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Posted: 5/10/2008 9:38:51 PM | | Ok I've been drinking since I was about 12, I don't think I will ever stop drinking, I barely get totally wasted anymore but I do like coming home from work and drinking a few beers, I used to prefer alcohol over beer but now I'm a beer person, I drink basicly everyday my family used to call me an alcoholic, I think I've slowed it down alot even though I do drink nearly every day, when I went home on leave I only got drunk twice though, I was just wondering if I would still be considered an alcoholic. I know this is pretty random but just wanted some opinions on it and is anybody the same way | |
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Posted: 5/10/2008 9:56:18 PM | Other's people opinions is just that, other's opinions...
The most important is what do you think and your own conclusions.
I sugest you to log in in AAA. There is a very short and simple questionare for the answer you are looking for based on experiences, not in opinions.
I wish you well. | |
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Posted: 5/10/2008 10:47:18 PM | it really depends on the quantity, but also the reason. can you go a week without drinking? that's the real question, because if you physically can't, then yes, you have a problem. its definitely unhealthy, but i'm a smoker, so... i can't really lecture about that.
although, if you are questioning it, you might have a real problem. | |
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Posted: 5/10/2008 10:57:55 PM | | I am a smoker too lol, I can go a week without it but I'd rather not lol | |
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Posted: 5/10/2008 11:17:24 PM | A while back I looked into the long term effects of drinking and from what I saw, the consensus among people who have done serious research into the matter is that if you have over 20 drinks per week you're at serious long term risks. So I think as long as you don't go over that on average (a crazy weekend isn't so bad now and then) and you don't have any personal health risks related to alcohol, you're ok physically.
Psychologically, the situation is much less clear. Even if you have feel like you "need" to have a beer Friday night, that doesn't really constitutue a problem. I think that alcohol becomes a problem when it stops you from achieving your goals, or, as above, when it is a problem for your health. That may be a little more flexible than what most consider to be a problem though. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 12:19:31 AM | You're only 19, you've been drinking since 12, you drink on a (nearly) daily basis, your family calls you alcoholic, and you've just come home from Iraq, and you're posting in a forum asking others' opinions if you would still be considered an alcoholic....
You already know the answer, don't you?
You're either looking for confirmation, or for others who are in denial about their own issues with alcohol to convince you that you don't really have a problem.
You won't get the latter from me. You have a problem. Address it. Now is better than later.
Please take the advice of someone with personal, familial, and professional experience of the effects of alcoholism, and get the help you need. AA is a good first step. Do as cubanguy recommends and take the AA questionaire as a first step.
The military doesn't take nearly as laissez faire attitude toward problem drinking as they used to. If your drinking hasn't yet caused problems that have brought you negative attention from your superiors, it's only a matter of time if you continue.
Gods, this makes me feel old, but I used to manage the USCG Base New Orleans EM and O clubs just before you were born. I'm sure the Army has many resources available to you, since the Coast Guard did, even way back then. Use them.
I want to meet someone who is making something out of themselves because I am doing that and I think that's what I deserve. I don't know why people would want to waste their lives away and not become what they want to be, and do what they want to do.
Don't waste any more of your life away abusing alcohol and squandering your potential. You are 100% right, you deserve to make something out of yourself and do what you want to do. It'll be so much easier sober than drunk.
Maybe not immediately, because drinking enables you to push a lot of stuff into deep, dark holes so that you don't have to deal with it, and that seems like it's easier and less painful when you're doing it. But ultimately, dealing with whatever your issues are will be so liberating you won't barely recognize who you are today.
Good luck. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 12:49:20 AM | I'll tell you what honey...yeah, you are an alcoholic. And that's sad considering how young you are. If you'd like a reality check about your situation...you can check out what your liver probably looks like or go talk to alcoholics that have ruined their lives just for a drink.
And to the guy who said go to AAA...well if you need your car towed, that's what I'd suggest also..if not..try AA.
~Welder's Girl~ | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 1:26:33 AM | | i didn't realize how young you were... yeah, you should definitely lay off the alcohol. being constantly drunk stops emotional growth. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 1:29:21 AM | I think you had incident that left you questioning if you're drinking too much and need a way to understand if you do have a problem? If you have been drinking since the age of 12 and you're only 19, then I would think it would be a problem? It may have not carried over to work yet, but your lifestyle to drink after work on a daily basis, has been a choice & has become habitual. I believe drug or drinking addiction, is done out of choice, since every person can make the decision to take that first hit or drink each day.
Don't waste your life and end up like my older brother who spend 25 yrs dealing with his drinking and drugs. I had to end my relationship with him, for how his lifestyle affected our relationship. The choices you make, can effect your relationship with family, friends, co workers and the people you want in your life, will end it. How you view your drinking problem today, can lead to life long problems & issue's that can be handle easier when your younger. My older brother, missed opportunies to know his sister, I didn't like what his choices made him, and his rock bottom was death. I like to think your habits won't be as permanent | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 4:41:16 AM | "I'm not an alcoholic, i'm a drunk. Alcoholic's go to meetings."
Sorry you just reminded me of a shirt i used to own--had that saying on it.. 
Seriously tho. um 12 is a bit too young to have started drinking (illegal too isn't it)
And you drink nearly every day? um yea maybe you do have a drinking problem.....mayb you should talk to someone. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 5:08:44 AM | You need to be careful you don't become addicted because of drinking everyday.
When I was 19 me and my mate used to drink nearly everyday too, I think usually we only got a bit drunk though. I ended up starting to 'gasp' for a drink like you do for a ciggie when you're hooked. I actually even sold my Walkman once (was planning to buy it back) just so I could get a drink. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 6:46:36 AM | When I drink, I always find out that there are new ways to fail myself.
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Posted: 5/11/2008 9:02:23 AM | | from what i understand there are diffearnt types of alcoholics .. full blown, functional , weekly, monthly. all in all it's not good for you in the long run. but it's your life. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 10:46:33 AM | | Well i don't let it affect what I do, if I have plans to do something after work i dont drink first, its kinda funny I just got done reading you guys posts then one of my sergeants sent a mass text it said "Big welcome home bbq next saturday ay 3. adult event with keg in attendance, let us know if you can come" lmao damn I think almost everyone in the military is alkys | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 11:04:55 AM | I sugest you to log in in AAA.
Thats the auto club that offers insurance and discounts I believe...
Maybe you shouldn't post while drinking as to avoid the extra letters...
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Posted: 5/11/2008 11:15:20 AM | Well, if you just drank one beer a day I'd say your not an alcoholic... If your drinking two and up a day then yes you have a problem. You won't see this but others do, and you don't even have to drink alcohol. Near-beer has been proven to induce the same effects and there's little to no alcohol in it. That goes to prove that it's a mentality thing and your whole attitude changes when that glass bottle touches your lips.
Trust me give it up I used to drink and party when I was younger and one morning I just decided I had enough. Been straight for ten+ years and don't miss it it one bit. I'm not saying you have to give up alcohol. You just need to make a mental shift into one where it's you that desires a drink from the current one where a drink desires you.
I occasionally have a drink from time to time but I might go a whole year now without having more than three beers... So, I have to really think of myself as a non-drinker even though I have nothing against having a drink from time to time...
Best of luck to you and I hope you will elect to go cold sober for a year and give it a try, It's worth it...
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Posted: 5/11/2008 11:31:29 AM | an alcoholic is not just those who need to drink before doing something, or those who drink way too much in one sitting.
an alcoholic can be defined by many factors. when you start to set rules for yourself, like no drinking before 5 p.m, or 3 on the weekends. if you need to have a few in order to enjoy something. i was the one who put some of a paycheque aside so i would have money for drinks on the weekend. i looked forward to thurs/fri/sat/hockey/football/whatever - just so i could drink.
if you find yourself in a habit form....you have a problem. if you have subconsciously made alcohol an everyday part of your life, then yes, you have a problem.
the biggest red flag though, is when a family member or close friend actually feels the need to have a conversation over alcohol. anyone who is taking it that seriously, and is that concerned....you start to consider that maybe you do need help. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 11:39:02 AM | Hey Dustin.
First, I'm glad you're home. Thank you.
Well, at first read, I would say yes, there's a problem with the drinking whether it be the harder stuff or beer. Drinking since the age of 12 (yikes!) is also a red flag here, at least in my opinion.
I don't know much about AA or their program, but I am assuming that you can go on line and google their program as well as a self-inventory; you know the kind....answering a number of questions to get a better sense of whether you have a possible problem or not. There might be some kind of self rating scale.
If there's a local chapter of AA, I'd think seriously about going in to speak with someone. If you're asking this question, it tells me that you are concerned about it. Do good for yourself. If you don't have a drinking problem now, you prior and present drinking history could be a good indicator of a future that's plagued by it.
The fact that you've been able to slow things down for yourself is a good thing. You are still very young. In looking towards your future years, as you grow older, I would think that you'd want to be as healthy and happy as you could possibly be. Best of luck. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 11:39:42 AM | | I don't think I need help I'm just young and like to have fun. It doesnt control my life or anything like I wouldnt die if I couldnt have a drink, basicly I have gone a year without drinking, I ccouldnt drink in military school, basic training..I could drink in AIT tho, but I couldnt drink in iraq either so that all adds up to over a year without drinking lol | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 11:56:32 AM |
I'm just young and like to have fun.
And your equating drinking to having fun? You might need to think about that for a while?
I have gone a year without drinking, I ccouldnt drink in military school, basic training..
You don't see the fallacy there? You had no access to alcohol that isn't the same as not going without. The choice wasn't yours! See, the trick is having alcohol available and you selecting not to consume it. You make the choice the choice isn't made for you... When you can defeat that battlefield your the one in control...
Like I said I wish you the very best just give it a shot take the wheel by the hand and steer your life away from any alcohol for a year... One doesn't need a beer to have fun.
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Posted: 5/11/2008 12:13:30 PM | | Try stopping for a week. If you can't or it's a huge inner fight, then yeah, you have a problem. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 1:37:18 PM | Geeez I just noticed that your 19 years old and drinking?
You shouldn't be drinking at all it's illegal...
(Not that I agree with that but if a person is old enough to die for their country then I believe that country owes it to that person to not deny them the privilage of having a beer... I've always believed the draft age and drinking age should be the same) | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 1:45:14 PM | if alcohol impairs your life, even in the smallest way -its a problem, and it will slowly grow until you get into trouble for punching out a nun in a 7 eleven or take out a school bus full of kids with your car. -then hopefully you finally decide you need help. -too late, but nobody asks for help until they are less than zero. | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 3:12:28 PM | My brother just got out of prison less than a year ago because he got drunk and drove, he ran into a 19 year old kid put him in a coma and the guy had to learn how to walk all over again, my brother regrets it so he doesnt really drink anymore, I never take it that far.
And people do all kinds of stuff that impairs other things in their lives drinking just happens to be one that is noticed more | |
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Posted: 5/11/2008 3:22:48 PM | | Its depends. If you enjoy it, and it doesn't run or damage your life, then you're most likely in the clear. Its about disicpline- drinking in moderation. | |
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