Alcohol

[fraser]

at what stage is alcohol a problem, I seem to need a drink everyday not to get drunk just a taste. I have willpower when working! iam an alcoholic?

[jno]

depends what you mean by "need". Alcoholics need alcohol, others don't. But if you're not actually getting drunk or going broke buying expensive burgundy, is it actually a problem?

[SSSid]

It's only a problem when you forget to buy a bottle on the way home from work!

[pizza]

Hi fraser there's a good support site where people don't judge and give help and advice to each others called soberistas.

[fraser]

jno my mood changes when I have a drink, lot happier but as I said I knowwhen to stop.

[rockyracoon]

If you're not drinkng enough for it to become a health problem then I wouldn't worry, just keep an eye on it so the amount you drink doesn't creep up.

[jno]

if you need drink to cheer you up, you might try to tackle the root cause of your unhappiness; drink won't cure that. Aside from that, if it isn't causing you a problem... then it isn't a problem.

[sandyRoe]

http://www.a-1associates.com/aa/20Questions.htm
Answering these honestly might help you decide.

[woofgang]

Sandy I have a bit of an issue with that questionnaire....according to it, all of us who live alone and enjoy a drink are potentially alcoholics......
What i would say is if you "need" a drink everyday then that's a danger sign. How much do you call a taste?

[Answerprancer]

I drink quite a lot and have been told I am more amicable when I've had a few.
I usually drink about three tins/bottles of strong beer every evening.
I can't remember when I last had a 'night off' and find that I am restless for a while when I do have nights off before I can get to sleep. I consider myself to have a 'mild dependency'. For me, the important thing is keeping tabs on my regular intake ie. that it hasn't gone up in the last decade. If you can (truthfully) keep it in check and your health/social life hasn't suffered, I'd say you're ok.

[pixie373]

Yes, my stepsister is a nurse and also said drinking caused more problems than drugs, smoking, road accidents all put together. I suppose you don't have one too many cigarettes and go looking for a fight!

[FredPuli43]

The only worrying thing in what you say is "willpower". Normal people don't think "I haven't had a drink today; what willpower I have!" We who are alcoholics; and once you have been an active, practising, alcoholic, you always are , though many years free of alcohol; know the feeling. Alcohol is very insidious. We get to that early stage of thinking in terms of using willpower, which means that we'd really feel a bit better in ourselves if we could just have one drink.

Unfortunately, we gradually progress, as the feeling gets a bit stronger, to grabbing a drink when we can. And thereafter the progression is inevitable. We get to the stage when we actually feel ill when we haven't got a certain level of alcohol inside us. Outwardly, we pass as normal and function normally, perhaps for years like that, but there comes a time when the condition fully overcomes us

At least you are aware of this very early stage. I suggest that you contact Alcoholics Anonymous and find what they call "an open meeting". That's for people, anyone, who thinks they might have a bit of a problem. You don't have to say anything; just listen. You won't be alone; my AA branch in London has meetings with 300 attending every week! Most AA branches have a lot fewer than that. Some have introductory meetings, which are just that; for listening to someone who is years without drink but knows all about how alcoholism works.You can chat to them,too.

[Khandro]

fraser; //at what stage is alcohol a problem// Drinking some every day is not in itself a problem, I believe it is becoming one when you feel the need earlier and earlier in the day. Alcoholics reach for the bottle first thing in the morning, do you feel that way inclined?

[jakep]

Pizza, thank you so much for the soberistas.

[murraymints]

Not a good idea every day..you need 3 days clear a week I believe...