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Thread: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

  1. #1
    kymchoon
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    When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    I love you guys. I mean I really love you guys - you're the best. Mind you, I love everybody right now. But there's a part of my brain (the bit that's still working) that's thinking, "Dude, it's a Tuesday night, and you have to get up in less than 7 hours to go to work!"

    Hey, how do you know you spend too much time on the net? You get drunk and then decise to post on some internet forum, instead of doing something 'fun'.

    So, here's my question. What defines somebody who drinks too much? I mean (taking a 'hypothetical' example - it happened to a friend of mine...yeah, right...) let's say that you drink by yourself (say 6-10 standard drinks), during the work week, but only when you happen to have alcohol handy.

    Which is not to say that when it runs out, it gets replaced. If alcohol happens to be around, leftover from a party or something, then it gets drunk - but not in small amounts. Call it once a month 1/2 on average that 'leftovers' have to be gotten rid of, which are then disposed off in a couple of sessions, as opposed to gradually over a week or two.

    Please note: There is no 'need' for alcohol here, i.e. a craving when it's gone. I know how this feels, I went through a bad period some many years back when I was seriously considering alcoholism - until Mr. Brain beat the shit out of me and I decided, "Screw that!"

    Now, personally, I'm not seeing a major issue with it (but I am clearly biased). Second opinions, anyone?

  2. #2
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    If you cannot leave alcohol alone when it is around, then, by definition, you are an alcoholic. If you cannot have one drink without finishing the bottle...whatever, you are an alcoholic. My father was a binge-drinking alcoholic. He could go 6 months without drinking a drop...but if there was alcohol around...he drank it until it was gone...

    I would say you should consider counseling. My father died at the age of 48 due to cardiomyopathy (hardening of the heart muscle) which was caused by alcoholism (although he started this when he was a teen).

  3. #3
    Pamela
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    It's not just a drink when you NEED it for whatever reason. Example to wind down, to escape the world and it's problems etc.

    Pamela

  4. #4
    kymchoon
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    Quote Originally Posted by VenusGoddess
    If you cannot leave alcohol alone when it is around, then, by definition, you are an alcoholic. If you cannot have one drink without finishing the bottle...whatever, you are an alcoholic. My father was a binge-drinking alcoholic. He could go 6 months without drinking a drop...but if there was alcohol around...he drank it until it was gone...

    I would say you should consider counseling. My father died at the age of 48 due to cardiomyopathy (hardening of the heart muscle) which was caused by alcoholism (although he started this when he was a teen).
    I'm sorry to hear that Venus, you have my condolences (for whatever that's worth).

    Let me clarify a little (and slightly more lucidly, now). I can leave it alone when it's there - I will often have some sitting around for weeks completely untouched. I am also fully capable of stopping once I start. If there's a reasonable amount in the bottle, it's not going to get finished off. I have never passed out from over-drinking, am always in control, and have only thrown up from it once in my life (when I was a teenager).

    When I'm out in public, I never drink to the point of drunkeness, rather getting a nice buzz and maintaining it (unlike some of my idiot friends). I'm the guy encouraging people to have a few to loosen up, but on the flip side I'm also the guy who cuts them off when they've had too much.

    What I will do, though (say on average once a month) is decide that I feel like getting drunk and watching a movie (or similar activity). So I might have half a dozen drinks or so and chill. The question was spurred by the fact that when I do that I'm drinking a) only for the effect, b) in the middle of the work week, and c) by myself. Well, that and the fact that last night happened to be one of those nights.

    Maybe I'm overanalysing this as, like yourself, I've known people who were addicted to various substances (although never someone as close to me as that). As a result, I'm pretty hardcore about substance abuse. Just trying to figure out if I sometimes fall into that category.

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    Veteran Member Cianna's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    I stopped drinking about 1 year ago. I only have a drink once in a while for a special occasion. I quit smoking too. That was two years ago, and it was the best thing I did in a long time. The only thing I have every once in a while is a little herb...

    Cianna

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    If you look forward to getting drunk even in your own house, then I believe you have a drinking problem. If you encourage others to drink when they have no intention of doing so, you have a problem you want to spread to others. Health-wise 1-2 a day is about the limit for best health. 6-10 in a day may well accelerate you on your way to cirrhosis.

    Admittedly I am a bit conservative when it comes to substance abuse.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

  7. #7
    Featured Member CrescentLuna's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    I spent my first semester getting drunk whenever my friends got drunk - midweek, weekend, whatever. Only thrown up once, but had to make an exit during a 10am class because I thought I might. After that I quit drinking in such amounts. For almost a year I didn't drink more than 2 drinks in a setting, and a setting would be every other month. The part I didn't like what realizing that I DID have to have a few extra drinks to get the same buzz as I did a few week prior. ugh. I had a few drinks at a new year's party, and half a smirnoff with lunch - half of one, and then after that I didn't want anymore.

    Honestly, I don't think getting that drunk feeling alone is really wrong, as long as you're not drinking to the point of illness [and violently resisting vomiting doesn't count!] and not drinking MORE than you did previously. That's where it becomes a problem, for me, when you are obviously drinking more and more, and thereby damaging your body more and more, to get the same feeling.
    Just drink plenty of water and some protein-filled foods after sleeping it off some, best cure for icky-hangover feelings.
    "I still have my name
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  8. #8
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    My own observation ( of myself ) when alcohol was not fun anymore, when good thoughts were replaced with bad deppresing ones. When you got into a fight at a bar and couldnt figure out why? I actually woke up in the middle of the desert once in the morning how sad was that ( I rode a bicycle to the bar thank god ) I still consider myself to be in recovery I can now drink a beer and I'm okay dont have any in the house and if I did I would still just have one . Now on the other hand if you give me some Bacardi its all over so I dont even touch the stuff.

    You are asking so most likely you have some kind of drinking problem just take it easy if you cant drink in moderation give it up before its too late . I was and still am very lucky considering all my adventures.

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    God/dess RoseDelight's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    When you start 'needing' to drink instead of 'wanting' to.

    Only you can really identify the problem, and solve it. I have friends that are alcoholics (every definition of one) yet they don't 'believe' they are. My best friend gets drunk every single night of the week. It isn't a casual thing for him. He makes sure that he goes out and gets drunk. Why? Depression, I suppose.

    I've had to take him to the hospital many times because he wasn't responding to anyone. He's going to AA, Rehab, and even does therapy. He still drinks and honestly doesn't care. I started drinking when I was 14, or maybe 15. Liquor is easy to get when you're younger, especially when you're raised in Europe where they don't check IDs too often for anything. I don't drink to get drunk now days......I do still enjoy a nice glass of Blanc every now and then though.


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  10. #10
    Featured Member MeganS's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    Sounds quite similar to my situation before it got WORSE . I always enjoyed drinking ( esp. at work ) but then I noticed it got to a point where it wasn't where I wanted it, I needed it. If I didn't have my "starting amount" in me for my first set, I'd have no coordination (ironic, eh?) on stage to dance, all shaky and sweating profusely. Attractive, huh? Once I got to a point of "having enough" to feel comfortable, I'd try to slow down, really I would, but didn't always work that way.

    After numerous mornings of waking up sweating, heart paplitations, and feeling extremely panicky (hard to breathe, dizzy), I knew I really had a problem and have to do something about it; yet I didn't. Finally, FINALLY yesterday I researched the net on alcohol abuse. I'm not so slowly killing myself. It's been three days with no booze (that's a fucking record for me, being a vodka drinker) and tomorrow I brave my first day at work attempting to go booze free. I know it'll be hard at first, but I used to dance sober, I'll do it again. I have to, I'm fucking scared shitless for my life.

    Just some food for thought.
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  11. #11
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    Quote Originally Posted by kymchoon
    I'm sorry to hear that Venus, you have my condolences (for whatever that's worth).
    Thank you.


    What I will do, though (say on average once a month) is decide that I feel like getting drunk and watching a movie (or similar activity). So I might have half a dozen drinks or so and chill. The question was spurred by the fact that when I do that I'm drinking a) only for the effect, b) in the middle of the work week, and c) by myself. Well, that and the fact that last night happened to be one of those nights.
    I would strongly suggest that you look at WHY you would even want to do that. Is there stress in your life? Are you feeling lonely? Are you afraid of something? Is there a repressed feeling/memory beginning to surface?

    I've found that when these things start coming into play...the "thought" of using mind-altering substances usually creeps into our thoughts. Once you deal with the actual problem...those instances will become fewer and farther between.

    Just some insight from experience.

    Take care of yourself.

  12. #12
    kymchoon
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    Quote Originally Posted by VenusGoddess
    I would strongly suggest that you look at WHY you would even want to do that. Is there stress in your life? Are you feeling lonely? Are you afraid of something? Is there a repressed feeling/memory beginning to surface?
    As a mood enhancer. I am one of those midline people, when it comes to emotions, nothing to an extreme. By and large, this is a good thing. I used to be the other way, very emotionally labile, but decided that the bad parts of that were outweighing the good - so I changed. But every now and then I feel like I want to feel something more extreme (either positive or negative) to curb my Antisocial tendancies.

    It's not to escape/forget. Been there, done that, know how it feels, never doing it again.

    Think I might quit for a while, see if there's any difference.

    Quote Originally Posted by MeganS
    It's been three days with no booze (that's a fucking record for me, being a vodka drinker) and tomorrow I brave my first day at work attempting to go booze free. I know it'll be hard at first, but I used to dance sober, I'll do it again. I have to, I'm fucking scared shitless for my life.
    Damn. Good luck Megan . If it's gotten to the point where you're having physical withdrawal symptoms, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor. I'm not sure if there might be dangerous implications in going cold turkey - too much for your body to handle all at once. We're rooting for you.

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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    When it gets in the way of everything you love.
    "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

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    Veteran Member Cranky's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    I quit drinking alcohol 20 years ago this Dec 26th, however I watched my oldest uncle drink himself into oblivion until he passed away in November. Not a pretty sight watching his body and mind fail him to the point that he was abusive, unable to control his bowels or bladder and was totally incoherent when the ambulance people came to take him away.

    Whats really sad is that I had been taking him food every day for the week before he was put in the hospital, none of it was touched, the only thing in his fridge was beer and a 5th of Jim Beam. The food was in the trashcan, all he cared about was his booze, nothing else not even his family, we were shit to him no matter what we did. Alcohol can ruin you totally and the family who has to go thru it with you.


    Groovin'

  15. #15
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    kymchoon- I think you've reached your "consideration point." Which is, the brain cells in your skull begging you to STOP drinking for a while because they don't like getting routed out by blood-thinning toxins...."Every time you drink, You kill brain cells. Please, think of the brain cells." (Heh Heh.)
    I stopped drinking regularly when I got a potbelly and muscle twitches and it wasn't fun anymore. (Nice mental image: a grumpy pudgy stripper with facial rictus and dull angst. MONEYMAAAKKER!!!!) As for my brain cells, it was an allowable loss, since I think too much anyway and it just causes unhappiness. I think I offloaded some traumatic memories too. So, it's not ALL bad...but if you start thinking it is, well duh, you know yourself best.

  16. #16
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    HALT!

    Hungry
    Angry
    Lonely
    Tired

    If you are drinking while having any of these moods, its is harder to stop and easier to exhibit unsafe and unpredictable behavior.

    My dad is a terrible binge drinker. I have seen him beat my mom,take a gun to my brother, and he's thrown a scalding hot pot of boiling stew at me when drunk, almost scarring my face for life.

    Drinking alone isn't the problem per say. The problem is not being able to control yourself. Sometimes it can happen after 2 drinks. Drinking while pre-menstrual or menstruating is particularly problematic for women because our hormones are in flux.

    Drinking if you have depression or bipolarism is also an increased risk.

    Alcoholism isn't just one universal definition. I've been in therapy over my drinking and my dad's drinking on and off for years. I believe you are fine kymchoon, but am no expert.

    I think you are justl lonely and need a hobby. Maybe join an indoor sports league that has night practices during the weeki????

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
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  17. #17
    Featured Member Magdalena_666's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    I usually end up drinking at work and when I go out because everyone else is drunk and I hate being sober around all drunk people.
    Plus, going out to bar's,club's,ect.. is really pretty damn boring for me with out a few drinks.
    I went out tonight and did not drink and I had no fun.

    The loud music,ciggarate smoke,and annoying drunk people almost drove me to have a drink though

    I think drinking can get to be to much if your drinking constantly.
    When you are home,when your out,to get to sleep.
    If you never really stop drinking then yeah you defenitly have a bit of a problem.
    Also, if you become mean when your drunk or very emotional it's probaly best to try and deal with why you fell you need to drink in the first place.

    Are you trying to numb yourself?
    Are you depressed?

    People generally drink to forget, to escape. Sometimes that can be a good thing and sometimes it can be a very bad thing.
    People also tend to do very out of charactor things when they are drunk and things they will regret.
    This is why in my opinion it is best to drink when you are in a good place emotionally insteed of drinking to make yourself happy and block out emotions.


    'Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things.'
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    I believe you Dottie and you have my support






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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    A guy just got fired where I work because he drinks a 12 pack every night. That was his last chance he got busted last year and was on the list to have a suprise breath test when ever the company wanted to give him one. He said he stoped at 10 pm and at 8 am he was jobless. I would say when you can't feed your family because you drink everynight it's a problem.
    "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: When does recreational drinking turn into too much?

    the favorite 12 step program....


    2 six-packs
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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