Not Sure If I Have A Drinking Problem- Some Advice Needed

[lucky2103]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

[Mobi]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

It sounds to me that you are well on the way.

If I look back to my drinking habits at your age, they were probably quite similar, and now I am a total alcoholic.

Remember that alcoholism is a progressive disease, and the older you get the more you drink and the more the booze will take over your health and your life.

It is good you are questioning your drinking habits. Try to break the habit before it breaks you. You have to find something else to do in the evenings apart from drinking.

Good luck.

[Carib]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

If you ask yourself this question....

Stop drinking beer for a while if you think that you are on the way of becoming a habit drinker. See what it does to you.

[rexall]

<snip>

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

Hi Lucky,

I am glad to see you ask this question. The answer lies within the question itself. "Social drinkers", those who drink moderately do not raise this question, it is a non-issue for them. They never think about stopping or even cutting down. The question you want to think about and ask yourself is why you are asking the question in the first place? What is going on in your life and your drinking that prompts you to ask?

Finally, I want to comment on your distinction between beer and spirits. There isn't a distinction. They are exactly the same. 1 beer or 1 glass of wine = approximately one shot of spirits. 6 beers = six shots of whiskey, more or less. There is nothing in any way safer or milder or superior about drinking beer but not spirits. Beer just makes you pee more!

Alcohol is a drug; a powerful, destructive, addictive drug. The only difference between booze and other drugs is legality.

Hope this helps you to get some perspective on your drinking behavior.

Aloha,

Rex

[ThaiPauly]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

If you ask yourself this question....

Stop drinking beer for a while if you think that you are on the way of becoming a habit drinker. See what it does to you.

Good advice.

try stopping for a month and see if you can do it...if you can you don't have a problem...if you can't you have

[lucky2103]

If you ask yourself this question....

Stop drinking beer for a while if you think that you are on the way of becoming a habit drinker. See what it does to you.

Well, I noticed that if I refrain from drinking, I can hardly sleep at night. When this happens, I tend to work in front of the screen the whole night.

Not a good solution, I believe.

[kutjebu]

I'm working on drilling rigs and these are alcohol free.

That means that nobody can't drink for 4 weeks.

When we come back home the most of us start with social drinking.

In the beginning 5 beers a day,after a week 15-20 beers a day.

You have all the same mates around you,who are your best friends as soon when you joined them every day.

When you stop drinking you lose most of these friends.

I changed my life a bit.Ihave some hobbies,astronomy at night.Then computers(I got 3)to socialise with friends I make all over the world.You can do fishing or whatever,but you have to change your habbits(drinking with your friends every day)

Chance it in only the weekend and come after 09:00 pm,so you cannot drink so much.

I hope this help you a bit.

[Mrjlh]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

If you ask yourself this question....

Stop drinking beer for a while if you think that you are on the way of becoming a habit drinker. See what it does to you.

Good advice.

try stopping for a month and see if you can do it...if you can you don't have a problem...if you can't you have

I agree ...if a person can simply stop for a month he doesn't have a problem. Simplest test for anyone.

[sparkinsonic]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

If you ask yourself this question....

Stop drinking beer for a while if you think that you are on the way of becoming a habit drinker. See what it does to you.

Good advice.

try stopping for a month and see if you can do it...if you can you don't have a problem...if you can't you have

I agree ...if a person can simply stop for a month he doesn't have a problem. Simplest test for anyone.

Hey...you got exactly the same drinking habits as me lucky,so interesting question,Im now 43,been drinking like that for since my 20`s,But if anything has got less.....and accasionally (twice a year ) i cut out mid week beers,around 5-6 weeks.Personally i think if your aware of how much you drink then you will keep it under control,i also get concerned,thats why i take the break ,just to re-assure myself.......ive also been to doctors,recently and all health checks are fine...in fact very healthy all round was docs quote.

[OxfordWill]

I believe to help with the sleepless issue when you stop drinking, its better to go to the gym or swim hard for a bit before sleep. Make yourself exhausted through that, or perhaps sex (!), and you shouldnt need to be drunk to sleep

[Soutpeel]

I agree ...if a person can simply stop for a month he doesn't have a problem. Simplest test for anyone.

Dont full agree...if a person can stop for a month, while still having access to booze, he doesnt have a problem

...See the example above Re working on the oil rigs....A lot of guys I know work the rigs and are the biggest boozers around, mostly binge drinking and this is very dangerous...

[norwayeagle]

I believe to help with the sleepless issue when you stop drinking, its better to go to the gym or swim hard for a bit before sleep. Make yourself exhausted through that, or perhaps sex (!), and you shouldnt need to be drunk to sleep

I use to be xtra hyperactive if i am training to late in the evening,so i stop doing that years ago.But if i want to get busy at night i do,and the other thing u say thats like a sleepingpill(Better) hehe.......... A friend of mine in Scandinavia "drinks" everyday (Beer,Many Many)) and he started when 18,now he is 85 (woow): I think because he have to take the bicykle 1hour eatch way ( loaded backpack on his way back) in all kinds of weather, make all of him able to carry on strong.he also "run" around in the garden and eat all kind of Green stuff . If you keep on drinking from young it will start to hit back on you when u get 40,50 or so,IF You do not "prepare yourself"...Happy Happy

[tjansen]

I believe to help with the sleepless issue when you stop drinking, its better to go to the gym or swim hard for a bit before sleep. Make yourself exhausted through that, or perhaps sex (!), and you shouldnt need to be drunk to sleep

I use to be xtra hyperactive if i am training to late in the evening,so i stop doing that years ago.But if i want to get busy at night i do,and the other thing u say thats like a sleepingpill(Better) hehe.......... A friend of mine in Scandinavia "drinks" everyday (Beer,Many Many)) and he started when 18,now he is 85 (woow): I think because he have to take the bicykle 1hour eatch way ( loaded backpack on his way back) in all kinds of weather, make all of him able to carry on strong.he also "run" around in the garden and eat all kind of Green stuff . If you keep on drinking from young it will start to hit back on you when u get 40,50 or so,IF You do not "prepare yourself"...Happy Happy

I have a few points to add...

1) I joined AA when I was 36, and I am now 64.

2) As someone pointed out to me when I was asking similar questions, and rexall said something similar, "Have you ever counted the number of green beans that you consume each day to figure out if you have a problem?

3) I heard, but never tried it, that a better test is to have exactly one beer per day for some period of time. My dad quit religiously every Lent for many years, with plenty of alcohol around the house. He used this as his 'proof' that he didn't have a problem serious enough to quit. He was still a drinker when he died, and he told me close to his death that he had decided life was not worth living.

4) My bottom line belief about things like this is that you will quit if and when the pain of not quitting is unbearable or at least worse than the pain of quitting.

I hope this helps, and as I said on another post, I can't compare different cases, since I only have myself and my way as an example. But I know that I love my life today and am grateful for everything it took to get me here.

Take care. My good wishes are with you.

Tom

[felex]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

[chefshane]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

It sounds to me like it is not a drinking problem but a 'comfortable habit' that you are now beginning to question.

This is a good thing.

Change the 'triggers' and alter the routine, and you should find it easy to control or give up.

If you follow the same pattern but give up beer it will seem 'empty' and unsatisfying.

Maybe it's good to swap the beer drinking for an activity that gives you benefit or pleasure, so you are not missing it or tempted.

Good luck, and good on you for a sensible approach and for looking at your options and not falling victim to these do-gooder control freaks that specialise in running your life for you and shoving religion down your throat.

Take the middle path, balance your life and you'll be fine.

[lucky2103]

I believe to help with the sleepless issue when you stop drinking, its better to go to the gym or swim hard for a bit before sleep. Make yourself exhausted through that, or perhaps sex (!), and you shouldnt need to be drunk to sleep

Hi Lucky, I also have the same drinking habits as you except for the fact that on occasion I do not stop until completely drunk, not knowing how I got home and also missing a day of work! I think that your and my level of drinking is a problem only if it affects regular functional life activities. Do you ever lose a day due to hangover ?

No, in 2009 I still didnt loose a single working day.

I also want to point out that I never drink until Im completely drunk (well, maybe on new years eve, but thats acceptable, isnt it ?).

As one poster pointed out already, my drinking habit appears to be a convenience thing.

Last Songkran festival, when we visited my wife's home town upcountry, I stayed completely dry...and noticed a whole lot of people wanted to talk to me, far more than on former visits. It appear alcohol consumption changes ones personality, but not sure about this point.

Many thanks for the many open hearted advices.... :D

Edited June 20, 2009 by lucky2103

[Mobi]

I agree ...if a person can simply stop for a month he doesn't have a problem. Simplest test for anyone.

Sorry, it just isn't true.

While there are some alcoholics who can never stop drinking - even for a day - there are countless others who can stop for varying periods ranging from days, weeks, months and even years, but one day return to their drinking habits, and invariably drink more than they did before they stopped.

Read any serious literature on alcoholism, and you will see that this is so.

If you go to any AA meeting, you will find that almost every sober alcoholic can relate experiences where they stopped for varying periods - usually a lot more than a month - before they were finally able to kick it for good.

And of course alcoholics always remain alcoholics. They are never cured, and they never let their guard down because they know that only one drink is enough to start them off again - even if they have been sober for 10, 20 or more years.

And as someone has already posted, binge drinkers can also be alcoholics. The nature of their work sometimes prevents them form drinking every day, but they are still alcoholics. The pattern of such people is that they will gradually drink more and more frequently, as circumstances permit.

Edited June 20, 2009 by Mobi

[Thai4now]

1) I joined AA when I was 36, and I am now 64.

Tom

I ALSO joined AA when I was 36, and I am now 64.

This is a good discussion. Very serious. Other forums would make this into a joke. But it is not a matter for jokes, when someone asks if he 'maybe' has a drinking problem. Some ask, "Do you think I have a problem with my drinking?" I usually say, "If you are asking, you might." I personally know my life is much better without alcohol. I turned into a person I didn't like, most of the time when I was drinking.

This are several questionaires you can Google.... "am i an alcoholic" Take it if you want. Be truthful.

Thailand has a website for AA meetings. Google "AA Thailand" AAThailand dot org (not sure why it wouldn't me to post a link)

Good luck.

[nigelandjan]

I'm working on drilling rigs and these are alcohol free.

That means that nobody can't drink for 4 weeks.

When we come back home the most of us start with social drinking.

In the beginning 5 beers a day,after a week 15-20 beers a day.

You have all the same mates around you,who are your best friends as soon when you joined them every day.

When you stop drinking you lose most of these friends.

I changed my life a bit.Ihave some hobbies,astronomy at night.Then computers(I got 3)to socialise with friends I make all over the world.You can do fishing or whatever,but you have to change your habbits(drinking with your friends every day)

Chance it in only the weekend and come after 09:00 pm,so you cannot drink so much.

I hope this help you a bit.

I like your post mate ,,, you actually offer him alternatives to his problem . I think many people drink through boredom ,, I suppose its an easy way to dull the tediom that can exist in someones life when they have too much spare time ,, personally I have that many hobbies and interests and still work full time so I only have time for an occasional social drink,, and whenever I am in Thailand I am allways driving from here to there so I have never bothered drinking alchohol in the LOS ,

Good luck to the OP ( I think you know and recognise the problem you have ) just a bit of encouragement I was a heavy smoker years ago about 30 years ago and I gave it up just like that ,,,,never missed it or started again.

[lucky2103]

Well, I opted to reduce the daily amount of beer to 2 bottles, strictly 2 bottles.

So far, 5 days have passed and I still didnt experience a relapse.

Eventually, I plan to further reduce consumtion to 1 bottle a day.

I will keep you guys posted about the progress.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice

[Carib]

Well, I opted to reduce the daily amount of beer to 2 bottles, strictly 2 bottles.

So far, 5 days have passed and I still didnt experience a relapse.

Eventually, I plan to further reduce consumtion to 1 bottle a day.

I will keep you guys posted about the progress.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice

Good for you, see how that works out. It will also reduce the calorie intake and save you from some extra kilo`s when ageing, hard to lose at some point, if you don't substitute the beer for some sugar loaded drink that is..

[rixalex]

I'm gonna break the trend here and say to me it doesn't sound like you have much of a problem. You seem sensible and it doesn't sound like alchohol is interfering with your life. I think 5 beers however might be a little extreme to be drinking regularly. 2 or 3 i think is ok and if you are fully functioning on that amount the next morning, my advice is stop worrying so much. I've met too many fitness freaks who never touched a drop and fell down dead in their prime to believe there's any guarantee for any of us. Yes you may increase the odds of a longer life, but then you could get struck down by the number 93 tomorrow morning.

Take care of yourself of course, but don't waste too much of your life fretting about what might or might not happen. There are too many variables out of our control.

[nigelandjan]

Well, I opted to reduce the daily amount of beer to 2 bottles, strictly 2 bottles.

So far, 5 days have passed and I still didnt experience a relapse.

Eventually, I plan to further reduce consumtion to 1 bottle a day.

I will keep you guys posted about the progress.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice

Well done with your reduction mate BUT ,,,,,herin lies the problem ( I plant to further reduce to 1 bottle a day ) I am sorry to have to say this BUT I only want to help you ,,,,,,, I am afraid 1 bottle or 10 bottles on a DAILY basis is alchohlism,,,,,,,,, if the reason to go to 1 bottle a day is to eventually cut it out alltogether then that is fine ,, believe me I have a younger brother that is hopelessly hooked on the crap ,,,,,if you want the gory details ,( and I can assure you it wont make good reading , but it might well give you the jolt you need ) please PM me ,, I wont post it on here ,,, all the best.

[Mobi]

I too wish you luck but fear the worst.

So many of us have embarked on the path that you are now attempting.

It is such a familiar story. Reduce from 5 to two to one, and even none.

But if you think you can handle it in moderation, sooner or later you will be back where you started.

It may take a month, it may take six months, but I'm afraid that is what will happen. And the even worse news is next time you will probably be drinking even more.

I sincerely hope I am wrong, and let's see if you can prove me wrong.

Only time will tell.

[mommysboy]

Well, I admit that i drink almost every day, but its merely beer.

I dont do spirits at all, even if friends offer a glass or two for free.

Actually, I consume 2-3 bottles of LEO (630 cc) a day, but not during daytime, as I own a little online business, so I

need a sober brain to run it properly.

Usually, I would start drinking after work is done at around 8.00 pm and stop by midnight. If the mood is good, I may drink up to 5 bottles during this time.

This happens about 2 times a week. On the remaining days of the week I just do 2-3 bottles, as said before.

As Im just 35 yrs old, I have yet to experience any impact on my health condition, but nevertheless at some point I feel the situation my be not normal.

May anyone here in the forum tell me whether I drink too much ?

It's really difficult to judge. Height and weight?

5 bottles is too much for sure even once a week.

The other factors are general health and fitness, diet, how well you sleep, and whether you are content.

Providing these are in place, probably no problem.

[cognos]

sometimes I am a binge dinker...nothing.. or 5 to 7 small beer on occasion..only like beer..the other day I felt like a few beer..had none..opened a bottle of wine..drank half a glass( maybe 5 ounces)..now i REALLY felt like a beer or 5..instead I dumped the bottle of wine down the sink( it tasted gross)..and didn't bother going for beer..when you REALLY want it..is when you DONT drink..thats my way

[rolypie]

Give over man ive spillt more ale down my waist coat than youve supped tonight!

[richard_smith237]

Mobi…. I like you, as a respected member of this forum, from your crash to ‘I am falling apart’ you have always given a very balanced view, however if I was to listen to your advice I would quit drinking forever.

But…. I like being drunk, I find alcohol to be a liberating social lubricant.

Mobi, based on many of your posts I suggest that many people would enjoy your company with or without alcohol.

However, IF we were to meet at a BBQ, I would want a beer – that doesn’t make me an alcoholic. If there were no beer at the BBQ I would enjoy it a lot less. If you offered me a non-alcohol beer I would feel that I ‘need’ an alcohol beer. Does that make me an alcoholic?

I’m interested in the answer because I believe that it’s possible that I could be regardless of how well behaved I am when I’ve had a drink.

Then again, without any outside influence, I drink at home, or spend a few days without having any alcoholic drinks. So… Where is the limit exactly? Is that what you are asking Op?

From my point of view, OP…no, you just enjoy a few beers.

If your drinking is within a financially acceptable limit and there is no detrimental effect to anyone else or your heath how could it possibly be an issue?

[Mobi]

The answer as to whether one is an alcoholic or not is actually very simple, and doesn't really depend on the quantity of alcohol one imbibes.

It is more a question of the free will one is able to exercise over one's drinking habits.

If a person is totally in control of his drinking, and have a couple of drinks at a social function and go home happily, without the yearn to drink more; if he can stop for days, weeks , months at a time without any desire to pick up a drink; If he enjoys the occasional drink in the same way that he would enjoy reading a book or going to a movie, then he is probably not an alcoholic.

If a person is an alcoholic, even though he might not drink very much, it makes no difference to his condition, if he has little or no control over his drinking habits.

Some alcoholics start drinking in their teen years, and by the time they are in their mid twenties their drinking habits have been so excessive that they are living on the street, or more often that not, have ended up in jail.

Others will drink most of their lives with little noticeable effects.

But rest assured, alcoholism is a progressive disease, and as you get older you will drink more, and in addition, your body will be less able to cope.

Most, if not all alcoholics, deep down know whether they are one or not. They just lie to themselves about it - a typical reaction by a typical alcoholic.

The first step to sobriety is to admit you are an alcoholic, and have no power over alcohol.

[nigelandjan]

The answer as to whether one is an alcoholic or not is actually very simple, and doesn't really depend on the quantity of alcohol one imbibes.

It is more a question of the free will one is able to exercise over one's drinking habits.

If a person is totally in control of his drinking, and have a couple of drinks at a social function and go home happily, without the yearn to drink more; if he can stop for days, weeks , months at a time without any desire to pick up a drink; If he enjoys the occasional drink in the same way that he would enjoy reading a book or going to a movie, then he is probably not an alcoholic.

If a person is an alcoholic, even though he might not drink very much, it makes no difference to his condition, if he has little or no control over his drinking habits.

Some alcoholics start drinking in their teen years, and by the time they are in their mid twenties their drinking habits have been so excessive that they are living on the street, or more often that not, have ended up in jail.

Others will drink most of their lives with little noticeable effects.

But rest assured, alcoholism is a progressive disease, and as you get older you will drink more, and in addition, your body will be less able to cope.

Most, if not all alcoholics, deep down know whether they are one or not. They just lie to themselves about it - a typical reaction by a typical alcoholic.

The first step to sobriety is to admit you are an alcoholic, and have no power over alcohol.

Another very good post on this subject , but I would like to add the blame culture an alchoholic adopts ,, some Ive heard

1. its somthing I have eaten that made me sick ,,, ( not the drink in my guts everyday )

2. its the medication I am on , new tablets

3. I am bored , depressed ( when its the drink thats the cause of it )

4. I blame my father he was an alki

5. the list goes on and on ,,,,,,,stop blaming and look in the mirror ,, face the real problem