[OT] Alcoholism. Willing to share your problem?

[rpc9943]

try maybe drinking water and focusing on yourself, like, well writing music for instance.

its good that you're self aware to the point where maybe you know you have a problem. thats a great starting point.

i lately have been going home from work and had a beer or two. its nice. thats all i need, im such a cheap date... haha... not that anyone has dated me lately, but thats besides the point...

[stjohn]

I thought Id pipe in here because there is such dichotomy of opinion.

To the OP: i dont think you have a problem. I kinda looks like I drink more than you, (altough I cant be certain), but instead of waking up the morning after and hiting the pub after 2 day of drinking, I usually feel the need to do something contstructive... work on music, or my liveset, or deisgn work. etc etc..
it appears that you are not being self-destructive at all.. so maybe cut down.. instead of drinking 3 nights during the week, drink 1 or 2 and work on music the rest of the time.

EW: i found your alcholholc background to be less than convincing... getting drunk at a bassball game? is that not the whole point? missing work? jesus, here in ireland there is something like 3billion euros economic loss each year from people calling in sick on mondays.. people go to pubs on their lunch. Germans have beers for breakfast. Your pont of view kinda strikes me as the same point of view as the therapists who prescribe Prozac for emo teenagers. same with SPhinx... pointing the finger at the wouldbe alcholholic and telling him he has a problem is way to easy a thing to do for 'recovering' alchoholics!!!!
that survey was total bullshit... i could replace the subjct alcohol with 'TV' and it would make me a tele addict who wants to kill my family or something ridiculous. and i only watch about an hour a day.. go somewhere else with your madeup-psychobabble

alchoholism is not a problem in Ireland.... its a passtime. people Q up outside pubs and earlyhouses at the weekend... and still manage to live a normal life.. even if it does invlove a little over the nomral consumptioon level of alchohol. get over it. enjoy life. quitting is for losers

[TITBAG]

I thought Id pipe in here because there is such dichotomy of opinion.

To the OP: i dont think you have a problem. I kinda looks like I drink more than you, (altough I cant be certain), but instead of waking up the morning after and hiting the pub after 2 day of drinking, I usually feel the need to do something contstructive... work on music, or my liveset, or deisgn work. etc etc..
it appears that you are not being self-destructive at all.. so maybe cut down.. instead of drinking 3 nights during the week, drink 1 or 2 and work on music the rest of the time.

EW: i found your alcholholc background to be less than convincing... getting drunk at a bassball game? is that not the whole point? missing work? jesus, here in ireland there is something like 3billion euros economic loss each year from people calling in sick on mondays.. people go to pubs on their lunch. Germans have beers for breakfast. Your pont of view kinda strikes me as the same point of view as the therapists who prescribe Prozac for emo teenagers. same with SPhinx... pointing the finger at the wouldbe alcholholic and telling him he has a problem is way to easy a thing to do for 'recovering' alchoholics!!!!
that survey was total bullshit... i could replace the subjct alcohol with 'TV' and it would make me a tele addict who wants to kill my family or something ridiculous. and i only watch about an hour a day.. go somewhere else with your madeup-psychobabble

alchoholism is not a problem in Ireland.... its a passtime. people Q up outside pubs and earlyhouses at the weekend... and still manage to live a normal life.. even if it does invlove a little over the nomral consumptioon level of alchohol. get over it. enjoy life. quitting is for losers

are you drunk?

[mickey disco]

Wow, what a mental thread

According to the John Hopkins questionaire, I am an alcoholic. Apparently. I remain unconvinced........

[DrXparaMental]

are you drunk?

"He don't care what people's thinking, he ain't drunk, why he's only drinking'"

and you thought all them national pastime drinking folks are from Ireland. Shit, where we live here in the States, they all come from down south.

[glitchrock-buddha]

I have a problem with drinking. I don't get to do it enough.

[Spikee]

alchoholism is not a problem in Ireland.... its a passtime. people Q up outside pubs and earlyhouses at the weekend... and still manage to live a normal life.. even if it does invlove a little over the nomral consumptioon level of alchohol. get over it. enjoy life. quitting is for losers

So, I've learned from this thread, among many things, that people in Ireland and England don't suffer from alcoholism. That's really awesome, no cirrhosis of the liver, no hemorrhaging of the esophagus, no socially irresponsible behavior and not being able to meet up to your responsibilities. Apparently just a society of people drinking as much as they can without any consequences to their actions. Wow, this is all just absolutely fantastic.

So, how does that work? Do they put something in the water? Load up food with hangover meds?

...

Comparisons to other people is one of the biggest cop-outs an alcoholic seeks refuge in to believe that what they're doing is normal and acceptable. And yet, when you have to pay the price for your endless over-indulgence none of those people can really lend a hand. People generally aren't going to pay your mortgage for you when you've drank up all the bill money. People aren't going to go to jail for you if you get too trashed and catch a charge. Psychologists perhaps can undo the enormous toll you've levied on your family, but that's hardly a true solution for most people. And if you're sick of all of the trouble you're getting in, no one's going to make you content but you. So the comparisons are moot. It's all about how your life is, how you're affecting yourself and other people and what you're going to do about it.

I'm not here to tell someone that they're an alcoholic, I'm just here to explain, in my personal experience, what the recovery process is like when you've finally decided that you've had enough and want to put drinking aside. I'm also here to share happily to the problematic drinker that once you do put drinking/using aside that life indeed gets much better. Nowadays, I have every bit as much fun as I used to when I was drinking and using, and yet have none of the consequences. I couldn't be convinced to go back to drinking now even if I was offered millions of dollars, because how I personally handle alcohol makes me miserable and the money wouldn't be enough to offset the misery. I get a chance to be happy, helpful and healthy with every new day now -- a far cry from what the Spikee of old would've had in terms of prospects.

If someone's living a miserable existence because of alcohol, then they should probably quit. If they can't quit on their own then they should seek recovery. All of this regardless of what people around them are doing. Other people in the world have to live their own lives just like you have to, and are responsible for their upkeep just like you are. The person that tells you to keep drinking if it's making you miserable is at best ignorant and at worst, sick in their own mind. Misery loves company and some people feel exposed when other people quit using, because it makes them look in the mirror and they may not like what they see...

Eh whatever, people are entitled to their own opinion. Just as long as everyone recognizes that opinions are like assholes -- everyone has one, and most of them stink.

[andydes]

So, I've learned from this thread, among many things, that people in Ireland and England don't suffer from alcoholism. That's really awesome, no cirrhosis of the liver, no hemorrhaging of the esophagus, no socially irresponsible behavior and not being able to meet up to your responsibilities. Apparently just a society of people drinking as much as they can without any consequences to their actions. Wow, this is all just absolutely fantastic.

So, how does that work? Do they put something in the water? Load up food with hangover meds?

...

Comparisons to other people is one of the biggest cop-outs an alcoholic seeks refuge in to believe that what they're doing is normal and acceptable. And yet, when you have to pay the price for your endless over-indulgence none of those people can really lend a hand. People generally aren't going to pay your mortgage for you when you've drank up all the bill money. People aren't going to go to jail for you if you get too trashed and catch a charge. Psychologists perhaps can undo the enormous toll you've levied on your family, but that's hardly a true solution for most people. And if you're sick of all of the trouble you're getting in, no one's going to make you content but you. So the comparisons are moot. It's all about how your life is, how you're affecting yourself and other people and what you're going to do about it.

I'm not here to tell someone that they're an alcoholic, I'm just here to explain, in my personal experience, what the recovery process is like when you've finally decided that you've had enough and want to put drinking aside. I'm also here to share happily to the problematic drinker that once you do put drinking/using aside that life indeed gets much better. Nowadays, I have every bit as much fun as I used to when I was drinking and using, and yet have none of the consequences. I couldn't be convinced to go back to drinking now even if I was offered millions of dollars, because how I personally handle alcohol makes me miserable and the money wouldn't be enough to offset the misery. I get a chance to be happy, helpful and healthy with every new day now -- a far cry from what the Spikee of old would've had in terms of prospects.

If someone's living a miserable existence because of alcohol, then they should probably quit. If they can't quit on their own then they should seek recovery. All of this regardless of what people around them are doing. Other people in the world have to live their own lives just like you have to, and are responsible for their upkeep just like you are. The person that tells you to keep drinking if it's making you miserable is at best ignorant and at worst, sick in their own mind. Misery loves company and some people feel exposed when other people quit using, because it makes them look in the mirror and they may not like what they see...

Eh whatever, people are entitled to their own opinion. Just as long as everyone recognizes that opinions are like assholes -- everyone has one, and most of them stink.

You're missing the point. It's not that people here don't have problems with alcohol, but social situations do make a difference. The OP is worried about his drinking. That's a good start, if he thinks he has a problem. But if he's in an environment where it's pretty much the norm to go out a drink like that, then because he's joining in with the crowd, it doesn't necessarily mean he's massively alcoholic. If he was getting drunk when no one else was, it would be much more concerning. So the diagnosis does depend on other people. That's the point we're making.

I did the test, and it really is bollox. Seriously a pretty modest drinker could easily score 4or 5. I get 3 points just for coming home after work and having beer or glass or wine with my evening meal (drinking alone, at a regular time and to escape my worries- otherwise known as unwinding after a hard day in the office).

On that note, I know I drink too much, and I'm trying to cut back significantly (not that I ever really get drunk). This thread has helped steel my resolve a bit more. So good to hear you're input. Going T-total though? I just can't see it. What would I do with my mates?

[Edited for bad typing skills. Must be the DTs]

[Aequitas123]

Any tips for an aspiring alcoholic here? I drink as much scotch as i can, but its expensive!



As Christopher Hitchens says, as long you're getting more out of the drink then the drink is getting out of you, its a good relationship to be in.

[djadonis206]

I don't know if I'm an alcoholic or not but I suspect I am. I can go days without a drink but as soon as I have one, I want to see it through to it's 'natural' conclusion. Although sometimes I have a couple and then just stop.

I'm also aware that I'm doing it. It's weird. Like I know it's wrong but I can't stop. I suppose that's why it's an addiction. But it's also like I want to punish myself, so I push it.

I'm not affecting anyone but myself. No one is suffering except me and even I'm not sure if I am but it's playing on my mind. So much so that after a few this afternoon I feel compelled to tell a bunch of strangers on the internet.

So, Is anyone willing to share there experiences of the run up to admitting they were an alcoholic?

pm. If you feel more comfortable. This is truly genuine.

Are you an alcoholic? Only you can make that call. An hour and half AA meeting somewhere near you will help put your thoughts into perspective.

A good gauge if you're an alcoholic -- see if you can go without drinking for 3 months, 90 days. It doesn't matter if it's your best mates birthday or Rush Limbaugh dies of a heart attack. To put that another way, do not drink no matter what. If you find you cannot keep from drinking, try an AA meeting near you. If you're still not convinced either way, just keep doing what you're doing.

Most people need the law or a family member to show them they have a problem. It takes a lot of courage to figure these things out on your own.

Good luck to you

Ad

[Aequitas123]

AA is a religious cult. Stay away.

[Tone Deft]

Any tips for an aspiring alcoholic here? I drink as much scotch as i can, but its expensive!

Moderen Drunkard magazine
http://www.drunkard.com/
puts the fun back into functional alcoholic.

[ewistrand]

EW: i found your alcholholc background to be less than convincing... getting drunk at a bassball game? is that not the whole point? missing work? jesus, here in ireland there is something like 3billion euros economic loss each year from people calling in sick on mondays.. people go to pubs on their lunch. Germans have beers for breakfast. Your pont of view kinda strikes me as the same point of view as the therapists who prescribe Prozac for emo teenagers.

No- you're missing the point. As I said, that was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I quit a couple months before my 26th birthday (I'm 53); by that time I'd already had nine years of drinking under my belt.

ew

[leonard]

Any tips for an aspiring alcoholic here? I drink as much scotch as i can, but its expensive!

.

we call 'em goons

[Spikee]

So, I've learned from this thread, among many things, that people in Ireland and England don't suffer from alcoholism. That's really awesome, no cirrhosis of the liver, no hemorrhaging of the esophagus, no socially irresponsible behavior and not being able to meet up to your responsibilities. Apparently just a society of people drinking as much as they can without any consequences to their actions. Wow, this is all just absolutely fantastic.

So, how does that work? Do they put something in the water? Load up food with hangover meds?

...

Comparisons to other people is one of the biggest cop-outs an alcoholic seeks refuge in to believe that what they're doing is normal and acceptable. And yet, when you have to pay the price for your endless over-indulgence none of those people can really lend a hand. People generally aren't going to pay your mortgage for you when you've drank up all the bill money. People aren't going to go to jail for you if you get too trashed and catch a charge. Psychologists perhaps can undo the enormous toll you've levied on your family, but that's hardly a true solution for most people. And if you're sick of all of the trouble you're getting in, no one's going to make you content but you. So the comparisons are moot. It's all about how your life is, how you're affecting yourself and other people and what you're going to do about it.

I'm not here to tell someone that they're an alcoholic, I'm just here to explain, in my personal experience, what the recovery process is like when you've finally decided that you've had enough and want to put drinking aside. I'm also here to share happily to the problematic drinker that once you do put drinking/using aside that life indeed gets much better. Nowadays, I have every bit as much fun as I used to when I was drinking and using, and yet have none of the consequences. I couldn't be convinced to go back to drinking now even if I was offered millions of dollars, because how I personally handle alcohol makes me miserable and the money wouldn't be enough to offset the misery. I get a chance to be happy, helpful and healthy with every new day now -- a far cry from what the Spikee of old would've had in terms of prospects.

If someone's living a miserable existence because of alcohol, then they should probably quit. If they can't quit on their own then they should seek recovery. All of this regardless of what people around them are doing. Other people in the world have to live their own lives just like you have to, and are responsible for their upkeep just like you are. The person that tells you to keep drinking if it's making you miserable is at best ignorant and at worst, sick in their own mind. Misery loves company and some people feel exposed when other people quit using, because it makes them look in the mirror and they may not like what they see...

Eh whatever, people are entitled to their own opinion. Just as long as everyone recognizes that opinions are like assholes -- everyone has one, and most of them stink.

You're missing the point. It's not that people here don't have problems with alcohol, but social situations do make a difference. The OP is worried about his drinking. That's a good start, if he thinks he has a problem. But if he's in an environment where it's pretty much the norm to go out a drink like that, then because he's joining in with the crowd, it doesn't necessarily mean he's massively alcoholic. If he was getting drunk when no one else was, it would be much more concerning. So the diagnosis does depend on other people. That's the point we're making.

I did the test, and it really is bollox. Seriously a pretty modest drinker could easily score 4or 5. I get 3 points just for coming home after work and having beer or glass or wine with my evening meal (drinking alone, at a regular time and to escape my worries- otherwise known as unwinding after a hard day in the office).

On that note, I know I drink too much, and I'm trying to cut back significantly (not that I ever really get drunk). This thread has helped steel my resolve a bit more. So good to hear you're input. Going T-total though? I just can't see it. What would I do with my mates?

[Edited for bad typing skills. Must be the DTs]

Oh I get the point, but discounting unhealthy lifestyle choices because of social circumstances is like convincing yourself that being a thief is acceptable because all of your friends are thieves. That doesn't mean that you're in a room with 15 well-adjusted people, it just means that you're hanging out with 15 theives.

Social situations don't make a difference when they're just another excuse. Water seeks its own level, you know what I mean? Maybe your social circles involve a lot of drinking because you made it that way, and because you gravitated to the people that wanted to go out drinking often, could drink a lot and make your own drinking feel normal. It would be awkward to be slamming down drinks with a bunch of people that didn't drink, would it not?

As far as your friends, I don't think the question is what you'll do with them but rather, what they'll do with you. People have a responsibility to maintain their health and if you decide that you're going to quit drinking, true friends would stand behind that. I lost a lot of "friends" when I decided to sober up, but a few stuck around because it was true friendship and it didn't matter to them much. And looking back on that, losing a bunch of people over taking care of myself was well worth figuring which of them truly had my back.