Am I an Alcoholic? Please help!

Question

started drinking and doing drugs at the age of 13. Pot, LSD, Cocaine, Ecstasy, etc. I was never severly addicted and was pretty much a weekend user, however I used hard when I used. This went on until I was 23 and overdosed on X and Alcohol. I would have probably died if my girlfriend at the time had not found me. I gave everything up after that for almost 5 years, even alcohol. The initial withdrawals to my brain were horrible. I went on an anti-depressant, which helped a great deal and I built a life for myself. It should be noted that my depression was related to the death of my mother when I was 18 and my only brother when I was 21.I met my ex-wife when I was 28 and began drinking occasionally, but never really getting drunk.She did some horrible things to me which ended in a divorce and me binge drinking from time to time and some occassional cocaine use. Clearly I know the cocaine use is unnacceptable,but I don't know if I am an alcoholic.Sometimes I drink way too much,but it is not everytime I drink.For example,yesterday I had one beer and had no desire to have another.I go to meetings and it seems that the people talk about craving to drink.I don't crave to drink,I just tend to be more unhappy and make worse decisions when I'm drinking.I need guidance because clearly i would have never overdosed unless I had a serious problem correct?

Answer 1

I grew up with that - periods of abstinance, periods of very light drinking, times a little more moderate drinking, and some times of real binging.  The abstinance and light drinking was for appearance, don't look like an alcoholic or loose family.  It all made much of my childhood h**l. You are an alcoholic.  Don't fool yourself.

Answer 2

You obviously have had bad things in you life happen and dealt with it by using drugs and alcohol. Why did you start abusing drugs at age 13?

There are guidelines for alcoholism available everywhere including the internet.

Since you started drug use at an early age and you say it's a coping mechanism, I would say you have a problem.  If you are attending meetings, that should tip you off that you have a problem. Aren't they called "Alcoholics Anonymous"?

I would seek therapy and treatment. Your life isn't going to get any better until you do.  

Answer 3

Hello, I feel this way.

Anytime a person looks to an activity or substance to deal with things that are painful, you are dependent on that thing.

  It seems to me that you use alcohol and drugs to "Feel" better and that makes you addicted.

  There are better and less destructive ways to deal with stress and bad feelings.

  Talk to a trusted friend, take a vacation( I go to estes park, colorado)

Also, a pastor is a great person to talk to,and if you are a christian, God is the BEST person to talk to.

  Just always remember that you are loved by someone, and most of all Him.

  Keep going to the meetings and talk to the other members.

I wish you all the best, and hope this helps.

Answer 4

You are an alcoholic and addicted to drugs as well.  You must take responsibility for your drinking and using and do not blame them on things that go on in your life (and everyone's).  Go to an AA meeting, get into rehab.  Quit destroying your life.

Answer 5

Only you can decide if you're an alcoholic or not.  But let me give you a little advice:  start going to meetings and really *listen* to what the speakers have to say.  Instead of looking for all the reasons you don't belong in AA, try listening for all the reasons you do.  You just might surprise yourself.

Good Luck =)