Drinking

I gave it up shortly after I met Auraraptor. I don't miss it. Sometimes I miss bacon though.

 

Drinking has been an issue in my family over the years. My parents were social drinkers, but one of my sisters has had bouts with alcoholism, which was the result of psychological issues. As for me, I got to a point where I had to realize I wasn't in college any more, and a night out didn't have to end up in black-out conditions. Drinking should be something going on in the background while you're out, or enjoying a moment say, out on the deck, whatever. It becomes a problem when you "go out drinking", with that being the sole purpose. Don't get me wrong, I still have my moments. But one of my best friends from college lives nearby, is divorced with shared custody of his son, and spends every free moment at a bar up the street getting hammered. And I never see him. I try to get him away to try other places, to go to dinner, to do anything but go to the same boring bar. It's his safety net.

I've been to AA meetings, and one of the things you will learn is the importance of not comparing and/or judging. Regardless of where you think you are in terms of alcohol, there will always be something you can take away from the meetings. Even if you only go a couple times. The bottom line is that it's good that you're aware of the potential for alcoholism and that you don't view alcohol as anything more than a liquid in a glass. As far as partying in Cabo, don't beat yourself up over that--been there and done it, and the place just begs for it!

 

I don't do it. If I could, I probably would waste far too much money on it anyway..and I have enough things that do that with already.

 

For me, it was a waste of money, grey matter and apologies. Stopped 11 years ago and life has been so much better. I don't preach, to each his own.

 

tgood:

Your description and family history does raise a red flag. The good part is you recognize the problem, or at least the possibility of a problem. It's amazing how many folks never see the problem obvious to every one else.

The family history is troubling, as it suggest a real genetic tendency for alcoholism in you.

Total abstinence would be a great idea, but might not fit your life style. If you do continue to drink, the 5 day binges are a real warning signal you are getting in trouble.

Good luck.


Not medical advice, blah, blah, blah....

 

Note my avatar.
If I had a family 'crest', it would have a bottle on it. Alchoholism is my family disease going back to before the turn of the century (the 1900 one), according to my 93 year old uncle.
We all drink to excess, yet we are all very successful, though I could not tell you why.
If you are even thinking that there might be a problem, there probably is, and you should confront it ASAP.
Look at the bright side--you will literally save enough money to pay for a used Ferrari if you if you quit drinking now.

 

My opinion: Moderation. If you can't do that, don't drink.

 

I think we've all had those mornings after LONG nights of heaving drinking when we say "I'm never drinking again!" It's alright if you have a drink in a social scene or even go a little overboard sometimes with close friends, if you ask me. The problem is when you find yourself drinking at home alone or saying "I NEED a drink." Oh, what do I know? I drink way too much but I have fun!

Alcoholism runs in my family as well. My dad's brother was an alcoholic. Cheers.

 

What's wrong with drinking alone? I hate last beer fist fights!

 

Haha.. there's nothing wrong with it at all unless you're concerned that you have an alcohol problem. If you know you don't have any issues then go for it, I've done it. I was just using it as an example. Again, I am no role model.. I'm 22 and I like to drink.

 

That's not what you're supposed to do with your fist, alone on a Friday night!

 

Now...drinking alone, say, in the bathroom with the stash is a problem. Drinking alone with a little intarweb and a movie is quite relaxing.

The main problem with reading FCHAT not at home is that I reach for a beer as the page loads. Fchat without a beer is like showering without soap.

 

TGood, I agree with SDorton... I've placed myself in several situations over the last year where I didn't drink in moderation and other people suffered because of it... Now, when I drink, I'm sure to pace myself and limit the number of drinks I have...

 

Haha! I think I'm going to go grab a glass of wine.

 

Same here, 7 years ago, at age 49. I don't miss it a bit. After age 45 or so, the body doesn't seem to process it very well.

 

I never really started. I had 4 beers at a party when I was 14 and I didn't like the way it tasted or the way I felt so. I never got into it. Besides when I was in high school I was kind of a celebrity because I didn't drink and in college I could pick up girls like they had handles. I would like to think that I am just that smooth but them being a little tipsy helped and I was the safe guy that didn't drink. I never did anything shady or take advantage but girls always felt safe with me and that lead to good things.

 

Moderation, if you get drunk more than once a week it may effect your life.

When dating its hard not to drink though and it makes things easier if you don't know someone well, what do I know I need a beer.

 

Mine as well, both sides of the family no less. They drink for two primary reasons, the first is mom and dad drink, therefore the kids are going to drink. The second is they can't deal with life. 24/7 buzzing. Both sides have histories of poor health as well. Hey, that's their own doing, the body is only as good as what you put into it. Fortunetly my dad stopped drinking when he came back from Viet-Nam, so I never witnessed him drinking growing up. Even when I was younger, I have always had the self awareness that drinking myself into a coma was of no interest to me. Years back I found my limit in a one time situation and it scared me. It's like my body just made a command decision on me and said, "System Shutting Down" boom! I hit the floor. Lucky for me I was with good friends. Never will I ever let myself get to that point again. Being unable to control your own body is scary in itself, even scarier when friends that have a respect for you see you laying there helpless and drunk and out of control is enough to keep me in check.

Dating worries me just a bit as well. There seems to be no shortage of girls out there drinking themselves senseless.

 

same here. didnt like running my finger along the wall walking down a hallway just so i didnt wander left and right. didnt like the taste. didnt like laying in bed still, feeling like i was on a rocking boat.

and now everyone thinks im a mormon, because i dont like to drink, smoke, go to titty bars, etc. oh well

 

Don't drink.

I've also never been drunk.

As someone has already mentioned, saves brain cells, and saves $$$.

Also, it saves time - the time wasted in a drunken stupor and then recovering from it, I can put to better use!

 

I think it's easy for the girlfriend aspect to shine a brighter light on the issue. Once you get past her I think it will be easier to temper yourself a bit. The fact you're talking about this shows that her comment achieved its purpose by burrowing around in your head. It also sounds like she's the one with issues.

 

Good for you! Misery LOVES company, so don't fall victim to any garbage from her side.