Are you able to drink moderately? Or do you get drunk each time you pick up a glass?

I don't know whether you're an alcoholic versus a problem drinker. But if you get drunk every time you decide to drink then it's a problem on multiple levels.

I was never what they call a 'low bottom" drunk, and never drank in the mornings or at work. But I drank enough to cause myself health problems, and a lot of embarrassment.

You said you don't have much desire to drink......do you eventually drink anyway (in spite of it)? Even when you think you don't want to drink?

These are just questions that might be worth asking yourself.

I was a binge drinker as well. Could go for awhile without anything but when I did start to drink, I had no control over stopping. Drank until I passed out every single time. For me, it did become progressively worse over time. A lot of the "yets" that everyone talks about started to happen. I also wasn't much of a social drinker...I did my drinking at home, alone. If the drink controls you and you can't control the drink you have a problem.

There are many others on this board who are in AA and non-AA programs but I think the mutual desire of any program is of one to want to stop drinking. If that's what you have - then pick whatever type of program works best for you and work it. Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the feedback, like I said, I've gone months without a drink and I dont get drunk every time I drink. I stand corrected, I will have wine with dinner at a fine resturaunt (one glass). In college I was pretty out of control but still managed to graduate, I prettty much completely quit for 15 years until my kids got older. My family seems to think I have a low tolorance for the stuff, I still plan on attending meetings.

I stopped to support my son's efforts in AA...but I had noticed afew binging nights, and to be honest, I just think it is better for me to permanently stop now than to wait and see if things would get worse later. I too, drank to excess in college. again 10 years later when my husband and I met. and now, the kids are gone, and no one knows what goes on but the old man...still...I felt it did not lead to a good place and feel like it was the right choice for me. In the end, that is what matters. I love my son's open meetings that I have been to. I have not gone to any here. will I? I don't know. I do know AA saved my son's life.

Bill W one of the founders of AA was a binge drinker.

I've never lost anything to alcohol other than time and a little self respect.
Still I could relate to others in AA because we share a common problem. When I start drinking, I rarely stopped till I was drunk. I didnt have a drink then walk away.
Do you?

I understand what you mean. I can sometimes have had 1-2 drinks and call it a day, but on the other hand when I feel like it I could drink until the sun came up the next day. I was told that it has something to do with the primitive part of the brain. NOthing to do with logic or reasoning. Your body just kinda takes over and says that you want to drink this much, or you have to have more. I haven't drank in 6 months now. My counselor also told me that because of how irratic that kind of drinking is that is why people like us stop drinking, because it is so unpredictable. Then it all began to make sanse why I could wake up one morning and say I'm ready to stop and get help.

Binge drinker here as well. Through my 20"s and 30's just sporadically, and only when I was out with friends. Started my 40's off with an alcoholic (unbeknownst to me at the time) fiance, who eventually hit me. After I left him, I lived alone and started drinking at home alone a few nights a week; and it got progressively worse.

It's the home alone and lonely part that worries me for you. Drinking simply amplifies the lonely part and may lead you to isolate yourself and in turn increase your consumption,

That's what happened with me. I too found it hard to see myself as an alcoholic because I didn't NEED it to get through the day, I WANTED it to ease the lonely evenings. I chose alcohol over going out and trying to get interested in my own life. Closing in on 50 makes it that much harder to get out in the world and start new things, but it's better than being home alone with a bottle.

I wish you well with your choices.

Hi , I found this, might help. I got sober in AA many years ago. They urged us to listen up :) but to not disregard anything that might apply.
Billy
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:-qJDYNVt8PkJ:hamsnetwork.org/alcoholism/alcoholism.pdf+bil+wilson+aa+binge+drinker&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg51hragNQByTE_ck03ZSQrzqK5Q4OLFCaAjycXsN2n540ymVC5peSnIBlOWpQ8esGyRXT0HFWLZpXM5KDoDwXzkke9t6K5f8i6Me3EX9PsVy0jLa4EoQDrTqTeaDNx96xh8vYf&sig=AHIEtbQVO3e4zyF54EdKA2GFqzr7qo4tsg

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:-qJDYNVt8PkJ:hamsnetwork.org/alcoholism/alcoholism.pdf+bil+wilson+aa+binge+drinker&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg51hragNQByTE_ck03ZSQrzqK5Q4OLFCaAjycXsN2n540ymVC5peSnIBlOWpQ8esGyRXT0HFWLZpXM5KDoDwXzkke9t6K5f8i6Me3EX9PsVy0jLa4EoQDrTqTeaDNx96xh8vYf&sig=AHIEtbQVO3e4zyF54EdKA2GFqzr7qo4tsg

Here Google this and hit quick view:)
How the Meaning of the Word "Alcoholism" Has Changed

I was a daily drinker and couldn't stop and yet I have helped people through the 12 Step programme who are binge drinkers, the amount and pattern of drinking is not important, the loss of control and choice when we do drink is.

As Nicky pointed out, one of the founder members of AA was a binge drinker. In AA we are encouraged to look for the similarities, not the differences.

The only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. The basic text of AA and AA members will be able to help you decide for yourself whether or not you are alcoholic. Did you ask any questions, one to one, at AA about your concerns? You could ask for a temporary sponsor to help you with this or ask to be "12 Stepped."

The first four chapters of the Big Book will help you to you see where you can identify with AA's definition of alcoholism.

You can read the Big Book "Alcoholics Anonymous" online at aa.org, plus the many leaflets that AA publish for information.

AA is not the only place to achieve sobriety -and being a binger is no different than a daily drinker, a functioning or non functioning alcoholic. If you are wanting to achieve sobriety but don't feel AA is for you, then find different programs including private therapy. Most bingers IMO, are alkies that think they have control over their drinking.

Peace!

Its really nice to get all this positive feedback, it gives me a lot to think about and I sincerely appreciate everyones willingness to share. DS is a great place as nobody is judgemental.

I think for me it was that I was completely obsessed with getting drunk-even if I went a year without it. I kind of put myself on hold until I could drink again. That was no way to live. In the end I was drinking daily-but I too did my share of bingeing and it was no different in terms of it being a devastating and all consuming force in my life-holding me back from really living.