FenwayFaithful

I think the first step is probably one of the most difficult for people. Even if you're not an AA person, just admitting you're an alcoholic is really really difficult for many many people. There is a difference I think between admitting it and ADMITTING it especially when you have that "Addict Voice" trying to convince you otherwise or you have others telling you that you're not and looking for any excuse not to admit to your own alcoholism you're inclined to believe them. I think it's easy to compare ourselves to others or think "Well I'm not THAT bad so I can't be an alcoholic" which isn't really correct thinking because at one point before that person's alcoholism may not have taken everything from them, they may have been just like you or thinking that having things to lose somehow meant alcohol couldn't eventually rob you of those things.
Coming to terms with being an alcoholic is hard but I guess I'm saying put that aside for a moment and just list the reasons you think you're an alcoholic, trying to objectivity look at your situation. I just thought it might be interesting to see what people have to say and I also think it's good in coming to terms with things and at least laying things out logically for people. So I'm asking write out a list like the one below. I honestly think lying it all out on the table could put things in perspective for people and gives others a tangible list of things they could relate to. But here's my list
1. I can’t control how much I drink
2. I’ve blacked out more times than I can count
3. I have cravings for alcohol
4. I drink alone.
5. I drink several nights a week
6. I have a hard time stopping.
7. It keeps me from getting things done even if I want to pretend it doesn’t.
8. I drink to deal with depression
9. I drink to deal with social anxiety
10. I drink to make myself do things I don’t want to do or am scared to do.
11. I can drink way more than anyone else I know, especially people my size.
12. I have several different liquor stores I am now embarrassed to go to because I’m there so often.
13. I’ve spent a great deal of money I don’t have on alcohol meaning I have less money for other things such as traveling or other things I enjoy
14. I feel like I can’t have fun without alcohol
15. I’ve drank in the middle of the day
16. There have been times I’ve run out and went back to the store to get more alcohol or even attempted to walk to a bar at 1:00 in the morning after the stores closed so I could get more booze.
17. I’m embarrassed at the amount of empties I’ve acquired
18. I’ve lied about drinking
19. I’ve been physically injured, sometimes rather seriously because of alcohol
20. I’ve put myself in VERY dangerous situations
21. I have drank at work before and I work with disabled clients which puts them at risk
22. I’ve driven drunk and probably almost died or killed someone before of it, including driving on the wrong side of the high way

bigsombrero

Great list. Spot on.

2granddaughters

And after I've admitted it .. what am I going to do about it.

All the best.

Bob R

nomis

I've known I was an alcoholic for a long time, easily ten years. But I thought that I had no choice in the matter and that was the way I was destined to spend the rest of my life.

The exciting part happened when I realized sobriety was possible.

Purplecatlover

I drank when I really, really didn't want to but HAD to, to stop the withdrawal symptoms.

jazzfish

I don't worry about the label of definition. My drinking caused problems and I seemingly could not stop. That's enough for me to move to action.

LadyinBC

One reason only. I can't stop at one.

Fallow

Once I start drinking I cannot control how much I take.

I drink no matter what. Without something between me and that first drink I can guarantee the time and place will come where I will pick up again.

choublak

That's the perception caused by the drinking.

Alcoholism is "unique" in that it's "the disease that tells you you don't have a disease". Which warps the whole "choice" factor.

FinallyFinished

I continued to drink long after it stopped being enjoyable. My weakness for this garbage is embarrassing. Actually, I'd describe it as relentless and mortifying.

That weakness combined with an insatiable thirst to self medicate myself into oblivion is all the proof this girl needs.