Triggering (SI/Substance abuse) - Is this a problem or not?

[PrincessVegeta_x]

I don't think of myself as an alcoholic, because I don't drink 24/7. I only drink when I'm really depressed and on the verge of doing something stupid... or at social occasions.

For instance, the other day, I wanted to cut myself but I found myself drinking shots of vodka instead. I had too much and ended up being sick... and I had a hangover the next day. It's normally about 12 units I drink when I feel bad. I drink a lot of vodka regularly, I'd say about 4 times a week, maybe more. I don't know how many units is recommended (weekly), but I know I'm over the limit.

Sometimes I get so ill from taking all the alcohol that I faint, but then I feel bad for making myself ill so I drink some more. I know it isn't good, what I'm doing, but I can't stop. I feel a compulsion to drink alcohol if I'm worried, upset or in physical pain, but once I start I can hardly stop.

I don't really know if this is a problem. It can't be, because I'm not abusing alcohol, I'm just drinking it to make myself feel better... right?

(Sorry if I'm not clear, my head's in a mess right now - I feel light-headed - and I'm tired.)

Katie.
x

[teenytineytori]

drinking to make yourself feel better is a problem dear. I am sorry that things have been getting so overwhelming but if you can get rid of the drinking do so before it becomes an addiction that you have to get over.

[Misunderstood.]

It is a problem because of this::

Quote:

drinking it to make myself feel better

Using alcohol to escape things that you find hard to deal with sober is 'abusing alcohol' (although I don't like that term personally).

14 units a week is the reccomended allowance for a female as far as I am aware.

It certainly does sound like you have a problem with drinking to me.
First step is admitting it to yourself.

[Spoons]

i have to agree with the others, you have a problem with alcohol.

Just because you dont drink everyday doesnt mean you cant have alcohol dependancy.

if you are using alcohol as a crutch, if its something you turn to when you are down or feeling **** then you are using it as a crutch.

noticing early can help.

but leaving it, its a slippery slope to drinking everyday and it truly tearing apart you life.

i would try to find some help an support and deal with it now before it gets much worse.


how many nights do you drink 12 units in a week?

[PrincessVegeta_x]

Um, roughly about 3. Last week it was four... is that bad?
*hides*

[Spoons]

so you drink 3/4 nights a week at more than 12 units.
i would try and find some support, it quickly spirals and if you are using it to help deal with how you are feeling you should try and get support for it.

do you think you could go a week without alcohol?

[PrincessVegeta_x]

Sadly, no, probably not. It's one of the ways I cope with my life. If it got taken away, I'd still have my other coping strategies... but, I don't know, drinking alcohol works best for me.

[ZDrache]

You're drinking at least 3 times the recommended weekly limit of alcohol - I dare say that cutting would be better than damaging your liver. C'mon, wouldn't it suck if you were a full-blown alcoholic? Even if you recovered from that, you wouldn't be able to drink again!

Please get help xx

[PrincessVegeta_x]

I'll contact the AA. I don't know what they'll say to me though. I mean, a 19 year old... already hooked on alcohol. How bad is that?
x

[Kija]

hi, im sure that the AA is pretty open to age, i dont think that they would hold being young against you or see it as pathetic. "addictions" can happen to anyone any age from any walk of life.
hope that you get the support that you need.
hugs

[-Asphyxia-]

I use drinking as a crutch too. I wish I could give you some advice, but I just wanted you to know that I can relate and if you need someone to talk to, feel free to PM me. Take care.

*hugs*