does this mean I am prone to being an addict?

Question

I don't always drink & when I do I take wines ..during the days I dont drink I usually crave for alcohol each time so I decided when the cravings come, I take lots of water & tonic water then I feel a little better. Should I be worried or should I just giv in into the cravings?

mitinkitten · Answer

I can't see enough to tell you where you're problem lies, but when trying to control cravings of any kind occupies that much thought process, it gives me pause. When I had to plot and plan how to drink or how not to, I got sober. It's been 3.5 years. 

Didn't solve the whole issue. I crave other things. Addiction is more a mental process than a physical one. So I work each day at it. I can apply the same crappy mental process to anything. 

I guess ... if you feel brave enough, ask people close to you what they see. Ask them to be honest, and consider it. Unless everyone close to you is either vindictive or refuses to be honest, it might give you some perspective. 

Dor

ibizan · Answer

Sad but true.......many of us had to prove to ourselves that we did not succeed @ controlled drinking b4 we gave it up....and so will u.....sure hope u don't drive when ur drinking....or get in car w/someone else whose 2 buzzed to drive!and heres another thought...if ur friends drink as much as u or more......they will not want to lose ur company......then no one has 2 admit they have a problem!When i got sober/clean...one of my best partying buds said to me i can't hang w/u anymore.......cuz ur sobriety is a reminder of the problem i have that i'm unwilling to do anything @!

2Bsober · Answer

You are NOT wasting my or anybody's time here Danil. You are making the effort to control your drinking, that's a good thing! If you think you can stop totally that way, then keep trying. I tried that for 30 yrs. If you're like many of us, you will need to tell your family not to drink around you, and not to have it in the house. You can and will need to avoid drinking friends too. Find that one person you can trust to hang with sober. You can use the excuse that "sorry I'm allergic I found out..." if presented with a drink offer. All I'm saying is AA is the avenue to find these solutions when you are ready. AA is really no big deal. I went 15 miles away so I wouldn't see my neighbors! There's meetings everywhere. They're fun to go and just listen. You don't have to talk, you can decline, there is absolutely no judgment by anyone or talk once you step out the door, it's a sworn thing, there is no gossip, it's a serious respect for those with the same addictions.

danil97 · Answer

I know what you have said makes perfect sense, my family & friends are social drinkers why does it have to be only me that craves it. can I have just one drink, I know I probably sound crazy but I last had a drink on new years day... It's been too long,  I really  need one!  I don't care if you get rid of me but I just need a drink, maybe if I indulge regularly I will not feel like I need a drink. I should stop fighting. I appreciate all your advice but I don't think I can go to AA on 2nd thought I will learn to control my alcohol intake, I  need this. I think I have wasted your time.  Am sorry.

danil97 · Answer

My friends are all  out again & I ve locked up my self in my room, I feel like I am loosing my social life. Okay will I learn how to be social without alcohol? I am running out of excuses of not hanging out & it kills me not being able to open up because I feel they will not understand. Fine, I will try AA. I don't want to reach the point of no return but I still want my social life back, because I suddenly feel alone

2Bsober · Answer

What's "scary" is this, Danil: If you keep drinking YOU WILL DIE. You will hear in AA " if we alcoholics keep drinking we end up dead or in jail" This is how it worked for me--- I called... a compassionate and always anonymous  member asked what area I lived and said someone would call me back to arrange to take me to a meeting. It turned out to be the neighbor living behind me! All you need is ONE trusted friend ,or a new friend by calling them. Nobody else needs to know. Once you go to a meeting and see the other alcoholics in dire straits worse than you or the same, you'll feel at home. Seek out a trusted individual, they are there for you and us. There's meetings all over in most cities with a paper schedule list of where, you could have them mail you it.

danil97 · Answer

Thnx y'all for your advice. Nighthawk61 sorry about your health, but your son must be so proud. How do you do it? How do you let go?AA sounds like a scary place, is there any thing else I can do or any material that can help. How do I explain to my friends & parents that I have to go to AA.

jeremyspeiser · Answer

You surely want sough out this problem

2Bsober · Answer

Nighthawk is right. You have cravings because you may be or are "alcoholic" .
It's hereditary too. One sip of wine, I need more. Some people don't. You will never be a "social drinker" in all likelihood, we need to avoid those social activities until we are solidly in control like Nighthawk. Don't let the monster creep back into your mind, saying you can have "just a little" Don't be tricked, it will pass, let us know.

Nighthawk61 · Answer

Craving alcohol is part of addiction. There is also a lot of sugar in alcohol, and you may be craving the sugar as well. The thing is that the only way to reduce the cravings of any addiction, be it alcohol or sugar, is to starve it through detox (stopping) and then to use the tools available (one being membership to a 12 step program) to stay away from it. You first have to admit your life has become unmanageable. (you're cravings are out of control). Your addiction is telling you to feed it, it's a monster, and it wants you to abuse alcohol. The good news is, if you don't feed it , it will go away. Because it is cunning and will come back and leave you feeling like you miss it, we use AA to help beat this monster down. Just so you know, I'm an alcoholic who abused alcohol until my late 30's. (I'm 51) I don't miss drugs or alcohol one bit. Now, I see absolutely no use for it at all. I have no problems being social without it. I don't feel ashamed that I don't drink or drug like others, I'm proud of myself that I don't. I have a son, and he's proud that I'm clean and sober. I do have HepC and Cirrhosis, because that's the cost of doing business with the devil. If you lose the booze, you won't miss it a bit, after some time. So the question is, Why not get rid of this obsession? Why keep actively feeding something that is not ever going to do anything good for you, but has the potential of aggressively taking over your life. Your beast sounds pretty aggressive to me. Kill it. It's evil. I'm here for you if you need to talk about this. .

danil97 · Answer

Thanx y'all for your comments. Thing is I don't think I have an alcohol problem. It's just the craving that I want to stop. I usually dont carry my purse when I get the feeling, I dnt hangout & I don't eat, I take lots of tonic water, water & other non alcoholic drinks. Thats basically how I handle my craves.pretty pathetic.!  I jst need help on how not to crave alcohol but rather be a social drinker .Thanx

ibizan · Answer

Have u sought help for ur alcohol problem?

Life360_Dave · Answer

Hi Danil, you seem to be putting out a lot of energy over this, i mean the cravings and things. Take this energy and put it into better use so when your 25 years old you will be able to buy a nice house or the car of your dreams. If you start now, in about 2 or 3 years, your efforts will pay off.
Ive seen so many people waste the early precious years and end up just wanting and not having.