Am I an alcoholic?

[Cantthinkofausername1]

I drink at least a bottle of wine a night. If I’m not going to drink I feel a sense of absolute panic and forboding. When I am drinking there isn’t enough alcohol to satisfy me. I want to drink to oblivion. Would AA laugh at me if I went to a meeting or do I need help?

No they wouldn’t laugh at you. You do sound like you have an alcohol problem to be honest but well done on taking the steps towards getting help.

Thank you for replying.

Hi op yes it sounds like you do have problematic drinking. You have acknowledged that you are not comfortable with this situation. Do you want to stop drinking? I think a lot of problematic drinkers feel like this.

AA us one of many options for help if you want to quit

I feel like my psychological and physical well-being would be better off if I did stop drinking I just dread the prospect. I feel like I’ll be faced with my overthinking brain for too long if I stop drinking.

I am an alcoholic and love being in aa cos it gives me a way of coping with life without resorting to drinking. It's not about how much you drink or how often , it's more about using it as a crutch to cushion one against the trials of day to day life and you've described well the panic when it's not available. I would suggest you try an aa meeting, there's tonnes online on zoom or in person. It's the best thing I've ever done, I have such a happy life. Not going to pretend it'll be easy to begin with as you'll have to feel your emotions but you'll get loads of support. Also they say alcoholism is the only disease that tells you you don't have it so it's part of the condition that your head will find reasons to keep drinking, we often say our ego wants us dead.

I agree with the above Op. I am nearly 100 days sober and feel amazing. I don't have those thoughts in my head all the time, the paralysing anxiety. Yes you have to deal with things in the cold light of day but I promise it is so worth it. I never thought I could quit but I have, and I honestly never want to drink again.

My life af is so much better than before. I like and trust myself now, don't need to hide. There are loads of threads in the alcohol board with lots of tips to help quit.

AA won't laugh at you. I'd also recommend talking to your GP as they could refer you for support with an alcohol worker. Good luck!