SOBER BEGINNERS Community Group

This is a group for those that have 2 years or less or sobriety.We tell what we are going threw and share thoughts and opinions on new sobriety

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New - Sober 30 days, how do I know I'm alcoho

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Everyone, new to this AA, sober 30 days (second time around). I haven't heard my "story" yet. Long story short, never had a DUI, never been in a detox. I'm 54, used to have blackouts in my 20's, haven't had one since. Used to drink lots with my fiance and after marriage with our friends. Was raised in alcoholic home (mother was alcoholic). When my son left for college last September, I was drinking 1/2 bottle wine almost every night. Some nights I would really get dizzy, but I would never get in the car and go out.

I'm bipolar, take Lithium, Trazodone, Topomax and Zoloft. My therapist says I shouldn't drink - my psychiatrist says it's OK to have "one or two".

I go to about 3 AA meetings/week. Joined a group. I hear stories that would curl your hair, and it's hard for me to identify because I haven't had these horrible things happen. Members say "yet", they haven't happend yet, and "keep coming".

How do I know that I'm alcoholic and not just a problem drinker???

Thanks
deleted_user
deleted_user
Don't know. It's a good question. Only you know. I usually only drink ebough to get hungover (I get hangovers on 3 drinks) maybe a couple times a month, but I think I still may be an alcoholic, because of how alcohol makes me feel. It's a long progression down a slippery slope. You might not have gone as far as others, but it doesn't mean you don't have the potential to.
stickywick
stickywick
Can you have just one drink then walk away? I don't take any medications, but, I was drinking 1/2 bottle to a full bottle of wine almost every night. I didnt like to do social things that would "interfere" with my ability to drink. I never had a DUI, never had to go to rehab, never lost a day of work, let alone a job or money, or a relationship over booze. BUT it was getting more and more of my time, between thinking about it, recovering from it, and drinking. Just not healthy.
I'm not sure if I was/ am alcoholic or a problem drinker. Either one means I shouldnt drink. So I don't.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Midge19,

it try only you can say if you an alcoholic or not. I'm only just real understand this after 232 days off being sober. my best addvies to you is to real stop and thing about they questen:

1.powerless and unmanageable?
2. Have you been using Drink to run away from something?
3. Are you using Drinking to give youself power over some you feel you have not power over?

If you intersted you can allso read my post New here.... wand to share ware I'm at. Sorry cand of long. My sorry may or may not be esaer for you to ideantify with. As like you I never had any thing wares then throing up at a party.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I get where your coming from. I can usually weeks without drinking on will power alone and I have been trying to do that more often now that I want to be healthier. I went to AA and really felt like I had to hit bottom to be able to let AA help me. I do think there are different types of alcoholics and the functioning alcoholic definitly has less problems but still remains stuck in a unhealthy lifestyle. Well good luck on your path to recovery.