[crazylife]

I'm not really addicted to alcohol but how on earth do you stop yourself? I can't. I will drink and drink 'till i pass out, not good, every 3 days if I'm lucky! It just gives me a break. Any tips.

Originally Posted by crazylife

I will drink and drink .

I dunno?...that looks a bit addictive there crazylife.....or at least binge drinking....hmmm

I guess something keeps on at ya' until it hurts just way too bad.
...everyones a bit different but serious drinkers don't drink seriously if the first one doesn't make it down the throat!

[madisgram]

i can't qualify you, only you can do that. but the concern you have may indicate a dependence on alcohol or alcoholism. many of us have been there. here's some helpful tips. you may be able to identify with them. also attending AA may be helpful even if you just listen to perhaps find some answers.

What is Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease that is often progressive and fatal. Although alcoholism tends to run in families, it is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. An individual who is dependent upon alcohol typically uses it to avoid personal and social factors in his or her life. The four symptoms of alcohol dependence include:

• craving for alcohol
• inability to reduce or stop alcohol consumption
• experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping alcohol consumption
• increased tolerance of alcohol (takes more to get the same effect)

http://www.healthauthority.com/AlcoholDependence.htm

Alcohol Dependence There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use of alcohol or the substance

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx16.htm

By Mayo Clinic staff
Alcoholism symptoms include:

• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Feeling a strong need or compulsion to drink
• Developing tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing amounts to feel its effects
• Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances due to drinking
• Drinking alone or in secret
• Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don't drink
• Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"
• Making a ritual of having drinks at certain times and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned
• Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring you pleasure
• Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available
• Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in your car
• Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal"

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alc...CTION=symptoms

[gma45]

Don't take that first drink is the only way I know how.

[touchingsaturn]

Originally Posted by crazylife

I'm not really addicted to alcohol but how on earth do you stop yourself? I can't. I will drink and drink 'till i pass out, not good, every 3 days if I'm lucky! It just gives me a break. Any tips.

i used to be basically a "part-time alcoholic"... i only drank when i was depressed (which of course only hurt me), and when i drank, i drank to get drunk (really just to escape the pain), and then i kept drinking.. way past the point of being just drunk...

when i realized i had a problem (4 yrs. 3 mos. ago), i was blessed to be able to just quit... alcoholism runs heavily in my family on my dad's side & i don't know by what means i was able to just stop as i have a very addictive personality myself...

my suggestion.. what makes you take that first drink?? is it just to take the edge off what you're going through.. is it to relax??

you're going to laugh at me when i suggest this, and you can take it or leave it...but i realized last night when i was really agitated & wound up and just needed to CHILL out but didn't want to pop a xanax... that a big cup of double strength chamomile tea (specifically a combo of two packets of honey vanilla chamomile & two packets of chamomile, mixed with two packets of splenda), has the exact same calming effect that i used to get from that first drink... and NONE of the negative side effects... and it's delicious which doesn't hurt

i know, it's a weird suggestion.. but there it is it's strange the things you realize in your 30's... no one would have been able to tell me that when i was in my 20's... NO ONE!!!!

[Perna]

If you can't stop, it sounds like you may be dependent:

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Alco...m-Drinking.htm

I would find other people to hang out with and work on cleaning up whatever you are trying to get away from so it is not a problem requiring you to get away from it?