Am I becoming an alcoholic?

Question

I used to have a very serious drug addiction when I was a teenager [nothing "hard", just pharmaceuticals] , but I no longer have that problem. I have been clean for years. Is it possible to easily fall into alcoholism or any other addiction once you have been a drug addict?

I just moved out to California and I don't know anyone. And the people I do know, I hate and will not hang out with. I am very isolated and lonely and am really regretting my decision to move out here. Sometimes when I get depressed or angry, I drink by myself. I only do that about once or twice a month, and I only have enough drinks to get tipsy, but I still don't think it is a healthy behavior.

But people my age drink to get trashed every weekend when they are hanging out in groups.. isn't that worse than what I am doing?

I really need advice. I don't want this to get like my pill addiction, if that is even possible at this rate. Please, no childish responses.

Answer 1

stay away from drinking, many addicts replace one addiction for another

Answer 2

you're using alcohol as an escape, in a similar way you probably used pills.  

Answer 3

well, according to me, you R getting addicted, im sorry to say

when i mean addicted, it is when u want to drink at a regular time of the day, and when u dont get the liquor at any day, you tend to get lousy and aggressive

if this is the case, then u r addicted

try consulting ur doctor or be stress-free, keep ur cool, and say it to urself that ''im not gonna drink today''

Answer 4

As a former alcoholic myself, I appreciate your question and I hope this is a useful response.

It does not sound at this point as though you are addicted to alcohol at all and your very concern that you might be going in that direction indicates that you probably won't.  However, even if you are not going down the road to addiction again, that doesn't mean that getting tipsy by yourself is a great way of handling your situation.  As you said yourself, it isn't healthy behavior.  Maybe the thing to do is to figure out some healthier ways of dealing with the anger and depression, other than sitting alone and drinking.  I don't know what you like to do with your spare time, but I don't drink at all, ever, so I deal with issues like this by exercising (not to excess either), reading a really good book, cooking a gourmet meal, etc.  There are so many good things to do besides drink and you don't have a headache the next day!

Answer 5

well the fact that you were addicted to pills means you have an addictive personality, so i would say that you are at  a high risk for alcoholism given your history of drug problems.

don't think about what other people are doing- maybe they're developing a problem, and even if they're not- you're not them.  it doesn't matter if what they're doing is worse, you still can be wrong.

you clearly aren't comfortable with the fact that you drink.  if i were you i'd stop, if you're concerned it's good that you're recognizing the problem early.  who needs that stuff anyway?

Answer 6

Yes you can become addicted even though you have been addicted to drugs because you obviously have an addictive personality.  And drinking to forget or hide from feelings is not healthy at all, even if it is only once or twice a month.  I suggest you quit while your ahead.  And the people that drink every weekend, that isn't the healthiest thing to do either... Stop while your ahead.