Question about drinking

[Michael]

Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night, can't
sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't. I don't drive when
drinking, I have a normal family life with a wife and 2 kids. I don't ignore
my responsibilities, I am self employed and realize that if I drink too much
I can take off the next day if I want, but I don't because I am self
employed and it would be too easy to do. I take my kids hiking, camping,
playing at the beach. In other words, I have a problem with drinking but
don't have a problem with living with it. I don't normally drink to the
point that I slur or stumble or can't perform like a father. I drink after 5
and quit before 10, usually about 7 american beers (yeah, i'm weak)
weekends, about 10 - 12 beers, usually starting around 3, after chores and
starting to relax around the pool, etc. Is this description a "functional
alchololic"? Do people progress from this to bad things? Is this damaging my
health? I am 42, 5-8", 170lbs., white male. I have a bit of a gut but it
could be worse. I have been drinking nearly every day for well over 12
years.

Input is welcome but please be constructive.
Thanks much,
--Michael

[Blue Moon]

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 18:29:53 GMT, "Michael" <myspot@universe.com>
wrote:

>Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night, can't
>sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't.

..
..
..

>Do people progress from this to bad things?

Yes. Other people don't.

To my mind, the concern is drinking to achieve sleep and self-medicate
depression. Not the correct reasons for using alcohol, even
moderately.

--
Blue Moon

[Kirk S.]

"Blue Moon" <mfoco@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:6de5b8f9c33ef47aec9fce309612bae7@news.teranew s.com...
> On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 18:29:53 GMT, "Michael" <myspot@universe.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night,
can't
> >sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't.
>
> .
> .
> .
>
> >Do people progress from this to bad things?
>
> Yes. Other people don't.
>
> To my mind, the concern is drinking to achieve sleep and self-medicate
> depression. Not the correct reasons for using alcohol, even
> moderately.
>
> --
> Blue Moon

This isn't to appear argumentative, as an alcoholic, I don't understand why
people drink if it isn't to get drunk. Are there really any correct reasons
to use alcohol? I always remembered an ad from when I was a child: If you
have to drink to be social, it isn't social drinking. Since I always drank
for the wrong reasons (and know I will always), it is like trying to
comprehend the end of the universe. It does not compute!

Thanks!

Kirk S.

[rosie]

:................... I always remembered an ad from when I was a
child: If you
: have to drink to be social, it isn't social drinking.


i remember that ad quite well................effective huh?




:Since I always drank
: for the wrong reasons (and know I will always), it is like trying
to
: comprehend the end of the universe. It does not compute!
:
: Thanks!
:
: Kirk S.
:
:

i drank to get high, relax, and enjoy myself...........i know some
folks will argue that i simply wanted to get drunk, but that is not
the case..........................my problem was once i achieved
that "high" place, i would drink more to try and maintain it and
would get drunk and out of control.
believe me, i practiced! to no avail.
:)

[Julie]

"Michael" <myspot@universe.com> wrote in message
news:B_dhc.24555$G_.24135@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
> Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night, can't
> sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't. I don't drive when
> drinking, I have a normal family life with a wife and 2 kids. I don't
ignore
> my responsibilities, I am self employed and realize that if I drink too
much
> I can take off the next day if I want, but I don't because I am self
> employed and it would be too easy to do. I take my kids hiking, camping,
> playing at the beach. In other words, I have a problem with drinking but
> don't have a problem with living with it. I don't normally drink to the
> point that I slur or stumble or can't perform like a father. I drink after
5
> and quit before 10, usually about 7 american beers (yeah, i'm weak)
> weekends, about 10 - 12 beers, usually starting around 3, after chores and
> starting to relax around the pool, etc. Is this description a "functional
> alchololic"? Do people progress from this to bad things? Is this damaging
my
> health? I am 42, 5-8", 170lbs., white male. I have a bit of a gut but it
> could be worse. I have been drinking nearly every day for well over 12
> years.
>
> Input is welcome but please be constructive.
> Thanks much,
> --Michael
>
Honestly answer this short lost of questions and follow the advice that
results.
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/default/en_about_aa.cfm?pageid=4
IS A.A. FOR YOU?
Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A.a try -
whether you think it can help you.


We who are in A.A. came because we finally gave up trying to control our
drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then we
heard from other A.A. members that we were sick. (We thought so for years!)
We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and
loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these
feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism.

We decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are some
of the questions we tried to answer honestly. If we answered YES to four or
more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do.
Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a
problem.


Answer YES or NO to the following questions.
1 - Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted
for a couple of days?
Most of us in A.A. made all kinds of promises to ourselves and to our
families. We could not keep them. Then we came to A.A. A.A. said: "Just try
not to drink today." (If you do not drink today, you cannot get drunk
today.)


Yes No
2 - Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking--
stop telling you what to do?
In A.A. we do not tell anyone to do anything. We just talk about our own
drinking, the trouble we got into, and how we stopped. We will be glad to
help you, if you want us to.


Yes No
3 - Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope
that this would keep you from getting drunk?
We tried all kinds of ways. We made our drinks weak. Or just drank beer. Or
we did not drink cocktails. Or only drank on weekends. You name it, we tried
it. But if we drank anything with alcohol in it, we usually got drunk
eventually.


Yes No
4 - Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?
Do you need a drink to get started, or to stop shaking? This is a pretty
sure sign that you are not drinking "socially."


Yes No
5 - Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
At one time or another, most of us have wondered why we were not like most
people, who really can take it or leave it.


Yes No
6 - Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
Be honest! Doctors say that if you have a problem with alcohol and keep on
drinking, it will get worse -- never better. Eventually, you will die, or
end up in an institution for the rest of your life. The only hope is to stop
drinking.


Yes No
7 - Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
Before we came into A.A., most of us said that it was the people or problems
at home that made us drink. We could not see that our drinking just made
everything worse. It never solved problems anywhere or anytime.


Yes No
8 - Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get
enough?
Most of us used to have a "few" before we started out if we thought it was
going to be that kind of party. And if drinks were not served fast enough,
we would go some place else to get more.


Yes No
9 - Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even
though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?
Many of us kidded ourselves into thinking that we drank because we wanted
to. After we came into A.A., we found out that once we started to drink, we
couldn't stop.


Yes No
10 - Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?
Many of us admit now that we "called in sick" lots of times when the truth
was that we were hung-over or on a drunk.


Yes No
11 - Do you have "blackouts"?
A "blackout" is when we have been drinking hours or days which we cannot
remember. When we came to A.A., we found out that this is a pretty sure sign
of alcoholic drinking.


Yes No
12 - Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?
Many of us started to drink because drinking made life seem better, at least
for a while. By the time we got into A.A., we felt trapped. We were drinking
to live and living to drink. We were sick and tired of being sick and tired.


Yes No





Did you answer YES four or more times? If so, you are probably in trouble
with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. have
said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves - the hard
way.

But again, only you can decide whether you think A.A. is for you. Try to
keep an open mind on the subject. If the answer is YES, we will be glad to
show you how we stopped drinking ourselves. Just call.

A.A. does not promise to solve your life's problems. But we can show you how
we are learning to live without drinking "one day at a time." We stay away
from that "first drink." If there is no first one, there cannot be a tenth
one. And when we got rid of alcohol, we found that life became much more
manageable.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® is a fellowship of men and women who share their
experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their
common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.


a.. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting
through our own contributions.

b.. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization
or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses
nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other
alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Copyright © by The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.








>
>

[Michael]

Thank you for your kind words and advice. In the last post by Julie, I
answered yes to 3 questions.
#1. Yes, I cannot stop drinking even though I would like to (yes)
#2. My family is filled with Southern Baptist who make judgement on
everything, so eff that. (no eff them)
#3 I drink beer, that's it. (no)
#4 No
#5 No
#6 No
#7 No
#8 No
#9 No, relates to #1 I don't tell myself I can quit.
#10 yes, but normally planned and rarely.
#11 No
#12 Yes, deffinately, It costs me nearly 3 grand a year, the time I start
drinking is unproductive, But, I enjoy life and relationships, and actually
think about trying new things in my business and around the house. I stop
and think about the roses, should they be replanted, etc.

Thank you for your help, I anticipate your replies.

Thanks,
--Michael-
"Julie" <Julie919@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:z1ihc.16750$l75.7921@newsread2.news.atl.earth link.net...
>
> "Michael" <myspot@universe.com> wrote in message
> news:B_dhc.24555$G_.24135@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
> > Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night,
can't
> > sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't. I don't drive when
> > drinking, I have a normal family life with a wife and 2 kids. I don't
> ignore
> > my responsibilities, I am self employed and realize that if I drink too
> much
> > I can take off the next day if I want, but I don't because I am self
> > employed and it would be too easy to do. I take my kids hiking, camping,
> > playing at the beach. In other words, I have a problem with drinking but
> > don't have a problem with living with it. I don't normally drink to the
> > point that I slur or stumble or can't perform like a father. I drink
after
> 5
> > and quit before 10, usually about 7 american beers (yeah, i'm weak)
> > weekends, about 10 - 12 beers, usually starting around 3, after chores
and
> > starting to relax around the pool, etc. Is this description a
"functional
> > alchololic"? Do people progress from this to bad things? Is this
damaging
> my
> > health? I am 42, 5-8", 170lbs., white male. I have a bit of a gut but it
> > could be worse. I have been drinking nearly every day for well over 12
> > years.
> >
> > Input is welcome but please be constructive.
> > Thanks much,
> > --Michael
> >
> Honestly answer this short lost of questions and follow the advice that
> results.
> http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/default/en_about_aa.cfm?pageid=4
> IS A.A. FOR YOU?
> Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A.a try -
> whether you think it can help you.
>
>
> We who are in A.A. came because we finally gave up trying to control our
> drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then
we
> heard from other A.A. members that we were sick. (We thought so for
years!)
> We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and
> loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these
> feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism.
>
> We decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are
some
> of the questions we tried to answer honestly. If we answered YES to four
or
> more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do.
> Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a
> problem.
>
>
> Answer YES or NO to the following questions.
> 1 - Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only
lasted
> for a couple of days?
> Most of us in A.A. made all kinds of promises to ourselves and to our
> families. We could not keep them. Then we came to A.A. A.A. said: "Just
try
> not to drink today." (If you do not drink today, you cannot get drunk
> today.)
>
>
> Yes No
> 2 - Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking--
> stop telling you what to do?
> In A.A. we do not tell anyone to do anything. We just talk about our own
> drinking, the trouble we got into, and how we stopped. We will be glad to
> help you, if you want us to.
>
>
> Yes No
> 3 - Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope
> that this would keep you from getting drunk?
> We tried all kinds of ways. We made our drinks weak. Or just drank beer.
Or
> we did not drink cocktails. Or only drank on weekends. You name it, we
tried
> it. But if we drank anything with alcohol in it, we usually got drunk
> eventually.
>
>
> Yes No
> 4 - Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past
year?
> Do you need a drink to get started, or to stop shaking? This is a pretty
> sure sign that you are not drinking "socially."
>
>
> Yes No
> 5 - Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
> At one time or another, most of us have wondered why we were not like most
> people, who really can take it or leave it.
>
>
> Yes No
> 6 - Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
> Be honest! Doctors say that if you have a problem with alcohol and keep on
> drinking, it will get worse -- never better. Eventually, you will die, or
> end up in an institution for the rest of your life. The only hope is to
stop
> drinking.
>
>
> Yes No
> 7 - Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
> Before we came into A.A., most of us said that it was the people or
problems
> at home that made us drink. We could not see that our drinking just made
> everything worse. It never solved problems anywhere or anytime.
>
>
> Yes No
> 8 - Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not
get
> enough?
> Most of us used to have a "few" before we started out if we thought it was
> going to be that kind of party. And if drinks were not served fast enough,
> we would go some place else to get more.
>
>
> Yes No
> 9 - Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even
> though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?
> Many of us kidded ourselves into thinking that we drank because we wanted
> to. After we came into A.A., we found out that once we started to drink,
we
> couldn't stop.
>
>
> Yes No
> 10 - Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?
> Many of us admit now that we "called in sick" lots of times when the truth
> was that we were hung-over or on a drunk.
>
>
> Yes No
> 11 - Do you have "blackouts"?
> A "blackout" is when we have been drinking hours or days which we cannot
> remember. When we came to A.A., we found out that this is a pretty sure
sign
> of alcoholic drinking.
>
>
> Yes No
> 12 - Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not
drink?
> Many of us started to drink because drinking made life seem better, at
least
> for a while. By the time we got into A.A., we felt trapped. We were
drinking
> to live and living to drink. We were sick and tired of being sick and
tired.
>
>
> Yes No
>
>
>
>
>
> Did you answer YES four or more times? If so, you are probably in trouble
> with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. have
> said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves - the
hard
> way.
>
> But again, only you can decide whether you think A.A. is for you. Try to
> keep an open mind on the subject. If the answer is YES, we will be glad to
> show you how we stopped drinking ourselves. Just call.
>
> A.A. does not promise to solve your life's problems. But we can show you
how
> we are learning to live without drinking "one day at a time." We stay away
> from that "first drink." If there is no first one, there cannot be a tenth
> one. And when we got rid of alcohol, we found that life became much more
> manageable.
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----
>
> ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® is a fellowship of men and women who share their
> experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their
> common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
>
>
> a.. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
> There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting
> through our own contributions.
>
> b.. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics,
organization
> or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither
endorses
> nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help
other
> alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
>
> Copyright © by The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> >
>
>

[Blue Moon]

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:49:58 GMT, "Kirk S."
<kspradling@nospamkc.rr.com> wrote:

>This isn't to appear argumentative, as an alcoholic, I don't understand why
>people drink if it isn't to get drunk. Are there really any correct reasons
>to use alcohol? I always remembered an ad from when I was a child: If you
>have to drink to be social, it isn't social drinking.

As I said recently, I spend years drinking yet trying very hard to not
get drunk. I needed the effect, but I really didn't like all the
side-effects.

Any dependency on alcohol is not a good idea. But there are some who
are able to choose between a beer or a lemonade, and seem to get no
buzz from either. My father is one such individual. Why does he
drink a beer on occasions? I've no idea, other than it's just another
choice. Why choose beer? .... But why choose lemonade? Same
question, for him.

You or I don't understand him any better than he would understand you
or I.

Before I quit drinking "alcohol abuse" was knocking over a half-full
bottle, or leaving a glass half-empty at the bar.

--
Blue Moon

[Scott Davis]

Michael wrote:

> Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night, can't
> sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't. I don't drive when
> drinking, I have a normal family life with a wife and 2 kids. I don't ignore
> my responsibilities, I am self employed and realize that if I drink too much
> I can take off the next day if I want, but I don't because I am self
> employed and it would be too easy to do. I take my kids hiking, camping,
> playing at the beach. In other words, I have a problem with drinking but
> don't have a problem with living with it. I don't normally drink to the
> point that I slur or stumble or can't perform like a father. I drink after 5
> and quit before 10, usually about 7 american beers (yeah, i'm weak)
> weekends, about 10 - 12 beers, usually starting around 3, after chores and
> starting to relax around the pool, etc. Is this description a "functional
> alchololic"? Do people progress from this to bad things? Is this damaging my
> health? I am 42, 5-8", 170lbs., white male. I have a bit of a gut but it
> could be worse. I have been drinking nearly every day for well over 12
> years.
>
> Input is welcome but please be constructive.
> Thanks much,
> --Michael

I haven't read this NG in 6+ months. Michael, your habits are
shockingly similar to mine.

I am also self employed. I make about $75k/annum, Canadian bucks.

The reason I'm self employed is because I have (self-diagnosed)
hyper-active/depressive behaviours that result in me "spazzing out" and
confronting my co-workers/friends for no good reason.

Given my druthers, I drink 4-6 canadian beers (haha) on each and every
weekday evening, then 12+ on the weekend.

Is 12 beers harmful? No offense, but I think you already know the
answer. I'm sure there are liver and other toxicity problems, nevermind
that after you're up to beer 4,6 or 8 -- you're drunk as a skunk and
this is how you "normally" socialize with your family.

I "white knuckled it" and managed to drink nothing from Monday through
Friday for about two months. I was shocked at how much more productive
I was.

I learned how bad hangovers feel.. instead of being perpetually
hungover/drunk.

You've got a challenge in your future. It sounds like you're about
ready to seek change.

Generally, you can do it in one of two ways;

1) Suck it up, white-knuckle it and go cold turkey. (see "rational
recovery")
2) Get into AA/group, individual therapy, or seek the advice of your GP/MD.

If you're drinking to escape from depression, go with option 2. There
are great anti-depressants available these days. Be forewarned.. my
therapist told me I'd have to be sober for 30 days before I could even
begin to talk with a Psychologist about meds.

I'm in Canada -- your medical services may be different.

if you're drinking to escape from some personality conflict/issue ..
sort it out. How you do it is up to you -- but do it promptly.



Oh, yeah. The other thing I found quite helpful was maintaining a daily
calendar of drink counts. I.e. 3 drinks, pen "3" on the calendar.
Guilt can work, for short periods of time.. for me, anyhow.


Good luck.

[Scott Davis]

Michael wrote:

> Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night, can't
> sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't. I don't drive when
> drinking, I have a normal family life with a wife and 2 kids. I don't ignore
> my responsibilities, I am self employed and realize that if I drink too much
> I can take off the next day if I want, but I don't because I am self
> employed and it would be too easy to do. I take my kids hiking, camping,
> playing at the beach. In other words, I have a problem with drinking but
> don't have a problem with living with it. I don't normally drink to the
> point that I slur or stumble or can't perform like a father. I drink after 5
> and quit before 10, usually about 7 american beers (yeah, i'm weak)
> weekends, about 10 - 12 beers, usually starting around 3, after chores and
> starting to relax around the pool, etc. Is this description a "functional
> alchololic"? Do people progress from this to bad things? Is this damaging my
> health? I am 42, 5-8", 170lbs., white male. I have a bit of a gut but it
> could be worse. I have been drinking nearly every day for well over 12
> years.
>
> Input is welcome but please be constructive.
> Thanks much,
> --Michael

I haven't read this NG in 6+ months. Michael, your habits are
shockingly similar to mine.

I am also self employed. I make about $75k/annum, Canadian bucks.

The reason I'm self employed is because I have (self-diagnosed)
hyper-active/depressive behaviours that result in me "spazzing out" and
confronting my co-workers/friends for no good reason.

Given my druthers, I drink 4-6 canadian beers (haha) on each and every
weekday evening, then 12+ on the weekend.

Is 12 beers harmful? No offense, but I think you already know the
answer. I'm sure there are liver and other toxicity problems, nevermind
that after you're up to beer 4,6 or 8 -- you're drunk as a skunk and
this is how you "normally" socialize with your family.

I "white knuckled it" and managed to drink nothing from Monday through
Friday for about two months. I was shocked at how much more productive
I was.

I learned how bad hangovers feel.. instead of being perpetually
hungover/drunk.

You've got a challenge in your future. It sounds like you're about
ready to seek change.

Generally, you can do it in one of two ways;

1) Suck it up, white-knuckle it and go cold turkey. (see "rational
recovery")
2) Get into AA/group, individual therapy, or seek the advice of your GP/MD.

If you're drinking to escape from depression, go with option 2. There
are great anti-depressants available these days. Be forewarned.. my
therapist told me I'd have to be sober for 30 days before I could even
begin to talk with a Psychologist about meds.

I'm in Canada -- your medical services may be different.

if you're drinking to escape from some personality conflict/issue ..
sort it out. How you do it is up to you -- but do it promptly.



Oh, yeah. The other thing I found quite helpful was maintaining a daily
calendar of drink counts. I.e. 3 drinks, pen "3" on the calendar.
Guilt can work, for short periods of time.. for me, anyhow.


Good luck.

[Bryan Ekberg]

All I'm going to say is this. If your worried about your health see a
doctor. If you question whether you drink too much go to an AA meeting. If
you go to a meeting that is no obligation for you not to drink. Listen to
what other people have to say and decide from there. I'm an alcoholic and
I'm going to treatment and meetings. On my way to jail too. I've had
negative consequences from my drinking and it sounds like you haven't at
least legally. That's been most of my problem with alcohol. From what I've
read and learned about alcoholism usually an alcoholic gets worse, not
better. But anyway that is for you to decide and if you go to a meeting you
have nothing to lose. Hear what people got to say. Normally they just talk
about there own experiences with alcohol, maybe you'll relate to some of
them, maybe not. Ultimately it is up to you to decide if you have a drinking
problem or not. And if you do decide you do and want to quit, AA is a great
tool. I see lots of people who start AA and aren't sure if they have a
drinking problems, some stay some don't. I just think that's a good place
to start if your not sure.
"Scott Davis" <sdavis@EscTech.ca.NOPICKLE.lastrants> wrote in message
news:40A5E74E.8090503@EscTech.ca.NOPICKLE.lastrant s...
> Michael wrote:
>
> > Hi, I'm an alchoholic and still drink. I drink too much every night,
can't
> > sleep if I don't, depressed and bored if I don't. I don't drive when
> > drinking, I have a normal family life with a wife and 2 kids. I don't
ignore
> > my responsibilities, I am self employed and realize that if I drink too
much
> > I can take off the next day if I want, but I don't because I am self
> > employed and it would be too easy to do. I take my kids hiking, camping,
> > playing at the beach. In other words, I have a problem with drinking but
> > don't have a problem with living with it. I don't normally drink to the
> > point that I slur or stumble or can't perform like a father. I drink
after 5
> > and quit before 10, usually about 7 american beers (yeah, i'm weak)
> > weekends, about 10 - 12 beers, usually starting around 3, after chores
and
> > starting to relax around the pool, etc. Is this description a
"functional
> > alchololic"? Do people progress from this to bad things? Is this
damaging my
> > health? I am 42, 5-8", 170lbs., white male. I have a bit of a gut but it
> > could be worse. I have been drinking nearly every day for well over 12
> > years.
> >
> > Input is welcome but please be constructive.
> > Thanks much,
> > --Michael
>
> I haven't read this NG in 6+ months. Michael, your habits are
> shockingly similar to mine.
>
> I am also self employed. I make about $75k/annum, Canadian bucks.
>
> The reason I'm self employed is because I have (self-diagnosed)
> hyper-active/depressive behaviours that result in me "spazzing out" and
> confronting my co-workers/friends for no good reason.
>
> Given my druthers, I drink 4-6 canadian beers (haha) on each and every
> weekday evening, then 12+ on the weekend.
>
> Is 12 beers harmful? No offense, but I think you already know the
> answer. I'm sure there are liver and other toxicity problems, nevermind
> that after you're up to beer 4,6 or 8 -- you're drunk as a skunk and
> this is how you "normally" socialize with your family.
>
> I "white knuckled it" and managed to drink nothing from Monday through
> Friday for about two months. I was shocked at how much more productive
> I was.
>
> I learned how bad hangovers feel.. instead of being perpetually
> hungover/drunk.
>
> You've got a challenge in your future. It sounds like you're about
> ready to seek change.
>
> Generally, you can do it in one of two ways;
>
> 1) Suck it up, white-knuckle it and go cold turkey. (see "rational
> recovery")
> 2) Get into AA/group, individual therapy, or seek the advice of your
GP/MD.
>
> If you're drinking to escape from depression, go with option 2. There
> are great anti-depressants available these days. Be forewarned.. my
> therapist told me I'd have to be sober for 30 days before I could even
> begin to talk with a Psychologist about meds.
>
> I'm in Canada -- your medical services may be different.
>
> if you're drinking to escape from some personality conflict/issue ..
> sort it out. How you do it is up to you -- but do it promptly.
>
>
>
> Oh, yeah. The other thing I found quite helpful was maintaining a daily
> calendar of drink counts. I.e. 3 drinks, pen "3" on the calendar.
> Guilt can work, for short periods of time.. for me, anyhow.
>
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
>

[rosie]

: "Scott Davis" <sdavis@EscTech.ca.NOPICKLE.lastrants> wrote in
message
: news:40A5E74E.8090503@EscTech.ca.NOPICKLE.lastrant s...

:..................... I see lots of people who start AA and aren't
sure if they have a
: drinking problems, some stay, some don't. I just think that's a
good place
: to start if your not sure.


great advise!

rosie