Originally Posted by deadhead94

I want to know what these people think starts people drinking.

They seem to think alcoholics just fall out of the sky.

Originally Posted by SageTree

You are being too either-or about this deadhead.
This is a dual-spectrum disorder and isn't always 100& completely mental and isn't 100% completely physical.

Thus, there are several ways to treat the issue... the physical and habitual portion... as well as the issues that may be causing the harmful behavior in the first place.

I understand and know that people DO drink to cover up problems...
But that is only one cause for 'abuse'.....
Thus 'abuse' is a symptom of the problem, which is what you are saying....

However let me give an example of the 'dual-ness'....

If you grew up in a household of alcoholics you are MUCH more likely to try drinking at some point, and there are two probable causes as an example...

1. You see people drink... you drink... and then you stand a higher risk of abuse/addiction.

2. Because you grew up around people who drank too much (for whatever reasons), so your social environment might lead you to 'cover up' issues and problems in the past (since it's a higher risk environment), and since you're in a family of drinkers, you're likely to assume that is how people 'fix' stuff or self-medicate.

I personally think it's a little hard to tease those two apart in many cases...
It's rather 'chicken and egg', imo.

It's true though, I DO feel like I know more drinkers who are 'hiding' from something, rather than just picking it up...

But I know plenty of people who don't think they are 'alcoholics' because "This is how their parents,grandparents , brother, sisters, and their whole family, drank.... and they 'ok' people." (That is, they think that drinking that excessively is 'normal')


You point is clear deadhead, I think people here understand that 'covering up problems' is 'the root cause' and the drinking is the 'band-aid'....

But I think it's a little deeper than that, like I said.... sometimes you can't tell which came first... the learned behavior or the problem that gets covered up.


Most people no matter their involvement would say they have a drink(s) to relax... so in SOME way... we are ALL covering up problems... you could say... it's the destructive portion that makes the difference in this debate.


I implore you to get more WITH the conversation instead of debating what you feel alcoholism is and isn't....

Be WITH the OP in his concerns.... 'Do I have a Drinking problem?' is the presiding theme in the OP's remarks as opposed to 'Am I am Alcoholic?'

Help him decide that.... Alcoholism is a label with complex meaning...

A problem is a problem, so keep it more general for now if you can help it.

This isn't a debate forum.
If you aren't going to do more than dispute what Alcoholism means, feel free to see your way out of the conversation, cause you point is clear.... we get what you think.

Thanks for the contribution.... now say something else besides defending your point/pride.

Originally Posted by adventure

I Just looked up MSF. I that looks like a great cause. Do they have any ties with Doctors without Borders?

Originally Posted by reggiedrugs

Geez, I didn't mean for this thread to cause any drama.

Originally Posted by deadhead94

drinking by yourself or more than once a week doesn't make you an alcoholic. experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don't drink makes you an alcoholic.

you could very well be a drunk, but unless you need ethanol to function, you aren't an alcoholic.

Originally Posted by reggiedrugs

I really appreciate everyone's input. As for what I drink daily, it really differs. Last night I had half a dozen tallboys of Guinness and a couple shots of Jameson with each beer. Some nights I'll just drink 4-6 beers, some nights I'll do shots with the beers, some nights I'll just do shot, some nights I'll have 5-6 glasses of whisky/vodka, other nights I'll just start chugging straight from the bottle. Really depends how my day was, what my funds are and what I have access to. On a typical week I drink about 2-3 twenty sixers of liqour and maybe buy a 6 pack or a 12 pack of beer. Then I go to the bar maybe once or twice a week on top of that too.

I used to drink every morning but I stopped that because I was getting too fucked up before class. I quit smoking weed for a couple years for multiple reasons but started smoking again daily this year. That's what I do in the morning instead. It's more of a reward thing for me. I find it had getting out of the bed in the morning unless you have something to look forward to. The older I get the less there is to look forward to I'm finding.

I go to college which I don't enjoy, I work a job I don't enjoy, I have no close friends, close family or a significant other. Every day just feels like a grind that's really not leading me anywhere but I realize school and work are things you have to do so I do them. I'm not failing any of my classes but I could be doing better, that's how school's always been for me though.

I remember in High School I hated it. I smoked a lot of weed, a lot more than I should have but it kind of pushed me through it. It's always been like a reward system. Do something shitty, get something out of it. When I quit smoking weed alcohol kind of became that for me. "Okay get through this shitty day of school/work and you can get drunk when you get home." The problem with this reward system is someone said it's a problem to think about alcohol all the time. Due to this reward system that's almost all I think about all day. That doesn't mean I can't wait and have to pull out a flask during class or anything. It's just something I'm always excited to do.

Being drunk isn't really a problem for me either. A lot of guys tend to get violent or rude or all sex crazed and use. I just completely mellow out. When I'm drunk I have no interest in fighting or bringing anyone home. I'm just happy to be zoned out. Like I said drinking hasn't really effected my school work or my job or even my relationships. I'm on the same term with my friends and family than when I wasn't drinking. The only problem I see is a good 90% of my paycheck is going towards alcohol/cigarettes/weed and sometimes gambling (although I cut way back on that). The other thing is there is the time here and there where I lose control. Doesn't happen on a daily basis but it does happen. I've had times where drinking at friends houses and everyone else is on their second beer and I've finished a mickey of whisky already and I kind of ask myself why did I drink so much. I've had other times where I head to a bar after one of my late night classes and then my folks tell me in the morning I came home completely smashed at like 3am and I don't even remember living the bar. Things like that worry me but again those happen every once and awhile and I imagine everyone here and there goes crazy drunk sometimes.

Originally Posted by Norm Papernick

Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad.

Originally Posted by Terrance McKenna

Nature is the great, visible engine of creativity against which all other created efforts are measured.

Originally Posted by SmokeaJoint

Reggie, you will find things alot more interesting when you drink less I bet From where I sit, it sounds like you have a bit of a drinking problem. I say this because IMO using a drug as a way to cope with negativity in life is unhealthy behavior. When one crosses the line from recreational use into self-medication is where it goes from "ok" to "a problem". I've seen it in family member and close friends alike. Medicating with a toxin like ethanol though... well you're poisoning yourself and there's no doubt there. I hope you find the strength and support to work through this hurdle brother.