[Nixi]

I am gobsmacked. I know I've had issues with alcohol but never thought of myself as an alcoholic! I don't drink 2 bottles of vodka a day!!! I did used to sneak half bottles of vodka as well as drinking the wine and lager but I have managed to cut the vodka out. (ecxep for the other day but it was my friend's birthday. I know alcohol has caused problems with my partner and children but now I'm drinking a bottle of wine a night. I know I've not been able to reduce this but everyone drinks like that. Loads of people finish work and have a bottle of wine!! Loads of people drink loads at wkends!! I don't thnk I've got a problem more than anyone else. I know I'm having a detox in a week but that doesn't mean I'm an alcoholic does it? My Dr was telling me off because my liver function was 225 instead of 35 or what ever it should be.

I honestly don't feel like an alcoholic- I'm not drinking enough!!!!! I would appreciateyour opinions please!!! Thank you!!!

[gma45]

I don't think it is how much we drink that matters. My ex used to say he did not have a problem because he only drank beer and only when he was out doing something like fishing, he justified his drinking also by saying he didn't drink hard stuff and didn't go to bars. He was still an alcoholic and his life had become unmanageable, drinking was affecting every part of his life and not in a good way. Just a thought.

[p!!kk]

there's a difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism.. i wouldn't necessarily call you an alcoholic, but i don't necessarily know you either.. like anything, moderation is the key.. so we drink a little more than usual some days or we drink during parties.. or we drink during good times.. that's nothing to fret over..

[Leed]

Gma is right. It's not how MUCH you drink, but what it does to you. Does it affect your marriage & your children? Does it change you when you drink? Do you say & do things that you wouldn't normally say & do when you're NOT drinking? Can you go a day or two WITHOUT drinking the wine? What happens if you DO go a couple of days without drinking? Do you think all the time of drinking? Do you get the "shakes?" Do you crave the alcohol? These are questiions you need to ask yourself.

I can't call you an alcoholic. Only YOU can decide that. But if you think you MIGHT have a problem with alcohol, you probably do. And if your liver function tests are elevated, then I STRONGLY advise you to STOP. Once your liver becomes involved due to alcohol, it means you're getting pretty involved and you're going to get mighty SICK. Alcohol KILLS -- you need your liver to LIVE. If your liver stops working, you'll die. That's the end.

You're getting a wakeup call. I hope you listen to your doctor cause you still have a chance. Stop drinking now -- get some help. Call AA or go to detox, or whatever it takes, but do it. I wish you the very best. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee