I Have Become an Alchoholic

[Lisa2525]

Hi there! 

I don't know how it happened but I started noticing how a bottle of beer could make me happier every evening and how difficult it was not to get drunk at a party. I told my friends about it but they didn't notice my new "habits". So I started googling (of course!), found such articles as this one https://addictionresource.com/alcohol/treatment/how-to-quit-drinking/ which says some of the warning signs of dependence on alcoholic drinks are when a person cannot have fun without alcohol, needs a progressively greater number of drinks to feel high, starts drinking alone, etc. Those are the points which are familiar to me. So I got nervous - should I find an AA group or everything is ok? What do you think?

[Psyche_92]

How do you know for sure that you are addicted? Have you tried not drinking for a while? Do you think about alcohol a lot?

I suggest abstaining for a while to see if you are actually getting withdrawal symptoms etc to make sure you are addicted.

Edited July 31, 2019 by Psyche_92

[OctagonOctopus]

Just stop drinking for awhile? There could be feelings one is running away from, but you couldn’t know unless you stop and feel whatever feelings comes up. True happiness comes from being at peace with oneself.

[okulele]

33 minutes ago, Lisa2525 said:

should I find an AA group or everything is ok?

Ask yourself. I mean it.

If you are writing this post, maybe you could benefit from it. Going to a AA meeting will not hurt, it could be an interesting experience.

[Michael569]

Maybe you need different friends who do not need to drink alcohol to have a good time. Or less socialising general and spending more quality time alone? 

Alcohol is often more of a social "obligation" because people don't want to become the odd one abstaining so genuinely contemplating on your current social circles and assessing how well do these really serve you could be a good start rather than looking for AA group. 

An alcoholic, in my vocabulary, is someone who needs drink to be on ground zero which means emotionally and physiologically stable.  If that's not you, then you don't have this problem....yet. If you need alcohol to feel "normal" you have a problem. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Michael569

[Forestluv]

@Lisa2525 It seems like your mind and body is uncomfortable with the amount and pattern of your drinking. Enough so that you have spoken to friends about it, searched for information online and started a thread on a forum to discuss it. Yet, I would be cautious about adopting an identity that “I am an alcoholic” or adopting the opposite of “I am not an alcoholic”. There may be something minor going on and few tweaks in perspective and behavior is all you need -  such as making some new friends and engaging in new activities. Or there may be something deeper going on that needs more work to resolve, which may involve counseling or a support group. There are a variety of support groups available - both online and face-to-face. If you feel drawn to this route, I would encourage you to find one that resonates with you and feels healthy.

[Alexop]

If you drink daily, then your brain made a connection between alcohol and "happiness", I mean that feeling of dead peace an addiction gives you. Better to not underestimate to power of alcohol. I lived with alcoholics for 6 months while I worked abroad, also I work now in an asylum where I have patients who completely went insane from drinking too much alcohol. Those guys with whom I worked were just sucked into that unconscious culture of drinking all day with their friends from an early age, BUT some of my patients were respected intellectuals from which you could bet they can`t fall into that "stupid" addition of uneducated people. The mind tries to find a way out from suffering, it can pick a lot of stuff, from alcohol and coffee to running and hiking if you can believe. I think overall improvement of your life should kill your addictions. Earning money by doing your passion, having deep authentic connections with awesome people (who don`t drink) and meditating alone would be a great.

[Leo Gura]

Replace alcohol with psychdelics.

The original cure for alcoholism via AA used LSD.

Everyone forgot the LSD! Now it's all talk and no mysticism.

The founder of AA used LSD to heal himself.

P.S. Nothing wrong with AA. But understand that your problems go deeper than talk can fix.

[dinone]

4 hours ago, Lisa2525 said:

I don't know how it happened but I started noticing how a bottle of beer could make me happier every evening

How much do you drink at day? One bottle of beer at day is not something to worry.

[d0ornokey]

https://hopkinspsychedelic.org 

https://mobile.twitter.com/i/web/status/1131231182337781762

88% of alcoholics drop it after lsd 

Edited July 31, 2019 by d0ornokey

[Bill W]

If you go down the AA route, stopping alcohol use is only the beginning. AA has more to offer than anyone can realise, unless you have experienced AA for yourself and PUT THE WORK IN. 

Self honesty (total not just partial), willing to keep an open mind, and willing to surrender self centredness equals success for you in any 12 step programme you choose to engage in. 

[Bodigger]

I agree with Bill W.....

AA does not tell you to not drink.

It simply show's you how you can live.....if you are willing and work at it.  Go to a meeting and find out for yourself.  There are open meetings for people who are curious and want to learn more about the 12 step program.  IMO This sounds better than jumping into psychedelics.

[Psychonaut]

@Lisa2525 How long have you kept this habit up? Is it weeks, months or years?

Maybe you don't want to be at the party and that is why you drink a little more?

I have also had times in which I drank about 3 bottles of wine per week. I stopped doing that for no particular reason. However, it only was about 2 months in which I did that. It also was rather expensive for me.