[perniciousfirefly]

Hiya,
look I dont know if i am an alcoholic or not.
It is hard to say, i have tendencies, i have always drunk to get intoxicated when from the age of 14, and now it to deal with emotions. but i was doin well got to day 13, and had a relapse last night, but finshed my bottle, went to bed (slept well), and today, i arent bothered about a drink, could tak it or leave it. feel not bothered (like a drink) feel guilty as i am lying to myself and others about last night. i didnt really enjoy the sensation of being drunk last night. so maybe best staying off it.

but if i was an alcoholic wouldnt i be craving more drink? dont get me wrong i have had episodes this week where wanted a drink, phoned someone from aa, but this was after a job interview, and im stressed with pmt and everything.

i dont know anymore

[alevin]

Hi perbiciousfirefly,

Well, you'll not be surprised i think [ and hope...] that i am not to keen on labels, my local psychiatric hospital for example, doesn't use the term"alcoholic" , but prefers to talk of "alcohol problem, emotional and or physical dependencies......", so it does certainly seem to me from what you are saying that you recognise a psychological need to drink an addictive substance..... that will inform you enough to be concrned,as you indeed are.

Between the lines of your words,if you dont mind me saying, I feel anyway, that you do " have a problem " here ,with dependence, and although you do not experience as yet any ,emotional "craving", or physical "craving",- the shakes etc,, if you continue to drink as you are doing now, then it is only a matter of time---I am talking from not only my experience,but from the testimonies of other drinkers.

Someday elses diagnosis, may help to confirm symptoms,which you are already aware of, this may help to underline, and determine the next step for you, but only you can decide what that "next step" is.

But I sencerely, recommend that you take one!.......do not continue drinking just to confirm the progression of an addiction!,,,, sadly most drinkers do[me included] until it becomes a even greater problem...

please, think about seeking some help..

my concerns for you perniciousfirefly.....

I hope this helps you to make some movement on this

take care,,and pm me if you like , yeh?

from a very cloudy Edinburgh,,!but the sun always re-appears!

alevin , hugs t you [[[[[pern]]]]]]]]

[DePressMe]

perniciousfirefly, not every alcoholic becomes a daily drinker. Also, I think even people who are not alcoholics will have times where they find it difficult to resist the temptation to drink. Besides, it does not really matter if you are an alcoholic or not. What matters is if you want to be sober. Do you want to stay sober? If you want to stay sober, then do what you need to stay that way. Maybe you need more help than others...maybe you are an alcoholic, maybe you are not. When it comes right down to it, what matters is whether or not you pick up that first drink. I know some recovery philosophies say you have to accept being an alcoholic in order to start recovery. For me, I had to work on not drinking and the acceptance came with time. Don't force yourself to make a decision right now. Stay sober and see what sobriety tell you about it.

[splitimage]

perniciousfirelfly. Only you can decide if you are an alcoholic, which after all is only a label. Does drinking interfere with your life in any way? Do you want to stop? Do you think you have a problem? Answering these questions will help you make a decision around your alcohol use. You don't have to wait untill you've progressed to full blown alcohol dependence like so many of us, myself included, do. It's a prgogressive disease that only get's worse so if you think you have a problem with alcohol then I'd urge you to stop before it gets any worse.

Sobriety isn't always easy. There are still lifes ups and downs and stresses to deal with, but for me sobriety is much better than being drunk. I'm learning to handle emotions instead of drowning them, and I don't miss the physical side effects of heavy drinking. I'm still relatively new to this whole sobriety thing, but I can honestly say it's one of the hardest and best things i've ever done for myself.

--splitimage

[StarPonysMama]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
DePressMe said:
I know some recovery philosophies say you have to accept being an alcoholic in order to start recovery. For me, I had to work on not drinking and the acceptance came with time. Don't force yourself to make a decision right now. Stay sober and see what sobriety tell you about it.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I could not ever find a better or more subtle way to explain how I have dealt with my alcohol problem.

Although I attend AA - I read my book on my own, do not have a sponsor, but do very MUCH enjoy and draw strength from the meetings. I believe you have to do what works for you and explore yourself - sober.

I think for others AA is the ONLY answer ........

Good luck in your search.

[Averyl]

There are a few rehab centers to help you come out of substance and alcohol abuse. Wish you all the best.

-----------------

[crazybones]

i wouldnt say so but if you feel bad about it try your hardest not to drink i have gave up the bottle while i am still young becuz i made a fool out myself not in bad way or nothing but any how stopping is always harder then starting

[bmoz]

If you never drink again, in my opinion, NO.

[PsyChris]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
perniciousfirefly said:
Hiya,
look I dont know if i am an alcoholic or not.
It is hard to say, i have tendencies, i have always drunk to get intoxicated when from the age of 14, and now it to deal with emotions. but i was doin well got to day 13, and had a relapse last night, but finshed my bottle, went to bed (slept well), and today, i arent bothered about a drink, could tak it or leave it. feel not bothered (like a drink) feel guilty as i am lying to myself and others about last night. i didnt really enjoy the sensation of being drunk last night. so maybe best staying off it.

but if i was an alcoholic wouldnt i be craving more drink? dont get me wrong i have had episodes this week where wanted a drink, phoned someone from aa, but this was after a job interview, and im stressed with pmt and everything.

i dont know anymore

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Have you ever tried to cut down on your drinking?

Has anyone ever been annoyed at your drinking?

Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?

Have you ever had a drink as en "eye opener" first thing in the morning?

If you can answer two or more of these questions with Yes there is a high chance you have a substance abuse (>82%) problem. The good news is that their are plenty of resources available and you do not have to "hit rock bottom" before you get help.