Alcohol broplem

[Otage]

How do you know you have alcohol broplem? I read somewhere, that when drinking starts to affect your work and life, you have a broplem. But what If it doesn't affect your work/shcool and you feel it only improves your everyday freetime quality? I mean how can you tell it's a broplem? Broplem to whom?

 

[bafm]

Sorry but in my opinion alcohol improves really nothing.

If someone thinks to need alcohol to improve free time isn't his life affected in a way?

This isn't meant to be rude, it's only that I've already seen too many tragedies in my life due to alcohol and drugs.

And of course there is a great difference between a good glass of wine in good company and the whole bottle!

 

[Sinnerr]

It could be problem (broplem) even earlier than it affects work or school or family...
Alcoholism starts when a man drinks permanently - mostly not high quantum of alcohol, so he's not suspect for other people. 2 or 3 beers after work every day for few years. No problem till this guy accidentaly breaks his leg. Is in hospital and can't go to pub. After dry 24 hours gets first abstinentic symptoms, after 48 hrs delirium tremens. And this guy wouldn't say he had a problem before. "I drink a little bit only, one beer after lunch, one after work, one after dinner."

 

[Otage]

Would you count a 2 to 12 beers four times a week a problem? Like if one can go easily a day without alcohol?

 

[ihno]

You must answer that question yourself. There is always an individual factor as well and nobody can tell you over the net.

 

[XMan101]

There is a difference in metabolisms and a difference in attitudes when drinking.

If you need a drink to be able to do anything, or even leave the house, you have a problem. If you can't be happy without a drink you have a problem.

Many in Europe, especially, belong to well worn drinking cultures and it's always been the thing to do, but if you can't leave it alone or say no without thinking or feeling bad then it's got you!

I have always enjoyed a good drink, sometimes to excess perhaps, but I can, and do, go for many weeks without even thinking or wanting it. It's a state of mind, and it's too easy to use it as a prop.

The thing to think about is, Are you enjoying the drink in your hand for pleasure, or are you just needing it ?

 

[tonka]

If you're talking 12 beers four times a week...you need to assess yourself.
if you have some beers a few times a week, and an occasional 12 beer blowout? You probably have a drinking habit, but maybe not an alcoholic.

A drinking habit can be a problem, but also a lot of fun. For me, drinking is fun. Being drunk is fun. But I had to put limits on myself to protect my health and my life. Now I'm pretty much a weekend drinker. It works for me.

For some, it's the choice of being a drunk or giving it up. But for many of us, it's about finding a balance in our lives.

 

[Tjerk12]

Alcohol can be fun indeed.

 

[Sinnerr]

Would you count a 2 to 12 beers four times a week a problem? Like if one can go easily a day without alcohol?

I'm not profesional in this department. But 4 times a week means every second day (?) it's quite often. But also depends how long you do that. If you just had summer full of party's, it should be ok. You can easily check it, take a rest from drinking few weeks, and if your hands won't start to shake - it's ok.

 

[XMan101]

Alcohol can be fun indeed.

An absolute classic, thanks for reminding me of it

Another similar type of sketch is (audio only I think) Michael Bentine as a toastmaster.

Sorry to digress from the original post, which is a serious point !

 

[MaximumT]

If you need a drink to be able to do anything, or even leave the house, you have a problem. If you can't be happy without a drink you have a problem.

I concur. If you need a drink to have fun, then it's become a problem. When it starts affecting your social life, work/school and such, it's a BIG problem!

 

[cacc]

If it has effected your social or work life in any way or if someone you know has brought up your drinking to you, you have a problem.

 

[Urban]

Alcoholism is a physical dependence; it can manifest itself immediately, when you take your first drink. But for many people it's a gradual process. So even if you can quit for a day, or a week, or a month, without suffering any physical symptoms, that doesn't mean you don't have an alcohol problem; you can become mentally/emotionally dependent on it, and that in turn can lead to physical dependence.

I agree wholeheartedly with bafm: if you think alcohol "improves your everyday freetime quality", then you ought to watch out. Alcohol might be fun and might help to some extent in social situations, but it definitely does not improve any aspect of a person's life on an ongoing basis.

 

[dargelos]

Alcohol is no different to any other drug, except in it's legal status. Legal dosen't mean safe, more people die from alcohol related illness than from all the illicit drugs added together.
Still, you've got to have a life, you've got to have some fun, so as long as you are having a good time then it's worth it. But when it gets to the point that you pour a drink automaticaly, whether you actualy want one or not, that is the time to stop.
That was me once so I did stop and haven't missed booze at all since.
Only you can answer the question "Am I really still enjoying this?"

 

[tonka]

The other thing about quantities of beer is the empty calories. Of course, your metabism and activity level matter.
But after a certain age, a beer habit means beer belly. Lots of beer....BIG BEER BELLY!

 

[Tom]

Hi Alex,

There are many factors involved.

I don't believe quantity has anything to do with it.
You have to ask yourself the following questions.

1). Since I'm asking this question I may have a problem.
2). Do I think about drinking throught
out the day?
3). Do I drink alone?
4). Do I hide my drinking from family and friends?
5). Do I have to make up excuses for my behavior?
6). Do other family members have problems? Is this heredity?

Hope you don't have any problem.

 

[777]

In the first steps of alcoholism it feels like the alcohol makes life better, first in free time and you actually may feel it makes you work and study better too. It's a fact that it does for a while, and then you find a lot of ways to compensate when it doesn't any longer. In the end it's starts to affect your life negatively. That's where other people notice too.

If you see any of that happening in your life, then there's probably a problem with alcohol even if you can go days without it.

 

[Otage]

Are these "official" questions? Cause I find myself answering "yes" to all of these. And thanks to everybody, your answers have made me think. I find it's hard to even read this thread through...

Hi Alex,

There are many factors involved.

I don't believe quantity has anything to do with it.
You have to ask yourself the following questions.

1). Since I'm asking this question I may have a problem.
2). Do I think about drinking throught
out the day?
3). Do I drink alone?
4). Do I hide my drinking from family and friends?
5). Do I have to make up excuses for my behavior?
6). Do other family members have problems? Is this heredity?

Hope you don't have any problem.

 

[achillthatbends]

I drink about 12-15 beers a week with wine on the side. I do not have any problems resulted by it with my family, work and finances except my physical health the next day. I guess you would be alcoholic if the urges of drinking is stronger than your urge to enjoy the present and see the people around you as amazing as they are. If you think alcohol is the replacement to escape, then it's a serious addiction.

 

[dargelos]

Otage,You are right in thinking that a checklist of questions like that are part of training in medical or social work jobs. Usualy they say two or more yes responses suggests an intervention is needed. If you say yes to all the questions I would not interpret that as a bad sign, it could be a good sign in that you are being honest with yourself.