Am I an alcoholic?

[KrayKray00]

It is actually laughable because I am sat in the pub whilst typing this!

I am 26 and I have always “liked” a drink. Since a young age (13) I have drank to the point of being able to do it in my home because my mother didn’t want me to do it on the street.

I can control it. I had no alcohol for 2 months earlier this year and I was so proud of myself.

It didn’t use to be a daily thing but it has started to become a daily occurance. However only if I am out.

For example; I have just finished doing my voluntery work and I have come straight to Wetherspoons for a beer.

Yesterday whilst I was out shopping I went to Wetherspoons for a beer.

I only have one or two but I drink alone. If I go out, which is rare, on a weekend child free, I do not know when to stop, once I start drinking I drink myself into oblivion. Wake up the next day and cry. Hangover and emotions!

It is coming up to a date which upsets me each year. I have recently been diagnosed with severe anxiety and I have been put on sertraline and sleeping tablets.

But I am getting to the point where if I go out I wonder where the nearest pub is. Even if it’s jjst for one.

I do not mean this as a stealth brag but I’m trying to describe my situation, I am a young female who likes to look after herself, I do my hair and make up and I get funny looks when I walk into a pub for a pint. I have two children and a degree. I volunteer in a courthouse and I do promotional work at exhibitions. It is not a financial drain my drinking but I am becoming worried I am depended on alcohol.

Would I see a gp or is it just like having a coffee if I am drinking 1-2 pints a day? I feel like they would look at me like I’m not an alcoholic as it isn’t exactly a bottle of wine or spirits but I drink for any occasion, if I am sad or happy.

I am waffling now and probably going to get a battering but I cannot tell anyone in real life because I don’t want them thinking I have an issue with alcohol.

Sorry and thank you if you got this far.

Reading with interest as I often wonder this myself.

I feel like drinking too much is so normalised it's hard to know when it's a problem.

Perhaps as pp have said it's not so much the amount but the degree to which you need it. Feeling anxious without it and not being able to stop when you go out could point to a problem.

How were your anxiety levels when you stopped drinking for 2 months OP?

Nobody would even blink if a man went to the pub on his own for a pint several times a week.

That’s my first reaction.

Your work isn’t suffering, your family isn’t suffering, you’re not spending money you don’t have.

You seem aware of potential issues. It appears to me your anxiety is a bigger problem than alcohol is.

Do check your medication is OK with alcohol. Try to ensure you have other hobbies that don't revolve around drinking. When you go out, decide you will have X amount and then stop. That’s what I’d do.

You're right black they wouldn't blink but that doesn't change the fact that it is unusual. It's a cultural thing, which makes it more surprising that OP wants to do this.

Your only problem is the binge drinking you described in your first post.

I'd see a GP since the idea of drinking and the longing is a bit all consuming. You seem to have a craving that you're able to manage, within reason. But it's a battle for you all the same.

The thing that jumps out at me is that you are being treated for anxiety. Alcohol is probably making that worse. You would be wise to limit yourself to one or to drinks once or twice a week with maybe an exception for weddings/parties etc. If you can stick to this then you don't have a problem but does the idea of that scare you?

A lot of people self medicate with alcohol for anxiety, so that could be happening too op.