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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JLynn on April 26, 2005, at 22:23:04
I've never been in the party seen, but I have always liked the occasional beer. No liquour, no wine, just beer. I hadn't had any since around Nov., but I bought a couple of cases 2 weeks ago. I had been craving it for a while. And I figured since I had been having a terrible time falling asleep that it would be ok. I drank several each night until I ran out last night. Now I feel like I really really need it. I've never had a problem when I didn't have any before. I'm afraid I am becoming addicted. I don't drink until I get sick or pass out or anything, but I do like to have 4-6 a night....every night lately. I want to think that this is just a craving......UGGHHH!! I really want a beer!!!!
Posted by just so sad on April 27, 2005, at 9:41:24
In reply to Addiction or Craving???, posted by JLynn on April 26, 2005, at 22:23:04
Only you can know the answer to that. I was a nightly drinker until a few weeks ago. A bottle of red wine to fall asleep with a stupid smile on my face pretending my life was perfect. Or could at least wait until tomorrow. After many attempts I have committed to not drinking alone any more, so basically only drinking socially, and the hardest thing, other than the habit of making dinner with a buzz on, was trying to fall asleep stone, cold, sober. For me I think I was self-medicating with alcohol. Now I'm on an anti-depressant and feel better all-around, and that has helped. But still not quite used to laying there for hours waiting for magical, un-worried sleep to occur. Perhaps this is the same for you too? Perhaps you like not worrying as you hit the pillow? Just a thought, seeing as you asked! Good luck. Let us know how you do.
Posted by AuntieMel on April 29, 2005, at 9:56:37
In reply to Addiction or Craving???, posted by JLynn on April 26, 2005, at 22:23:04
The key difference between abuse and addiction is the word "unmanagable."
Only you can tell if you are getting there. But if it looks like you are heading in that direction I would strongly advise givving up that pattern before you get there. Giving up a true addiction is near torture.
Have you talked to your doctor about insomnia? I would advise that route myself.
Posted by Caper77 on May 3, 2005, at 23:17:39
In reply to Addiction or Craving???, posted by JLynn on April 26, 2005, at 22:23:04
You sound a lot like me. My glass or two of wine alone at home every night became several glasses then several bottles then daytime drinking. I went from drinking once or twice a year to full-fledged alcoholic status in about 6 months.
A couple of points:
1. It doesn't matter if it's "only beer". You're drinking a higher volume of fluid to get a buzz but your body still sees it simply as alcohol, it doesn't care what the source is.2. You don't have to get sick or pass out.
I never did during the time I was becoming addicted. In fact, I started getting sick from _not_ drinking if I ran out of wine. (Imagine drinking to take _away_ nausea! Twisted but true.)I got up to an intake of about 6-7 bottles of wine in a 24 hour time period and no one around me even knew I'd had a single drop! My tolerance became so great I needed bottle after bottle just to feel and seem normal.
Please be very careful. You already seem to have developed at least a psychological need for alcohol and if you keep on drinking you may start experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms like sweating, tremors, nausea, muscle cramps, etc.
Sorry for rambling so much and I hope this wasn't too scary. I just couldn't let this post go by- you sound just like me except you are more aware of the potential for addiction. I was soooo clueless. Please let me know how you're coping. Best wishes,
Caper
> I've never been in the party seen, but I have always liked the occasional beer. No liquour, no wine, just beer. I hadn't had any since around Nov., but I bought a couple of cases 2 weeks ago. I had been craving it for a while. And I figured since I had been having a terrible time falling asleep that it would be ok. I drank several each night until I ran out last night. Now I feel like I really really need it. I've never had a problem when I didn't have any before. I'm afraid I am becoming addicted. I don't drink until I get sick or pass out or anything, but I do like to have 4-6 a night....every night lately. I want to think that this is just a craving......UGGHHH!! I really want a beer!!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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