Student with (possible) drinking problem
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
Student with (possible) drinking problem
Hello all,
Throughout my teen years alcohol barely ever crossed my mind. I had my first real drinking 'session' (i.e. more than just a single can or a glass of wine etc) when I was 18. Since then alcohol has played a progressively bigger role in my life.
The first sign of a problem came a couple of years ago when, long story short, I made a complete idiot of myself at a social gathering after drinking goodness knows how much. The next sign was a drinking session in my room - away from other people...and then another, and then another.
As of now, compared to this time last year, I perhaps drink somewhat less - two nights per week as opposed to three or four. But I drink a lot on those two nights - usually around 20 units. I then wake up often feeling depressed and of course with a pretty bad hangover.
Why do I drink? I'm not entirely sure but it does feel like a brief escape. I tend to overly dwell on past negatives (such as the aforementioned social incident) or in other words have difficulty to 'let things go' but when I'm drinking those feelings are reduced. That said, could the dwelling be influenced by the drinking? Prior to being a regular drinker I didn't dwell on the past as much.
There is also the issue of my rationalizing of it. For instance I'll read something about a successful public figure who 'likes a drink' and think "well, they drink and they are successful, so hey".
In terms of alcohol's harmful effects on me, I would suspect that they are more psychological than physical - though, to state the obvious, downing 20 units on two days per week isn't going to do my body much good. Another issue is that my unit intake is gradually increasing, perhaps to (subconsciously) compensate for the fact that I only drink on two days rather than on three or four now. Just months ago maybe 17 or 18 units was my average intake - now (as said) it is 20 and can go higher - a couple of months ago I finished a whole 70cl bottle of whiskey in one evening - which was 28 units. Due to the incredible hangover the next day I haven't had the desire to do that since.
Any comments, questions, advice etc would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.
Throughout my teen years alcohol barely ever crossed my mind. I had my first real drinking 'session' (i.e. more than just a single can or a glass of wine etc) when I was 18. Since then alcohol has played a progressively bigger role in my life.
The first sign of a problem came a couple of years ago when, long story short, I made a complete idiot of myself at a social gathering after drinking goodness knows how much. The next sign was a drinking session in my room - away from other people...and then another, and then another.
As of now, compared to this time last year, I perhaps drink somewhat less - two nights per week as opposed to three or four. But I drink a lot on those two nights - usually around 20 units. I then wake up often feeling depressed and of course with a pretty bad hangover.
Why do I drink? I'm not entirely sure but it does feel like a brief escape. I tend to overly dwell on past negatives (such as the aforementioned social incident) or in other words have difficulty to 'let things go' but when I'm drinking those feelings are reduced. That said, could the dwelling be influenced by the drinking? Prior to being a regular drinker I didn't dwell on the past as much.
There is also the issue of my rationalizing of it. For instance I'll read something about a successful public figure who 'likes a drink' and think "well, they drink and they are successful, so hey".
In terms of alcohol's harmful effects on me, I would suspect that they are more psychological than physical - though, to state the obvious, downing 20 units on two days per week isn't going to do my body much good. Another issue is that my unit intake is gradually increasing, perhaps to (subconsciously) compensate for the fact that I only drink on two days rather than on three or four now. Just months ago maybe 17 or 18 units was my average intake - now (as said) it is 20 and can go higher - a couple of months ago I finished a whole 70cl bottle of whiskey in one evening - which was 28 units. Due to the incredible hangover the next day I haven't had the desire to do that since.
Any comments, questions, advice etc would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 7,837
I'm in university too.
Same kind of thing, I was drinking 2-4 nights alone ( wine)
It was starting to get to me psychologically and phsycically.
I just had to stop, it doesn't get better it gets worse.
I had all kinds of rationalizations too, but it judt biols down to the fact I nave a drinking problem.
Xoxo
Same kind of thing, I was drinking 2-4 nights alone ( wine)
It was starting to get to me psychologically and phsycically.
I just had to stop, it doesn't get better it gets worse.
I had all kinds of rationalizations too, but it judt biols down to the fact I nave a drinking problem.
Xoxo
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
Originally Posted by Jsbodhi 
I'm in university too.
Same kind of thing, I was drinking 2-4 nights alone ( wine)
It was starting to get to me psychologically and phsycically.
I just had to stop, it doesn't get better it gets worse.
I had all kinds of rationalizations too, but it judt biols down to the fact I nave a drinking problem.
Xoxo
Same kind of thing, I was drinking 2-4 nights alone ( wine)
It was starting to get to me psychologically and phsycically.
I just had to stop, it doesn't get better it gets worse.
I had all kinds of rationalizations too, but it judt biols down to the fact I nave a drinking problem.
Xoxo
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,785
Welcome to the family. 
Alcoholism is progressive. It will only get worse, never better. Best to stop drinking altogether.
I hope you can find the support you need, both here and in real life, to get sober for good.
Alcoholism is progressive. It will only get worse, never better. Best to stop drinking altogether.I hope you can find the support you need, both here and in real life, to get sober for good.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,517
Only you can decide if you are an alcoholic. But, if alcohol is negatively affecting your life, stopping drinking seems like a good choice. It does take a lot of motivation, and we're here to offer support.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
Hi CC11, you are very wise to see a red flag so early in life. It took many of us decades finally recognize or admit there was a problem. So, good for you. Many very smart people on this forum will be able to help you out.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 7,837
Originally Posted by CapitalCity11
Thanks. Wine used to be my drink of choice for a time actually. Well I've only been sober only since I woke up this morning (last night being one of my two drinking nights). It's been over a year since I spent a whole week sober so getting to the end of next week without drinking would be a positive sign for me...just as long as I don't then 'reward' myself with a few drinks.
Jist keep busy- pick up a hobby xoxo
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