Not sure what to do
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 7
Not sure what to do
So this is my first post on here so bare with me -uhhm so I'm basically at this tipping point where I feel really conflicted by my alcohol use and im not sure what to do so maybe someone on here could give me some advice.
I've been drinking since i was 15 and from the very first drink I aways drank more than anyone else i knew and held it as almost a matter of personal pride. From the get go once I started drinking I wouldnt stop until I got plastered... this meant whole bottle of jack in a few hours etc you feel me. Through school I partied pretty hard, towards the end some of my closest friends had an 'intervention' telling me that my drinking and behaviour was out of control. Then when i started uni i started drinking all day every day out of a water bottle in my hand bag. I got the shakes really bad so my parents noticed, raided my room and forced me to stop - I got pretty sick for a few days there. Then I eventually went back to the binge drinking and for a while I have just been drinking 7 - 20 drinks a couple nights a week. NOW i have been diagnosed with a number of chronic health conditions which require me to cut back all togehter and i honestly believe that i may have given myself these conditions throgh all that drinking...and I cannot imagine a world without alchol for me - this is what has me concerned.
So basically my question here is - I am concerned about my drinking but I also feel like im not maybe 'bad enough' (if you know what i mean?). like I guess i don't know whether i'm an alcoholic or not and also if I was i wouldnt know how to quit anyway....
I've been drinking since i was 15 and from the very first drink I aways drank more than anyone else i knew and held it as almost a matter of personal pride. From the get go once I started drinking I wouldnt stop until I got plastered... this meant whole bottle of jack in a few hours etc you feel me. Through school I partied pretty hard, towards the end some of my closest friends had an 'intervention' telling me that my drinking and behaviour was out of control. Then when i started uni i started drinking all day every day out of a water bottle in my hand bag. I got the shakes really bad so my parents noticed, raided my room and forced me to stop - I got pretty sick for a few days there. Then I eventually went back to the binge drinking and for a while I have just been drinking 7 - 20 drinks a couple nights a week. NOW i have been diagnosed with a number of chronic health conditions which require me to cut back all togehter and i honestly believe that i may have given myself these conditions throgh all that drinking...and I cannot imagine a world without alchol for me - this is what has me concerned.
So basically my question here is - I am concerned about my drinking but I also feel like im not maybe 'bad enough' (if you know what i mean?). like I guess i don't know whether i'm an alcoholic or not and also if I was i wouldnt know how to quit anyway....
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: The Northland
Posts: 600
Welcome to SR! You'll find lots of information and support here. The symptoms you describe, the efforts taken by your friends and parents, and your inability to quit or even imagine a life without alcohol lead me to believe you are an alcoholic.
Surf around the boards, ask a lot of questions and try to be open to what you find. We are here for you as you start this new journey.
Surf around the boards, ask a lot of questions and try to be open to what you find. We are here for you as you start this new journey.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,384
Hi and welcome rep 
I ruined my health with my drinking. I kept clinging to the idea that I wasn't that bad, that I knew people who were worse.,..I was just a normal hard drinking Aussie guy.
Trouble was my normal was drinking everyday - eventually all day everyday
Get the comparative stuff out the way - it doesn't matter whether you drink more or less than Joe Bloggs...you're the bloke with the problem.
You've been told your health has been compromised and that alcohol has been a factor in that, right?
The common sense response would be to stop drinking, now.
Don't be like I was
D
I ruined my health with my drinking. I kept clinging to the idea that I wasn't that bad, that I knew people who were worse.,..I was just a normal hard drinking Aussie guy.
Trouble was my normal was drinking everyday - eventually all day everyday
Get the comparative stuff out the way - it doesn't matter whether you drink more or less than Joe Bloggs...you're the bloke with the problem.
You've been told your health has been compromised and that alcohol has been a factor in that, right?
The common sense response would be to stop drinking, now.
Don't be like I was
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 7
I'm aussie too! mmm the drinking culture in Australia can be a bit out of control, everyone drinks a lot so its hard to accept that you might have a problem while everyone else seems fine partying their arses off... I do not stop drinking until the alcohol runs out i try keeping track of it but i always loose track once i pass 12 or so, just keep going well past 20 and then wake up the next morning like **** i have no idea what happened... but I just shrug it off and say 'nah i'm fine everyone drinks heaps'...
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 56
That post is very familiar to me!
It took me a long time to accept that my drinking was not the norm, even though a lot of my old friends are/were similar. Thing is, I was very lucky to realize that regardless of what they were like, I don't want to be thinking all day every day about alcohol, and feeling my body getting sicker. It is just no way to live.
I tried quitting for a month as an experiment and realized very quickly how much I depended on it. That made me see what a problem I had and then it was at least my choice to do something about it. I am so glad I did.
It took me a long time to accept that my drinking was not the norm, even though a lot of my old friends are/were similar. Thing is, I was very lucky to realize that regardless of what they were like, I don't want to be thinking all day every day about alcohol, and feeling my body getting sicker. It is just no way to live.
I tried quitting for a month as an experiment and realized very quickly how much I depended on it. That made me see what a problem I had and then it was at least my choice to do something about it. I am so glad I did.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: C.C. Ma.
Posts: 3,697
Hi.
Most coming to this site are not here because we drank too much sodas.
To answer your question a good test for yourself is to NOT drink, no matter what happens for 90 days. If you can do that without discomfort you may not be an alcoholic. If you break down during that period try having just 3 drinks.
In order for alcoholics to sober up we need to get honest with ourself about our drinking AND accept the fact we can NOT drink at all one day at a time in a row.
This site is very helpful along with AA which has helped millions worldwide.
BE WELL
Most coming to this site are not here because we drank too much sodas.
To answer your question a good test for yourself is to NOT drink, no matter what happens for 90 days. If you can do that without discomfort you may not be an alcoholic. If you break down during that period try having just 3 drinks.
In order for alcoholics to sober up we need to get honest with ourself about our drinking AND accept the fact we can NOT drink at all one day at a time in a row.
This site is very helpful along with AA which has helped millions worldwide.
BE WELL
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 819
First, welcome to SR. You have quite a few red flags in your post. Friends and family concerned, health issues, not being able to imagine a world without drinking, hiding alcohol in a water bottle in your handbag etc.....if you don't know how to quit, you have a problem with alcohol.
Look around here, read, post.....it sounds like you have good friends and family that will help you and everyone here knows what you are going through. Alcohol clearly isn't adding anything positive to your life so why not quit?
Look around here, read, post.....it sounds like you have good friends and family that will help you and everyone here knows what you are going through. Alcohol clearly isn't adding anything positive to your life so why not quit?
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
Originally Posted by Dee74 
Hi and welcome rep
I ruined my health with my drinking. I kept clinging to the idea that I wasn't that bad, that I knew people who were worse.,..I was just a normal hard drinking Aussie guy.
Trouble was my normal was drinking everyday - eventually all day everyday
Get the comparative stuff out the way - it doesn't matter whether you drink more or less than Joe Bloggs...you're the bloke with the problem.
You've been told your health has been compromised and that alcohol has been a factor in that, right?
The common sense response would be to stop drinking, now.
Don't be like I was
D
I ruined my health with my drinking. I kept clinging to the idea that I wasn't that bad, that I knew people who were worse.,..I was just a normal hard drinking Aussie guy.
Trouble was my normal was drinking everyday - eventually all day everyday
Get the comparative stuff out the way - it doesn't matter whether you drink more or less than Joe Bloggs...you're the bloke with the problem.
You've been told your health has been compromised and that alcohol has been a factor in that, right?
The common sense response would be to stop drinking, now.
Don't be like I was
D
Hears The Voice
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Unshackled
Posts: 7,901
Originally Posted by rep94
1. some of my closest friends had an 'intervention' telling me that my drinking and behaviour was out of control.
2. i started drinking all day every day out of a water bottle in my hand bag.
3. I got the shakes really bad so my parents noticed, raided my room and forced me to stop - I got pretty sick for a few days there.
4. I have just been drinking 7 - 20 drinks a couple nights a week.
5. I have been diagnosed with a number of chronic health conditions which require me to cut back all togehter and i honestly believe that i may have given myself these conditions throgh all that drinking
2. i started drinking all day every day out of a water bottle in my hand bag.
3. I got the shakes really bad so my parents noticed, raided my room and forced me to stop - I got pretty sick for a few days there.
4. I have just been drinking 7 - 20 drinks a couple nights a week.
5. I have been diagnosed with a number of chronic health conditions which require me to cut back all togehter and i honestly believe that i may have given myself these conditions throgh all that drinking
Originally Posted by rep94
I cannot imagine a world without alchol for me - this is what has me concerned.
Classic addicted thinking. I had it, too. I never knew I was a slave until I was free. You are a slave to alcohol, my friend, but you can be free. I highly recommend it.
Best of Luck on Your Journey!
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Glad you're here!
Can't imagine a life with or without alcohol, that was my tipping or jumping off point.
If your not sure you are bad enough off, (really???) then simply stop for 60 days. See how much your life improves and what the future may hold.
I have found most people who search the internet, find SR, register and post are not thinking to themselves - Man, my life is great, I really love alcohol and want to share the good news! I think I'll go to a recovery website and post a thread about intervention, hiding booze in a water bottle and health issues!?!?!
Keep coming back - Thanks for the post
Welcome Home....
FlyN
Can't imagine a life with or without alcohol, that was my tipping or jumping off point.
If your not sure you are bad enough off, (really???) then simply stop for 60 days. See how much your life improves and what the future may hold.
I have found most people who search the internet, find SR, register and post are not thinking to themselves - Man, my life is great, I really love alcohol and want to share the good news! I think I'll go to a recovery website and post a thread about intervention, hiding booze in a water bottle and health issues!?!?!
Keep coming back - Thanks for the post
Welcome Home....
FlyN
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Grayslake, IL
Posts: 732
No, I don't know what you mean. 7-20 drinks a night, chronic health conditions that you 'may' have given yourself, shakes, sick when you were forced to quit, carrying a water bottle of alcohol in your handbag. Kid, you are quite past 'far-gone', and I suggest you reevaluate your use and really play that tape through. Good luck.
Bunnez
Bunnez
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,384
I thought you might have been Aussie
Not sure how old you are, but it is possible to be an Aussie and not drink.
You might have to make some changes but it will work out.
none of us would stay in recovery if we felt we lost out on the deal.
I defined myself by my drinking - it was hard to let go of that and rebuild my life, but there's support here and in other place, and I'm glad I did...
I rediscovered the real me under all that alcohol use, and I have a life that fits the real me now and I'm very happy in it
give it a go
D
Not sure how old you are, but it is possible to be an Aussie and not drink.
You might have to make some changes but it will work out.
none of us would stay in recovery if we felt we lost out on the deal.
I defined myself by my drinking - it was hard to let go of that and rebuild my life, but there's support here and in other place, and I'm glad I did...
I rediscovered the real me under all that alcohol use, and I have a life that fits the real me now and I'm very happy in it
give it a go
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 7
Thanks for the advice everyone 
It's definitely made me think :/ I keep saying to myself 'why dont I quit drinking so I can loose some weight for summer as a reason to stop... still not able to carry through on that as last nights bevvies would attest.
I don't think I can quit on my own... would anyone have any extra advice regarding what I should start with? who do i talk to etc?
It's definitely made me think :/ I keep saying to myself 'why dont I quit drinking so I can loose some weight for summer as a reason to stop... still not able to carry through on that as last nights bevvies would attest. I don't think I can quit on my own... would anyone have any extra advice regarding what I should start with? who do i talk to etc?
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
Originally Posted by rep94
Thanks for the advice everyone It's definitely made me think :/ I keep saying to myself 'why dont I quit drinking so I can loose some weight for summer as a reason to stop... still not able to carry through on that as last nights bevvies would attest.
I don't think I can quit on my own... would anyone have any extra advice regarding what I should start with? who do i talk to etc?
It's definitely made me think :/ I keep saying to myself 'why dont I quit drinking so I can loose some weight for summer as a reason to stop... still not able to carry through on that as last nights bevvies would attest. I don't think I can quit on my own... would anyone have any extra advice regarding what I should start with? who do i talk to etc?
This will be an enormous lifestyle change...but one well worth taking. Is getting hammered to blackout really your greatest aspiration?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,222
Rep there are a number of flags in your post. In many respects my situation is not as bad as yours and in some ways it's worse. So as per the advice above don't compare to others but if you want to then compare to me - you have a major problem. I good start would be to drop ALL the booze IMMEDIATELY, see a doctor if you feel really bad, go to an AA meeting, research AVRT and spend a week reading this site as much as you can. You will have. A much greater understanding of where you stand then.
A lot of what you say resonated with me, good luck.
A lot of what you say resonated with me, good luck.
Life is an unlikely miracle.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: England
Posts: 1,859
Welcome Rep 
Your story made me panic for you-if you are suffering health problems seems like an indication to needing to stop, they will only get worse.
You're in the right place, you' ll get a lot of support and understanding here - post if you need to any time, there's always someone around.
Your story made me panic for you-if you are suffering health problems seems like an indication to needing to stop, they will only get worse.
You're in the right place, you' ll get a lot of support and understanding here - post if you need to any time, there's always someone around.
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