Blackouts

[dogatron]

I am female and 18 years old. I do not consider myself as having a problem with alcohol. I drink perhaps more frequently than some peers, but not all that regularly. The issue is more with the amount I consume in one evening, than how often. I rarely drink more than twice a week and sometimes go a few weeks without drinking. But if I drink, I drink a lot.

Anyway, I have been 'binge' drinking since I was about 13 and have never had a problem with blackouts except from when unconcious (which I have not been in about a year now). During the last perhaps 8 months the frequency and severity of my blackouts have increased. I cannot see any real reason for this. I assume I have a high tolerance for alcohol as I am able to consume more than most male and female friends without seeing very 'drunk', but it takes very little for me to blackout.

I was told this could be to do with diet- as I am vegan. But I take suppliments and although I'm not a big eater I eat sufficiently I feel.

Could there be any other reason for the sudden change in blackout patterns?

[ibizan]

binge drinking is a problem.blackouts are a problem and a high tolerance is something that never goes away in ur life despite the efforts u will employ to control what is uncontrollable.Being a vegan is not the reason for all u mentioned....and it sounds like ur getting advice to drink less from the ppl who drink with u?At ur age of 18 i understand how u feel for i once too thought and felt like u....u have a long journey to travel with this as is apparent.You will find your answers or deny the reality of this this alcohol thing.Sure hope u don't drink and drive!!!!Many ppl with anxiety disorders drink/drug a lot...it is a self medicating thing.Alcohol/drug dependence is like this....at the end of the Wizard of Oz Dorothy says to Glenda the good witch..."u knew i knew how to get back to Kansas the whole time...why didn't u tell me?Glenda smiles and replies with a giggle Because u never would've b-lieved me..u had to find out for yourself!Many ppl post to this forum with questions about their abuse of alcohol and drugs....they get an answer from those of us who have been there and done that...many don't reply back either not naturally liking the response.....or we can only hope they keep in mind the words of us who have travelled their path from a young age to an older age and gave up the battle.....and wisely so.

[dogatron]

I'm wary of labelling something a problem when it is not. I have problems with anxiety and worry about plenty of things being problems which aren't in retrospect. I thought/think this could be one, is all. Generally since bringing this up with several people the reaction has been for me to drink less and less often, perhaps I shall do so. I can see that it is probably for the best; but I'm 18- life isn't fair I guess.

[ibizan]

the two comments to your post were right on......i had a history like u with drinking and drugs......began at 14 got sober/clean at 28..and at 53 today still trucking.I like this saying the problem with the problem is that u don't think its a problem...and if u constantly wonder if its a problem....then it is!

[boogieman]

hi. the high tolerance coupled with an increase in severity of blackout experiences are indicative of potential chemical dependency. a vegan diet has nothing to do with it. you may not see a problem yet, but the indicators are there. in addition there are scores of people who have come out of a blackout to face everything from embarrassing behavior to murder charges----and can't remember what they did. you don't have to drink daily or exhibit other symptoms of alcohol dependence to commit actions that have permanent repercussions. hope this helps and take care,  gm

[DogLover723]

Blackouts are scary stuff. They were a main factor in why I quit drinking. I used to fight with people during my blackouts. It was after I atacked my best friend from behind and knocked her to the ground and hurt her and didn't remember any of it the next day. I quit 2 days later and haven't had a drop since 12/29/95.   If you are blacking out, you have a serious problem.