Hi. Hoping for an answer. Do I need help?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Hi. Hoping for an answer. Do I need help?
Greetings all
I guess if one has to ask the question one know the answer. But here goes anyways.
I drink almost every night. 1/3 of a fifth ish.
I feel no desire to have a drink when I wake up but when I get home I want one
Been drinking like this maybe a year
On my days off I can easily down 2 fifths. Drink from about 4 - midnight
I have pain in a kidney recently. And I've noticed the dreaded red nose.
Am I drinking too much? What is too much ?
Am I an alcoholic?
Experience of this forum I am trusting for some straight answers
I am new here. And too be honest waiting for your replies with a bit of trepidation.
Thanks in advance
Xris
I guess if one has to ask the question one know the answer. But here goes anyways.
I drink almost every night. 1/3 of a fifth ish.
I feel no desire to have a drink when I wake up but when I get home I want one
Been drinking like this maybe a year
On my days off I can easily down 2 fifths. Drink from about 4 - midnight
I have pain in a kidney recently. And I've noticed the dreaded red nose.
Am I drinking too much? What is too much ?
Am I an alcoholic?
Experience of this forum I am trusting for some straight answers
I am new here. And too be honest waiting for your replies with a bit of trepidation.
Thanks in advance
Xris
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 120
hi there, and welcome to SR.
i can't really answer your questions, but my thoughts are:
i agree, if you are asking, it may be a problem.
i think the rather than asking 'do i need help' you might consider if you want it
(i hope that comes across sincerely, it is meant that way, and not snarky)
i never drank in the mornings either.
but i found ways to make up for that at night.
i hope you'll keep posting, and searching within yourself for the answers.
we'll be here for support
i can't really answer your questions, but my thoughts are:
i agree, if you are asking, it may be a problem.
i think the rather than asking 'do i need help' you might consider if you want it
(i hope that comes across sincerely, it is meant that way, and not snarky)
i never drank in the mornings either.
but i found ways to make up for that at night.
i hope you'll keep posting, and searching within yourself for the answers.
we'll be here for support
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 522
No one here can decide for you whether or not you are an alcoholic.
I can only give you my experience.
I used to drink a 1/3 of a fifth in a night. Then 1/2. Then the whole fifth.
Then I had to buy handles (1.75 L) because a fifth wasn't enough. Then the handle wasn't enough.
Please don't follow my bad example.
I don't know, maybe try not drinking anything for a month? if it's no big deal, then maybe it's no big deal.
Anyway, we are here for support 24/7 whenever you need it or just have questions.
All the best,
-SD
I can only give you my experience.
I used to drink a 1/3 of a fifth in a night. Then 1/2. Then the whole fifth.
Then I had to buy handles (1.75 L) because a fifth wasn't enough. Then the handle wasn't enough.
Please don't follow my bad example.
I don't know, maybe try not drinking anything for a month? if it's no big deal, then maybe it's no big deal.
Anyway, we are here for support 24/7 whenever you need it or just have questions.
All the best,
-SD
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
Hi Xrisqu
Welcome
Only you can really decide what is too much and whether you have a problem but, for your perusal, here's the US standards for moderate drinking
Under any interpretation you're over that by a large margin.
D
Welcome
Only you can really decide what is too much and whether you have a problem but, for your perusal, here's the US standards for moderate drinking
What does moderate drinking mean?
There is no one definition of moderate drinking, but generally the term is used to describe a lower-risk pattern of drinking. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,1 drinking in moderation is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. This definition is referring to the amount consumed on any single day and is not intended as an average over several days.
There is no one definition of moderate drinking, but generally the term is used to describe a lower-risk pattern of drinking. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,1 drinking in moderation is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. This definition is referring to the amount consumed on any single day and is not intended as an average over several days.
What is a standard drink in the United States?
A standard drink is equal to 14.0 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in
12-ounces of beer.
8-ounces of malt liquor.
5-ounces of wine.
1.5-ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).
A standard drink is equal to 14.0 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in
12-ounces of beer.
8-ounces of malt liquor.
5-ounces of wine.
1.5-ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
My appologies
For no paticular reason I confused a handle with a fifth
1/3 of a handle a night.
1.75
Thanks by the way for the replies
I understand I'm really asking myself if I have a problem
But I appreciate you newly found people of this community giving your time and two cents and being a good sounding board.
Is a handle 1.75 l alot in a 72 hr period ?
if I'm going to try to not drink expect me back alot
Succeed or fail. Pretty sure I'll need the help
For no paticular reason I confused a handle with a fifth
1/3 of a handle a night.
1.75
Thanks by the way for the replies
I understand I'm really asking myself if I have a problem
But I appreciate you newly found people of this community giving your time and two cents and being a good sounding board.
Is a handle 1.75 l alot in a 72 hr period ?
if I'm going to try to not drink expect me back alot
Succeed or fail. Pretty sure I'll need the help
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,569
Xrisqu - it's great to have you join us. Do let us know how it goes - we care about you.
I never drank in the morning, either - until I did. Also never drove drunk or made a fool of myself - but those things happened too, eventually. You may never step over the line the way many of us have - it's good you're taking a hard look at your drinking habits. Wish I had.
I never drank in the morning, either - until I did. Also never drove drunk or made a fool of myself - but those things happened too, eventually. You may never step over the line the way many of us have - it's good you're taking a hard look at your drinking habits. Wish I had.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,509
Really, it's not that by drinking a specific amount, you become an alcoholic. Some alcoholics drink only occasionally, but when they do, they can't stop. It's about what happens to you when you drink. That's what you need to base your decision on.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 181
i only drank on a night (used to drink a bottle of wine and 4 cans of lager but was violent on wine so stuck to 6 cans of lager, sometimes going upto 10). i had no cravings through the day but 1 year lead to 2 then 3 then right up to 10 years where i end up drinking everynight and i was hit with withdrawl symptoms and it is a horrendous thing to go through, i was constantly at A + E convinced i was dying but it was all symptoms of alcohol. to be honest im still going through it now and im restarting on detox tablets as i failed 1st time.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Thank you all for your replies and sharing a bit with a total stranger
I'm a very private person. The anonymity that a forum like this provides is essential for someone like me. Very thankful for the insight and ability to not be in front of a room full of people.
For all of you that have replied again.... My most profound thanks
For not judging or making me feel silly. For tryin to be honestly helpful
Rare thing these days.
Ok. Day 1 of however many I have left. No drink tonight.
I'm a very private person. The anonymity that a forum like this provides is essential for someone like me. Very thankful for the insight and ability to not be in front of a room full of people.
For all of you that have replied again.... My most profound thanks
For not judging or making me feel silly. For tryin to be honestly helpful
Rare thing these days.
Ok. Day 1 of however many I have left. No drink tonight.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 181
if you struggle with not being able to drink then maybes see your doctor who can prescribe medicatin for cravings. im on detox tablets as i got to the point where it was dangerous for me to just stop as i have been doing it for over 10 years but after iv had my detox meds im going to be getting craving tablets as both cant be took together
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New England
Posts: 732
OK, I'll say it, it does sound like you are drinking too much, over what would be considered moderate. But it is worrisome that you are experiencing pain in your kidneys. I think you should stop and see if the pain goes away. Good luck and welcome to SR. you will get a lot of help here.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 38
Like previously stated, no one here can or will diagnose you. Only you have that power. I would however consider that you found this site by searching the net, right? Which means you are concerned for your own health. So the answer to your question is probably lurking in your head already
Like a lot of stories on here I used to be the same way. 1/4 of a fifth and I was fine. By the end of my drinking career I was drinking 2 "handles" of rum or vodka every couple of days. It was hell quitting it, and it still is hell if I let things get to me.
Like a lot of stories on here I used to be the same way. 1/4 of a fifth and I was fine. By the end of my drinking career I was drinking 2 "handles" of rum or vodka every couple of days. It was hell quitting it, and it still is hell if I let things get to me.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
Welcome to a great recovery family. 
We are here to support each other and share our experiences. It can be rough going early on but hang in there, living sober is really worth it.
We are here to support each other and share our experiences. It can be rough going early on but hang in there, living sober is really worth it. Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London, England
Posts: 724
Welcome Xrisqu.
As other folks have said, the only one who can tell whether you need help is you. And the only one who can get help for you, is you. We're here if you need us. And, if you need it, there's plenty of help and support here from a great bunch of folks.
As other folks have said, the only one who can tell whether you need help is you. And the only one who can get help for you, is you. We're here if you need us. And, if you need it, there's plenty of help and support here from a great bunch of folks.
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