Do I have a drink problem?

General health and lifestyle
1

Hi. I'm new here and just looking for some people's opinions. Honestly I'm hoping for someone to say everything is fine but I may be kidding myself... Sorry if it's long.

I'm 23 and have multiple mental health problems including PTSD. I drink to help with flashbacks and other issues. I was able to keep my drinking secret for a long time and it was fine. But a month ago I got arrested for drunk and disorderly because I was trying to kill myself. (I'm terrified of police, and never been in trouble before). Since then people that found out have been concerned about my drinking. I had to do an alcohol diary for the police worker and she's making me get in touch with alcohol support services. But I think she's overreacting. So the stats... I drink everyday. I don't start drinking until 2pm (but I'm sat with the drink waiting for the clock to change). I drink on average 15 units a day, with some days going up to 25 units. I know that probably sounds a lot but I'm not affected that much, I'm just a bit relaxed, happier and it helps me sleep. Sometimes I can't remember all of the previous night. I wrote all this out fine and I'm currently on 13 units today. I don't get hangovers, in fact the last time I felt particularly ill was when I only drank a few nights a week and had uncontrollable shakes on days that i didn't drink. Now i drink more I'm fine!

Anyway, sorry I've rambled. Just wondering people's opinion, I think I'm fine but am I kidding myself? Thank you for any replies

2

Hi speckledGecko

I am not a doctor but that amount of units per week is high. On a daily basis its huge. The fact that you DONT get hangovers is also a red flag. So I would say you do have AUD Alcohol Use Disorder and you need to take action and not ignore it.

Kind Regards

JulieAnne

3

Most people realise that they have an alcohol problem when they try NOT to drink. If you can't stop drinking and go a few days without a drink, then you are becoming (or maybe have already become) physically dependent on alcohol. The amount that the alcohol affects you is also a sign. The more you drink, the more tolerance you build to alcohol. I see people that I treat who can drink a bottle of vodka a day and people that don't know them don't realise they have been drinking at all because they don't get that drunk. Their body, however, is taking a massive pounding and, if they don't have a drink, they could die from the withdrawal symptoms.

If you try and go without a drink and get strong withdrawal symptoms, you should have a drink to stop those symptoms and seek medical help in the form of an alcohol detox.

Good luck!!

4

I meant UNTIL they try not to drink

 

5

Hi there, Great that you have come on here. Are you getting treatment or any kind of help with your PTSD? Thats the main question i would ask as i am sure on your very low moments it is acting as a trigger. You are so young and there is plenty of time for things to change and for you to feel so much better. It may be a bit of a process but it can happen if you want it to with some support, PTSD can not be easy for anyone to deal with even on its own. The thing is with drink is that people judge those who drink very harshly... the way that drink is promoted is also part of the prob. At the end of the day we dont have cocaine or heroin shops on every corner or see it all the time on tv. Maybe keep with the alcohol diary and gradually reduce and try to recognise when you feel very triggered. I can understand how sometimes you dont feel that much diff without it, its just your getting to use with it feeling normal to be this way and you tolerate it more. If you dont cut down or stop trust me you will feel worse the next day whether you have or havent drank. Dont use this forum as a one off, talk to people here as we can all help each other. No one on this forum knows this until now but i also know how low a person can feel to want to commit suicide... i have made a few attempts in the past and not all that long ago to be honest. Try to focus on what you feel is good in your life and also please get some help if your already not with the PTSD. If you really feel you can not stop there are others on here who can advise with meds better than me that will help you control the drinking and many have had brilliant success. Keep in touch, like i say your young and it can and you can change xxx take care 

 

6

Thank you all for your really lovely responses, that's more than I ever hoped for.

Sharon, thank you. I was getting help for the PTSD but the hospital I was at got closed and it ended. I now feel too ashamed to talk to anyone else about it. I'm really sorry you've been going through a tough time. I know how hard it is. I have made several attempts on my life with and without alcohol influence. I hope you get the support you need and deserve.

I was thinking of only using the site as a one off but have found it much more supportive than expected so may stick around. Thank you so much. xxxxxx

7

Sorry i meant how you dont feel that much different with drink rather than without...like i say its just a tolerance thats building up x

8

The best thing you can do, is take in Paul's post.

Being able to drink large quanitites of alcohol without it affecting you, is a major sign of a problem. If you want an honest answer, yes you are kidding yourself. You are young now, young enough to get away with it, but carry on and your body will start failing.

9

Good reply from Paul as RHGB and do take care SpeckledGecko..you are drinking a lot. Great that you are honest. Robin

10

I replied to this yesterday and it's not here. Very strange????

11

It was a while ago and i do see things very differently now...life is far from perfect but i do think you have to focus more on what is good in your life and what building a new one that is different from now. That will take time and support. Maybe go back and see your gp about the ptsd and also mention the drinking. We will support you and there is other support out there too. You have a whole life in front of you which can be so much more than where you are now. Excersize is important too for the body and mind this does help with so many things that are going on in the mind. Yes def keep coming on to the forum, we are always here x

12

Thank you Sharon. I'm so pleased you have managed to see things differently, i aspire to do that too.

So I got stressed about the drinking and ended up having 33 units the other day, contradiction I know.

I went to alcohol services today and they did an assessment on me. They say that i do have a problem and want me to get help from them. I will be given a case worker who will help me reduce drinking until it's safe to do a detox either in the community or residential (I've spent so much time in hospital that I don't want to go back). The nurse told me not to just stop drinking (not that I likely could anyway) as it could kill me - that was a bit of an eye opener. Problem is I think I'm still in denial... or they're wrong! Sorry for going on, I'm just happy I've found some caring people out there that don't seem to mind listening to my worries.

Also, random question, have any of you experienced numbness in fingers and toes? Even before they start drinking that day?

Thank you all!

Sophie

13

Yes the same is happening to me vicks xx

14

Hi Sophie

Yes it's amazing how alcohol creeps up on you. Dont know anything about numb fingers and toes sorry.

Glad to hear you are getting help

Kind Regards

JulieAnne

15

"She's making me get in touch with alcohol support services, but I think she's overreacting"

​I don't think she's overreacting at all. I'm not a fan of drink diaries, mainly because you can say anything. However if you do it for a week, I think you may be shocked at the amount of alcohol you're drinking each week.

Two things in your post should be of concern to you. One being that you can't recall things that happened the previous night. Two, you say it does t affect you very much and you don't suffer hangovers.

I got caught drink driving (the morning after a party I was just over the limit) Spending the night in a police cell was a real wake up call for me. I knew I had a problem and the longer I buried my head in the sand, the harder it would be and my health would suffer.

The half bottle of vodka I'd been having no longer had the same affect. So I was now onto a bottle of vodka. After about six months the alcohol wasn't doing very much at all, in fact if I'm honest I was drinking to stop withdrawals. I stopped putting vodka in a glass, it took longer and I'd waste some due to shaking.

After a few mouthfuls I would be sick and start again until it got into my system. You may think alcohol helps you sleep. It isn't proper sleep, for want of a better word, R.E.M. is what your body needs and you don't get that from alcohol.

Do I think you've got a drink problem? Yes I do. Are you kidding yourself? Yes definitely.

RHGB pointed out that you are young and you can change and get your life back. I wish someone had been tough with me. I wasted far too many years, time I can't get back Get some help now, the longer you leave it, the harder it will. 

youve also reached the point where going without alcohol is giving you the shakes. You need help, and you need it now

16

I think it happened to RHGB too. Really annoying isn't it? Looks like you're not bothered.

17

Thanks JulieAnne

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Hi VickyLou. Thanks very much for your reply. I am bothered I just didn't want to post too much to annoy people.

Yeah I have been quite surprised by my units over the week. I can totally relate with the police thing. I'm terrified of police and never been in trouble yet found myself at the wrong end of the law recently. I hope your experience didn't cause you too much long term distress.

Thanks for replying. I hope you're doing well.

Sophie

19

Thank you. Yes I've noticed it doesn't even taste as strong as before. Hopefully I will move it of the denial soon

Thanks again,

Sophie

20

Hi

I must learn not to be so blunt. It's only cos you're 23 with the rest of your life to live. I certainly didn't mean to be offensive. 

On on the other hand, I don't see the point in platitudes, there there don't worry, all will be fine, you've not got a problem.

I think you know alcohol is a problem to you and I'm the last person to critisize anyone about excessive drinking.

Like I said before, please get some help, otherwise you'll just get worse and it will be much harder for you.

Ive seen first hand what alcohol can do to people. I recently lost a close friend,to chronic cirrhosis, end stage liver disease. She kept it a secret, even her husband and boys hadn't a clue she was drinking in secret.

.If it helps, read my discussion on this forum about her demise. I risked loosing a good friend by telling her bluntly that I knew what she was doing. The reason I knew was because she was doing exactly what I did years ago.

Anyway, I certainly didn't mean to upset you, just maybe make you see that life can get better.

Are you in the uk? Please see a doctor asap. If you feel you can't speak openly and honestly with your dr, write it all out like you've done here and hand it to your dr.

​Whatever you do, DONT SUDDENLY STOP DRINKING, your body is used to a lot of alcohol to function. Stopping suddenly can give you,seizures, which can be fatal. You could try waiting till 3pm and having one less drink. Taper down gradually. Members on this forum have done that. 

I stopped with medication. Either chlordiazepoxide (Librium) or diazepam (Valium)