by JH 21 Replies latest jw friends
I never drink any alcohol, but since a month, I drink a big can of beer (about 3 bottles) once a week. Beer is good for your health if you take it moderately.
I was just wondering, how much does a person have to drink to be an alcoholic? How would you define an alcoholic?
Well I think it's not how much it's what is the reason? Are you drinking for a reason like when I don't drink I get a wierd feeling? Or do you feel like you have to have that drink ? I personally enjoy a few beers a week also, I don't have a problem with it.
Is it causing you problems with your family or with yourself and yet you still drink ? Are you drinking yourself to being broke all the time ? Are you hurting other people when you drink but yet you continue ? It's things like that that would cause some concern but a few beers a week ? Nah far from it. Your still ok just don't drink and drive....
This is when it's time to slow down a little
Rather like KGB says, it isn't a matter of "how much?" as it is "why much?" I've used alcohol ever since I went to Bethel, sometimes heavily (though never a DUI or other conviction). I went to AA in the early 90s, and didn't have a drink for almost 6 years. I learned a whole lot about alcoholism (or any other addiction, for that matter), especially that it's all about the reason you drink.
In the meantime, I came across a very interesting book, The Addictive Organization. This book has nothing to do with religion, per se, but the authors draw very compelling parallels between alcoholism and other behaviors that otherwise might not in any way be "classified" as addictive.
Now, I don't drink to escape reality. For many many years, I did.
Craig
Also, if you drink, martini's the olives can add some nutrients..
ISP
Irongland,
LMAO
JH,
It is more less a question of whether it is causing trouble in your life. Job, family, anything like that. Also, if you drink to numb yourself to outside reality then that isn't good either. If you start drinking and can't stop until you are pretty much drunk, then that is another good sign that you have a problem.
PS.. I really wouldn't recommend anyone start up drinking, but that is just my opinion.
Ron
You just started?!?!?!?!?
You have a lot of catching up to do.
Guinness is the answer, my son. Guinness.
ash
If there are no addicts in your family or ancestors, then there is probably nothing to worry about. Maybe the heat has something to do w it. Maybe it's a phase that you are going through. If it carries on into the winter, or if you spend all your money on it, then there would be something to worry about, imo.
SS
what the AA people (and a lot of other people involved in the field) tell us is that alcohol become a problem when it affects other parts of our lives. and although i don't 'believe' in a lot of theories, this one makes a lot of sense to me.
has your consumption of alcohol contributed to other problems in your life? is it making you incapable of functioning in any way? these are the questions i looked at in my use/abuse of alcohol. make up your own mind and do what you need to to survive. don't put yourself down if alcohol has helped you blot out your abuse - find out how YOU can control it and start (if you can) enjoying life without it whenever you can. It can be a good tool for blotting out, but what i found is 'where does it get me?' I still love to drink - i just don't let it hurt other people and i figure it's my business if i want to drink.
