as I would have in the pub.

Eve_Dublin · 23-05-2012 8:43pm

I sometimes ask myself this question. I'd have a 33ml can of beer most weekday nights alone (I live alone) and I'd go out one weekend night a week and have maybe 5 bottles of beer. I sometimes stop on my way somewhere for a beer (small beers they have here....smaller than a glass of beer) to sit and read a book. I don't think I've ever gone to a bar without having a beer and same goes for any kind of party. I drink for Dutch Courage sometimes. I drink sometimes if I'm stressed or worried. I don't get baloobas though. Never puke or never have to be carried home or any of that madness. Don't have blackouts.

I suppose the fact that I'd have an alcoholic drink everyday would worry me. Have decided to nip that in the bud recently but I crave it. I don't know if I am tbh.

Ruralyoke · 23-05-2012 8:52pm

According to official medical blah blah I definitely have a problem - but fúck em eh?

I probably drink about 24 cans a week. Maybe 2 nights of 6-8 and another 2 or 3 nights of 3-4.

I know myself it's too much really but...hey.

It doesn't interfere with my life and that's probably the real test.

My name is URL · 23-05-2012 9:07pm

TeddyTedson wrote: »

What pisses me off is getting the sweats and the irregular heart beat trying to sleep after a weekend.

...Bah I'm rambling!

On the off chance that you're not bull****ting, that really isn't something that should be left ignored, and I wouldn't go on the tear again until after I had it seen to, if I were you.

Sunnyisland · 23-05-2012 9:15pm

Anybody wondering if they have or are a problem/abusive drinker should give themselves a 30 day abstinence trial, No excuses buts or ifs

See can you & how you feel after that

Boscoirl · 23-05-2012 9:19pm

I love a pint in the pub, and a few will nearly always turn into a session, and a few years ago would have turned in to a lock in, resulting in 12-18 hours straight drinking,

but on the other hand, I never drink at home, have no interest in it, the girlfriend might open a bottle of wine, i might have a small glass with dinner, but I would always give it to her to finish, at house parties, I would nurse a bottle of beer for almost 2 hours, waiting for people to want to go to town. up to recently there was still bottle of beer bought for christmas in the house, but they were donated to a house party, brought 14 with me drank 2.

Nowadays I might only go out one night every 2 weeks, if even that(mainly due to not having a job and being lazy) If socialising in Ireland didn't revolve around the pub, I might go even less.

Logical Fallacy · 23-05-2012 9:19pm

livinsane wrote: »

Alcoholics do not admit they are alcoholics.

Plus if it doesn't affect your family, work or social life, you're not an alcoholic.

That's a good thing.

lol

Horse****.

tbh · 23-05-2012 9:19pm

Guill wrote: »

Like you I spend alot on drink, every month I say to myself that I am going to save. (saving for me means buying beer and having a few around to drink cheaper). But I usually just end up driniking as much money as I would have in the pub.

The question I'd be asking myself if I were you is - can you go a week without having a drink? Are you going to drink every night for the rest of your life? If not, when are you going to break the habit? If so, how long do you think it will be before you can't control the amount you drink?

I don't know if you realise but you are developing a physical dependency on alcohol. You say it doesn't affect your work or family now, but of you carry on drinking at the rate you're going, your best hope is that you're the one in a thousand who doesn't spiral out of control. The vibe I'm getting off your posts is that your proud of this. I hope, genuinely, that it doesn't come back to bite you. In my early twenties I had a few mates that you remind me of. One of them is dead, three of them went through hell before getting sober, one of them is still on the piss. Hope you don't go down that route.

coffee_cake · 23-05-2012 9:20pm

I rarely drink
i drank a good bit in the first year of college, come home throw up etc
after that i had enough really, and that's 10 years ago now

I like a nice cocktail once in a blue moon

I would say I drink a cocktail every couple months at most and get drunk maybe... once a year? less
don't go crazy don't black out just drunk

It's good to see OP stepping up and saying that though, a lot of people get very defensive at the idea that anyone (themselves or other people) might drink too much, for some reason

evolving_doors · 23-05-2012 9:22pm

I heard that alcoholism is one of the few addictions that can be toxic to your system if you go cold turkey!

Shryke · 23-05-2012 9:27pm

Armelodie wrote: »

I heard that alcoholism is one of the few addictions that can be toxic to your system if you go cold turkey!

Shakes, cravings, anger and possible brain damage if you're very bad coming off. It's best to reduce amounts if a person is a heavy drinker. Instant withdrawal can cause a whole new set of problems. If anyone is reading this and thinking, I better not straight up quit then, then you may have a problem.

Guill · 23-05-2012 9:32pm

tbh wrote: »

The question I'd be asking myself if I were you is - can you go a week without having a drink? Are you going to drink every night for the rest of your life? If not, when are you going to break the habit? If so, how long do you think it will be before you can't control the amount you drink?

I don't know if you realise but you are developing a physical dependency on alcohol. You say it doesn't affect your work or family now, but of you carry on drinking at the rate you're going, your best hope is that you're the one in a thousand who doesn't spiral out of control. The vibe I'm getting off your posts is that your proud of this. I hope, genuinely, that it doesn't come back to bite you. In my early twenties I had a few mates that you remind me of. One of them is dead, three of them went through hell before getting sober, one of them is still on the piss. Hope you don't go down that route.

I honestly don't see where i seem proud, maybe I am coming across wrong. I'm trying to keep all my replies as frank as possible. I'm trying to act unashamed but this may border on pride too.

cranks · 23-05-2012 9:35pm

Do the CAGE screener OP.
Score 1 or 0 per question as applies to you

The 4 simple questions are “Have you ever:

(1) felt the need to cut down your drinking;

(2) felt annoyed by criticism of your drinking;

(3) had guilty feelings about drinking; and

(4) taken a morning eye opener?

Check your Score below:

http://www.merfweb.org/files/resources/cage_info_scoring.pdf

Let us know how you do

gurramok · 23-05-2012 9:47pm

Guill wrote: »

When the sun comes out I immediatly think BBQ! (So we can a have a few beers-and craic).

On this part, I was a heavy drinker till a few months ago. I'm half and half now in that i drink a couple of bottles(5% beer) perhaps every 3 days and perhaps always on a Fri\Sat night have maybe 5 or 6. On Sundays its always zero as the thought always kicks in that I want to be in good shape for work. I was alot worse before, consumption was off the rails nearly every day of the week witn bad hangovers but personal mishaps contributed alot to that.

The personal stuff is well over and my consumption has gone down alot, it does not affect my family/work life now. Does that make me an alcoholic based on my present consumption? I do not know, i know i was previously!

On the sun\bbq thing, i'm torn between having a few bottles lets say midweek or exercise when the sun comes out. Last year, it was automatic beers in the good weather, not so now.
For example since the sun broke through on Monday, I had my first drink tonight(Wednesday). I did not drink Sunday, Monday or Tuesday as I had exercised each day in order to get out and enjoy the weather. Will I have a drink tomorrow, i know I won't, even Friday is in doubt., Saturday is definite.

Guess what i'm saying drink is not in control of me, i'm in control of it when I decide.

Jogathon · 23-05-2012 10:06pm

Well done OP for realising that you have a bad relationship with alcohol. My brother sounds very like you and we were very worried about him until recently. He seemed to be unable to stop once he started. I love a good night out, and maybe house party afterwards etc but my baby bro was out of control. He has realised it, spoken to his friends about it and some of them have taken on board what he is saying. Two have decided that he is right, and that they also have a borderline problem with drink. Others told him to stand his round even though he wanted to drink at his own pace, and buy his own beer and not go into a competitive drinking round. He drives out some nights, and when he does decide to have a few he is in control when he comes home to my parents. He's back in control of his life really and we are very proud of him. He's only 22 so it was a big thing to have to think about.

I think that your friends will quietly come to you after thinking about what you said and you'll be surprised at the support that they will give. And you've given them food for thought, and maybe a bit of a fright too. I think your self awareness is amazing, it's very hard to admit that something might be ruling you. Keep us up to date with how you are doing....

Guill · 23-05-2012 10:07pm

cranks wrote: »

Do the CAGE screener OP.
Score 1 or 0 per question as applies to you

The 4 simple questions are “Have you ever:

(1) felt the need to cut down your drinking;
1.

(2) felt annoyed by criticism of your drinking;
0.

(3) had guilty feelings about drinking; and
1.

(4) taken a morning eye opener?
1.

Check your Score below:

http://www.merfweb.org/files/resources/cage_info_scoring.pdf

Let us know how you do

3.

Guill · 23-05-2012 10:09pm

gurramok wrote: »

On this part, I was a heavy drinker till a few months ago. I'm half and half now in that i drink a couple of bottles(5% beer) perhaps every 3 days and perhaps always on a Fri\Sat night have maybe 5 or 6. On Sundays its always zero as the thought always kicks in that I want to be in good shape for work. I was alot worse before, consumption was off the rails nearly every day of the week witn bad hangovers but personal mishaps contributed alot to that.

The personal stuff is well over and my consumption has gone down alot, it does not affect my family/work life now. Does that make me an alcoholic based on my present consumption? I do not know, i know i was previously!

On the sun\bbq thing, i'm torn between having a few bottles lets say midweek or exercise when the sun comes out. Last year, it was automatic beers in the good weather, not so now.
For example since the sun broke through on Monday, I had my first drink tonight(Wednesday). I did not drink Sunday, Monday or Tuesday as I had exercised each day in order to get out and enjoy the weather. Will I have a drink tomorrow, i know I won't, even Friday is in doubt., Saturday is definite.

Guess what i'm saying drink is not in control of me, i'm in control of it when I decide.

What type of excercise? I hate running and the gym. I am thinking of buying a bike and cycling in and out to work, (approx. 10 miles) just to try and start myself into a new routene.

I'm an Alcoholic

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