| Open Question: Could I be an alcoholic? |
I drink alcohol every evening, usually to get a little tipsy but not always. The alcohol varies from wine coolers, to beer, to wine (white or red)--but nothing "hard" like vodka, tequila, or whiskey.I feel like I need a drink every night, regardless if the goal is to get a little tipsy or simply to just have a drink. If I don't drink before bedtime I will lay down for 5 or 10 minutes before getting back up and pouring a glass of red wine to drink before I lay back down for the night. I have justified this because it helps me have a better (deeper) sleep and go to sleep more quickly.Alcohol isn't my life and I don't go throughout the day yearning for a drink. As a matter of fact, I usually don't even think about drinking until the evening, when bedtime is closing in. I suppose the only thing odd is that I do get up at night to have a glass of red wine if I haven't had a drink previously. I have told my friend that I usually have a drink each night and she has questioned me, feeling I may have developed alcoholism. I'm not sure what to think but she seems genuinely concerned. I never thought I had a problem with alcohol but she assures me that getting up for a glass of red wine is absolutely unacceptable.What are other opinions on this matter?If I am an alcoholic, then should I seek some sort of treatment? What kind, if so?1. I do not drink to escape reality or my daily stress. I go to the gym 3 times a week and walk around the block the other 4 days. I have a very easy going job that I love and a happy relationship with my boyfriend, friends, and family. I simply am not drinking to "escape" anything. There is nothing I want to escape or ignore. Life is beautiful.2. Alcohol is not interfering with my personal relationships or work. I function normally and have yet to see it affect the people around me or my personal performance. I do not show up tipsy in front of any person. I do not drink before work or going out. I do not drink in the morning. I do not "crave" it.3. I do not get completely drunk or wasted--ever. One and 1/2 wine coolers gets me tipsy usually. Once I feel a little tipsy, I stop. I do not SEEK to become tipsy and I definately do stop when I feel such things because I fear drinking too much and getting ill to my stomach (seriously, I'm strange like that)
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