alcoholism

[higher4hockey]

i know this might not be the right forum, but have any of you cann.com users ever had a problem with alcohol?

i ask this because i think i am on the verge of admitting that i am an alcoholic.

[i asked a bonofide alcoholic what his defenition of an alchy was earlier in the week, and his response was scarily close to me.]

[rebgirl420]

I dont drink bc that runs in my family. Id rather not risk it ya know. But even if your not one yet maybe you should try to get help early, you know, nip it in the bud

[40oz]

Try to quit for a week or two, maybe drinking on weekends only. If you can't do it, you're probably an alcoholic.

[Matt the Funk]

Try and quit as soon as you can. Alcoholics can be fucking awful. This one guy that my Aunt married was an alcoholic and a complete dickhead. He also died from OD'ing on alcohol. Don't end up liek him. You are a cool guy.

[choppile420]

I dont drink bc that runs in my family. Id rather not risk it ya know. But even if your not one yet maybe you should try to get help early, you know, nip it in the bud

ya im with rebgirl on this one. My dad was a raging alcoholic, and it ruined our family completely. He got help though and now I actually have a dad that i can talk to... So i dont drink like at all because i know what it can do. I actually get made fun of for not drinkin but i dont care. I dont want to be an alcoholic lol. But yes, even if you think your an alcoholic, it kinda means that you are one.. Im not saying that you totally are but you should try to get help so it doesnt take over your life.

[higher4hockey]

no way im quitting, i just like to drink way to much. im reading a book about an alcoholic, and it also reminds me of myself as well. not so much now, but how i used to be , and where im headed again. about two years ago i was to the point of drinking every day to intoxification. and i dont mean happy go lucky drunk. i mean blacked out vicously mean drunk. since then i think i've become a 'better' drinker in the fact that i rarely black out anymore, and i dont do nearly as many stupid things that i regret.

i dunno, maybe i just like to drink...

[nightlight]

I am an alchoholic, but i don't let it interfere with the rest of my life. Alot of people will read the criteria and categorize themselves as an alchoholic and then let it really take over. either by acting out the criteria or trying to stop drinking. its much easier to cut back. my only rules are no alchohol before 6pm except on weekends.

[stinkyattic]

Try to quit for a week or two, maybe drinking on weekends only. If you can't do it, you're probably an alcoholic.

There are some alcoholics who have very good control over their drinking. This isn't a very good test of that.

If you think you have a problem but don't want to quit, you're going to have to exercise incredible self-control.

I've been asking myself the same question for a long time, and this spring quit for 2 months (I discovered you CAN get sick off O'douls, lol... ). I do sometimes drink now but I approach it very differently, trying to stay out of the situations that used to be a problem for me- specifically, bar scene/party situations where in the past I would just be gulping beers throughout the night and end up totally schnockered, get on the Ninja, and blast around town like a maniac- little self destructive, anyone? At this point I limit myself to a beer here and there if I've got company or visiting a friend, try to keep it to only a couple times a week, and always keep a big glass of water in front of me because when it comes right down to it, a drink is a drink and a glass of water is just as refreshing, and I'm just as likely to reach for that, as for the beer next to it.
My friends had really mixed reactions when I quit entirely- a couple were reall bitchy about it, like my drinking buddy, who can polish off 2 scorpion bowls, 2 martinis, a couple glasses of wine, and 4 beers before acting like a prick- he's a good 260 pounds- and was obviously really threatened by my not drinking, giving me these weird lectures on how he didn't have a problem and I shoudln't get 'all Jehovas Witness on him'... wtf? And they ran the spectrum all the way to another close friend who quietly admitted that he was proud of my decision to put it aside and envied my ability to do so, having questioned his own reliance on alcohol for so long.

I've lost over 20 pounds and feel a hell of a lot better. I went from drinking probably the equivalent of a case or more a week to less than a sixer.

Highly recommended.

[EmericanStoner420]

i dotn drink much myself, but on both sides of my family are alcoholics, and my dad is one to so i have a huge chance of beign one, one of my(alcoholic) told me once "ede....you smoke so much fuckin weed man.....ina couple years thatll alll be diffferent youll be drinkin everyday all day, your whole family is alcoholics man" and im like dude i hope not, but eya man jsut go to aa, or go through a treatment center

[deadfan420]

I don't drink b/c alcoholism runs heavily in my family. But if you have a gut feeling, then it's probably right. If it's really interfering with your life you should get urself some help asap. there's no shame in admitting you have a problem. And admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Alcoholism is so widespread that there are tons of treatment options available. Just do a little research and get yourself cleaned up!

Good luck!!!

[MacWQ33]

How old are you Hock...I always thought around 22-23?

In my opinion alcoholism, along with drug addiction is a tough subject, because it just varies so much. One of my good friends drinks like a 12 pack or more a night lol, but I don't know if I would consider him an alcoholic, because it's just what he likes to do...party and have a good time. He basically lives by 'tomorrow isn't promised, so we live for the moment', which I do too, but to a lesser extent.

My definition would include drinking by yourself, drinking hard alcohol, and drinking when you have something important to do or do the next day...and of course just drinking to escape life. To me, drinking beer and alcoholism just don't make sense for some reason. If one were really alcoholic, I would think the goal would to get drunk ASAP, which is cheaper and more efficient via the hard alcohol route.

Anyway, I just turned 21 and live next to a liquor store, and within a 5 minute walk of a few bars, and a 5 minute drive of a shitload...and my entire family drinks and problems have occurred on one side...not a good start haha.

I think if you feel it's a problem or potential problem, then it probably is/will be. Then again, people these days are so quick to yell 'alcoholic!'...I say the only one who truly knows is yourself. But, with me...I honestly don't give a fuck when/how often I drink, doesn't bother me...if it started to bother me...I would question myself as well, but until then...cheers. I think a lot of it's mental...personally I can smoke weed, drink, smoke butts, powder up whenever I want and never see repercussions, it's mind control...but everyone's different of course.

PS: There's this guy...really nice guy, I like him a lot...but pretty much every morning when the packy next to me opens..he's there to stock up for the day. He does like construction so he drinks on the job...on weekends he probably starts drinking at 7-8 am. Anyway, I figure as long as I don't follow in those footsteps, I'm good to go.

[friendowl]

after you get drunk read some charles bukowski

[slipknotpsycho]

i know this might not be the right forum, but have any of you cann.com users ever had a problem with alcohol?

i ask this because i think i am on the verge of admitting that i am an alcoholic.

[i asked a bonofide alcoholic what his defenition of an alchy was earlier in the week, and his response was scarily close to me.]

i am an alcoholic, i'm not afraid to admit it.... i just rest safe knowing i'm not some violent abusive dickhead... i usually just get goofy... that's not to say that i won't get angry and start yelling if you push me.... but without being provoked i don't fly off the hinges...

[Weedhound]

A basic definition of addiction is: If what you are doing is causing you problems in your life and you would like to stop doing said things BUT CAN'T do them in moderation or control them once you begin you have a problem.

If you think you have a problem......you have a problem.


I can't speak for everyone but alot of time alcoholism IS genetic. I speak from experience on this so really am not interested in anyone's "ideas" on will power, self-discipline or any of the rest of the BS so commonly associated with this disease.

If you think you have a problem with it....get some help. Study some information; drop by an AA meeting or whatever. Don't buy into ANYONE"S bullshit about "bucking up" or "just use your willpower" or let that keep you from getting support and assistance. Those people are not you and I can
GUARANTEE they have no clue what it's about.

LEARN.....then decide.

[slipknotpsycho]

well see i don't think addiction is just when you have a problem with it...

which i don't have a problem with it... i mean it doesn't get in the way of my life, we're not suffering cuz of my drinking...

i've been drinking alot in the past year tho..... and within the last few months i've been drinking without even looking to get drunk... i just enjoy the taste of alcohol... i've like replaced all the soda i used to drink with mixed drinks and beer... if i'm actually looking to get drunk i just do straight shots...

[Weedhound]

Well there's the key slip.....it doesn't cause a problem in your life. It sure did in mine.....tons of times I'd swear I was going to stop and couldn't'; getting fired from jobs for being UGLY-ASS hungover etc etc....

I think you are right though about some addictions being pluses in life and not minuses (gardening, or really whatever grabs you) but it could be considered a problem if say....you didn't make it to work because you just couldn't stop trimming your azealas or something.

[slipknotpsycho]

you didn't make it to work because you just couldn't stop trimming your azealas or something.

:wtf: yeah, i'd definately say that would qualify as an unhealthy addiction....

i only know i'm actually addicted because when i don't have it i tend to 'not be normal'... i'm sluggish, very non-talkative, and i keep wanting a beer lol...

[Weedhound]

24 hours in a day. 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not..... :D

[higher4hockey]

well i think my problem these days is that if im in the mood for a beer. it doesnt matter what i have to do the next morning, im gonna go get a beer, i'll just take twenty bucks with me. limiting myself to just eight beers and a couple rounds of pool. or so i think. eight beers turns into fifteen beers and i have to be up at seven and its two thirty in the morning and im plastered.

i have no self control when it comes to drinking. i cant just drink one when i have the means to drink many.

[LuckyG]

If you don't have the self-control, don't drink. I'm the same way. I'm not an alcoholic, but whenever I say I'll just have one drink, I end up getting superfucked and probably puking or passing out. I just stopped drinking at all - it wasn't fun anymore anyhow.

[growinforthefuture]

half of you will disagree... but i think ANYONE can become an alcoholic given the right circumstances.. it is an addictive drug.. you will develop physical withdrawal syndrome if you drink enough... some people develop the mental aspect which leads to the repeated use that leads to physical addiction... but believe me... alcohol is like cocaine is like heroin... you may hold out for a while or quit... but unless you do quit eventually it will get you...

[Weedhound]

Actually (interestingly) alcohol seems to only be addivctive to certain individuals....genetics come in here. In my mind there is a difference between a "problem drinker" and an alcoholic.

Off the top of my head....I'd say yes, he's got a problem with drinking. It's interfering with his life. He can't stop even though the consequences get him in trouble. I have no doubt he's told himself before to stop but can't seem to do it. So does lucky G (once I drink one I can't stop...) that is CLASSIC alcoholism and I was always exactly the same way. The difference between me and Lucky is that he stopped completely on his own. I could not. And that he says he is not an alcoholic. I say that I certainly am.

True alcoholics are not normal drinkers but normal drinkers can be "problem drinkers." As an recovering alkie I dont have the slightest interest in the "slight buzz" of one beer....I want the whole tamale or why bother? I know "normal drinkers" don't think this way.

Unlike other "physically addictive" drugs some people can drink alcohol for years daily and simply stop. Others...(like me) take one sip and the body gets into gear....it's a done deal.

[LuckyG]

Off the top of my head....I'd say yes, he's got a problem with drinking. It's interfering with his life. He can't stop even though the consequences get him in trouble. I have no doubt he's told himself before to stop but can't seem to do it. So does lucky G (once I drink one I can't stop...) that is CLASSIC alcoholism and I was always exactly the same way. The difference between me and Lucky is that he stopped completely on his own. I could not. And that he says he is not an alcoholic. I say that I certainly am.

Well, it's not like I drank every day - it was mostly weekend parties and such, but once I had one drink I started to feel kind of good, so I'd have another (What can it hurt, right?), and another... and so on until I'd regret it. I've noticed that when it comes to feeling good I don't have a lot of willpower, although I hardly think I'm alone in that. ;) And that does apply to pretty much anything, including weed - if I have a fat sack, I'll probably go chronic until I run out. I'm just lucky that a cigarette buzz only lasts for a couple of minutes, otherwise I would have picked up a very expensive hobby already...

And it goes in cycles, too. I'll drink too much, get very sick, say "Never again! Hit me if I ever want to do this again!" and then a few months down the line I'll do it again. It's a slow learning process, but I have to admit that sometimes it feels good to cut loose and drop your immune system enough to allow the germs building up inside a chance to go to town, do their nasty thing, and then get the hell out of my body.

[Weedhound]

Same Same for me my man.....I was fine till I took that first drink...then boom. That whole thing....I'll only have a few...then oblivion and I quite simply COULD NOT stop once I took that first drink. And sooner or later....I would indeed take that first one.....:(

Good for you to avoid it altogether! I am not saying you are an alcoholic....only you know.....but I will say that if you were.....I'd tell you to realize that it is NOT a matter of willpower....not for true alkies like me. It's in our genes and for me it's a poison. The day I went into rehab I had a bac of .47....a beer or two away from dying of alcohol poisoning AND i STILL could not shut up that little part of what was left of my mind from screaming "I NEED A DRINK" over and over. When you stop to think about the fact that your body is that close to death and your mind is still working like hell to drink more....which would kill you.,.....that's not willpower.
That's an alcoholic. ;)

[c of green]

alchohol's bad.I envy the people that can do it....being drunk is great until its not and it always ended up bad.....thank god for herb.Cut back or quit you don't want to get bad on it ....