Jake93

Hi, I am not exactly sure if this is the right place for me to be writing.. I am a student at uni and for the last 2 years I have been drinking with many an other student... but.. I drink alone all the time. I just get this urge where I can't think of anything else but a drink. It was fine.. but it is really affecting my relationships and my course. I am worried that I am addicted, any little bit of stress and I am off to the shop for a bottle of vodka. The reason I am here is because of something that happened recently that involved the police and I can't continue the way I am going.
I don't even know where to go or who to talk to about any of this, I apologise if this is not the right place.

MariahGayle

Hi Jake, you’ve come to the right place for support & encouragement. If alcohol is causing you problems your smart to seek help in quitting. Wonderful community here

joandmelandhan

Hi Jake and welcome to SR! I'd say absolutely yes you've found a great place for support, advice and maybe just a friendly safe environment to come to. I'm actually very impressed you've identified a problem (or potential problem) so young. What an amazing gift to yourself it would be to address it now before it has the potential to take hold.
Drinking in secret alone is when I knew I'd crossed the line. That was 15 years ago so you can perhaps guess the rest.
It may seem alarmist or extreme but I really would seriously consider knocking it on the head completely. A big step yes but my goodness the absolute best thing bar none you could do for your future!
I remember when I was at Uni there was a student run telephone counselling service a bit like Samaritans. Is there perhaps anything similar where you are? Could you find a group or club to join? Something where the other members might not be big into drinking.
The worst thing you can do right now is isolate yourself. Addiction (if indeed you are) absolutely loves that. Please be proactive make that change!
Take care Jake xx

Jake93

Thanks for the replies, yeah I kind of was kidding myself, I drank alone and just made any excuse if someone caught me and now I realise it really isn't healthy. I'm not talking a couple drinks to relax.. I mean like.. a full litre of vodka and passing out sort of drink. I guess stopping completely would be ideal, there's something deep down in me saying I can't do it and that I need alcohol.
I will try and find a group, I think you are right that would help and I have been isolating myself as I have felt.. all sorts of things.
Thanks

anxiousrock

You’re in the right spot!
Surprisingly, university is not one of the places I had issues with drinking, that came later. However, I can relate to the drinking alone and wondering if you have a problem.
Drinking alone all the time isn’t natural and if you’re getting in trouble with the police and risking your school, it’s time to get some help to recover.

Jake93

I never even drank anything before uni and I also started at 20 instead of 18ish. I know you are right there, my mum always had a few glasses of wine after work and I assumed that was normal.

Dee74

Hi Jake

I think you're in the right place - I couldn't wait to be alone to drink either, and despite what I told myself, I didn't want to simply take the edge off the day and relax - I wanted oblivion.

If it's affecting your relationships and your work, you're really smart to be thinking about stopping it here and now, and not waiting til you're 40 like I did.

Welcome aboard

DreamCatcher17

You are totally in the right place! Welcome, sit back take in all the information and for today, don't drink!
I would suggest finding a meeting, sober people to talk with and come here often-Post whatever you have to in order to remain sober. You will find a lot of support here.

PurpleKnight

Welcome to the Forum Jake!!

SoberLeigh

Welcome to SR, Jake.

You have found a forum that will offer support, encouragement and understanding.

You are in the right place.

GotTheBlues

I'm not a specialist but this would be a giant red flag for anyone who has experience of alcoholism. Normal drinkers do not binge alone. Drinking an entire liter of vodka is pretty extreme. Normal drinkers would never dream of "needing" alcohol in the way you describe.

I hope none of that sounds to direct or harsh in any way, but I wish someone had really gotten through to me this way when I was at university age. It was easy to ignore my problems at the early stages because everyone was doing it. (I was in the UK where student partying is pretty extreme and considered "normal" behavior). But the truth is, not everyone was doing what I was doing --- a lot of extra drinking by myself etc.

You have a chance to quit early and not let this control your life. No one I have met on SR wishes they had carried on drinking longer before quitting.

I wish you well. Congratulations on making a positive decision about stopping!

Gabe1980

Hi Jake. Good to meet you and welcome. I drank for a million different reasons, feelings, excuses. Then it just becomes about the drink. I'm really happy for you that you are catching on to the fact this is a problem for you now. I was in my late 20's before I broke through denial and ten years later I just starting to feel like who I really am. Very best wishes to you.