Am I an alcoholic?

[beerloaf]

I was told some time back that you're only an alcoholic if you're in denial. I know that I like to drink and try to often so I'm not in denial.

beerloaf

 

[beaksnbeer]

Only if you drink more then you can brew

 

[borden]

I tend to drink 1-3 beers a night on weeknights, a couple more on weekends. I feel like I'm pushing it slightly on the alcohol consumption, so I'm looking to brew more low ABV session beers, so I can enjoy my beverage of choice while keeping the total alcohol lower. I wanna be able to have my three beers a night and still keep my girlish figure and my liver happy.

This is me exactly. Ever since switching to partial mash, for some reason I've opted to brew things only in the 3.9-4.9% ABV range. It's a substantial difference (in calories) from the big IPAs of this summer, so I feel less guilty drinking 2 or 3 a night. Also, less of a buzz, which is a good thing when you're enjoying the beverage, rather than the alcohol.

 

[steppenwolph]

I consult this site to figure out how to brew better beer. I am on it every day.
When I start reading I want to reach for a beer. Even though I say I won't I end up having one in my hand and drinking it!

Some key factors in determining if you are an alcoholic are:

1) Can you stop drinking alcohol before you are completely wasted? Do you keep drinking alcohol until it is all gone? In other words, do you have voluntary control over your alcohol consumption? If you do control how much you drink, that is a huge point in favor of not being alcoholic.

2) Is the amount of alcohol you drink having a negative effect on your life? Are you missing work or school due to hang-overs? Do you plan your activities around drinking opportunities? Are you being isolated from your family by being drunk or hung-over? In other words, is drinking alcohol becoming the most important thing in your life?

3) Do you drink alcohol at inappropriate times? Are you drinking while alone with your young children? Drinking and driving? Drinking at work? This shows an increasing disregard for your own safety, and that of others.

If any of these factors are present, then you are strongly at risk of a problem. If two factors are present then you do have a problem.

In my experience as a counselor, people with the self-awareness to ask such questions as you are asking rarely get into deep trouble, since they can see where they are going. Most alcoholics have an extraordinary capacity for self-delusion and denial and therefore never figure out what is happening to them until things are far out of control.

If you really want to know if you are an alcoholic, or at risk, you might ask those around you what their impression is. But since you are concerned about your own behavior, and since you admit to being a little out of control with the drinking, i.e. saying that you don't want to have a beer but having one anyway, that would be enough for me to say to chill out on the alcohol for some time and figure out what is going on and what role you want alcohol to play in your life.

Take care.

 

[drew1d]

I consult this site to figure out how to brew better beer. I am on it every day.
When I start reading I want to reach for a beer. Even though I say I won't I end up having one in my hand and drinking it!

No, you have OCD.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

No, you have OCD.

Sounds more like OCBD....Obsessive Compulsive Brewing Disorder. I should know, I have it myself

 

[jiggs_casey]

Some key factors in determining if you are an alcoholic are:

1) Can you stop drinking alcohol before you are completely wasted? Do you keep drinking alcohol until it is all gone? In other words, do you have voluntary control over your alcohol consumption? If you do control how much you drink, that is a huge point in favor of not being alcoholic.

2) Is the amount of alcohol you drink having a negative effect on your life? Are you missing work or school due to hang-overs? Do you plan your activities around drinking opportunities? Are you being isolated from your family by being drunk or hung-over? In other words, is drinking alcohol becoming the most important thing in your life?

3) Do you drink alcohol at inappropriate times? Are you drinking while alone with your young children? Drinking and driving? Drinking at work? This shows an increasing disregard for your own safety, and that of others.

If any of these factors are present, then you are strongly at risk of a problem. If two factors are present then you do have a problem.

In my experience as a counselor, people with the self-awareness to ask such questions as you are asking rarely get into deep trouble, since they can see where they are going. Most alcoholics have an extraordinary capacity for self-delusion and denial and therefore never figure out what is happening to them until things are far out of control.

If you really want to know if you are an alcoholic, or at risk, you might ask those around you what their impression is. But since you are concerned about your own behavior, and since you admit to being a little out of control with the drinking, i.e. saying that you don't want to have a beer but having one anyway, that would be enough for me to say to chill out on the alcohol for some time and figure out what is going on and what role you want alcohol to play in your life.

Take care.

1. Sometimes. Sometimes. Most of the time.
2. Nope. Nope, I take my hangovers with me. Yep. Nope. Nope.
3. Sometimes. Alone, of course! With the kids, nope. Only when I go fishing and don't have plans on leaving the property. Nope.

Not sure if any of these answers can truly be defined as a 'problem'. All things being equal, you are the only one who can define you as an alcoholic. Do you think you need help?

 

[steppenwolph]

I don't drink unless I'm alone or with somebody.

When I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself.:rockin: