Admitting I’m an Alcoholic

[sir baconface]

I drink every day but not to getting pissed proportions. I’d be interested to know what sort of consumption level is generally classed as alcoholic dependency.

 

[bluebaja]

Might be helpful

I have watched that, pardon the pun but it is quite sobering. Whilst it may not be of much help to BLUEYESTU, I suspect that many people reading this thread will feel that they may have a problem relationship with alcohol (myself included), and I think that what Chiles is saying will make a lot of people stop and think. It certainly made me have a good hard look at myself.
As for BLUEYESTU, well done mate, and best wishes for your journey.

 

[remember arthur mann]

I work in an oncology ward as a support worker; taking bloods, doing observations etc. I was making sure I was not drinking to excess if I had work the next day but it was still affecting my ability to deal with issues at work etc - I’d be constantly anxious and quick tempered. But if I was off the next day then all bets were off!

That's a pretty heavy job, I'm sure it's emotionally draining.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I drink every day but not to getting pissed proportions. I’d be interested to know what sort of consumption level is generally classed as alcoholic dependency.

When we had our addiction training, it was stressed that it was about reliance/regularity rather than specifically quantity. I brought up the situation of a friend at the time, who had 3 pints a night, pretty well every night.

The trainer said he was an alcoholic, with the key question being whether they could go without drinking for a few days or a week. He almost certainly couldn't. Now, a doctor would see that sort of consumption (3 units a pint, 9 units a night, over 50 units a week) as a serious drinking problem, when the recommended maximum is 21 units.

 

[MellowJoe]

I drink every day but not to getting pissed proportions. I’d be interested to know what sort of consumption level is generally classed as alcoholic dependency.

In my experience I think it's when you've not had a drink for about 16 hours .. shaking hands, strange breathing, heart beat all fucked up.. sweating like a moron at bed time, can't sleep and when you do finally drift away you get nightmares. It's fucking annoying

 

[jimharri]

I drink every day but not to getting pissed proportions. I’d be interested to know what sort of consumption level is generally classed as alcoholic dependency.

Looked up "am I an alcoholic" on Google. Now, as you'd expect, there's scores of results. But a pretty good definition is (from the DrinkAware website) ...

"Alcoholism is the most serious form of problem drinking, and describes a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink. Sufferers of alcoholism will often place drinking above all other obligations, including work and family, and may build up a physical tolerance or experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop.

Alcoholism is sometimes known as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence. It’s slightly different to ‘harmful drinking’ which is an occasional pattern of drinking which can cause damage your health.

An example of harmful drinking is drinking too much at a party, and risking a fall or argument. This pattern may develop into alcoholism if that kind of harmful drinking becomes a habit and happens on a regular basis."

 

[BLUEYESTU]

In my experience I think it's when you've not had a drink for about 16 hours .. shaking hands, strange breathing, heart beat all fucked up.. sweating like a moron at bed time, can't sleep and when you do finally drift away you get nightmares. It's fucking annoying

That’s exactly how I’ve been. Nightmares have been ridiculous - more like night terrors where I wake up screaming.

 

[BLUEYESTU]

That's a pretty heavy job, I'm sure it's emotionally draining.

It can be yeah, we see some incredibly sad stuff and I have used drink to take my mind off it sometimes. But one of the things I’ve had to accept is I’ve been looking for excuses to drink like a stressful day, it helps me sleep etc. But the real truth is I’m addicted and was looking for an excuse possible. I was even drinking neat vodka and saying it helped when I had trapped wind in my guts!

 

[MellowJoe]

That’s exactly how I’ve been. Nightmares have been ridiculous - more like night terrors where I wake up screaming.

Yeah, alcohol messes with your brain chemistry apparently. When it hasn't had it's fix it's part of the withdrawal symptoms, so I've read. It comes on so fast though doesn't it.. I guess if you can't sleep without a drink in less than a day then it's probably safe to say the drug has gripped you.

 

[stonerblue]

I drink every day but not to getting pissed proportions. I’d be interested to know what sort of consumption level is generally classed as alcoholic dependency.

I have a bottle or two most days. Maybe once a week I'll have a few more for a bit of a sesh but I'm shit at drinking these days so not got past 8 bottles since last summer.
Weekly I'd say total intake is 10 pints.
Had nothing today.