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What do you think defines alcoholism?
Is it how much alcohol impairs somebody (even if they don't have to drink and don't drink most of the week?)?
How reliant they are on Alcohol, like if they can't function without alcohol?
How much they drink when they choose to drink?
I'd like to know as a guy that is Diagnosed as being Bipolar (well Bipolar-nos, basically means I don't fit the textbook definition), I used to be really depressed and unstable, and even though I've had a couple bad episodes since then; it was due to stress and one place cutting off my medication refills (i wasn't "in their system" for refills, but I was to send bills to apparently).
I did used to cut myself (but haven't for about 5 years), and have had a few moments where I really felt I would of been far better off dead, but again that was on a few extreme circumstances and I wasn't even drinking at those times.
I only drink once a week, I like to get quite drunk, and I've even drank too much and blacked out once (I typically drink around 1 pint of 80 proof liquor once a week, but I was stressed out, so I doubled it to a liter) but I haven't since then.
How many of you think I'm an alcoholic in denial?
3 Answers
- RWPossumLv 75 years ago
There is some controversy about defining alcoholism, but if you consider how this will affect you, if not in the immediate future then in time, it's common sense that you have a drinking problem, whether you want to call it alcoholism or not. Getting that drunk once a week could result in a fatal accident. If you pushed it a bit too far (and that's VERY possible because you're not thinking clearly when you're drunk) you could die of alcohol overdose or suffer brain damage that would make you a cripple for life. Then again, the long-term effects of this drinking on your liver are going to be very, very bad.
If you try to give up drinking and find that you can't, then you're certainly alcoholic. If you are able to quit, some would argue that you're not alcohlic and it would be safe for you to drink in moderation, but this is a controversial idea.
There are many things that help with depression and help bipolar people to be stable, It makes no sense to pass up things that are supported by solid evidence in favor of a 19th-century anesthetic that has never been any good for treating mood disorders.
This chemical acts on the system to make a depression worse.
If you need treatment for alcoholism, you should see a doctor about this. Withdrawal is a medical problem that can be treated with medicine.
The most elaborate study of psychotherapies ever - Project MATCH - found that three treatments: 12-step, CBT, and motivation enhancement are good and equally useful. A good source of info - SMARTRecovery.org. Their program is evidence-based, not 12-step but not against 12=step. They're recognized by health agencies.
The answer I'm showing you here gives details about treatments.
Look under DEPRESSION TREATMENTS. There's info about standard treatments and self-help. Kinds of self-help: things based on CBT, lifestyle, and CES.
- ?Lv 75 years ago
See my source for the full definition. You are not an alcoholic, but you are abusing alcohol.
Your alcohol binges are terrible for your liver and your brain. They are also signs that your bipolar is not under control. If you need half a liter of liquor to get through the weekend, then you have a problem.
Please talk to your doctor about other ways to manage your stress and anxiety.
