Is it normal i'm kinda scared of becoming an alcoholic

59% Normal
13 Comments

I'm starting to depend on alcohol for confidence and the ability to converse better. I find when I'm sober, I barely speak and don't have much say, but when I've drank a bit I'm fine. I was once described as a man of few words.

Two of my uncles were alcoholics and have both passed away. One, related to his problem. My dad said they both drank for confidence and that I never should. As a child I was always really outgoing and didn't have any worries when it came to talking to people. In fact, I talked too much.

I don't drink very often, but when I go out I almost need it to have the confidence to talk properly. If I meet new people, not much comes to mind and I just don't say much unless I'm drunk.

Basically, I've been getting social anxiety and alcohol's becoming an all too easy option to get over it, and I don't want to depend on it. Also, my girlfriends parents drink casually fairly often, so I've been doing so more frequently, which probably isn't helping.

It's not a major problem at the moment but I can see it heading that way

Voting Results
59% Normal
Based on 37 votes (22 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 13 )
  • flowergirl87
    10 years ago

    You're aware of what might be going on (as Jeaneathean said) and that's very positive. It's very tempting to rely on outside substances when we're going through a hard time or having problems with anxiety and we don't feel we can win over it ourselves. But it can really mess up your whole life when it gets out of control. I'm sure you know this, but alcoholism is a sure fire way to mess up your life. One of my grandads was an alcoholic and I never actually met him, but I've been told about the ways in which his drinking badly affected his children and his wife. It could have been so much better for them. I think the poor guy had post traumatic stress disorder from being involved in World War 2 from what I gather : / Anyway, I know how hard anxiety can be to deal with. I have had times where I just want to go and curl up in bed (and effectively hide.) That's my avoidance behaviour! But it's not going to mess with my life in the way alcohol would... if that makes sense? Right now, you are in control of this, stay that way, please! Take a path of sensible drinking and keep that awareness that you've clearly got, rather than letting it slip into dodgy territory. This may sometimes involve challenging yourself and not having a drink before an event or situation that makes you anxious. Then you'll do it and you'll be FINE.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      10 years ago

      Thanks for you comment :) It's not going so well so far. I've been out 3 days in a row and drunk for all of them, but they were all situations that everyone was drinking so I don't think it's tooo bad. I've been getting pretty severe depression recently, and it's partly to do with the social anxiety. So it's kinda turning into a vicious cycle of being down, going to socialize (partly to cheer myself up), but feeling the need to be drunk to have fun I guess.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • flowergirl87
        10 years ago

        That's alright. Yeah, if drinking was involved then it's not so bad. Although, three days in a row is heavy going... you must have way more of a social life than me lol. Just keep an eye on how much you're consuming. I understand what it's like to suffer with anxiety and depression, trust me. I can completely understand why people sometimes turn to substances as it can just feeling like you're fighting a losing battle. With persistence, respect for yourself and some kind of willingness to get to a better situation, you CAN beat it without drinking. You have realised you're in a 'vicious circle' thank goodness, so you have control of the reigns when it comes to breaking it. A lot of people spend years in vicious circles and don't even realise. : /

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        2
        2
          -
        • plum6
          10 years ago

          Very good comments :) I also think that the fact that the poster himself realizes that he might be heading in the wrong direction regarding his alcohol consumption is already a huge help :)

          I myself also tend to get the urge to get drunk every single time I go out. I personally see it as a result of having a stressfull and demanding job, which increases the need to "let loose" when going out.

          Anyway, I think that when a person realizes that he might be doing something which is not considered normal he has the ability to keep it from escalating..

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          1
          1
            -
          • flowergirl87
            10 years ago

            I agree - to have the awareness can give the person a healthy control. And it's difficult for denial to set in. That's always a very slippery slope.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
              -
            • plum6
              10 years ago

              I think that being able to sustain a combination of having at least a bit of self-control combined with having an appropriate amount of self-awareness regarding your behaviour and feelings will automatically give a person the instinct to avoid such situations.. However, i do believe these abilities are skills that grow over time and will require a person to make several social and emotional mistakes before really being able to apply properly..

              Also, and I have said this before. You as a person strikes me as an individual who has an over-developed ability to be able to separate 'wrong' from 'right'..

              Comment Hidden ( show )
              0
              0
  • Jeaneathean
    10 years ago

    Do be careful: it is an easy route to take.

    You are aware of your tendency, and the reason for it, though, which is a very good thing.

    You say you don't drink very often. So I don't think you are in danger here. Just remain aware of the potential is all I would say.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • Anonymous Post Author
    10 years ago

    Just so everyone knows, I think things are looking up on the whole alcoholic front. Although I'm still going to tread carefully :)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Shrunk
    10 years ago

    Same here but I don't see why it's a problem I only do it in moderation , never been drunk and have no desire to be. Actually I just like the taste (people don't seem to believe this) but the confidence is a good side effect, I feel like it makes me "normal", I can't usually talk much without it, it actually helps me say things I've wanted to say, rather than things I would regret... My dad (and pretty much everyone that side of the family, considering central european, where it seems to be normal) is like this too, he drinks every night but i have never seen him drunk. He is very successful and respectable person =)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • BloodRedAndTrue
    10 years ago

    damn thats what i do.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • davesumba
    10 years ago

    You can self medicate, or you can figure out your problems in your head.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0