EDIT: Damnity! Fatty FatBastard, again. Sorry, y'all. When I was 33 It was a very good year It was a very good year I logged on Once more to ClutchFans Men looking for some romance Darth Vader wanted to Dance When I was 33 But now I'm 33(and a day) It's been a very bad year It's been a very bad year since I bombarded These Romancing Fools Shallow Women took them to school But seeing Darth Vader Saying "NOOOOOOOOO" was cool When I was 33
^^^ That'll learn me to type on my friend's computers these days. The cookies are gone. My friends have run amuk.
For me, unless you are physically addicted to alcohol and suffer withdrawal symptoms (i.e. DT's), you're not an alcoholic. You may have a drinking problem, but you're not an alcoholic. I understand others have a less restrictive definition that I respect and would not want to debate the merits. Suffice it to say, that, if you are not yet physically addicted to alcohol, you should be able to quit or cut back by simply making a conscious decision to do so. If you suffer physical withdrawal symptoms when you do not drink, you need to seek professional help. Many of those I've encountered in AA have "impulse control" issues contributing to a "drinking problem" but are not (yet) alcoholics (by my more restrictive definition). I am not a big fan of AA but it works for many. The quasi-religious nature of AA is a turnoff to some. With a "possible" genetic pre-disposition towards alcoholism, your decision to quit or cut back is probably a wise decision that many of us have made. Everything in moderation. Good luck.
swilkins, i know where you are coming from. i am, by most standards, a fortunate and successful guy. i am married to a beautiful woman, i have two handsome young sons, and own a brownstone in brooklyn that i just had appraised for 1.5 million dollars however, i am an alcoholic, and it's a struggle. For those that say they don't drink, i say good for you. For those that can drink as much as they like without ill consequences, good for you. i just can't always control my addiction and it does interfere with my life, i should quit but it would be a monumental task. swilkins, good luck, and thanks for posting.
swilkins, I started a similar thread to this one about two years ago and I got some pretty good responses. I still drink beer socially but I don't drink hard liquor (besides an occasional margarita) at all. I also try to make sure I don't drink more than everyone else I'm with. If the people I'm with aren't drinking, neither am I. If they're only having a couple of drinks then stopping, so am I. I don't ever want to be "that drunk guy" again.
I couldn't say how much it means to have so many caring people provide such valuable advice. Although I'm not convinced that I have a chemical dependancy, I do know that I binge drink. I have suffered stomach problems in recent years, especially the day after. So bad at times that I was afraid to leave the house for fear of not having facilities available when I needed to use them. Of course this causes a separate paranoia that just compounds to the problem. I have decided to avoid drinking as long as possible. If I decide to bring it in I will limit it to beer and will limit the amount. No more booze. I too lift weights and couldn't say how many times I missed a workout, because I drank the night before. Thanks again.
I don't drink around my kids and since they are with me 75% of the time away from work, I have maybe one beer a month on average.
I try not to drink too much anymore, because stuff gets broken when I do. For awhile, about once a year I would drink myself silly and make a public spectacle out of myself. I don't miss those occassions.
Whenever I feel like I drink too much I just throw in Leaving Las Vegas and I feel a lot better about myself. Nick Cage's character makes the hardest drinker look like a lightweight.
I drink waaaayyy too much... and the thing about it is that I dont even like the buzz... I feel like crap in the morning, my stomach has turned upside down, i have a bad attitude when i'm drunk, its expensive, and its kinda boring. I mean... Alcohol sux, there is nothing good that comes out of it. People fight, drive drunk, abuse family members and sibling, and it doesn't taste good. And yes, I'm really REALLY hung over and at work today. I think its something I'd like to stop as well. I'd probably a lot happier without it. Either way, a beer sure is good after a long day at the office. I guess i have mixed emotions like many others. thanks for listening too. and I've been to AA, and It didnt last long. I think its all about writing down the pro's and cons of alcohol and making a logical plan to stop or continue...
