I'm an Alcoholic

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.

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.

Chuck Stone · 23-05-2012 10:12pm

Alcoholic shmalcoholic.

Who wants an argument?

Joey the lips · 23-05-2012 10:13pm

According to roisin shortall we are all alchoholics and the easiest way to solve our problem is to raise the price of drink.

I though that a very clever solution :rolleyes:

cranks · 23-05-2012 10:13pm

Guill wrote: »

3.

oooh!
Talk to your GP.

Guill · 23-05-2012 10:19pm

Joey the lips wrote: »

According to roisin shortall we are all alchoholics and the easiest way to solve our problem is to raise the price of drink.

I though that a very clever solution :rolleyes:

Yea I heard that on the radio today. I immediatly thought 'go **** yourself'.

up for anything · 23-05-2012 10:20pm

TeddyTedson wrote: »

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!

Why do you need to get so drunk?

ejmaztec · 23-05-2012 10:22pm

I see an ad on the bottom r/h side of the page offering to cure a drinking problem in 2 hours.:eek:

I gave up drinking years ago so that the problem would skip at least one generation after the old man's contribution. When I see the price of booze now, I think it was a wise decision.

gurramok · 23-05-2012 10:22pm

Guill wrote: »

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.

Cycling and walking. This week I did walk alottttt. As I live in the burbs and am new to the area, I walked around for miles(about 6 on Sun, repeated Tues) to discover the place, I was tired after it but a good tired.
Drink was not on my mind at all, this is perhaps where you need to think to yourself, do I need to drink this evening to have a 'good time'? It did not cross my mind as I had an alternative, it did before when I drank alot blackout style!

You said earlier..

Guill wrote:

I'm sure my waist line, liver, kidneys and god knows what else might disagree.

You will not notice the latter two immediately but you will notice the waistline visibly. Does it bother you? If so, let it be an incentive to exercise to divert your mind away from a drink. Breaking a sweat to obtain a goal(keep in shape) should help you concentrate on losing weight and best incentive is to do it in this warm weather.

Ruralyoke · 23-05-2012 10:23pm

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.

This sounds like me, now, in terms of consumption. I maybe drink a little more than you.

I've maintained this level for about maybe 15 years. Never any worse.

stovelid · 23-05-2012 10:26pm

My best friend and mt sister were alcoholics and kicked the booze in recent times. I'm not sure the hellish place they were in and the familial carnage they wrought sounds like your account to be fair.

Some people like to drink and I think if it doesn't affect your job and your ability to dispense your duties as a friend./parent/partner/solvent entity then you're not really an alcoholic.

flutterflye · 23-05-2012 10:41pm

Yeah, I don't know, it seems to me that you seem to have a problem with alcohol, but are not an alcoholic (yet anyway).
I have grown up with my father being an alcoholic, and now with my sister appearing to have the same problem, you're accounts as a whole are not even close to one night in either of their lives.
I would think to definitely chat to a doctor or even aa or someone like that, because there is a definite problem there.
I just don't think that it is alcoholism as such.

ebixa82 · 23-05-2012 10:46pm

I'm 100% the same as the OP.

I too would consider myself an alcoholic.

I think the official line of "more than 5 units in one sitting" is bollix.

I am very hard working and a fitness freak (mid week), but ticked all the same boxes as the OP otherwise.

Guill · 23-05-2012 10:55pm

ebixa82 wrote: »

I'm 100% the same as the OP.

I too would consider myself an alcoholic.

I think the official line of "more than 5 units in one sitting" is bollix.

I am very hard working and a fitness freak (mid week), but ticked all the same boxes as the OP otherwise.

Pint? :pac:

Im very hard working but my fitness is extremely poor, used to be alot better, but given the choice of exercise or a nice beer and tv....

monkeysnapper · 23-05-2012 10:57pm

I to sometimes think i have a problem with alcohol, i wont drink for months sometimes, and it doesnt bother me, BUT i do the food shopping every week and i wont buy alcohol because i know if its in the house i will have to drink it, im talking about red wine and beer, we always have spirits in the house and that doesnt bother me.

Then if i do go out for a drink with mates i end up pushing everyone to keep up with me because im finished my pint well before everyone ells. I get drunk and forget things and suffer terrible hangover next day and it takes me at least 2 days to get back to normal. Yeh tricky one.

ebixa82 · 23-05-2012 10:59pm

Guill wrote: »

Pint? :pac:

Im very hard working but my fitness is extremely poor, used to be alot better, but given the choice of exercise or a nice beer and tv....

I guess that's where we differ. Midweek I'm disciplined.

Functioning alcoholic.

Dudess · 23-05-2012 11:04pm

I guess maybe people have differing definitions of alcoholic? For me an alcoholic is an addict, and an addict is someone who engages in a behaviour that is causing problems for them and others, and which they know is causing these problems but which they can't stop engaging in, even if the problems are leading to utter devastation. Or someone who engages in something that may not be causing devastation there and then but which has a strong chance of doing so in the future (e.g. smoking).
My maternal grandfather was a violent alcoholic and would take out his rage on my nana. I get fairly drunk one or two nights a week (mostly one - and always at the weekend) and I couldn't really enjoy myself on a night out without drink, but I don't see that habit as any different to needing a coffee every morning at 8.30. I used to get trollied and couldn't remember most of the night but haven't done that in a few years. And I keep away from certain drinks like vodka and wine (not sparkly wine though) as these kill me.

I don't bother drinking at family events though (apart from weddings) or on Christmas Day as I know I'll want to be able to drive later in the day.

Smidge · 23-05-2012 11:05pm

So which do people reckon is better??

3 beers every night or

absolute lash on the weekends only but going nuts on the booze???

ebixa82 · 23-05-2012 11:12pm

mishkalucy wrote: »

So which do people reckon is better??

3 beers every night or

absolute lash on the weekends only but going nuts on the booze???

3 beers every night. No question.

Smidge · 23-05-2012 11:16pm

ebixa82 wrote: »

3 beers every night. No question.

The reason I asked this was because on a recent anti booze campaign thing they said drinking every day was in fact worse than binge drinking

I would have reckoned the binging over 2 days was worse myself

TeddyTedson · 23-05-2012 11:16pm

My name is URL wrote: »

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.

Not bull****ting. I always think people get when I taking the piss but it's probably hard to tell in text.

I know it's the old line, but lots of people who go on a session at the weekend experience this.
If I say it to people in work, they just nod and say yea it's the worst.
You lie there on a Sunday night sweating like crazy, exhausted and tired but yet you can't sleep. Then you get the head down around 3am and your heart feels like it's skipping a beat and you wake up just as you're drifting off to sleep.

up for anything wrote: »

Why do you need to get so drunk?

I don't intend to, and I don't feel drunk at the time, I just drink fast while out and always want a pint in my hand and then get a few double vodkas ect that send me on my way. It's rare that people would tell me I was particularly drunk the day after either. Sometimes only parts of the night is missing sometimes it stops in a nightclub and then I wake up. The anxiety if you wake up not in your own house too is a nightmare.

I'm not a special case in this regard, lots of people do this every weekend. And I know the whole if everybody was putting their hand in the fire it doesn't make it right. But in Ireland drinking is a massive social thing and after a few pints/cans you start to feel great and don't think about tomorrow. I'm actually better off drinking on Sundays after a mad weekend, having about 6 cans to ease you to sleep.

I'd like to be able to drink socially like I did last weekend. Have a few beers with watching the match. Go out to dinner and have a few drinks before going to the bar.

I think I'll start just bring cash with me so I'm not taking out lots of money from the ATM in town and pissing it away.

I still wouldn't class myself as an alcoholic, I generally don't drink during weekdays. Just a binge drinker.

Wattle · 23-05-2012 11:16pm

There's no shame in being an alcoholic but admitting it to yourself and then carrying on regardless is just plain suicidal. Or maybe it's just a symptom of the condition?

Lia_lia · 23-05-2012 11:17pm

No. Don't get the whole alcohol thing at all. I often go months without drinking. Could easily give up drink altogether if I had to.

mmm88 · 23-05-2012 11:21pm

Alcoholism is such a sad sad horrible disease, people tend to forget that it is an actual disease, coming from a childhood in which both parents were non coping alcoholics, I would probably class myself as not being one. Only reason is because I witnessed first hand the damage it can cause, but in saying that I do drink socially, Maybe once every 3 weeks but thankfully I can go without

omgitsthelazor · 23-05-2012 11:32pm

With all due respect OP having a dependence on a mind altering substance that costs you hundreds every week cannot but have an effect on those around you.

This is why I'd treat someone telling me they were an alcoholic to say someone saying they were a chain smoker. Its their bodies let them affect themselves but Alcohol goes beyond just yourself. I'd treat an admittance to being an alcoholic in equal measures as an admittance to having a cannabis addiction.
The fact that you have this sort of stubborn pride in it, I find that a little sad. Hope those around you are as considerate and content in your habits as you believe they are.

Professional Griefer · 23-05-2012 11:39pm

Have a family member who is a alcoholic. Its a horrible horrible thing.

Musefan · 23-05-2012 11:41pm

My father would never admit he was an alcoholic. He still wont now, even though he has permanently brain damaged himself with alcohol induced dementia within the last month. He maintains that it wasn't the drink, just the want of a cup of tea.. watch yourself op. There was a time my father thought like you.

Wattle · 23-05-2012 11:44pm

Old friend of mine is sinking into the mire of alcoholism. I want to be his friend and support him but I find myself making excuses not to go to his gaff. Sitting there watching him get leathered night after night is just grim.

Guill · 23-05-2012 11:49pm

omgitsthelazor wrote: »

The fact that you have this sort of stubborn pride in it, I find that a little sad. Hope those around you are as considerate and content in your habits as you believe they are.

For the second time is this thread I will say it. Where am I coming accross as proud??? All i have doen is layed the facts out as I see them at the moment.

Conbhar · 23-05-2012 11:50pm

I wouldnt mind a bit of help on this issue myself, sort of a wee bit worried. I go out on a saturday nite and the very odd sunday and id drink a fair wee bit.(about 6 bottles of corona and a qaurter bottle before id go out and then maybe 6-10 shots while im in the pub/club)
Now this last few months iv been getting blackouts every sunday morning when i wake up. Sometimes i couldnt remember anything past 12 and sometimes i just couldnt remember certain parts of the night. Now i dont drink alone or ever in my life have i done so nor do i crave alcohol at any time of the week and i dont touch a drop except when i head out on a saturday.
So im just a little curious if my behaviour with drink would indicate any alcoholic tendances?

branbee · 23-05-2012 11:53pm

A while ago i would've questioned whether i was as i drank alot and felt like i needed it after a 'tough' day. I then went through an incredibly difficult time the past couple of months and not once did i touch a drink during a time that was actually genuinely tough-not just a little tiring or whatever i used to consider tough. I have absolutely no idea whether it was because i knew it would lead to more problems or if it was just because i had lost any want for anything-couldn't even eat some days- but thank god i didn't because it would've been my child that suffered. I am so thankful for whatever reason it was that i didn't succumb to using it as a crutch during a difficult time like so many people do. I have alot of respect for people who come out the other side as Im sure its a very difficult ongoing battle.

Pushtrak · 23-05-2012 11:54pm

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Not bull****ting. I always think people get when I taking the piss but it's probably hard to tell in text.

I know it's the old line, but lots of people who go on a session at the weekend experience this.
If I say it to people in work, they just nod and say yea it's the worst.
You lie there on a Sunday night sweating like crazy, exhausted and tired but yet you can't sleep. Then you get the head down around 3am and your heart feels like it's skipping a beat and you wake up just as you're drifting off to sleep.

I imagine this is a case of people taking anything from what you say, for instance the sweats and try to equivocate that to be the same as you have. Like, for instance a person who gets consistent headaches might get told "Yeah, on occastion I get headaches too" referring to headaches that may be months apart. In short, it is confirmation bias at work.

But even supposing so many people as it seems are having these symptoms... That isn't an argument for anything. There are lots of people who ought to go to get something treated. Because people don't do this as much as they ought isn't really a compelling thing to appeal to. People don't like doctors, or might be more in my case, being broke.

TL;DR: Get it checked.

sink · 23-05-2012 11:55pm

I only drink about once a month. Majority of times I go out I don't drink, I prefer spending €50 on a concert than €50 down the pub and being able to drive home after.

I'm not a light drinker, my limit is about 15 units. I only like getting drunk when I have nothing to do the next day.

Chuck Stone · 23-05-2012 11:55pm

mmm88 wrote: »

people tend to forget that it is an actual disease

I'd imagine that a person with a real disease like HIV, cancer or hepatitis etc. would find it difficult to hear addiction and substance abuse referred to as disease.

Also, referring to alcoholism as a disease is dangerous because it can allow the addict to absolve himself of responsibility for his addiction and ergo could actually prevent them from quitting - 'I have this bloody disease and I'll have it for the rest of my life so what's the point' kinda thing.

Another problem is that when you call an addiction a disease it's self-evident that you will need a 'cure'... enter all sorts of charlatans and puritans offering all sorts of remedies... everything from casting out demons to application of leeches.

cloud493 · 23-05-2012 11:55pm

Never drank :cool:

TeddyTedson · 24-05-2012 12:03am

Pushtrak wrote: »

I imagine this is a case of people taking anything from what you say, for instance the sweats and try to equivocate that to be the same as you have. Like, for instance a person who gets consistent headaches might get told "Yeah, on occastion I get headaches too" referring to headaches that may be months apart. In short, it is confirmation bias at work.

But even supposing so many people as it seems are having these symptoms... That isn't an argument for anything. There are lots of people who ought to go to get something treated. Because people don't do this as much as they ought isn't really a compelling thing to appeal to. People don't like doctors, or might be more in my case, being broke.

TL;DR: Get it checked.

What would I be getting checked exactly.
I'd go to a doctor and tell him that after a heavy session over the weekend I get heart palpitations while trying to sleep on Sunday night. His response would be to take it easier on the booze. But after a few drinks as I keep saying I don't give it a second thought and feel on top of the world.

I'd love to be able to have 10 pints over a night and leave it that, but obviously you can't stop yourself after that.

starbelgrade · 24-05-2012 12:08am

Whatever happened to the guy who drank a slab of beer at home every weekend & couldn't understand why his missus and kids weren't too pleased about it?

sink · 24-05-2012 12:09am

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I'd imagine that a person with a real disease like HIV, cancer or hepatitis etc. would find it difficult to hear addiction and substance abuse referred to as disease.

Also, referring to alcoholism as a disease is dangerous because it can allow the addict to absolve himself of responsibility for his addiction and ergo could actually prevent them from quitting - 'I have this bloody disease and I'll have it for the rest of my life so what's the point' kinda thing.

Another problem is that when you call an addiction a disease it's self-evident that you will need a 'cure'... enter all sorts of charlatans and puritans offering all sorts of remedies... everything from casting out demons to application of leeches.

Actually it is a disease, defined as such my many medical bodies the world over. It's not a simple case of choice, an addicts brain is forever altered by their dependency and simple willpower is not enough to overcome it. It is a mental health disorder like clinical depression. Telling an alcoholic to just stop drinking is akin the telling a person with depression to cheer up. Diseases can be managed and controlled if not cured, calling it a disease does not relinquish the burden of curing oneself.

Pushtrak · 24-05-2012 12:10am

TeddyTedson wrote: »

What would I be getting checked exactly.
I'd go to a doctor and tell him that after a heavy session over the weekend I get heart palpitations while trying to sleep on Sunday night. His response would be to take it easier on the booze. But after a few drinks as I keep saying I don't give it a second thought and feel on top of the world.

I'd love to be able to have 10 pints over a night and leave it that, but obviously you can't stop yourself after that.

You'd have blood pressure, and stuff associated with that checked out. I'm not a doctor, nor am I here to give you your medical advice. I will point out when someone posts like you do, perhaps a visit to one might be a wise idea.

Edit: Basically, you should be wanting to ascertain if there are conditions underlying it. A doctor would be testing for such things.

TeddyTedson · 24-05-2012 12:14am

Pushtrak wrote: »

You'd have blood pressure, and stuff associated with that checked out. I'm not a doctor, nor am I here to give you your medical advice. I will point out when someone posts like you do, perhaps a visit to one might be a wise idea.

Edit: Basically, you should be wanting to ascertain if there are conditions underlying it. A doctor would be testing for such things.

Ok, well thanks for the advice.

Kintarō Hattori · 24-05-2012 12:14am

Personally I sometimes feel a little out of place as frankly I don't like alcohol. I'll have it on occasion if out and about with friends but I'd always prefer a coffee or some sort of soft drink.

I can never understand the place beer has in modern society. I've tried many over the years from the run of the mill crap all the way up to craft beers and thought they were all equally unpleasant.

Wattle · 24-05-2012 12:24am

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I'd imagine that a person with a real disease like HIV, cancer or hepatitis etc. would find it difficult to hear addiction and substance abuse referred to as disease.

Also, referring to alcoholism as a disease is dangerous because it can allow the addict to absolve himself of responsibility for his addiction and ergo could actually prevent them from quitting - 'I have this bloody disease and I'll have it for the rest of my life so what's the point' kinda thing.

Another problem is that when you call an addiction a disease it's self-evident that you will need a 'cure'... enter all sorts of charlatans and puritans offering all sorts of remedies... everything from casting out demons to application of leeches.

I get what your saying. Some people do use the disease thing as an excuse not to tackle it but like HIV and Cancer, alcoholism can also kill you in the end.

I'm an Alcoholic

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