Need advice on this one

I find myself drinking purely out of boredom.  I have been jobless for a few months now, and I'm not used to having so much free time, and often I decide to start drinking during the daytime.  I can't explain it, but there is something very alluring about getting a buzz in the early afternoon...it adds a sparkle to the day.  I consume beer on a daily basis, on average about 3-4, then move on to a glass of merlot in the evening.  On some mornings I will have a few mimosas, and recently I began having white wine with my lunch.  I feel great throughout the day, doing chores around the house, always moving and being sure to drink water here and there.  My concern is that I will become too comfortable with this routine.  Will I have cravings for beer and wine throughout the day when I eventually start working again?  I am also worried that I will become a full-blown alcoholic by the time I reach 30.  I am unsure if I have the power to reverse the cycle, or at least reduce my intake.  I have developed a fond taste for martinis and scotch and margaritas, which I like to throw in on occasion (and I'm pretty confident that anyone reading this feels the same way), aside from all of that I eat healthy, drink adequate amounts of water, and get regular exercise, but I fear that I will still be at risk for stomach ulcers, high-blood pressure, diabetes and other health factors regardless.  Are there any methods to make myself less dependent on alcohol without seeking professional help?  I feel that a lot of this has to do with the fact that I am unemployed, and hoping that the issue will resolve itself as soon as I get back on my feet.

[narla]

If I were you I would put a stop to the routine now,it is so easy to fall into bad habits,it can creep up on you and before you know it you are addicted.just try and not drink any alcohol for 3 months,if you can't do it then I would say you already have a problem and it needs to be fixed now,don't wait till it affects your health.Keep posting and let us know how you go.

Good Luck and Take Care

Denise

[dominosarah]

You are already showing signs of alcoholism, in a big way.  I hope you really take a long hard look at your consumption and the reasons you are doing this.  You said it is boredom but i would bet it goes deeper than that.  Drinking is only a symptom of alcoholism.  With what you are doing now is affecting your health already.  You cant abuse your body like that and not expect anything to happen.  Check out some support groups.  AA is everywhere and it is free.  There are people there just like you and i.  Bottom line here is you have to want to get and stay sober.  I hope you make the right choice here.  Your life is worth fighting for.  Alcoholism will take you to the depths of he!!.  We just lost a very special man on this forum to this disease.....dont let that happen to you.         sara

There is always a need for volunteers all over the place.....check into something you like to do.

[anonymous1980]

Hello, and thank you for replying.  I would most definitely have to agree that I have a bad habit here, and I'm unsure if I can make any big changes right now.  Most people would say that being depressed and drinking is a bad combination, opposed to someone who is happy and likes to drink.  Do you agree?  I don't consider myself to be depressed, but from time to time I dwell on my misfortunes and all of the bad choices that led me to where I am now.  I could try going a month or two without any booze like you suggested,  but I can already tell you that my deprivation period won't last more than two weeks.  Like having a little coffee in the morning, if I don't get my fix, I can be very short-tempered and irritable.  I'm a firm believer in having a good diet and exercising, and hoping that by mixing equal good with bad, I won't be susceptible to the negative effects of long-term consumption.

[Punkinhead75]

Hi anonymous,  it sure sounds like the drinking habit is sinking it claws into you.  The short temperedness and irritability when not drinking is often referred to as "dry drunk".  Why can't we be pleasant and happy without our fix?  That's the question for me.  Learning to be happy and sober became the goal for me.  I regularly go to AA mtgs and they have helped me a lot.  I went for my drinking and stayed for my thinking.  Anyway,  you may be able to stop now without too much help.  Getting invloved with something you enjoy is a great suggestion.  Volunteering is a great way to stay busy as well as feel good about yourself.  Please keep sharing a letting us know how you are doing.  God Bless!!!

[anonymous1980]

Hello, I appreciate you taking time to respond to my message.  Yes, I agree with you 100% that I show big-time signs of alcoholism.  Looking back, I realize that a large portion of this is due to the fact that I have been exposed to the substance for most of my life.  Both sides of my parent's family are drinkers, and my father has been drinking beer on a routine daily basis ever since he was 17.  I fear that I am following in his footsteps, you know the saying "the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree?"  I took AA into consideration, but I am too shy to expose myself publicly.  A former friend of mine took that route, and from my point of view he was met with little success from the program.  Like you said, the individual has to want to make a change, and for me I am unsure if I can go without completely.  I feel that I have much to live for, and could never see myself doing anything drastic or hurtful to myself or others, but there is that element of empowerment I experience when feeling inebriated that helps me deal with my anxiety and boost my happiness when feeling down and also to have a good time when being social.  I figure there are worse substances that I could be addicted to, but I grow worrisome with each passing day because there is something about being jobless and a drinker that doesn't go over too well with me.  There are many people like that in the city that I live in, packed into bars and nightclubs every evening, and I don't want that to be my lifestyle.  I hope that admitting to the problem and setting boundaries is a good start to making that first crucial step.  Thank you for your concern and support!  As for the man you had mentioned in your reply, my heart goes out to his family and all who knew him....

[narla]

Please be aware there are health concerns with drinking so much,I damaged my liver and had to stop or it would have killed me,Alcoholism also runs in families,many of my relatives are also alcoholics,if you really believe you can't stop then in my opinion you are an alcoholic,do something about it now because it will only get harder the longer you have fed your addiction.If you don't like groups then find an addiction counsellor,that is what I used,they help you to understand addiction,and come to terms with not being able to drink alcohol,you would never regret not drinking,you may regret not living,the harsh reality of addictions