What constitutes alcoholism?
Posted , 31 users are following.
Hello
I'm not sure if anyone can answer this, but since I feel it may be an issue, I'm probably in the right place to ask...
I'm currently on Sertraline (100mg) for anxiety, as well as various other meds including sleeping pills (zopiclone 7.5mg), but my drinking habits are the same as they have ever been, without any reaction to my meds (been on them for about 5 months). I'm also now seeing a counsellor who is telling me that my drinking habit is "dangerous" and that if I carry on the way I'm going, I will "most likely be a fully-fledged alcoholic" by the time I'm in my fifties (I'm 32 now).
To paint the picture, I usually drink at least 5 nights out of 7; sometimes only one glass of red wine, but often (and mainly at weekends) as much as 2-3 bottles of wine along with numerous glasses of whisky or brandy to follow. I admit that I have taken occasional days off work because I've been hungover, but only because my work is flexible, so I make sure I do my contracted hours each week, regardless of how I might be feeling. If I know I absolutely have to go to work the following day, I won't mess around with booze. And if I ever do - it's my own fault if I feel bad at work.
The main thing is that I drink because I enjoy it, not because I NEED to. I rarely drink alone (although I happily can and occasionally do), but the reason I drink to the extent that I do is because of my tolerance level, which has always been very high. I'm not an aggressive, tearful, unbalanced or nasty drunk. I tend to stay the same, just a little more animated. I am never, ever sick and I never lose control.
My counsellor thinks I am in danger of becoming alcohol dependent, but to me drinking has always been my family culture. I would never dream of drinking in the morning - the thought of that is horrific (apart from on Christmas Day), but anything past midday has always been acceptable in my family (of course NOT on a work day).
Am I right to be defending myself and telling my counsellor that this is normal for me and that I am in control of it? Or am I severely in denial? I'm certainly not naïve enough to think this is good for my health (and that's something I do need to work on, since I eat very healthily), but I'm not prepared to admit that I am "verging on alcoholism".
If anyone has any comments, advice or observations, I would be very grateful indeed.
Bella
3 likes, 75 replies
stupid_girl bellaseb
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hope4cure stupid_girl
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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I think the fact that I've been made aware of it is only a positive thing because now I can start to address it instead of assuming it's "normal".
What symptoms would constitute a physical withdrawal to alcohol? I don't think I've often gone more than 96 hours without at least a very tiny drink (at least not in the last few months), so I've no idea whether I'd experience this. Also, with reverse tolerance, do you literally have about one drink and feel drunk very quickly? I had no idea that happened.
nathan22779 bellaseb
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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Thank you for explaining things in so much detail.
nathan22779 bellaseb
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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Unfortunately I am not a fan of beer, unless it's an ice cold bottle (of few) at a BBQ in the summer! I do like vodka, but since I won't drink fizzy drinks/mixers (because, ironically, I find them unhealthy) with it, I rarely drink it because I'm not overly keen on the taste of it on its own (same as gin).
Oh dear. I have a lot of work to do.
nathan22779 bellaseb
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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Having drunk all my alcohol supplies on Wednesday night (half a bottle of whisky and two bottles of red wine.......!!) and stayed up until half past five the following morning doing so, I am now refusing to buy any more booze this weekend, hence I will not be able to drink even if I want to.
However, it's Friday early evening, & I am already craving a glass of whisky. But I shall not succumb. If I can't go a few days without drinking then I really DO have issues greater than I thought
nathan22779 bellaseb
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stupid_girl bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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I was a good girl last night, I didn't succumb, but today I have bought a litre bottle of Famous Grouse and two bottles of Prosecco. Not to say I will open/drink any of them, but they are there...
bellaseb stupid_girl
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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But I'm not giving up alcohol for good. No way.
nathan22779 bellaseb
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nathan22779 bellaseb
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bellaseb nathan22779
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You seem to be completely in control of things now, and you also acknowledge your "addiction" (if that's the right word for it - sorry if not), so I wouldn't be too concerned at re-evaluation your mentality. But maybe I'm being naive saying that......!!??
nathan22779 bellaseb
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hope4cure nathan22779
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My son is a alcoholic and I know every excuse in the book. So how's that workin for ya?
hope4cure bellaseb
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hope4cure nathan22779
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drinking a drink to the alcoholic the difference is the addiction. Most drink out of anxiety and to self medicate.
u have described many things alcoholics design their lives around describing the mind of a alcoholic. U however left out what exactly reverse tolerance is? Is that the toxic part from not eating food or withdrawals?
I am sorry u struggle thru UR addiction. U make it sound so nonchalant. U have to get past the denial stage is what was left out of the explanation.
UR have been thru withdrawals and in the hospital?
AND U CONTINUE TO DRINK......,!!!?."
HOW'S THAT WORKIN FOR YA?
If that's what I understand u to explain in UR own words. Actually is too much to imagine UR life sober forever..no drink at all. can u imagine a life with no booze? In fact I hear a little bit of denial in there.... UR cheating urself out of a life.
Mabe UR not in jail.. Or Living on the streets.... or lost UR drivers liscence....... Just put a YET after each of those statements.
MY SON THOUGHT THE SAME WAY.. He was on life support last May..he's been back in jail out again on the streets. Begging for food and money and alcohol. JUST ADD A YET AFTER THAT STATEMANT ABOUT MY SON FOR YOU.
I pray that u see the light... And seek help soon.
HOPE4CURE
hope4cure nathan22779
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Now that's a alcoholic revelation! Wow sharing UR alcohol knowledge.
now does that mean UR smarter than the average alacocolic?
simon64688 nathan22779
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Hi Nathan , it's about my wife , everything on this page I can relate to .. And am going through.. I could write a million page novel ..
Anyway quick question :
She binges for between 3 & 14 days ( longest binges happening more frequent and recent now . )
When she 'stops' Is it possible to go from shakes / anxiety / regret day 1&2 to cool as a cucumber on day 3? I can't for life of me find any booze but am convinced she must be topping up to take edge off.