Living with alcohol.

[Tank]

Fortunately I have never been an seriously bad alcoholic. The nearest I got was when I was 22 and a sales rep and expected to take clients out to lunch every day and have a pint with them. I found myself drinking at the weekends as well which up to then I had never done. I started to have soft drinks at lunch during the week using the excuse that my job depended on my driving licence. This strategy worked and the weekend desire to drink receded. Nowadays I get through a couple of beers and shorts a week at most. 50% of the time I don't drink at all in any given week.

I have known alcoholics and ex-alcoholics and I know that alcoholism can be a life breaker.

If you are, have been or are worried you are becoming an alcoholic this is the place to discuss it.

[Cite134]

I have been. I am 20 years old, and I often get depressed due to my incapability to make new friends (or atleast that's my reason). I read somewhere that alcoholism is genetic, and I tend to drink JUST like my mother. I am not sure if my underlying depression makes me drink, or my genetic disposition.

Even with the massive hangovers afterwards, I continue to drink. In fact, I am drunk as I type this disorganized paragraph.

[Tank]

I have been. I am 20 years old, and I often get depressed due to my incapability to make new friends (or atleast that's my reason). I read somewhere that alcoholism is genetic, and I tend to drink JUST like my mother. I am not sure if my underlying depression makes me drink, or my genetic disposition.

Even with the massive hangovers afterwards, I continue to drink. In fact, I am drunk as I type this disorganized paragraph.  I just can't help myself, it just feels so rude to sit next to somebody and not even acknowledge their existance.

People do overcome addictions of all sorts. I expect we have some reformed alcoholics here who can offer some insights in due course.

[Cite134]

Yeah. Only reason why I say that it's genetic is because I exhibit many behaviors as my mother when it comes to drinking. I used to tell myself that I would only drink when I was in a social environment. However, now I find myself drinking ounces of alcohol even when I am alone in my parents's attic.

When it comes to people being nice, I never see this trait in people in general in southern California. Almost everyone I see in the general public doesn't speak to ANYONE they do not know. I wish there were more people like you, Tank, in my circle. : /

As far as my supposed alcoholism goes...I am not sure yet on whether I need to seek professional help or not.

[Tank]

Yeah. Only reason why I say that it's genetic is because I exhibit many behaviors as my mother when it comes to drinking. I used to tell myself that I would only drink when I was in a social environment. However, now I find myself drinking ounces of alcohol even when I am alone in my parents's attic.

When it comes to people being nice, I never see this trait in people in general in southern California. Almost everyone I see in the general public doesn't speak to ANYONE they do not know. I wish there were more people like you, Tank, in my circle. : /

As far as my supposed alcoholism goes...I am not sure yet on whether I need to seek professional help or not.

At the end of the day it's you that has to stop drinking. Professional help would give you support and strategies to help. If there are no contradictions to seeking professional help then I would do it. The only reason I would not seek professional help initially is that getting a medical record for substance abuse (even alcohol) will have detrimental effects on future job offers. However the effects of alcoholism are much worse than a bad medical history. So have a go yourself first and get some information on breaking addictive behaviour. Find a forum about alcoholism, there's bound to be one and possibly one that has members in your locality. That would serve two purposes, stopping the drinking and possibly making some acquaintances that become friends.

What do you think?

[Cite134]

Yeah. Only reason why I say that it's genetic is because I exhibit many behaviors as my mother when it comes to drinking. I used to tell myself that I would only drink when I was in a social environment. However, now I find myself drinking ounces of alcohol even when I am alone in my parents's attic.

When it comes to people being nice, I never see this trait in people in general in southern California. Almost everyone I see in the general public doesn't speak to ANYONE they do not know. I wish there were more people like you, Tank, in my circle. : /

As far as my supposed alcoholism goes...I am not sure yet on whether I need to seek professional help or not.

At the end of the day it's you that has to stop drinking. Professional help would give you support and strategies to help. If there are no contradictions to seeking professional help then I would do it. The only reason I would not seek professional help initially is that getting a medical record for substance abuse (even alcohol) will have detrimental effects on future job offers. However the effects of alcoholism are much worse than a bad medical history. So have a go yourself first and get some information on breaking addictive behaviour. Find a forum about alcoholism, there's bound to be one and possibly one that has members in your locality. That would serve two purposes, stopping the drinking and possibly making some acquaintances that become friends.

What do you think?

I am not sure. Alcoholism has not affected anything major yet, but it's almost a part of my life. Yet, I find myself drinking quite often now, and I am not sure yet if it has to do with my depression or not. Perhaps it does. You are right though....when it comes down to it, only I can really stop it. Yet, it's almost like I can't help it. It's like I NEED a drink you know?....Maybe I really do need help, but I am scared to ask for it due to my young age.

[Tank]

but I am scared to ask for it due to my young age.

Well you can knock that feeling on the head right now. It's better to treat any malady at first sign. You wouldn't wait for a 5 year old to grow up before you treat them for Measles would you? Your age is irrelevant to your condition. Get your ass to a doctor, tell them everything and tell them the truth as that's the only way they will be able to help you.

[Cite134]

but I am scared to ask for it due to my young age.

Well you can knock that feeling on the head right now. It's better to treat any malady at first sign. You wouldn't wait for a 5 year old to grow up before you treat them for Measles would you? Your age is irrelevant to your condition. Get your ass to a doctor, tell them everything and tell them the truth as that's the only way they will be able to help you.

Maybe you're right. However, where I am from, you need MONEY to get help. Unfortunately, that is something I do not have at the moment . Yet, I will take your advice and get some help with my psychological AND addictive condtion.

[Asmodean]

My step father was an alcoholic. I've always disliked the taste of ethanol, so I don't think I ever was at risk of turning into one myself though.

I'm a total nicotine junkie and have a slight pill dependency though...  

[PoopShoot]

I use drugs to self-medicate my depression.  When I do a long time without getting high, I get suicidal.  When I take antidepressants I turn into a zombie.  Ironically, alcohol is my least favorite drug.  Right now I have to stick to caffeine because of a job search.

[karadan]

Up until about four months ago, i was drinking daily. Minimum, 2 pints, maximum, 5 - on weekdays. I'd go nuts at the weekends. My beer gut was the thing which made me stop. I've always had regular exercise and i've always eaten healthily (my metabolism is naturally high anyway). Consequently my weight has never been an issue. All of a sudden i realised i'd put on weight so i weighed myself and i was 15 and a half stone!! I'm 6'2" so 14 stone should be my normal healthy weight.

Trying to stop was difficult. Way harder than i thought it would be. I found myself substituting it with vast amounts of weed. I'm no longer mid-week drinking and i'm not drinking every weekend any more. The weight has started to pile off but i'm still smoking a shit load of weed.

I need to kerb both addictions, but one thing at a time.

[Velma]

Never have been much of a drinker.  The past couple of months I had more alcohol than ever simply because we have it in the house (mostly leftovers from the wedding), so I'm drinking a beer or glass of wine two or three nights a week.  If it wasn't in the house, I wouldn't even think about it.

[Thumpalumpacus]

but I am scared to ask for it due to my young age.

Well you can knock that feeling on the head right now. It's better to treat any malady at first sign. You wouldn't wait for a 5 year old to grow up before you treat them for Measles would you? Your age is irrelevant to your condition. Get your ass to a doctor, tell them everything and tell them the truth as that's the only way they will be able to help you.

Maybe you're right. However, where I am from, you need MONEY to get help. Unfortunately, that is something I do not have at the moment . Yet, I will take your advice and get some help with my psychological AND addictive condtion.

I too live in SoCal.  I know that there are state-funded substance-abuse outpatient clinics which will prorate their fees based on your ability, or inability, to pay.  If you PM me your ZIP code, I'll do a little legwork for you.

One of the hardest things in the world, for me, is to say "I need help."  It's a good sign that you're able to do so, in my mind.

[Cecilie]

I don't drink alcohol. I'm not old enough to buy it and I don't bother asking someone if they will buy it for me. I'm fine with not drinking.
EDIT: I have said that I will buy alcohol on my 18th birthday though. Just because I can.  

[Squid]

Addiction runs deep in my family.  My mother's side had many alcoholics especially my grandfather which ultimately led to his death.  My father's side is mostly my grandmother - used to be alcohol and now it's prescription pain killers.  My father's younger brother (my uncle) is a raging addict but hides it well enough to fool most people.  My parents, however, never drank or did any sort of drug.  My sister doesn't really drink at all.  My brother has maybe a beer on Independence Day (July 4th here in the U.S.) while BBQing and that's it for the year.  I tend to like alcohol more than they do but I'm a social drinker - I have no desire to drink if it's just me - it seems pointless without friends around to share it with.  Lately (over the past year) I've gotten to where I don't want to drink unless I'm BBQing...some kind of unintentional conditioning I suppose.