Quote: There is only one question you have to answer.
If you yourself think that you "may" be an alcoholic, then you are one. Social drinkers never have this issue. Alcohoism in the beginning is a disease whose bonds are so loose they cannot be felt..later they become so tight the cannot be broken.

I said to you: I think therefore I am.

Why is it you don't respond to that? I would like a more detailed explanation of this.

#1 Texan

Do you mean you think you are an alcoholic? If you

have wondered if you are an alcoholic then you have a

drinking problem. This question is one of the tests

that are used by alcoholism counselors. I dont know

the history of it but the alcoholic himself is the only

person who knows how his personality reacts when he

drinks alcohol. Any change in personality after

drinking is a sign of alcoholism. Any blackout is

a sign of alcoholism. From what you have written

I would say you are an alcoholic, if thats any help.

[This message has been edited by openseason (edited 03-14-2003).]

OpenSeason:
I disagree; misinformation can also cause a person to wonder about such things. Wondering and/or asking the question does not tell the tale so cut and dry as you would like to believe.
You have a tendency to lump everyone in your specified categories. This one asks... she's toast, throw her in that pile. This one is recovered...hmmm; put him in the "on hold" pile.
Do you ever think of people as individuals?

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Gina

Gina: All I have to go on is what Texan wrote in her

various posts. I did not say she was toast. Just

because she may be an alcoholic is not the end of the

world. All she has to do is quit drinking for six

weeks and see how she feels. Certain symptoms are

black and white with alcoholism, you understand that.

Now there you've lost me. How will not drinking for six weeks determine anything?

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Gina

Gina Lee

He picked that because he feels that is a good time period, If I go by what he says then I am not an alcoholic. I haven't had anything to drink since we took a trip to Louisianna in the fall, that's way more than 6 weeks wouldn't you say?
It is easier for some to have there little labled piles.
Thanks to you for your support
You are Special
#1Texan

Texan: If you only drink every few months thats one thing. But if you find you cannot control how much you drink on those occassions, and you end up getting drunk each time, then you have a problem.

By that definition, I am not an alcoholic. I've already said in another post that when I am out in public I never drink to excess; I drink slowly and never more than 2-3. I do not crave the beer; I'm perfectly fine with what is in front of me.
It is a subconscious and conscious act on my part. It also has no bearing on whether there is a designated driver either.
I simply choose not to allow alcohol to control me in public places.
Thank you! I'm not an alcoholic after all!!!

I also need to add that when I drink with a friend or partner or whatever; I also drink slowly and very little...whether at home or not. It is only when I'm alone that I get excessive.

Tex: Don't worry about me! OpenSeason has just declared me a non-alcoholic! Time to celebrate! Excuse me; I have a beer with my name on it waiting for me!!! Damn! I feel good now! Open, You are the best!

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Gina

[This message has been edited by GinaLee (edited 03-15-2003).]

Gina: Your case is easier. If more than 10 percent of your daily caloric intake is from the calories in alcohol, then you have a drinking problem.

Open: Don't you see the danger in what you are telling people? If I didn't already know better; what do you think are the chances of me ACTUALLY believing in what you said? It's generalized statements that I took literally for years that allowed me to continue on what I already know was wrong... But, Hey! The Experts said so! The Researcher's said so.

I am not saying that I wish you would go away. I have honestly a great deal of respect for you as I know that you have much information that would be of value to me and others.

But what I am saying is you have got to really pay attention to what you write and realize the impact on people that you don't even know. You can't put your thoughts or opinions as absolutes... there ARE some that will take your word for and end up turning their lives upside down unnecessarily. Do you understand?

Open, your biggest problem is that you don't explain enough. You don't offer the "gray" areas... in this arena, the gray areas need to be addressed and understood. Also remember, there are probably many who read these posts but never post themselves. They formulate their own diagnosis based on what they are reading. The information or opinions we make on this board must be handled with much care.

I do have respect for you; I would just like you to care more about the people you are responding to. Okay?

And, nobody's case is "easier"... we are all so unique. WE are all individuals... okay?

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Gina

Well there really is no grey area when it is alcoholism. Like you state so many times its a killer, and there are millions of alcoholics out there. 20 percent of the alcoholic drinkers consume 80 percent of all the alcohol sold, and that wrecks a liver. A person has to look at what they consume daily compared to what is called social drinking, which is one or two drinks.

Why do you completely avoid the point of my post?

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Gina

OpenSeason I have a question if you have the time?
About 10 years ago I used to go out EVERY Saturday night to a club for dancing and drinking they kinda went together for me back then. I didnt even think of drinking or anything except for that night. But soon as I got there and took that first drink of the night I couldnt stop untill I was either drunk or felt that next drink would make me sick. It was just Saturdays and I did not crave or think about drinking all week. I ALWAYS got hangovers too the next day no matter if I had 2 drinks or 10. As I got older I didnt go out as much maybe once a month but it was still the same thing. Didnt care or think about drinking untill I took that first drink of the evening and not drinking very much anymore it only took about 4 Mikes hard Lemonades to take me to my "limit" for the night and of course I got the hangovers the next day. Anyway 4 years ago I got sick of the hangovers and after a night out and only 2 and a half drinks I got the hangover of my life the next day I was vomitting ALL day which I have never done it was only once in the morning and headache all day. The headache I had was like none I have ever had it was awful. So I have never touched a drop of alcohol since that night 4 years ago. My question for you is...Was I a type of Alcoholic back then? I have read other places that I was and could I possibly if I decided to go out now after 4 years and just have ONE drink without being like before and having to drink untill I was drunk? Probably only take one drink now to get that way but its just a question thats been floating in my head I would love if you could kinda shed some light on this for me. I have friends that are always asking me to go to a club just to hang out and here buying a soda is the same price as a mixed drink so I was thinking a drink wouldnt hurt but I do not want to be like before and get drunk and have that awful hangover. Can ya help me out here? Thank you in advance...oh and anyone else that can offer input feel free to do so.

Gina....How are you doing?? Let me know how you day was today. I am proud of ya girl and you have my continued support.

Luv
Autumn.

Autumn: You have two things to consider. Can you stop drinking when you want to once you take that first drink of the evening. If you cannot stop until you are drunk that is alcoholism. Even though someone only drinks once a week alcoholism can still be progressing in that person. Social drinkers do not have to set limits on their drinking because they never loose control of their drinking.

If there have been occassions when you have lost control of your drinking or yourself, you are an alcoholic and should quit drinking altogether.

Thank you Open season....I have quit I havent touched a drop in 4 years. But I didnt want to take the chance and take that one drink either. I will stay a non drinker thank you.

Autumn

I figured you would not want to start after not drinking for years. You are very lucky. Brightest blessings.