So I think I may be an alcoholic...

milehigh

I just polished off some Jim Beam and 7 Up...I'm not sure if I drink out of boredom or addiction...Possibly one leads to the other. I know AA has a test, but from what I remember it doesn't really apply to college students, which I am...Also if I remember some of the questions are somewhat ridiculous in the first place.

I was supposed to go to a kegger tonight, but it got cancelled, so I sat here, played WoW and drank (I also texted a bunch of people as well). Not sure what this makes me, but it can't be good...Looking for resources here, as this place has been a good source for just about any subject up to this point. Fix me H&A! GO! (my apologies, but seriously)

Thanatos

How much do you drink? Is this a one-time thing, or does it happen fairly frequently? How long can you go without drinking? Has your drinking ever gotten in the way of your everyday life? Do you drink because you feel depressed?

milehigh

It's never gotten in the way of everyday life, no. But it has been an ongoing thing over the last few months. If I get home before 11 or so (and am not tired) I get bored and decide to drink a few shots because it makes the night interesting. It's only happened a few times in the last week or so (and before that not often at all) but I have been buying alcohol to drink by myself, and that thought alone concerns me. Especially considering alcoholism runs in my familly. Though I'm never depressed, I always get drunk and call/text people happy things.

Also somehow I manage to maintain acceptable grammar. Not sure how that works after around 8 shots, but this message was written as such. Thanks much for responding.

Thanatos

Quit drinking for two weeks.

It'll be good for you, and if you can't do it, you may have a problem. If you can, you're probably fine, for now.

milehigh

No, I'm fairly sure I can stop for two weeks. And I will. I suppose it's just become a habit, which is as bad as anything. Also I must admit I have an easier time dealing with the relationship issues that've been coming up recently (girl issues for another thread) after having a few shots.

I still don't think I'm addicted, if I am however I want to be able to realize it...So this thread may go through some edits. For now though I appreciate the advice and will continue updating. Two weeks should not be an issue at all however. TIA. Again..Mike

Bionic Monkey

Drinking because you're bored is a really bad sign.

Edit: If it runs in your family, I wouldn't even tempt fate. Especially if you're already showing warning signs. I'd stop now, before you do become addicted, because it'll be a hell of a lot harder down the line.

kingmetal

if you're worried about it, stop doing it. that's how this works, as far as I know.

Grimm

Thanatos wrote:

Quit drinking for two weeks.

It'll be good for you, and if you can't do it, you may have a problem. If you can, you're probably fine, for now.

Sounds like good advice. From what you've said, it doesnt sound like you have a problem. Just take some time off and see how you feel. Also 8 shots is not that much.

Heir

Bionic Monkey wrote:

Drinking because you're bored is a really bad sign.

Edit: If it runs in your family, I wouldn't even tempt fate. Especially if you're already showing warning signs. I'd stop now, before you do become addicted, because it'll be a hell of a lot harder down the line.

Yep, this is solid advice. It runs in my family, and even though I do a good job keeping it under control, I can see the tendencies in myself to want to drink more than I should pretty much all the time.

Bionic Monkey

Heir wrote:

Bionic Monkey wrote:

Drinking because you're bored is a really bad sign.

Edit: If it runs in your family, I wouldn't even tempt fate. Especially if you're already showing warning signs. I'd stop now, before you do become addicted, because it'll be a hell of a lot harder down the line.

Yep, this is solid advice. It runs in my family, and even though I do a good job keeping it under control, I can see the tendencies in myself to want to drink more than I should pretty much all the time.

I've been there myself too. Even though I'm not an alcoholic, I haven't had a drink in six years. Both my parents are alcoholics, and my dad was a late-stage (and I suspect died from it). I was drinking to the point where I'd black out, I'd wake up still drunk, etc. And I never once had a hangover from any of this. If I hadn't stopped, I'm convinced I'd be an alcoholic now.

milehigh

So this is a definite must do at this point. Last night when confronting not drinking for two weeks, I went and drank a TON more. Probably another 10 shots. This morning I woke up with a decent sized scar on my face and no idea where it came from...Also I'm still wasted. Explaining this to my Mom who came over this morning was not a fun experience, and I know the hangover is coming...

Anyhow thanks much for the advice everyone. I'm cutting myself off for at least two weeks. And after that the next time I'm going to drink is only at parties. It's obviously hurting my health, my relationships and my rep...