Am I an alcoholic? / How much do you drink?

[King_Cone]

Hi, :)

I was curious if I have a drinking problem, or if I only drink slightly more than "most"

Although I've certainly slammed bottles and bottles of vodka over the years, my alcohol of choice over the past year or so has been beer.

I drink (EXCLUSIVELY) Hurricane High Gravity Lager. It's a 8.1% alcohol beer, and I purchase it in 24 oz. cans.

I may be a bit off, but my understanding is that a "regular" beer (budweiser) is about 4 % alcohol and 12 oz.

That being said, my hurricanes are twice the alcohol and twice the volume of a normal beer. Therefore whenever I drink one can of Hurricane it's actually 4 "regular" beers.

I've cut back a bit recently, but just a while back I would drink 3 cans of this a day- which equals approx. 90 cans per month, which equates to 360 "regular" beers per month. If someone told me they drank 360 beers a month I'd say they were a RAGING alcoholic. I didn't feel I was drinking excessively but the numbers don't lie- 360 beers per month seems kind of outrageous to me?

Now, at present, I only drink a maximum of two cans per day and some days only one can. So although I'd still like to cut back even more, I feel I'm not doing too bad.

I should mention, that I never, ever, drink to get drunk- just a nice buzz. It's not like I pound it all at once, I stretch it out over a 2-3 hour period.

I was reading about drinking issues over the past few days, and I guess that if you have more than 14 drinks per week your considered a HEAVY drinker. I easily have the equivalent of 50 or more drinks per week, so I guess that means I'm a heavy drinker x's 4 ?

Do any of you guys drink as much as I do? I don't feel I have a drinking problem, or that I'm doing damage to my health, so I just wanted to know how much other people consume per week/month.

Thanks in advance for any input :noes:

[megabyteme]

Welcome King_Can, errr, King_Cone! :D

Yeah, that seems like quite a bit- especially since it is every night. I think the fact that you have been doing some comparing to "the norm" indicates that you have had a suspicion that you were drinking to excess.

I don't know you and it isn't up to me to give you any kind of label, but you can ask yourself some questions that don't focus entirely on the amount you consume, but rather the real-life effects. Things I would recommend considering:

How much do you spend each month on beer? What could you do with this money if you were to save it over 5, or even 10 years- the amount will stagger you. It doesn't sound like you drink cheap stuff.

How old are you? Have you progressed through life like a "normal" person- buying a house, relationship, school, kids, meeting your "hopes and dreams" for your expectations at this time of your life. Is alcohol getting in the way of any of these things?

How is your health? Are you over-weight? Decent over-all? Do you eat a healthy diet?

I would also ask if there is come underlying reason why you want this "buzz" every night. Do you like your job/people you work with? Have excessive bills? Essentially, are you masking anything that you don't like about your life?

I don't expect any answers here. I intend this mainly for your own self-analysis. Good luck regardless of your answers! :)

[MagicNakor]

This:

http://www.toddisrad.com/resources/La+Fin+Du+Monde.jpg

is one of my favourite beers. Of course I'm a bit buzzed on vodka right now so I probably shouldnt' be posting in this thread :P However, I will say that cost-wise, BC bud is much cheaper, and so for my "vice budget" for the month, I spend on smokeable rather than drinkable. I like to think it's better for you healthwise, but I suppose only time will tell there :P

:shuriken:

[MagicNakor]

Ew, too many :P faces.

:shuriken:

[Albo Da Kid]

If you're at the point where you're wondering if you have a problem, it usually means that you definitely do have a problem.

Try and slow down a little by little. Find a hobby or something instead of drinking everytime u get bored. Good luck!

[QPD]

Medically speaking there is a way to check this.It's called the abstinence trial.All you have to do is stay sober for 24 H straight and then taste just a small glass ( 100ml of alchool - beer of whatever you want) If you can stop there for the next 24 h then you are clean.If you go crazy for another glass( in the next few hours), then you should get treated.My wife's a shrink.I know what I am talking about!

[IdolEyes787]

I would also ask if there is come underlying reason why you want this "buzz" every night. Do you like your job/people you work with? Have excessive bills? Essentially, are you masking anything that you don't like about your life?



Exactly excessive drinking is for a reason . Know the reason , ( hopefully) solve the problem.Btw if you say that you don't have any problems and you drink with such regularity simply because you enjoy it then you are in denial and really have issues.
Same holds true if it wasn't compulsive drinking but instead compulsive exercise or sex . It's not what you feel the need to do but rather the need itself.

[IdolEyes787]

PS seeking advice from some anonymous twit on the internet( who may or may not know what he is talking about ) concerning serious , life -effecting things is potentially more dangerous sillier than drinking 2 beers a night.

[megabyteme]

PS seeking advice from some anonymous twit on the internet( who may or may not know what he is talking about ) concerning serious , life -effecting things is potentially more dangerous sillier than drinking 2 beers a night.

I am NOT anonymous. :angry:

Anyway, the OP was probably drunk off his ass when he made the post. :P

[Biggles]

http://real-ale-reviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/brewdog-tactical-nuclear-penguin-1024x777.jpg

There is small Scottish brewery that specialises in death by beer. It does indeed say 32% on the bottle and it is called tactical nuclear penguin ..... what's not to like?

[QPD]

I am a 80% alchool rum fan!!
:D

[pentomato]

PS seeking advice from some anonymous twit on the internet( who may or may not know what he is talking about ) concerning serious , life -effecting things is potentially more dangerous sillier than drinking 2 beers a night.

I am NOT anonymous. :angry:

Anyway, the OP was probably drunk off his ass when he made the post. :P

Yes you are anonymous

[MadIrish]

Hi, :)

I was curious if I have a drinking problem, or if I only drink slightly more than "most"


Personally I think yes, you are drinking pretty heavily. Given that in my experience (considerable, I've worked with addictions all my adult life) most people underplay their consumption, often considerably, I'd be pretty concerned.

As I understand it, 24oz = 710ml. That means 710 x 8.1 / 1000 = 5.75 units per can. If you only drank 10 of those a week that would make basically 60 units. Guidance varies globally, but nowhere regards your max limit as more than 3-4 units per day, so your absolute minimum in a week has you consuming 2-3 times what you ideally would be. And that's absolute best case scenario, not taking into account days you're a bit stressed after work, times you go out with friends, have some with a meal, special occasions etc etc. If you instead had 20 cans in a week (sounds perfectly possible) you'd be consuming a seriously large and potentially very harmful amount.

I suspect, despite what you say, that you do know there's a problem or else you'd not be asking people on a random forum about this. However, by all means don't listen to me, or anyone else on here, we're just people from t'internets after all, but I'd strongly suggest you pay a visit to your doctor and tell him what you've told us. And do pay real attention to what he/she says.

[megabyteme]

You work on that one for awhile, pento? It seems you missed the joke entirely anyway... (*hint* most people would not take offense to being called anonymous; they would take offense to being called a twit). Twit. :dry:

Oh well, at least you didn't edit this time. You should have, but at least you had the tenacity to keep riding that autistic horse. :ermm:





I am NOT anonymous. :angry:

Anyway, the OP was probably drunk off his ass when he made the post. :P

Yes you are anonymous

[sez]

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Alcohol-and-Sensible-Drinking.htm
Extremely useful info.Otherwise I'd advise you start drinking cough syrup if you are only doing it for the ''buzz''.

[ziggyjuarez]

^
It may sound like bullshit but it's true:
cough syrup>alcohol
Alcohol sucks dudes.It's like weed compaired to tobacco.

[megabyteme]

I doubt switching from beer to cough syrup will make his life any better...

[pentomato]

Fixed

Sorry sometimes I talk to much it has to be the prozac, pento, It seems because I am a nobody and talk to much I get lost in translation, I copy a lot from the internet so I sound idiotic and wierd... (*hint* most people would not take offense to being called anonymous; they would take offense to being called loser like me :dry:

Oh well, I thought I was married but the voices were wrong, I just need my meds, sorry about that. :ermm:




Yes you are anonymous

Don't be so harsh on yourself, everybody here knows you are all talk, so don't worry about it, just take your meds.

[Albo Da Kid]

lol do what Pentamato does.

"Don't drink your problems away. Dupe-account them"

Create multiple personalities and whenever you're faced with a problem, shift to your other persona.

That shit works lovely doesn't it Pento?

[Azatos]

A can or two a day probably won't do much to the liver, Although if you've been drinking for a while you can bring on dependence. When you stop suddenly the withdrawals are not fun.

I've had withdrawals before with drugs that act on similar receptors as alcohol, seizures insomnia ect. and staying in the hospital not fun.

If your interested check out this page http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000764.htm

[megabyteme]

Too lame to respond to

Don't be so harsh on yourself, everybody here knows you are all talk, so don't worry about it, just take your meds.

This all-text forum is a written form of communication- everyoneis ALL talk (or more correctly, words). :blink:

Nice of you to remember me harshing you a few weeks ago- oh yeah, I mentioned you were on medication... http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/f-lounge-10/t-fight-me-380308/page14#post3352532

Now you are lame and unoriginal. Oh, and a very cheap copy as well...

[pentomato]

lol do what Pentamato does.

"Don't drink your problems away. Dupe-account them"

Create multiple personalities and whenever you're faced with a problem, shift to your other persona.

That shit works lovely doesn't it Pento?

That happens when you wash dishes too doesn't it little boy?
You boy always picking fights, is that because you don't have a life or are you just stupid? Go outside and start spinning around, then you will be normal again

[pentomato]

Too lame to respond to

Don't be so harsh on yourself, everybody here knows you are all talk, so don't worry about it, just take your meds.

This all-text forum is a written form of communication- everyoneis ALL talk (or more correctly, words). :blink:

My wife left me, she cheated with Jerome, he is the father of all my kids, so you tell me how I should feel, in top of that I am taking prozac and other drugs to feel better, because I am not man enough to satisfy a woman. The only thing I can do is talk and more talk, it is all I have.

Thank you for your understanding, I appreciate it.

You don't have to be so hard on yourself, I am sure deep down you are a nice guy.

[megabyteme]

What is this proclivity of yours to try to be someone else? It fails every time... :dry:

Edit- Let's get this thread back on track...

So, pento, how much was your mother drinking when she was pregnant with you? Gotta be more than the OP. :D

[callum]

So, pento, how much was your mother drinking when she was pregnant with you? Gotta be more than the OP. :D

Far less than she was drinking after he was born.

[pentomato]

I don't understand why I have to feel this way, but I am falling in love with a man, should I tell him?
He may be my soulmate

Lets talk about gay love...

My mom was drunk, she was the girl of the town, so here I am, thank you for understanding everybody, because nobody else listens to me but you guys, I love you all in a gay way:D

As I said before you are to hard on yourself...

[pentomato]

So, pento, how much was your mother drinking when she was pregnant with you? Gotta be more than the OP. :D

My mom was a drunk too, well i was born because one night she was so drunk, she doesn't know who my father is, shame on her, maybe is the mailman, who knows.

Don't cry that happens a lot these days.

[megabyteme]

Some Everyone sees talking to you a wast of time, pedotom. While I mostly agree, I feel that society benefits when I keep you on the computer and away from the underage boys...

[Schrutastic]

I think you should stop drinking Hurricane and enjoy a better beer. Spending a bit more money may make you a bit more careful with how fast you consume your brew. Try some Dogfish Head or another craft brewery. At least drink something like Stella Artois or Samuel Adams. You'll enjoy it more.

I drink about a bottle of whisky each week or two as well as a 12 pack or so. I am not an alcoholic.

[callum]

My mom was a drunk too, well i was born because one night she was so drunk, she doesn't know who my father is, shame on her, maybe is the mailman, who knows.

Don't cry that happens a lot these days.

The post is delivered rather late at times, but you have insulted the entire Royal Mail by suggesting that a postman would be on his rounds of an evening. Also, I dread to think what rate of overtime pay he would be on, so long after his usual clock off time of 12pm.

[Ewwwyourface]

i drink str8 jack beer is for pussies

[Canuck604]

I love beer especially canadian beer

[bunny67]

i dunt drink much or that often i cant handle it

[xp1astikx]

Beer: Stella, and hard liquor, some RUM and COKE!

[totallysweet]

I either drink 1 or 2 beers... or I have one of those nights like in the Hangover, minus roofy-ing myself.

[MiNiMAL]

Beer: Heineken, Zagorka[Great Bulgarian beer]
Other : Shot b52
+ Like vodka and Tequila ....

[Zizish]

Medically speaking there is a way to check this.It's called the abstinence trial.All you have to do is stay sober for 24 H straight and then taste just a small glass ( 100ml of alchool - beer of whatever you want) If you can stop there for the next 24 h then you are clean.If you go crazy for another glass( in the next few hours), then you should get treated.My wife's a shrink.I know what I am talking about!

uh - what?

Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Plenty of alcoholics are able to go cold turkey for days, months and even years. But then something happens - a tragedy, a whim, anything and they are back in the bottle, usually worse then before.

If you have any doubts about your own condition, I recommend that you go to an AA meeting (or 10) and listen to the people share their stories. Try not to drink the whole time you are doing it, and see if any of what they talk about seems to apply to you.

Only you can decide if you are an alcoholic.

A great site to go to for more information is the forum at "In the Rooms" http://www.intherooms.com


Zizish

[itsxamot]

i was never much of a drinker. the more i think about it, i rarely drink just to drink, but i do primarily in social situations

it's the cool thing to do occasionally with friends and coworkers :\

[QPD]

Medically speaking there is a way to check this.It's called the abstinence trial.All you have to do is stay sober for 24 H straight and then taste just a small glass ( 100ml of alchool - beer of whatever you want) If you can stop there for the next 24 h then you are clean.If you go crazy for another glass( in the next few hours), then you should get treated.My wife's a shrink.I know what I am talking about!

uh - what?

Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Plenty of alcoholics are able to go cold turkey for days, months and even years. But then something happens - a tragedy, a whim, anything and they are back in the bottle, usually worse then before.

If you have any doubts about your own condition, I recommend that you go to an AA meeting (or 10) and listen to the people share their stories. Try not to drink the whole time you are doing it, and see if any of what they talk about seems to apply to you.

Only you can decide if you are an alcoholic.

A great site to go to for more information is the forum at "In the Rooms" http://www.intherooms.com


Zizish

What you say it's true.I had in emergency once a patient like this.He was an alcoolic ; he went through detoxifiation , he remained clean for years, then all of the sudden he drank 3 days in a row, without an apparent reason.

The thing I was talking about is used in our departament of Psichiatry.We have a little difereces between systems i guess.

[inflik]

I average about 24 beer a week, I use to average about 6 a night during the week, then about 24 beer on the weekend. mmmm beer

[2slick4u]

i do drink but very little my choice is pc and some good bud

[QPD]

I do not drink at all!!

[l33tpirata13]

my experience has bought me to stop drinking. i used to drink like a fish in high school, i even used to bring tupperwares with tequila in them. i dont know what hit me, but i just didnt want to drink anymore from one day to the other. I did start smokin da ganj though so......

i believe the same as Bob Marley, Alcohol just makes you dumb, herb makes you think.

[susiserken]

I knock back a few beers every night havent really thought about it as a problem alltho i have no problems going a couple of days without it.

[ExtraDry]

few beers after work to wind down, don't drink Bourbon anymore got myself into to much toruble and that memory loss sux

[Sporkk]

I still haven't figured out how anyone could acquire the taste for beer. The bitterness is repulsive. I think the only beer I could ever finish without pouring half of it out was coors. Wine is also a very mixed bag. Some that I tried were ok but most tasted as awful as beer in their own way.

Only thing I found drinkable was rum. Drinking is pointless though. All it does is make me feel sleepy and a little more stupid. Its more fun not to drink.

[chalice]

I still haven't figured out how anyone could acquire the taste for beer. The bitterness is repulsive. I think the only beer I could ever finish without pouring half of it out was coors. Wine is also a very mixed bag. Some that I tried were ok but most tasted as awful as beer in their own way.

Only thing I found drinkable was rum. Drinking is pointless though. All it does is make me feel sleepy and a little more stupid. Its more fun not to drink.

Yeah, I'm from Antarctica too.

Lets go slipping about on snow for a laugh.

[anoneemuse]

lol stupid noobs , its not invented yet

[robbee]

i'm not an alcoholic, i'm a student...

[gamesover]

I'm drinking Sake right now. Japanese wine, all warmed up. Put it in the microwave for a minute. Actually tastes pretty good. And gets you really drunk

[hotstuff]

yes yoe are an alky :) me i drink fridays out back with friends at my bar just to be social

[boochy]

I go to a bar every night of the week! ...oh wait, I work there. Does that count? Other than that, I drink about one night a week- one my one day off.

[legalis]

I dont drink at all :)

[X-Files]

my mom will kill for for drunk :(

[daniel08]

I usually drink 1-2 bears at the end of the week with my friends

[Barbarossa]

I usually drink 1-2 bears at the end of the week with my friends

polar or panda? :unsure:

[unknown1_]

You can drink as much as you like, so long as you are responsible enough to get up the next morning and exercise it off. ;)

[dannyyelly]

just a few beers daily..:D sometimes scotch though

[ThorMAN]

I like beer... but never been drunk :P