[Carole07]

My husband and I go out a couple times a week. And every time we go out, I basically get drunk. I can never seem to stop at 1 or 2 drinks. Once I have the first one, I don't know when to quit. Sometimes before we go out, I tell my husband that I'll just drink pop today, but I never do. I rarely drink at home and I don't have cravings throughout the week. So would this be considered a problem?

[lynn P.]

I think there are different levels of drinking problems. I would say though - anytime you can't limit yourself but go ahead anyways, is a red flag. From a health stand point - getting drunk in unhealthy for your body. It's very positive of you to wonder about this, so good for you.

[madisgram]

it does sound similar to my drinking years ago. AA has an apt saying, one is too many and a thousand not enough. you could go to an AA meeting and see if you can identify with the people there. it sounds like you would. "problem" drinkers can get help there too. just a suggestion mind you. i couldn't control my drinking either and the problem got bigger and bigger. AA saved my life-21 years sober. i could have never stopped drinking like you describe without their help. today i'm happy joyous and free. free from the bondage of alcoholism.

Hello, Carole07. Since you seem to be unable to not drink or limit your drinking when you go out, you may benefit from an alcohol evaluation or assessment. There may be more going on than you know about. Also, preventing or dealing with the onset of a substance abuse problem is worth the effort.

Good luck.

[lastyearisblank]

Agreed, it's definitely worth the effort to try to figure this out now. I would say that based on what you said about not being able to stop, or not being able to stick to previous limits, that's kind of answering your own question-- yes, it's a problem not to be able to do those things. It's better to have a choice about how much alcohol you drink instead of it just being based on how much is around... Because if you're drinking like this now, guess what is going to happen when you're under lots of stress and can't think of a way to blow off steam. A lot of people start with a small problem and let it get big. I would recommend doing what you're doing now and trying to figure out to what extent it might affect you if it goes on.
http://www.alcoholscreening.org/Home.aspx (They ask for a zip code but you can put any old numbers...)

[Leed]

If you have to ask if you have a drinking problem, you usually have a drinking problem.

Since you cannot stop at one, I'd say that you need help. Just because you don't drink during the week, doesn't mean you won't. It WILL progress. Believe me.

Try a few AA meetings -- listen to THEIR stories, and you'll see yourself in them. If you catch this now, you may not have to go thru the horrors that many of US went thru. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[Open Eyes]

I was told once that if you even have to talk about it, there is a problem.

That is when I learned that my husband was a binge alcoholic. I never knew there was such a thing, only that he could go for a while after an argument and that when he drank he didn't stop and many times he blacked out. It is not fun to live with someone who blacks out and does things that they are not aware of or don't remember the next day.

If you are drinking that much you may be blacking out too.

I really hated that, enduring something and then my husband didn't remember so then it was in my head, my problem, i needed help it wasn't him etc.

I think that you have a problem. Go to AA meetings and listen and stop.
It is a progressive disease.

Open Eyes

[Carole07]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I have decided that I am going to quit now before it gets worse. One thing that had not occured to me is that I am on medication and maybe the mix is making me intoxicated quicker, which is another reason why I should not drink at all.

I went to AA and NA meetings about 20 years ago and I have an understanding on what they are about. I'm not sure that i will go that route yet. I am going to honestly try to quit this time. I told my husband that I would and don't want to go back on my word. Thanks all.

[Denver Dave]

The question is: WHY do you drink when you go out? Are you anxious in public? That could indicate social anxiety.