What is the dividing line between being a heavy drinker or an alcoholic,in your opinion? It's not like I wake up every morning and have to lift a bottle of vodka to my mouth with a sling,but I worry that I drink too much.Does anyone else feel this way? If I don't drink for two days I crave and and need to sink a few cans,sometimes a half bottle of whisky - then I stop.I'm a peaceful and calm drunk,but I wonder what damage I've done to my body over the years.
only we know our own limitations and if you have to ask i'm sure you already know the answer to this question.
If you can't go without drinking for several weeks, you're an alcoholic. I think really the only damage you do is to your brain and liver, so not too bad.
While it probably isn't a physical addiction (because you say you can go periods without), it's almost certainly a mental addiction that if not addressed could easily get worse. Although having the power to do something about it, because until it is a real issue one doesn't believe they need to, and reassures the self with "I went a day without the other week, so I'm not addicted".
I am sure my addiction to alcohol is physical.I can feel the addiction in my system.I want actually to stop drinking - but I've never really classed my self as an alcoholic.Just a heavy drinker.So I don't then need to tell people "I had to stop drinking because I'm an alcoholic".I just want to say I stopped drinking because I didn't like it any more.I can't stand the remorse.
I think it is a case of want and need. When the feeling comes that one cannot get though the day without .. then there is a 'concern' - one to be mindful of meThinks
Oh my. I agree with your assessment that you really need to quit...as far as what you tell others as to why you're quitting...tell them any old line you want. (just my opinion) I've always been one of those that felt that you didn't have to tell strangers - or ANYBODY (other than a mate/spouse) - anything you don't want to. At any rate, I was married to an alcoholic, God rest his soul. I was the sole only person that would face up to it...a VERY UNPOPULAR opinion, it was. I begged him to quit - but it was explained to me that if I had a problem with his drinking, it was MY problem, not his. But truly, you do describe both physical and mental addiction. And quitting booze is super hard, and you simply must face the fact you will have to go through DTs. DTs from alcohol can be fatal, and are very serious...and I think you should go and discuss this with a trusted doctor or professional. Although I really admire your courage to face this, and be able/willing to discuss it, I believe you're probably going to need some help outside of yourself in order to beat it.
^^ What Lynn said , right on the money . Seek some help and support outside yourself . If you think you have a problem , the first step towards help is admitting you have a problem . The rest can be tackled and challenged from there . Build a support base with those who have the same problem. If you're questioning it then you may have a problem . I wish you all the best with this . And you can overcome it . The more days you have sober under your belt , the easier it becomes .
1) Ask yourself why you're drinking. A family member of mine drinks because it helps enhance the pain-relieving effects of his medication. I drink socially, and some people drink every day socially. That's not wrong. For me, a drink or two a month is enough. For other people, they drink that much a day. 2) The AMA says one serving a day for women, and two for men. I find that to be awfully rigid, and go with the UK's NHS: Two for women, three for men. A serving of alcohol is an ounce of hard liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 4 oz. of wine. If you're not a professional bar tender, don't eyeball it. Measure it. 3) If you're embarrassed to tell people, Lynn's right. Say what you want. I tell people the truth: I hate hangovers and I have two disabled, elderly people who rely on me. I can't get shitfaced. And you'd be surprised: True friends, even if they're drunks, will not pressure you. If they do, they're not friends. 4) If you keep drinking this much, you'll have a higher risk of dementia at an earlier age. Your risk of cancer is increased. You will waste so much money on alcohol you'll be mad at yourself. It's not worth it. You're worth more than all this.
^ To your point number 2: The definition of a unit varies between the US and UK. I forget the exact measures, but the recommendations are actually roughly the same. About the equivalent of one standard size/strength beer a day for women and 2 for men. However, there isn't really any science behind this figure. It's just a "common sense" recommendation. It's based off the idea that you're very unlikely to run into health problems from that amount. But that doesn't necessarily mean if you go a bit above it, that you're likely to have problems.
