What can I do

[athomasxx]

Okay, I turned 21 about two months ago. I know that alcoholism is in my family, I heard that it is genetic but I don't know, maybe somebody can clairify that too.

My issue is this. I get home from work, and I drink until I go to bed. (Which a lot of times going to bed is passing out.) A couple times I have been late to work since I didn't set my alarm. I don't think it's to escape issues, because there really are none, I just like the feeling. But I know it's taking a toll on me. I do feel as though I'm addicted to it, and I don't know what to do.

[VOR]

alcoholism: Habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and/or social problems, and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms

I don't want to sound harsh here, but your question sounds rather silly to me.  If you are using a drug for the sole purpose of feeling good, then you are abusing the drug.  If you are drinking alcohol b/c you like the way it makes you feel, you are passing out to sleep, forgetting to set your alarm - thus being late a couple of times, then yes, you have a problem.  

Does this mean you're an alcoholic?  Not necessarily.  Do your actions indicate a potentially serious problem?  Yes.  If you are seriously scared, then try to quit drinking and see what happens.  If you find that you cannon deal without the alcohol then you need to seek help.

Don't fall back on "genetic" predisposition and use that as your reasoning.  There is a lot of data to corroborate the idea that alcoholism is genetic.  But, you don't get drunk unless you put the substance in your body, so to say you're predisposed is to give in before you even start.  

  

[ibizan]

forget the doctor...forget AA telling u ......if u wonder if ur an alcoholic and ur inner voice tells u  r..u r......but many alcoholics dispute and rationalize the truth inside of themselves!Alcoholics lose control over the amount they drink,their behaviors...and continue to drink despite the problems it causes in their lives!

[boogieman]

hello. no one else can tell you if you are an alcoholic, but if your drinking has escalated to a point that its causing you problems, and quitting seems to be a monumental task, you have most likely crossed the "invisible line" between use and abuse. When i turned 21, i was drinking a pint or more of 151 proof rum until i passed out every night. i knew something was wrong, but i didn't know what or how to change it. At this point in my life I had been playing guitar for several years in all sorts of live music venues. And I was surrounded by people who both partied to excess and accepted my chemical escapades as part of the lifestyle. About a month after my 21st. birthday, i decided that i had been condemned to a tortured existence, and ended up with a shotgun against my head and trying to use my toe to fire it. Turned out i couldn't even get that right due to my intoxication. I reached out for some help and was promptly admitted to a psychiatric/substance abuse facility where I became separated from liquor for the first time since my abuse had become a daily affair.
I wish i could say that i "got it" during this hospitalization, but this was only the first in a long line of rehabs and other institutions. My addictions ended up costing me a lot more than i could have imagined, and much of the misery could have been avoided if i had listened to what i heard back then. The solution to the problem never changed. What did change was my willingness to finally concede that my ways did not work, and i needed to listen to the advice of someone who had  successfully been pulled back from the gates of insanity, pain and death that i continued to place myself at.

My point is, you may or may not be predisposed to hell on earth, but if there is a chance you are headed that way, the greatest gift you could give yourself would be to honestly look at where you are and where you want to go. And most importantly what lengths you are willing to go to get there. Stick around and things can (and usually do) get better!  gm
                                                                        

[athomasxx]

So I assume a an MD tells you whether or not you are? Or is that a psycologist thing or AA or what.

[Jikan]

Namaste,

Certainly sounds like an addiction to me, regardless as to whether or not you think there isn't a cause.

Take the suggestions of nyychic and see if you can just stop cold turkey, which is hard(I did it) or you need a support system such as AA. If you are an alcoholic, you're in it for life, so deal with it now.

And yes, genetics can be a factor.

Michael

[athomasxx]

Just like smoking, it's an addiction. Getting a pack of cigarettes is as impulsive for smokers. It's kind of difficult to just "stop"

[nyychic]

Have you tried to stop?  I mean you only know how deep the addiction is if you stop and then "give in" to the drink again......Also I don't really believe in the word try.........trying to do something is like hmmmmm I'll fail but Try.   It's useless you do or you don't stop drinking.  Trying isn't an option.  If you find yourself giving in then find an AA meeting get a sponser and kick it while you are young.

[athomasxx]

Anybody have input?

[athomasxx]

Also forgot to add, drinking for me usually consists of a 1/4 of a handle of vodka at night, and a couple beers. (Handle being 1.75 liters)